Huangshan Weather in January

Season: Winter

In short:

1. Huangshan weather in January is the coldest all year round.

2. Precipitation is low this month, mainly in forms of light rain and snow.

3. January is not a good month to visit Huangshan, and it’s just suitable for enjoying rime and snow views on the Huangshan Mountain.

The Huangshan weather in January is generally cold, with the average temperature between about 0 and 8 degrees Celsius (32 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit). In the entire day, the temperature variation can be larger than 15°C (59°F), making it vital to add clothes in time at dawn and dusk. Besides, the northwest monsoon can bring frigid air sometimes, resulting in a temperature drop to around -4°C (25°F). This month also has a few warm days, during which the highest temperature can be 20°C (68°F) and people feel relatively comfortable.

Rainfall of Huangshan in January is not high and just about 55 mm. In this month, there are averagely 8 days with precipitation, which is mainly light rain or snow. Even if it snows, it basically won’t snow quite heavily in the urban areas or villages, so the impact on your tour here is less. But the snow can lead to icy roads on the Huangshan Mountain, especially in its shady area, making the climb relatively dangerous.

In January, the sun usually rises at about 07:00 the earliest and sets at around 17:38 the latest. To view the impressive sunrise view of Huangshan Mountain, you’d better pick a sunny day, get up early, and arrive at the viewing spots in advance, so that you can take a better viewing position. The daylight time spans about 10 hours and 20 minutes, which is relatively short.
 

January isn’t considered as a good time to visit Huangshan Mountain, because the climate is cold, unsuitable for an outdoor tour for a long time. Besides, many stores in villages shut down temporarily for renovation and decoration, and West Sea Valley and Tiandu Peak of Huangshan Mountain also closes for maintenance. If you have decided to visit Huangshan in January, 2026, it’s suggested to pick days without precipitation and wear thickly to keep warm.

On the plus side, January is in the slack season of Huangshan, during which not too many tourists make their tours here, so the accommodation prices accordingly decrease. If you don’t mind the cold climate, you can still have a cheap and uncrowded trip here.

 

 For visiting villages: Thermal underwear, a woolen sweater, and a down jacket as tops; thermal leggings and jeans as bottoms; and sneakers or snow boots as shoes. You can further wear gloves and a hat if you need.

 For climbing the Huangshan Mountain: Quick-dry long-sleeved base shirt as the first layer to wick away sweat in time, and an outdoor windproof jacket with a fleeced lining as the second and third layers. For bottoms, wear thermal leggings and windproof outer pants. To ensure stable hiking, climbing shoes are suggested.

 

1. Sunny days after rain or snow in this month are the best times to view the iconic rime views of Huangshan Mountain. In the early morning, glittering rime clinging to pine branches looks impressive under brilliant sunshine.

2. It would be a unique experience to visit the Hongcun Ancient Village to admire local residences and serene waterscapes. With fewer tourists, the village becomes a good place for relaxation and photography.

3. It’s worth mentioning that fog on rainy days brings uncertainty to sightseeing. The mist is OK, and it even creates a tranquil atmosphere for quaint residences in ancient villages. But the thick fog on the Huangshan Mountain can cause low visibility, and you may just see the nearby paths and trees.