Changsha Weather in December

Season: Winter
In short:
1. The weather of Changsha in December is not that cold even winter begins.
2. Rainfall in Changsha this month is the least in a year.
3. Foliage views in the city are still attractive in the first half of December. Generally, the temperature of Changsha in December is lower and lower, and the weather gets a little cold in this month. In early December, since the seasonal transition just occurs, the city may still experience some pleasant days with the high temperature above 20°C (68°F), which are quite suitable for going outdoors for sightseeing and relaxation. In the following days, the high temperature mostly fluctuates between 15 and 5 degrees Celsius (59 and 41 degrees Fahrenheit), and people generally feel slightly frigid outdoors during the daytime.

You need to note that the climate of Changsha is likely to be affected by the northwest monsoon, and wind cold effect can cause a temperature drop for about 5°C (41°F) in consecutive two days. Moreover, the high humidity of about 79% will make you have a slightly lower sensible temperature than the forecast one.
The precipitation of Changsha in December totals about 28 mm, which is the lowest in the entire year. The rainfall further features low intensity and a short duration, and it’s possible that you even don’t need raingear since only light drizzle will fall. Plus, the rain basically won’t last for whole day, and the air quality improves greatly after the rain.
 It seldom snows in Changsha in December, and even though snow falls, its intensity is quite low and can hardly settle in mostly 0°C-and-above temperature. So, if you choose to visit Changsha in December, 2026, you don’t need to over-prepare for snowfall. For snow scenery lovers, the only period that you may have a chance to see the view is the early morning of a day after snow.
 Overall, daytime of Changsha in December shortens and then sees a slight increase. On December 22, the length of day is about 10 hours 27 minutes, which is the shortest all year round. As early as 17:37, the sun can fall below the horizonal level. Such a short duration of daylight thus leads to shorter sightseeing time for you during the day, so you’d better not add too many activities in your sightseeing schedule.
 Warm clothes: On days with the highest temperature of around 20°C (68°F), a knitted sweater, a trench coat, jeans are enough. While on cooler and slightly cold days, recommended clothes are sweaters, thin down jackets, long johns, and jeans.

Thick shoes: To keep feet warm, relatively thick shoes such as sneakers and boots are better choices.

Others:
(1) Warm accessories: For those who easily feel cold, consider bringing a beanie, a swarf, gloves...
(2) Masks: In this month, the air quality index is about 121, which is the highest in a year, so masks are necessary on slightly and moderately misty days.
 

Souvenir Store in Changsha Ancient Town

1. The first half of December is the best viewing period of beautiful foliage in Changsha, and the Aiwan Pavilion in the Yuelu Mountain Scenic Spot is the best place to view the scenery. Here, you can not only enjoy the fantastic view in three dues: verdant green of bamboos, bright gold of gingko leaves, and fiery red of maple leaves, but also view the quaint pavilion surrounded by maple trees of varying heights.

2. Another highlight can be viewed is the Martyr Memorial Park, a popular place among local people to unwind and get close to nature. In early December, dawn redwood trees on the long lake path are covered with reddish-brown leaves. From a distant perspective, the lake reflects the inverted-cone-shaped trees; when you walk on the path, two lines of trees seem to stretch on infinitely.
 

Changsha Street Scene in December

1. For those who are more sensitive to cold temperatures, indoor attractions with heating equipment are more recommended. For example, a history-themed tour can be enjoyed in the Hunan Provincial Museum with millennium-old cultural relics and wonderful light shows. As for outdoor sightseeing, the Orange Isle is a must-go attraction.

2. The best way to start your night tour in Changsha is to enjoy authentic snacks in the bustling Sail-setting Night Fair, a paradise for foodies. Stingy tofu tastes very well, and sweet fired pancakes have both crispy and glutinous mouthfeels. After having a good dinner, cruising on the Xiangjiang River will be a wonderful experience. Sitting in the warm booth of the cruise ship, you can escape from cold wind and comfortably view the illuminated pavilion and skyscrapers by the river through the window.