What January feels like in Beijing
January is the coldest stretch of winter in Beijing. Afternoons stay around freezing — the sort of cold that makes long outdoor stretches hard work. After dark the temperature drops clearly: nights drop well below freezing. Moderate humidity keeps the air pleasant.
Rain in Beijing in January
January is a dry month in Beijing; rain almost never falls. January is Beijing's driest month of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in January
Mid-month, Beijing gets 9 h 38 min of daylight, from sunrise near 7:34 am to sunset near 5:12 pm. The days are stretching out — 16 min more daylight than mid-December. About 86% of daylight hours are sunny; in short, skies are mostly clear.
How January compares to the rest of the year
January is the coolest month of the year in Beijing. Compared with December, afternoons are 0.8°C (1.4°F) cooler, with 1 mm less rain. This is the low point, and February starts to warm up. By February, typical highs are 5.8°C (42.4°F).
Who January suits
- Sightseeing: less ideal — it is cold for long walks.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
- Museums & indoor: a good choice — warm places to spend the coldest part of the day.
Tips for visiting Beijing in January
Versatile Layers
Days are noticeably warmer than nights — layers you can add or remove.
Warm Layers
A warm jacket, a hat and gloves for cold mornings and evenings.
Sunglasses
Frequent sunshine — sunglasses and a light hat.
Quick questions
How warm is Beijing in January?
Afternoons average 2.2°C (36°F) and nights about -7.5°C (18.5°F) — freezing by most people's standards. It is the coolest month of the year.
Does it rain a lot in Beijing in January?
Almost never — January is essentially rainless, with no rainy days in a typical year.
What should I wear in Beijing in January?
The numbers point to versatile layers, warm layers and sunglasses. Add a layer for after dark.
Is January or February better for visiting Beijing?
February, clearly: it ranks #8 of 12 among Beijing's months, against #11 for the other. February is warmer and has more rainy days.