Leshan Weather in January

Leshan weather in January is not very cold. In terms of precipitation, it generally experiences around 10 days with light rain. In addition to the short daytime hours, the sunshine hours are also short since there are many foggy and overcast moments. Mount Emei, with a much higher altitude, is quite cold and sees much snowfall this month. Also to travelers’ concern, January is the low season of Leshan, which means fewer tourists and lower costs.

Buddhist Temple at Mount Emei

January is the coldest month of the year in Leshan, but in reality, if you are just sightseeing in the downtown, you won’t feel particularly cold. During the day, the temperature typically ranges from 8 to 15 degrees Celsius (46-59 degrees Fahrenheit), and can even reach above 20°C (68°F) occasionally. At night, the temperature drops to around 2 to 8°C (36-46°F), and rarely falls below 0°C (32°F).

Due to its high altitude, the Golden Summit of Mount Emei has much lower temperature than downtown Leshan. Generally, daytime highs hover between -5 and 5°C (23-41°F), while nighttime lows can drop to around -10 to -5°C (14-23°F). So, if you plan to climb Mount Emei during your Leshan trip in January of 2027, be sure to wear warm enough winter clothes.
 First, you might want to know that it rarely snows but rains in downtown Leshan during the winter, because of the not low enough temperature. Then, specifically, the average monthly precipitation in Leshan in January is 15 mm, and the rain likely happens on roughly 10 days. However, there’s no need to worry too much, as the rain this month is mostly light and of short duration. 

Low precipitation doesn’t mean it’s dry here. Because of the basin terrain and relatively cold January weather of Leshan, the air feels as if it’s been sealed in a pot, and the moisture is difficult to evaporate. As a result, when you visit Leshan this month, every breath you take feels damp. In fact, the average humidity in Leshan this month is as high as 78%. 

As for the Golden Summit of Mount Emei with a higher altitude, January is precisely when the probability of snow is very high. There will be snowfall on approximately 10 to 14 days on average, with light snow being the predominant form. Since temperatures are low enough and the snow doesn’t melt, you can expect to see a snow cover most of the time in January.

Sunny Daytime Periods in Leshan in January

 

Golden Summit of Mount Emei

This month, sunrise and sunset times in Leshan are approximately 7:55-8:00 and 18:17-18:41, respectively, delivering an average daylight duration of about 10.3 hours. Since daylight hours are relatively short, the time available for sightseeing is limited, so try not to overschedule your itinerary. Additionally, please note that some attractions operate on shorter opening hours in January. For example, the Leshan Giant Buddha is open from 8:00 to 17:30, which is 1.5 hours shorter than the 7:30-18:30 in warmer months. The cable car and bus services at Mount Emei will also adjust their operating hours accordingly.

The combination of low temperatures and high humidity in January makes downtown Leshan, which is located in a basin region, extremely foggy and overcast at this time. As a result, the visibility is low, and the sunshine hours are short. However, the fog is generally heaviest between 7:00 and 9:00 and usually dissipates by 10:00. As for the Golden Summit of Mount Emei, its high elevation means it is largely unaffected by fog and enjoys ample sunshine. 
  Clothes: When strolling or sightseeing in the downtown areas of Leshan, light sweaters or hoodies paired with three-in-one jackets or lightweight down jackets on top, and long johns with slightly thicker sweatpants or jeans on the bottom, are sufficient. However, when visiting Mount Emei, be sure to dress in thicker clothes, as temperatures at the summit can drop below freezing. Specifically, you can wear a quick-dry thermal underwear, a sweater, and a warm down jacket. For the lower body, you are recommended to choose trekking pants. 

 Shoes: If you plan to visit downtown Leshan only, a pair of thick and comfortable sneakers will suffice. However, if your itinerary includes Mount Emei, be sure to bring slip-resistant hiking boots. 

 Others: You are advised to bring a warm hat and gloves for your trip to Mount Emei.
 

Snowy View at Mount Emei  in January

 Pros：
1. January is the off-season for tourism, so you can avoid the crowds. You can take your time strolling through the city and admiring famous attractions like the Giant Buddha in a more tranquil state.
2. Also, because it’s the off-season, hotel rates are much more affordable than during peak season. Additionally, admission to some attractions is cheaper; for example, admission tickets for Mount Emei cost CNY 110 until January 15, after which the price returns to CNY 160.
3. Mount Emei offers some unique sights in January: in addition to the snow-white rime ice and frost on the trees, there is a high probability of witnessing a sea of clouds and the Buddha Rays, that is, a colorful halo formed when sunlight is diffracted and reflected by water droplets in the clouds under specific weather conditions, at the Golden Summit.

 Cons：
1. The climate of Leshan is cold, especially on Mount Emei.
2. It doesn’t get light until 8:00, and gets dark as early as 18:00, so you may feel time-pressed during your trip.
3. There is often fog in the city area, so you may experience poor visibility when visiting attractions like the Leshan Giant Buddha.
4. Due to a bit of frequent snowfall, the roads in Mount Emei in January are usually slippery, which may cause inconvenience for your visit. Besides, in the event of heavy snow or icy conditions, the Mount Emei sightseeing buses and cable cars may be adjusted or suspended temporarily.
 1. From January 1 to 3 in 2027, Chinese people will enjoy the New Year’s Day holiday. During this time, famous attractions in Leshan, such as the Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei, will be exceptionally crowded, even with long lines. What’s worse, you will inevitably have to spend more on accommodations.
2. In the cold month of January, enjoying the hot spring after exploring Mount Emei is an excellent choice. There is a cluster of hot springs at the foot of Mount Emei for you to choose from.
3. If you plan to take a boat tour to see the panoramic view of the Leshan Giant Buddha, you are recommended to dress thick enough and wear a hat, since the apparent temperature is lower on the windy river.