December could be a cost-effective time for a trip to China.
China is well into a freezing winter in the north and west. Snow falls there. It is a good time for snow activities and to see snow-covered landscapes.
Central China is very cold, but South China might be warm and sunny. These could be comfortable winter escapes for people in colder climates.
Read on to find out how China's December climate affects tourism and our travel suggestions.
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China Weather in December: Overview
- Average daily temperature range: -2–7°C (28–45°F)
- Average rainfall: 17 mm (1 in)
- Average rainy days: 2
- Average sunny days: 29
Weather in North China (Beijing, Xi'an, Harbin...)
In North China, the cold wind is biting and snow often covers the ground. It sometimes snows and, since it is so cold, the snow remains for a long time and accumulates. Therefore, it is a good time to view stunning snowy scenery.
Almost all of the ski resorts are open in December. Harbin's Ice and Snow World also opens at the end of December.
Clothing: You would need an extra-thick coat and layers of clothing to stay warm as well as gloves and a warm hat. Wear water-resistant shoes with good traction.
Weather in East China (Shanghai, Hangzhou...)
East China has cool/cold, windy, humid, and damp weather in December. Shanghai usually stays above freezing, averaging 5–11°C (41–52°F). There is little chance of snow, except in the mountains, perhaps with some falling toward the end of December.
Clothing: Wear a coat, rain gear, and water-resistant shoes.
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Shanghai tour with Kris
We traveled to China during the Chinese new year and we had Kris as our guide and he is simply knowledgeable,helpful and great. more
Feb 2024, Maria C
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We had an amazing to China
We had an amazing to China. Our tour guide Martin in Shanghai was super knowledgeable, caring and very flexible with our itinerary. When my wife got sick in the Shanghai, he was able to arrange an English-speaking doctor on the spot and took us to the clinic. On top of the that, Martin and the driver stayed with us at the clinic for the whole duration and drove us back to the hotel afterwards. His genuine concern for our welfare and willingness to go the extra mile did not go unnoticed, and we were deeply touched by his kindness and compassion. more
Feb 2024, Ray Luan
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Amazing trip to China
We had an amazing to China. Our tour guide Martin in Shanghai was super knowledgeable, caring and very flexible with our itinerary. When my wife got sick in the Shanghai, he was able to arrange an English-speaking doctor on the spot and took us to the clinic. On top of the that, Martin and the driver stayed with us at the clinic for the whole duration and drove us back to the hotel afterwards. His genuine concern for our welfare and willingness to go the extra mile did not go unnoticed, and we were deeply touched by his kindness and compassion. more
Feb 2024, Ray L.
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Shanghai 2024
We had an amazing to China. Our tour guide Martin in Shanghai was super knowledgeable, caring and very flexible with our itinerary. When my wife got sick in the Shanghai, he was able to arrange an English-speaking doctor on the spot and took us to the clinic. On top of the that, Martin and the driver stayed with us at the clinic for the whole duration and drove us back to the hotel afterwards. His genuine concern for our welfare and willingness to go the extra mile did not go unnoticed, and we were deeply touched by his kindness and compassion. more
Feb 2024, Venture33530492375
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Shanghai 2024
Shanghai is an amazing mix of modern and historical China. Our guide Kris was great and very flexible when it came to completing the itinerary which was helpful considering the poor weather + visibility on the first day when we were supposed to visit Shanghai tower. Walking along the river front (bund) area was a big highlight for us. more
Feb 2024, Explore49612084715
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Shanghai 2024
We traveled to Shanghai in Jan/Feb 2024 with China Highlights. Shanghai is an amazing mix of modern and historical China. Our guide Kris was great and very flexible when it came to completing the itinerary which was helpful considering the poor weather + visibility on the first day when we were supposed to visit Shanghai tower. Walking along the river front (bund) area was a big highlight for us. more
Feb 2024, Lydia
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Shanghai trip for Mihail
Me and my wife had a trip to China and part of it we spent in Shanghai. Our private tour guide was Kris Lee and I have to say he was very much up for the task. His knowledge of China's history was quite comprehensive and more than I could have expected. If only I could have that kind of memory. His level of English exceeded my expectations and that of course served us very well not only in understanding the Chinese culture, traditions, way of life, etc, but also allowed us to order meals, drinks, make purchases, ask whatever questions coming to mind, making us comfortable to experience the place without the inherent language issues we could have had otherwise. All in all Kris Lee is certainly an asset for any travel agency from China more
Feb 2024, Mihail D
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China highlights Shanghai
I had a wonderful trip to China. Martin was my guide. The history and sights picked were wonderful. The additional spots like the world’s largest Starbucks and the help to make reservations at the Old Jazz club were great. more
Feb 2024, Megan.S
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Fantastic week in Shanghai and Suzhou
The guide (Martin) was extraordinary in history, local food, communication & management skills, and etc. With his expertise, Martin made sure we got the best experience in Shanghai and Suzhou even after the day tour ended he recommended where we should see, go, and dine. Couldn't be happier! more
Feb 2024, Resort08416089594
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Profesional and detail oriented
My last stop was Shanghai. I was greeted by Martin. It is pretty much a 1 day itinerary there. Martin took me to all the stops and introduced me to a cool tea house not on the agenda. With the extra time we had we also stopped Starbuck’s Reserve which is the largest in the world. Martin also helped me make reservations at the Old Jazz Club at the Fairmont Hotel. more
Jan 2024, Megan Sandbothe
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Shanghai
Great couple days in Shanghai. Thanks to my guide Martin for showing me best of Shanghai. Great work by China team - trip very well organised. more
Jan 2024, Steve P
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Amazing experience !!!
Great tour! Very flexible and our tour guide Chris was so amazing that he adjusted to our last time request there! I totally recommend this tour !! more
Jan 2024, Victor A
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Amazing trip in China
Guides were Mark in Beijing, Jenny in Xi’an, Frank in Guilin/Yangshuo and Kris and Peter in Shanghai. I can’t say enough how wonderful each of them were to us. They worked very hard to give us a five star tour. The drivers were five star as well. Our hotels were very clean and wonderful with a great breakfast buffet each morning. Our guides would take us to a great locals place for lunch each day and then dinner we were on our own, but each guide would give us fantastic places to go. I know without a doubt our trip was exceptional due to booking with Liberman at China Highlights Tour Company. more
Jan 2024, Mary Ann Brady
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Shnaghai lovers
From the moment we arrived in Shanghai it was an unforgettable experience. The agency and Martín (our guide) made everything possible to had the best experience and were always open to show or teach more if was necessary. We were very happy with the places we saw and the stories we learned thanks to Martín!!! I totally recommend the agency!! more
Jan 2024, Fanny Ramírez?
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Shangai in our hearth
From the moment we arrived in Shanghai it was an unforgettable experience. The agency and Martín (our guide) made everything possible to had the best experience and were always open to show or teach more if was necessary. We were very happy with the places we saw and the stories we learned thanks to Martín!!! I totally recommend the agency!! more
Jan 2024, Fanny Ramírez
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Caring Guide Made a Great Trip
We were so fortunate to have Kris as our tour guide. He was so kind and helpful with a great sense of humor. He made sure that my parents, who are in their 70s, were comfortable and that we traveled at a good place. Kris had excellent suggestions for restaurants and he helped arrange tickets to the Eras 2 show- like a cirque de soleil type show that was spectacular. I really enjoyed the Yu Garden as well as the propaganda poster museum. I highly recommend Kris and China Highlights! more
Jan 2024, Rose A
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Great tour in Shanghai.
We had Kris Lee as our tour guide for a few days and we loved all the experiences. He is a very capable guide and knows a lot about history. We needed him to translate many things in the city and he was very patient with us. He speaks very good English and is punctual. He took many pictures for us and was very calm dealing with my father who walked sometimes slowly more
Jan 2024, shinemasla
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Amazing
Amazing tour well organized by our guide Kenny.We have the possibility to visit different highlights of the city and also some unknown Places that you cannot find in any guides.We Highly suggest to choose china highlights and Kenny to discover Shangai! more
Jan 2024, Alessandra
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Amazing Experience with Kenny!
We had Kenny as our guide for Suzhou and she was amazing! We were all very impressed with her attentive service, professionalism and knowledge of the tourist spots and also China in general.She was definitely one of our highlights of our trip! more
Jan 2024, Goplaces
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Amazing City
Amazing different sides of Shanghai. We visited the Bund, Yu Garden, Water Town, local markets, Shanghai Tower and the Disneyland. Our guide, Ting was also excellent, accommodating and very knowledgeable. The driver, Mr. Jin was great and helpful too. The Halal restaurants are good. more
Jan 2024, Farid S
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Weather in South China (Guilin, Hong Kong...)
In major contrast to every other big city in China, Hong Kong gets ideal weather: warm, sunny, light breezes, clear skies, and little rain. Sightseeing, shopping, and outdoor activities are all the more enjoyable when it is dry and sunny.
The rest of South China generally has a pleasant winter with plentiful sunshine but Guilin feels cold because of the high humidity and mountain altitudes although it rarely freezes in the valleys.
Clothing: A thin coat or jacket and perhaps some rain gear would be adequate. In Guilin, however, wear a thicker jacket and dress in layers for comfort.
Weather in West China (Chengdu, Tibet, Yunnan...)
Many areas of Yunnan Province and Sichuan Province have pleasant winter weather with sunshine, but high-altitude areas are frigid.
Tibet is generally quite cold in December. Some remote areas might be difficult to access due to heavy snowfall.
However, you would usually not feel too cold during the daytime in the capital city. Lhasa experiences dry and sunny weather and enjoys the reputation of being "the city of sunlight".
Clothing: Dress in layers with a coat and hat for the evenings. Wear a winter coat when in mountainous areas and Tibet.
Top 5 Places to Visit in China in December
In December, Beijing and Harbin are recommended for their winter snow scenes and skiing experiences.
For a warmer escape for your Christmas vacation, Yunnan and Hong Kong are good choices. Chengdu could also be nice for seeing pandas as well as for food lovers.
1. Beijing
If you visit the Great Wall in December, you are very likely to view an awesome snowy scene of the wall and the mountains covered with snow. In addition, there are fewer tourists and you might have the wall to yourself.
After the visit, you could unwind at a premium hot spring resort while indulging in a rejuvenating soak in the thermal waters.
The Forbidden City, with its red and gold architecture, and the ancient Drum and Bell towers appear even more captivating under a gentle dusting of snow.
Skiing is also one of the exciting experiences when visiting Beijing in winter. You could enjoy the thrill of skiing at Olympic-class facilities using slopes at one of China's finest ski resorts.
2. Harbin
In late December, Harbin's Ice and Snow World opens. It's a winter amusement park with various ice-built castles illuminated by lights, along with entertainment. At the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, there is also a fireworks show.
You could embark on a tiger safari in the Siberian Tiger Park. You could even purchase meat or live poultry to feed the tigers. It could be a fun experience for both adults and children.
Skiing is, of course, an essential experience in Harbin. You could enjoy an all-inclusive winter holiday at Club Med Yabuli.
The Snow Town near Harbin is also a highlight. You could see the charming snow-covered village and experience what it's like in winter in the northern countryside.
3. Hong Kong
December in Hong Kong is a dry season month, and it generally has clear skies. This means that you have a better chance of enjoying clear vistas from Victoria Peak, including large cityscapes and the ocean in the distance.
The city comes alive with a vibrant holiday spirit with Christmas approaching. Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park offer special programs, such as Christmas shows and parades, as well as displaying decorations during the Christmas season.
There are also many Christmas markets held in Hong Kong Disneyland, Yau Tsim Mong District, Causeway Bay, and Central.
The Christmas season is also one of the prime times for shopping in Hong Kong. Shopping centers and malls host wonderful Christmas promotions and events.
4. Yunnan
In China, where most regions are cold in winter, Yunnan is one of the few mild and sunny places to escape the cold.
The terraced rice fields in Yuanyang transform into mirrors of golden hues, reflecting the subdued winter sun. In the historic town of Lijiang, snowcapped mountains form a stunning backdrop to the traditional Naxi architecture.
You might see black-headed gulls at Erhai Lake, which have traveled all the way from northern Russia to spend their winter there. You could also take advantage of the sunny weather to ride along the edge of Erhai Lake.
You could explore Shaxi Ancient Town and make a typical handicraft of the Bai ethnicity before enjoying a moderate hike along the medieval Tea Horse Road.
5. Chengdu
December in Chengdu is brimming with vitality. Historical and cultural districts, such as Jinli and the Wide and Narrow Alleys, are bustling and laced with the mist and aroma of hot pot.
Even in winter, pandas remain active. Their thick fur insulates them from the cold, allowing you to witness them playing in the snow, climbing trees, and munching on bamboo in outdoor enclosures.
With fewer tourists, you could have a better experience when it comes to observing pandas. You could also join in a meaningful panda volunteer program.
Chengdu also offers exciting skiing experiences. You could enjoy the fun of skiing in beautiful Bipenggou National Park (3½ hours away by car) and soak in a natural mineral hot spring in a snowy wonderland.
Costs and Crowds in December
December is the low travel season. But some winter destinations, such as Harbin and Hainan Island, have more tourists than usual. The cost of travel to these destinations would increase accordingly.
On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, it would be best to book a restaurant in advance. Queues at restaurants in major cities increase because many young people go out to eat and shop, counting down to greet the New Year.
If you would like to have a Christmas dinner, please let us know. Your travel advisor would provide you with some restaurant suggestions or make a reservation for you.
Recommended China Tours
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Or start from a recommended itinerary — all of our tours can be customized:
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