Chengdu in December

In December, Chengdu averages 11°C (52°F) during the day and 4°C (39°F) at night, with around 5 days of rain (14 mm total).

High season

Conditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

December in Chengdu 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.).

11°C
Avg high
4°C
Avg low
5
Rain days
14 mm
Rainfall

How December compares to the rest of the year in Chengdu

11th
warmest month of the 12
12th
wettest month of the 12
1%
of yearly rainfall falls in December
10 h 11 min
daylight on the 15th

December is one of the coolest months in Chengdu (11th of 12) and one of the driest months (12th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 10°C below the annual average (21°C). December runs 5°C cooler than November (16°C) and cools 1°C in January (11°C).

December sunrise & sunset in Chengdu

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:53 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:04 PM
Day length
10 h 11 min

Times shown for Chengdu local time (Asia/Shanghai), calculated for the 15th of December. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Chengdu — December

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of December, in Chengdu's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:53 AM – 7:33 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
7:33 AM – 8:33 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:24 PM – 6:24 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:24 PM – 7:04 PM

📅 When to book — Chengdu in December

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 December's tier (High season) and Chengdu's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
3-4 months
Prices are above off-season but not the absolute peak. Tuesday/Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than weekend ones.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
3-5 months
Wide selection still available at this lead time. Premium properties book first; consider 'last-minute deal' availability at 2-week mark if your dates are flexible.
⚠ Christmas / New Year travel is a global premium-pricing event — many destinations 30-50% above normal. Book 4+ months ahead if your dates are Dec 20 - Jan 2.

Crowds & pricing — December in Chengdu

High season

This is a busy month in Chengdu — not the absolute peak, but tourist numbers are clearly elevated. You'll feel it at headline attractions on weekends and in the historic centre, though side streets and lesser-known sights stay manageable. Prices are above off-season but not at their summit. A good week for first-time visitors who want everything open without the worst of the crush.

Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather Christmas / New Year travel surge

Sun & mosquito risk — December in Chengdu

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
6.5
High
Cover up and apply SPF 30+ for any outdoor activity longer than 30 minutes.
🦟 Mosquito risk
○○○○○
None
Mosquitoes are essentially absent — cold weather keeps populations dormant.

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.

Chengdu in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 11°C / 51°F 3°C / 38°F 12 mm 5
February 13°C / 55°F 5°C / 41°F 19 mm 6
March 19°C / 66°F 10°C / 50°F 38 mm 11
April 24°C / 74°F 14°C / 58°F 79 mm 12
May 27°C / 80°F 18°C / 64°F 93 mm 14
June 30°C / 85°F 21°C / 71°F 124 mm 14
July 31°C / 87°F 23°C / 73°F 288 mm 20
August 30°C / 87°F 23°C / 73°F 280 mm 21
September 26°C / 79°F 20°C / 67°F 109 mm 16
October 21°C / 70°F 15°C / 59°F 57 mm 12
November 16°C / 61°F 10°C / 49°F 19 mm 6
December 11°C / 52°F 4°C / 39°F 14 mm 5

Other cities with similar December weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Chengdu in December →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Chengdu in December?

In December, Chengdu averages a high of 11°C (52°F) and a low of 4°C (39°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Chengdu in December?

December sees occasional rain in Chengdu, with about 5 rainy days on average.

Is December a good time to visit Chengdu?

December is cool and mostly dry. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cool weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Chengdu in December?

Pack a warm jacket and layers. See the full December packing list for Chengdu for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Chengdu on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.