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.
Content Preview
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.
China Highlights, Asia Highlights, and Global Highlights collaborate to provide families and couples with personalized and stress-free experiences in diverse destinations.


![]() ![]() |
One day trip to Shanghai with Martin
I liked beautiful riverfront with skyscrapers, especially in the evening. The garden is very nice, lots of walkways makes it feel really big. Thanks to the guide the schedule was very flexible. Instead of waiting in a huge queue for the tv tower we went to nearby skyscraper, we also were able to meet with our friends who also visited Shanghai on the same day. more
Aug 2023,
Dmitry
|
We had an amazing trip with China Highlights!
Kris was an excellent tour guide in Shanghai and flexible with our travel plans. Mervyn has impressive knowledge of history and culture in Xi'an and did a stellar job navigating the crowds of tourists seeing the Terra-cotta Army. Cactus brings a depth of historical knowledge to the tours that is super interesting, and she has great enthusiasm that makes the tour enjoyable. All our drivers were very good and helped ensure that we got from one destination to the next as safely and quickly as possible. The air conditioning in the comfortable cars during the exceptionally hot summer was appreciated, as well. Our itinerary included Shanghai, Xi'an, and Beijing, plus a few days trips such as a small water town outside Shanghai and the Terra-cotta Army outside Xi'an. We took high speed trains between all our destinations, and the China Highlights team did everything they could remotely to pre-arrange those logistics and also escorted us as far as they were able to at each train station. We traveled first class whenever the tickets were still available, and we stayed in quality hotels that were clean and centrally-located for most tourist activities in each city. It was maybe the greatest culinary trip of our lives. :) more
Aug 2023,
Brett N
|
Kris from China Highlights in Shanghai was wonderful
We toured Shanghai with Kris from China Highlights as our guide, he was friendly, helpful and made the trip a lot of fun! He also went above and beyond when we traveled to my daughter’s birthplace helping to get information and connect with people from the orphanage where my daughter was adopted from.Highly recommend!! more
Aug 2023,
Rita A
|
Personalized and very memorable!
Kris with China Highlights was friendly and personable during our trip. He told us the history of Shanghai in an interesting way, and gave us great recommendations to avoid crowds but still see the highlights of Shanghai. He also traveled with us to the city I was born and was very helpful in helping us communicate with locals. He made sure we had a memorable and very special experience. more
Aug 2023,
Annie A
|
Short but great visit to Shanghai with Kris
We spent a day touring Shanghai with Kris as our tour guide. Kris was very knowledgable about Shanghai and was great at sharing that knowledge with us. He also made great suggestions on how to enhance our visit and make it even more interesting. We visited the Yu Garden in the morning, super interesting, very beautiful and Kris was able to share the history of the Garden and buildings with us make the visit that much more interesting. We then went up the Shanghai tower, an exhilirating trip with stunning views! Lunch was in a local restaurant and was super tasty. In the afternoon Kris suggested that we take a boat tour down the river to see the Bund from the water. A great suggestion and we enjoyed an hour floating on the river admiring the amazing views!! Thank you Kris for showing us parts of Shanghai that we would never have found ourselves and making our stay very memorable. more
Aug 2023,
Sandra
|
Unusual places in Shanghai with Martin
We had the opportunity to visit Shangai with Martin. It was the second time for us in the city but I must say that Martin made our experience great. We were looking for something different, I love art and Martin inserted in the schedule extra spot to visit such us M50 district. We are used to travel a lot for work, and I can tell that by far Martin is one of the most professional tour guide I have ever met. He was extremely passionate about is work, prepared to talk about topics not only related to the city itself but on different cultures. Super. Strongly recommend a tour with him. more
Aug 2023,
Isabella L
|
Excellent Guide makes an enjoyable tour
My husband booked a two day guided tour with China Highlights for our family whilst in Shanghai. Our guide Jessie was extremely knowledge and professional and made both our days very enjoyable and insightful. I highly recommend booking a trip with Jessie. more
Aug 2023,
Sue
|
Shanghai from many perspectives with Kris!
Our first stop was in Shanghai where we were blessed to spend a few days exploring the city with Kris, our amazing tour guide. He is knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and committed to curating the trip you want. There were a few things that were not on our original itinerary and Kris went out of his way to rearrange the schedule and make sure we got to see and do them all. He made excellent recommendations for evening activities after our tours were complete. It was fun to get to know one another and share our stories of cross-cultural travels and adventures. I plan to recommend China Highlights's tour with Kris to everyone I know heading to Shanghai! more
Jul 2023,
Kaila W
|
Shanghai & Suzhou.
My friends and I, group of four pax visited Shanghai, Hangzhou and Huangshan in June. We had 3 tour guides for the various cities. Our first guide, Martin was indeed very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. He was our guide for Suzhou. His explanation and description of Suzhou in English is very good. In Shanghai, he helped us locate the places we wanted to go for our shopping and restaurants to go to. He was very helpful when picking us at airport and train stations and also helping us check in for our train departure at the ever busy Hongqiao station. Martin is highly recommended if you’re looking to visit Shanghai. more
Jul 2023,
CindyBeezeebee
|
Wonderful Shanghai Experience
We took a tour in Shanghai and Kris was our guide. He has a lot of knowledge on the sights we went to, such as the Yuyuen garden, Shanghai tower, French neighborhood. He was very friendly and flexible. If you visit Shanghai ask for Kris, he is a great guide that gave us a wonderful experience . Enrique Marin more
Jul 2023,
840enriquem
|
Fantastic guide - Kris in Shanghai
I traveled with a friend to Shanghai got 1 day visit and we were very lucky to have Kris as our guide. He was fantastic and very accommodating to all our needs, he spent most of the day with us which was very much appreciated during the crazy heatwave and large crowds during Dragon boat festival. His English was also excellent and we learnt a lot about Chinese culture (thank you for sharing!) We’ll be be very happy to recommend Kris for future trips in Shanghai! more
Jul 2023,
Dreamer47605491007
|
Private Shanghai Tour during Dragon Boat Festival 2023
A friend & I traveled to China in Jun2023 and we had Kris as our private tour guide in Shanghai. He was extremely professional & entertaining and spent the entire day with us supporting a flexible itinerary. He was very knowledgeable about the sights and relevant history and of course current affairs. He greeted us early morning at our hotel lobby and helped transport us (with a private driver) throughout the day. Though we were meant to see the bund during the day, he was willing to join us into the evening during the Dragon Boat Festival so that we felt safe and supported. We really enjoyed our day with Kris and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him or request his services again when we we are back! more
Jul 2023,
Ankita K
|
Shanghai with teens
Our guide Martin was so cult but so cool. We learnt a lot about the city, totally recommended. It was a great experience for us and our teen children. Our guide Martin was flexible cult and cool. Our family of 2 adults and 2 teens were very happy. Martin helped us solve some issues we had at the airport when leaving Shanghai. more
Jul 2023,
gilberto b
|
Places a must to visit
A long way away but weather fabulous the Kunlun ( ex Hilton ) hotel fabulous and well situated , whilst shanghai fast becoming my favourite city in the world , fabulous resteraunts , fabulous shopping , go to the Bund , people’s square , shanghai museum , indoor market , Jade Temple , yuan gardens , West Nanjing road and Bar Rouge at night. more
Jul 2023,
Peter R
|
Shanghai - expert local tourguide, Kris
Had the most amazing time in Shanghai, thanks to our nice and helpful expert local tourguide, Kris! more
Jun 2023,
Lilla L
|
Shanghai Tour with China Highlights
We recently had the pleasure of going on a tour of Shanghai with China Highlights, and our guide, Ryan! This experience was wonderful, we were able to visit some of Shanghai’s most iconic locations, such as The Bund, the French Concession, and even got to try some famous Xiaolongbao at Jia Jia Tang Bao. Overall, really recommend China Highlights. more
May 2023,
Francesco
|
Shanghai 1/2 day Tour
Shanghai is a modern big city with some stand out architecture modern and from the past. Ryan was again my guide for Shanghai City tour. We started with Yu Garden which was already flocked with domestic tourists! Yu Garden is the highlight of my Shanghai tour. Ryan explained and pointed out what makes it so special.The next thing we did was go to the Bund and Ryan #chinahighlights, explained some of the prominent old banking buildings and the clock tower tgat was made by the same person that did Big Ben in London. Also pointed out and we entered in disguise, was Peace Hotel. That was another highlight being an Art Deco style original and the Old Men Jazz Band. Then we walked a bit and our driver took us to The Shanghai Tower. Before you go up there is a whole display of Skyscrapers so you can see how the Shanghai Tower ranks. Going up was easy and you would never know you were going so high. It was a rainy morning but visibility was ok. You can walk all the way around to get a view of Shanghai. There were locks you can buy, marketed a "lucky", so you can lock your wishes up there. There is also a metal tree where you can ties a wish ribbon. We then went to the French Quarter which are some old buildings now occupied by modern venues and shops. I was told the area was a night spot so things were just opening. Nanjing Rd is the Retail Heaven thoroughfare, pedestrian only traffic. If you are shopping for name brand you will find it there, just like any other major city. Chinese tourists were out and about, I know they are happy! more
May 2023,
JeanneC
|
Speak about travel in China means speak about China Highlights!
Chris, in Shanghai; Alice, in Lijiang; Lee, in Dali; May, in Kunming; and others that we have previously known no less efficient and friendly. My greetings and respect to all of them and also to the drivers. They all have a very good command of the English language and strive to make one dedicate themselves to enjoying what China offers us. Thank you, China, and thank you China Highlights!! Just tell you: SEE YOU IN OUR NEXT TRIP!!! more
May 2023,
Horacio S
|
Our consultant Roger Li did a wonderful…
Our consultant Roger Li did a wonderful job of making a great private tour plan for my husband who wanted to add on a few days in China. He incorporated everything my husband wanted to see and made a great tour based on our needs and wants.Roger Li was very easy to get in touch with and was always available and accessible when we had questions. more
Apr 2023,
Brian
|
Shanghai's Best
My husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary by exploring China ; and first in our bucket list was Shanghai and Beijing.We booked this trip via China Highlights, and we had a tour guide , named Ryan, who made our trip memorable by not only sending us to Shanghai's best spots but most of all his rich knowledge on all these places. One of the best part is that he communicates very well, fluent in English, made us understand China's culture, its stories behind those buildings and sceneries. No doubt will recommend this travel site to our friends, "High Five" to China Highlights and again kudos to our tour Guide, RYAN, see you again !! more
Mar 2023,
Jocelyn So G
|
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
We are ready to solve the problems of planning a complex trip in an unfamiliar region for you, helping to save you time and effort while ensuring that your travel needs and desires are met. Just select Create My Trip.
Or start from a recommended itinerary — all of our tours can be customized:
- 8-Day Shanghai–Beijing–Harbin–Xi'an Tour
- 15-Day Beijing–Luoyang–Xi'an–Guilin–Hangzhou–Shanghai Tour
- 15-Day Shanghai–Xishuangbanna–Pu'er–Yuanyang–Jianshui–Kunming–Dali–Lijiang Tour