Sichuan Weather in December

Key Points

1. In general, Sichuan’s weather in December is cold and dry, except the Southwestern Valley.

2. You may experience slight snowfall in Eastern and Northwestern Sichuan. 

3. December is a shoulder season in Sichuan, beneficial for a peaceful and budget-friendly travel experience. 

See More about: 
Chengdu Weather in December
Jiuzhaigou Weather in December

So Adorable Pandas

In December, Eastern Sichuan experiences a cold and humid climate. Take the example of Chengdu, this city sees the daytime temperatures hovering between 8 and 13 degrees Celsius (46 degrees Fahrenheit). In the early mornings and late evenings, the temperature drops to around 1-5 degrees Celsius (34-41 degrees Fahrenheit). Occasionally, cold waves sweep through the region, causing temperatures to plummet, when daytime highs rarely exceed 5°C (41°F). 
 

Moreover, due to the basin terrain and lots of cloudy days, although the precipitation in December is extremely low: only 5 mm on average from 5 rainy or snowy days, the air is not dry as the humidity level remains around 79 %. Because of the high humidity, the perceived temperature in this area is much lower than the data indicates. 

Chunxi Road at Night

The weather in the Northwestern Plateau in December is pretty cold and dry. For example, in Jiuzhaigou, the highs usually range from -3-5°C (27-41°F) and lows from -10 to -1°C (14-30°F). From the figures, you can also tell how significant the temperature difference is here. When the sunlight spills over you around 11:00-14:00, you may feel kind of warm. 
 

December is one of the driest months in this area. For instance, Jiuzhaigou only receives 3 mm of rainfall or snowfall over 3 days on average, and the average humidity level is only 57 %. Therefore, you are likely to enjoy wonderful winter scenery here, including frozen waterfalls, snow-capped mountains and peaceful blue lakes. 

Wonderful Winter Scene in Jiuzhaigou

This region in December enjoys a warm and dry climate, a perfect place for escaping the cold. For example, Panzhihua normally experiences daily highs ranging from 18-22°C (64-72°F). But after the sunset, things will become cooler, making an extra jacket necessary. Besides, Panzhihua in this month barely witnesses rainfall or snowfall, with an average precipitation of only 16 mm over 2 days; its average humidity level is about 64 %.
 

Upper Clothing: It’s advisable to wear a warm sweater or a hoodie coupled with a wool coat or a down coat in Eastern and Southwestern Sichuan. For highland regions, you need to wear extra thermal underwear and replace the overcoat with a 3-in-1 windproof jacket. 
 

Bottom Clothing: Thermal leggings paired with fleece-lined hiking pants are perfect for mountainous areas. If you decide to hang around in the urban area, just pick thermal leggings and jeans. 
 

Shoes: It’s important to wear non-slip hiking boots on your hiking tour, as steps can be slippery. For a casual city tour, opt for comfortable sneakers. 
 

Accessories: 

1. Considering the dry climate in Northwestern Sichuan in December, moisturizer and lip balm are helpful to add comfort during your journey. 

2. Rain and snow are possible in Eastern and Northwestern Sichuan, so it’s best to pack a raincoat. 

3. December is quite cold in most Sichuan places, making gloves, scarves and a warm hat essential. 

4. In high-altitude areas, sun rays can be harsh, even though it’s a cloudy day. Thus, don’t forget to prepare sunscreen, sunglasses and a peaked cap. 
 

1. Coming to Jiuzhaigou National Park in December, you will find Nuorilang Waterfall is frozen, creating a natural ice statue. Plus, snowy mountains and lakes are also breathtakingly beautiful. 

2. December is the off-peak travel season in Sichuan, so tourists are less, hotel rates are lower, and various tickets are also easier to book. 

3. Although this month is not busy, many attractions still require visitors to make reservations, such as Sanxingdui Museum and Chengdu Giant Panda Base. Please plan your trip at least one week earlier. 

4. Sichuan experiences shortening daylight hours in December, about 10-11 hours. This means you need to make wise arrangements to make the most of daytime. But don’t worry, you won’t get bored after sunset: you can appreciate Sichuan Opera at Jinli Street, and taste Chengdu Hot Pot, which is a perfect match for the cold winter. 

5. Chengdu, as an international metropolis, sees special festive decorations to celebrate Christmas in commercial districts like Chunxi Road in December. Don’t forget to snap impressive photos!