Weather: January is the coldest month in Xi'an. The average temperature at night is around 3 or 4 °C below zero (25 °F). The daytime temperature averages around 5 °C (41 °F).
It snows occasionally, and there may be ice on the roads after a heavy snow. So be careful if you are driving in the hills. The dry weather and the surrounding mountains make air pollution a serious problem. Most buildings have central heating, so you can enjoy your time in Xi'an inside.
Clothing: You need to prepare warm clothes such as a coat, gloves and a hat to keep warm.
Xi'an January Weather Data Graphs
Top Things to Do in Xi'an in January
January is a good time to stay indoors in Xi'an unless it is Chinese New Year. In that case, go out and see the fireworks and celebrations at the Bell Tower.
Enjoy the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)
Small Wild Goose PagodaChinese New Year is the most important Chinese holiday, and the holidays covers a two week vacation for many people. Chinese New Year usually falls in early or mid February, though for a third of years it's in late January.
For tourists, the holidays provide a chance to have fun with fireworks, try holiday food, buy tourist souvenirs and experience a local custom firsthand in the historic city. See our Chinese New Year Travel Tips.
There is Chinese New Year Fair at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. This pagoda was erected in the year 707 and is one of the main attractions in Xi'an. From 3 days before the Chinese New Year until the time of the full moon 15 days later, there is a special temple fair.
Visit the Terracotta Warriors
The Terracotta ArmyThese gritty old warriors stay warm and dry inside their temperature-controlled enclosure, and you can too. The museum and the excavation site is quite big, and you can spend hours touring the museum and viewing the fascinating details of their countenances.
It is considered one of the great archeological sites of the world, and its the highlight of many tourists' trip to China.
Also Read How to Visit the Terracotta Army - an Insider's Guide
Visiting Xi'an in January: Important Travel Tips and Popular Tours
January is in the low season.
Visit the Terracotta Army with China Highlights.If it is the Chinese New Year, then January is the busiest travel time in China. Book flights and trains well ahead of departure.
Otherwise, January is in low travel month. Room rates and prices are lower than normal and the city is free of large crowds of tourists.
Recommended Xi'an Tours
See the best of Xi'an with our Xi'an tours. Our tours are developed through years of experience and customer feedback, reasonably priced, and can be customized to your requirements.
- 4-Day Xi'an Ancient Relics Tour - taking you to visit the highlights of Xi'an and discover the ancient history of the Tang Dynasty
- 3-Day Xi'an Discovery by High-Speed Train from Beijing - including the Terracotta Warriors, the Ancient City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and the Great Mosque
- 11 Days China Classic Wonders Tour - visiting Xi'an with Beijing, Guilin, Yangshuo, and Shanghai
Let us help you plan a personalized Xi'an tour. If you are interested in touring the region including any of these places or just want to book reservations for hotels, contact us.