When to go · Dalian
Dalian in January
Mixed month. Outside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–Oct). Across China: Cold and smoggy in the north, ice festival in Harbin; Spring Festival travel rush can start mid-month.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) / −6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 4
- Crowds
- Medium
- China overall
- Prices
- Medium
- China overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–Oct). Across China: Cold and smoggy in the north, ice festival in Harbin; Spring Festival travel rush can start mid-month.
Is another month better than January?
January is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in January
- DalianHighs around 0 °C (32 °F), lows around -6 °C (21 °F), rain on about 4 daysHighs around 32 °F (0 °C), lows around 21 °F (-6 °C), rain on about 4 days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) big impact
Spring Festival: about 5–11 Feb 2027 (New Year's Day 6 Feb; official dates set late in the year — check) · China
Chunyun travel rush for about 40 days around it; shops and small restaurants close for up to a week, trains and flights sell out, hotel prices jump. Big sights stay open with crowds.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · China overall
- Medium
- Prices · China overall
- Medium
China overall: Cold and smoggy in the north, ice festival in Harbin; Spring Festival travel rush can start mid-month.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Dalian, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Mixed
May: Great (better)
Daytime high
Jan: 0 °C (32 °F)32 °F (0 °C)
May: 21 °C (70 °F)70 °F (21 °C)
Night low
Jan: -6 °C (21 °F)21 °F (-6 °C)
May: 13 °C (55 °F)55 °F (13 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 4 (better)
May: 7
Crowds
Jan: Medium
May: High
Prices
Jan: Medium
May: High
Festivals listed
Jan: 1
May: 1
January: Outside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–Oct). Across China: Cold and smoggy in the north, ice festival in Harbin; Spring Festival travel rush can start mid-month.
May: Inside Dalian's best window: May–Jun, Sep–Oct.
Dalian: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings