Beijing in January
In January, Beijing averages 2°C (36°F) during the day and -9°C (16°F) at night, with only about 2 rainy days.
Off-peakConditions are cold — pack winter layers. Skies are generally dry and clear.
January in Beijing is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).
How January compares to the rest of the year in Beijing
January is one of the coolest months in Beijing (12th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (9th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 16°C below the annual average (18°C). January runs 2°C cooler than December (4°C) and warms a further 3°C into February (5°C).
January sunrise & sunset in Beijing
Times shown for Beijing local time (Asia/Shanghai), calculated for the 15th of January. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in Beijing — January
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of January, in Beijing's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — Beijing in January
Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on January's tier (Off-peak) and Beijing's popularity.
January in China — events that affect travel
Known cultural, religious, or national events that surge prices, fill hotels, or close businesses during this month. Plan around them, or build your itinerary around the ones you'd like to see.
The largest annual human migration on earth — 300M+ people travel. Mainland China sees mass closures of restaurants, attractions, and shops for ~1 week; transport books out months ahead.
Plan: Travel within mainland China is genuinely hard during this window. Hong Kong/Singapore stay open but very busy. If you can shift dates, do.
Crowds & pricing — January in Beijing
This is off-peak for Beijing — the lowest prices of the year and the fewest crowds, but with real trade-offs: some restaurants, hotels, and beach businesses may close for the season; weather conditions can make outdoor activities unpredictable; and a handful of seasonal sights run reduced hours or close entirely. Great if you prefer a quiet local rhythm and don't mind the climate giving you reasons to choose indoor activities.
Why this tier: challenging tourism weather
Sun & mosquito risk — January in Beijing
UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.
🥶 Bitter cold — Beijing in January
Gear: Snow rare but air is freezing. Insulated coat, hat, and gloves still required — wind chill is the real enemy.
Beijing in other months
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2°C / 36°F | -9°C / 16°F | 3 mm | 2 | 2 |
| February | 5°C / 41°F | -6°C / 21°F | 5 mm | 2 | 2 |
| March | 12°C / 54°F | -1°C / 30°F | 10 mm | 3 | 1 |
| April | 21°C / 70°F | 7°C / 45°F | 25 mm | 4 | 0 |
| May | 27°C / 81°F | 13°C / 55°F | 35 mm | 5 | 0 |
| June | 30°C / 86°F | 18°C / 64°F | 70 mm | 9 | 0 |
| July | 31°C / 88°F | 22°C / 72°F | 175 mm | 14 | 0 |
| August | 30°C / 86°F | 21°C / 70°F | 165 mm | 12 | 0 |
| September | 26°C / 79°F | 14°C / 57°F | 50 mm | 7 | 0 |
| October | 19°C / 66°F | 7°C / 45°F | 25 mm | 3 | 0 |
| November | 10°C / 50°F | -1°C / 30°F | 10 mm | 2 | 1 |
| December | 4°C / 39°F | -7°C / 19°F | 5 mm | 2 | 2 |
Other cities with similar January weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Beijing in January →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is Beijing in January?
In January, Beijing averages a high of 2°C (36°F) and a low of -9°C (16°F) — generally cold.
Does it rain a lot in Beijing in January?
January is generally dry in Beijing, with about 2 rainy days on average and roughly 2 snow days.
Is January a good time to visit Beijing?
January is cold and mostly dry. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cold weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.
What should I pack for Beijing in January?
Pack heavy winter layers, a coat, hat and gloves. See the full January packing list for Beijing for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.