When to go · Zhangye
Zhangye in December
Good month. Outside the best window (Apr–May, Sep–Oct). Across China: Cold north, pleasant south and Yunnan; Harbin ice season opens late in the month.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) / −6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 2
- Crowds
- Low
- China overall
- Prices
- Low
- China overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Apr–May, Sep–Oct). 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:
Weather in December
- ZhangyeHighs around 4 °C (39 °F), lows around -6 °C (21 °F), rain on about 2 daysHighs around 39 °F (4 °C), lows around 21 °F (-6 °C), rain on about 2 days
- Northwest and Silk Road, China · Xinjiang, Gansu (Dunhuang, Zhangye), Inner Mongoliacool
Desert and steppe: very hot summer days in Turpan, bitter winters; May–June and September–October work best.
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 Zhangye, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Good
Apr: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 4 °C (39 °F)39 °F (4 °C)
Apr: 20 °C (68 °F)68 °F (20 °C)
Night low
Dec: -6 °C (21 °F)21 °F (-6 °C)
Apr: 5 °C (41 °F)41 °F (5 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 2 (better)
Apr: 5
Crowds
Dec: Low
Apr: Medium
Prices
Dec: Low
Apr: Medium
Festivals listed
Dec: 0
Apr: 0
December: Outside the best window (Apr–May, Sep–Oct). Across China: Cold north, pleasant south and Yunnan; Harbin ice season opens late in the month.
April: Inside Zhangye's best window: Apr–May, Sep–Oct.
Zhangye: 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