Month guide · Beijing · China
Beijing in January
What January is really like in Beijing: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: xiquinhosilva, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 2°C (36°F), lows of -8°C (18°F), about 2 rainy days and roughly 9.6 hours of daylight. Very cold but often sunny and dry; lakes freeze for skating and sights are quiet outside Lunar New Year.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 2°C (36°F) / -8°C (18°F)
- Rainy days
- About 2
- Daylight
- About 9.6 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Beijing: days average 2°C (36°F) against a yearly average high of 18°C (64°F), and nights fall to about -8°C (18°F). Rain falls on roughly 2 of its 31 days. Compared with December (3°C (37°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs climb to around 5°C (41°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 07:34
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:13
- Daylight
- About 9.6 hours
Winter (December–February). Freezing but sunny and dry, with frozen lakes for skating, quiet palaces and Lunar New Year temple fairs.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 2 for crowds (the peak is April at 4) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in April). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
- Ice skating on Houhai and in Beihai Park (usually January)
- Lunar New Year temple fairs (late January or February)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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Museum · Wangfujing and Dongcheng
National Museum of China
Head straight for the Ancient China exhibition on the basement level; it is the strongest part of the collection.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
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Experience · Qianmen and Dashilar
Peking opera performance
Peking opera combines singing, stylised movement, acrobatics and elaborate face paint.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- After dark
- Rainy day
- Art
- Couples
Palace · Wangfujing and Dongcheng
Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
Walk the side courtyards to the east and west of the central axis, which are far quieter, then climb Jingshan Park opposite the north gate for the view over the roofs.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Historic site · Huairou District
Great Wall at Mutianyu
About 70 km northeast of the centre, Mutianyu is a restored Ming section of wall with more than 20 watchtowers along a forested ridge.
- Time needed
- Full day including travel
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
- History
What to pack
For highs near 2°C, lows near -8°C and 2 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Beijing?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–May and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Beijing in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Beijing?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Very cold but often sunny and dry; lakes freeze for skating and sights are quiet outside Lunar New Year.
+How warm is Beijing in January?
Average highs are around 2°C (36°F) and lows around -8°C (18°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Beijing in January?
Expect rain on about 2 days of the month, so it is usually dry.