When to go · Harbin
Harbin in December
Good month. Outside the best window (Jan (ice festival), Jun–Aug (cool summer)). Across China: Cold north, pleasant south and Yunnan; Harbin ice season opens late in the month.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- −10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) / −19°C (−2°F)−2°F (−19°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 8
- Crowds
- Low
- China overall
- Prices
- Low
- China overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Jan (ice festival), Jun–Aug (cool summer)). Across China: Cold north, pleasant south and Yunnan; Harbin ice season opens late in the month.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated good. These months rate higher:
- JanuaryGreatInside Harbin's best window: Jan (ice festival), Jun–Aug (cool summer).
- JuneGreatInside Harbin's best window: Jan (ice festival), Jun–Aug (cool summer).
- JulyGreatInside Harbin's best window: Jan (ice festival), Jun–Aug (cool summer).
- AugustGreatInside Harbin's best window: Jan (ice festival), Jun–Aug (cool summer).
Weather in December
- HarbinHighs around -10 °C (14 °F), lows around -19 °C (−2 °F), rain on about 8 daysHighs around 14 °F (-10 °C), lows around −2 °F (-19 °C), rain on about 8 days
- Northeast, China · Harbin, Changchun, Shenyangcool
Winters to −25 °C (−13 °F); the Harbin Ice and Snow World runs roughly late December to February.Winters to −13 °F (−25 °C); the Harbin Ice and Snow World runs roughly late December to February.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · China overall
- Low
- Prices · China overall
- Low
China overall: Cold north, pleasant south and Yunnan; Harbin ice season opens late in the month.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Harbin, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Good
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: -10 °C (14 °F)14 °F (-10 °C)
Jan: -12 °C (10 °F)10 °F (-12 °C)
Night low
Dec: -19 °C (−2 °F)−2 °F (-19 °C)
Jan: -22 °C (−8 °F)−8 °F (-22 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 8
Jan: 4 (better)
Crowds
Dec: Low
Jan: Medium
Prices
Dec: Low
Jan: Medium
Festivals listed
Dec: 0
Jan: 1
December: Outside the best window (Jan (ice festival), Jun–Aug (cool summer)). Across China: Cold north, pleasant south and Yunnan; Harbin ice season opens late in the month.
January: Inside Harbin's best window: Jan (ice festival), Jun–Aug (cool summer).
Harbin: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket