Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Beijing in January
This is the coldest month in Beijing: highs average 35°F (2°C) and lows 14°F (-10°C), with less than 0.1 in (3 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 55/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 35°F (2°C)
- Avg low
- 14°F (-10°C)
- Rain or snow
- less than 0.1 in (3 mm)
- Humidity
- 51%
- Cloud cover
- 45%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 28 min
- Comfort score
- 55/100 · Fair
What January feels like
Real cold sets in, with afternoon highs around 35°F (2°C).
Average lows of 14°F (-10°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Precipitation is light, less than 0.1 in (3 mm) of rain or snow, and since the average temperature is below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Daylight is short, roughly 9 h 28 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are April and September & October.
- Comfort holds steady from December (57 → 55/100).
- Our Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai route recommends Apr – May, Sep – Oct, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 14°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Beijing in January
With highs near 35°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Siji Minfu
Popular Peking duck chain carving crisp duck tableside at fair prices.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 35°F.
798 Art District
Former factory complex filled with galleries, studios and cafes.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 35°F.
Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
The Ming and Qing imperial palace, nearly a thousand buildings behind red walls.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
Houhai Bar Street
Lakeside bars with live music along the shore of Houhai.
Jingshan Park
Hill park directly north of the palace with a view over its golden roofs.
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~222 m to Beijing's ~53 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Beijing in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Beijing?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 55/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are April and September & October. Expect highs of 35°F (2°C) and less than 0.1 in (3 mm) of rain or snow. Our Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai route recommends Apr – May, Sep – Oct, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Beijing in January?
Average highs are 35°F (2°C) and average lows 14°F (-10°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Beijing in January?
Not much: less than 0.1 in (3 mm) of rain or snow falls across January on average, the 2nd-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 21.0 in (533 mm).
What should I pack for Beijing in January?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 14°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Beijing
Planning Beijing in January?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.