Changsha Weather in January

Hunan Provincial Museum's interior

Weather: January is the coldest month and one of the driest months in Changsha. It is sharply cold at night due to the high humidity of 84% and the lack of heating in many public places. The average nightly low temperature is -1 °C (30 °F), and the average daily high temperature is 8 °C (46 °F).

Precipitation isn't a problem since there is only about 34 mm of precipitation that falls on 8 days of the month. It snows occasionally.

Pollution: The Quality of Air Index is 199 in January, so it is heavily polluted. If you have problems with asthma or heart disease, it is better to go in the spring or summer. Check the Changsha weather and forecast>>

Clothing: Many hotels and restaurants in Changsha have no central heating. Dress in layers. Have a coat, long winter underwear, and gloves for being out at night.

Things to Do in Changsha in January

Visit Hunan Provincial Museum

Stinky tofu is a favorite snack on Huangxing Pedestrian Street

Hunan Provincial Museum is one of foreign tourists' most popular highlights. This large museum contains treasures from a 2,000-year-old tomb, ancient bronzeware, and Wu Kingdom relics. 

Shop on Huangxing Road (黄兴路)

The highlight on the street are the little Chinese shops that give economical prices and a wide selection and the little restaurants and snack stands along it. The lively and friendly atmosphere on the two kilometer street is where you can save money compared to the more touristy cities.

Dine on Spicy Local Food and Street Snacks

On cold days, you can snack at Huangxing Road. The street is known for its stinky tofu, octopus legs, and peanut snacks. A lot of the local food is spicy and hot. The street has a wide variety of inexpensive, tasty, and authentic snacks that are good even in the opinion of well-traveledChinese.

(Enjoy Chinese New Year)

Chinese New Year/Spring Festival is in late January or early February. People gather near Juzi Island to watch the big public fireworks display on New Year's Eve, and hundreds of thousands of people and children pop fireworks all over the place in a shocking booming crescendo.

Touring Changsha in January

Low (or High) Travel Season

Tour Chairman Mao's hometown

(If Chinese New Year falls in January as it does about 1 in 3 years, expect heavy travel volume, heavily booked hotels, higher prices, and more crowds. It is the time of heaviest travel in China. All but the largest shops close for several days starting from Chinese New Year's Eve.)

Otherwise, expect travel and tourism to be low and for lower prices for Changsha flight or train tickets. Hotel room prices are also cheaper than during holidays. Let us help you arrange these.

Recommended Tour Packages

7-Day Hunan Tour: The fantastic rock forms of Zhangjiajie, Changsha, Shaoshan, and Fenghuang Ancient Town tour.