Xi'an in December
In December, Xi'an averages 7°C (45°F) during the day and -3°C (27°F) at night, with only about 2 rainy days.
High seasonConditions are cold — pack winter layers. Skies are generally dry and clear.
December in Xi'an 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 December compares to the rest of the year in Xi'an
December is one of the coolest months in Xi'an (11th of 12) and one of the driest months (12th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 13°C below the annual average (20°C). December runs 6°C cooler than November (13°C) and cools 1°C in January (7°C).
December sunrise & sunset in Xi'an
Times shown for Xi'an 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 Xi'an — December
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of December, in Xi'an's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — Xi'an 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 Xi'an's popularity.
Crowds & pricing — December in Xi'an
This is a busy month in Xi'an — 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 Xi'an
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.
🌬 Frosty nights — Xi'an in December
Gear: Cold nights, milder days. Light insulated jacket fine for daytime, real coat for after dark.
Xi'an in other months
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°C / 44°F | -3°C / 26°F | 10 mm | 3 | — |
| February | 10°C / 50°F | -1°C / 30°F | 18 mm | 4 | — |
| March | 18°C / 64°F | 5°C / 42°F | 28 mm | 6 | — |
| April | 22°C / 72°F | 11°C / 51°F | 59 mm | 10 | — |
| May | 27°C / 81°F | 15°C / 60°F | 56 mm | 7 | — |
| June | 31°C / 88°F | 20°C / 69°F | 97 mm | 9 | — |
| July | 33°C / 92°F | 23°C / 73°F | 94 mm | 9 | — |
| August | 32°C / 89°F | 22°C / 72°F | 110 mm | 10 | — |
| September | 26°C / 78°F | 17°C / 63°F | 128 mm | 12 | — |
| October | 19°C / 66°F | 10°C / 51°F | 73 mm | 10 | — |
| November | 13°C / 56°F | 4°C / 38°F | 28 mm | 6 | — |
| December | 7°C / 45°F | -3°C / 27°F | 7 mm | 2 | — |
Other cities with similar December weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Xi'an in December →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is Xi'an in December?
In December, Xi'an averages a high of 7°C (45°F) and a low of -3°C (27°F) — generally cold.
Does it rain a lot in Xi'an in December?
December is generally dry in Xi'an, with about 2 rainy days on average.
Is December a good time to visit Xi'an?
December 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 Xi'an in December?
Pack heavy winter layers, a coat, hat and gloves. See the full December packing list for Xi'an for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.