Xiamen Weather in December

Season: early winter
 Average temperature: 12 - 20℃ (54 - 68℉)

The weather is a bit cold in December in Xiamen. From the data, the high temperature varies between 15 - 22 degrees Celsius (59 - 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit) and sometimes reaches 25℃ (77℉). People often feel warm when the sun shines at noon. However, blowing sea wind and not low humidity of average 70% jointly lower the perceived temperature, easily making people feel cold, particularly at coastal areas like Gulangyu Island and Island Ring Road. What’s more, a relatively big difference exists between day and night. The temperature drops to 9 - 15℃ (48.2 - 59℉) after sunset.
There are only 5 rainy days on average with a total precipitation of only 28 mm (1.1 in). The rainfall often occurs when cold air strikes, mostly in the form of light showers. It means that if you visit Xiamen in December 2025, your itinerary can hardly be disrupted by rain. 
 In December, the sun rises late at 6:34 - 6:51 and sets early at 17:18 - 17:30, providing a daylight of 11 hours. You may need to arrange fewer stops for each day or hurry up a little bit.  

Mostly sunny climate in December brings a moderate 6 hours of sunshine to Xiamen per day. The UV rays just get weak a bit, still requiring attention.

Sunny Weather in December

Coming to Xiamen in December, you can feel the wind almost every day, no matter on urban streets, the islands, or the island ring road. When cold air waves pass through the city, the instantaneous wind force increases to level 5 - 6 in downtown area and 7 - 8 at the seaside. In this case, it’s unsafe to go to coastal areas, and the operation of ferries to Gulangyu Island is easily affected. So, be sure to pay attention to the alert information in advance.

The fog season in Xiamen starts from December. Fog appears 3 - 5 times this month, mainly in the early morning, and dissipates after sunrise. Coastal parts see heavier ones. You can arrange the island visit after noon, just to be on the safe side.
 Travelers need to adjust their clothes according to the perceived temperature in time in case of catching a cold or feeling uncomfortable. 

It’s enough to wear a shirt and a hoodie with thick sweatpants for downtown sightseeing during the day. Women who want to wear long-sleeve dresses need leggings. When riding along the Island Ring Road, playing near the sea, or taking a ferry to Gulangyu Island, you need to put on a windproof jacket, and those who are afraid of the cold can add long johns. Accessories to resist the wind include the cap and mask.

For shoes, sneakers are proper for long-term walking. Sunglasses and sunscreen should also be carried, especially when going to the seaside.
 As December belongs to the low travel season, you can visit popular destinations at leisure, such as Gulangyu Island, Hulishan Fortress, Jimei Study Village, etc. Bougainvillea blooms at Xiamen Botanical Garden, forming a beautiful landscape. Besides, South Putuo Temple offers a winter vegetarian diet, and you can have a try. 

If you travel with your children, take them to dig sand at Baicheng Beach during warm periods from 10 am to 3 pm; riding along Island Ring Road is also a good choice. The sea temperature is relatively low and thus not suitable for swimming in the sea, but sailing is still worth experiencing in sunny weather. What’s more, continuous northeast wind makes the sky clear and blue in December, making it a good time to watch the sunset on the sea while sailing.

In the evening, go to Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street or Zengcuo’an Village for some hot food like satay noodles and ginger duck. If you are in Xiamen on New Year’s Eve 2026, you have the chance to appreciate a fireworks show on the night cruise. The boarding point is at Heping Cruise Terminal in Siming District, and you need to make a reservation early in case the seats are sold out.

Watch a Sunset by the Sea

Some attractions shorten their open time in winter due to fewer tourists and shorter daylight, such as Shuzhuang Garden on the Gulangyu Island, South Putuo Temple, and Xiamen Horticulture Expo Garden. You need to confirm before setting off.