Xi'an Weather in January
Season: Winter
In short:
1. January is a cold winter month, when down jackets are necessary.
2. The weather of Xi’an in January is cloudy or sunny most of the time, with only a little rain or snow. But it is dry on the other hand.
3. It is the slack season with fewer crowds and cheaper hotels.
Lowest Temperature of the Year
In January, Xi'an is experiencing the chilly weather of winter, with the average temperature of -4 - 5°C (25 - 41°F). Specifically, from the beginning to the end of the month, the temperature in Xi’an is gradually decreasing. At the beginning of the month, the daytime temperature can reach about 10°C (50°F) on sunny days, and you may only feel a bit cold. However, with around 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) temperature difference between day and night, the night temperature drops to around freezing. By the second half of the month, daily high and low temperatures are around 5°C (23°F) and -5°C (41°F) respectively, making it the coldest period of the year in Xi’an. On some days during this period, even the daily maximum can be below 0°C (32°F).
Also, remember to keep an eye on the weather forecast; if there is wind, the apparent temperature will be even lower.
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Low Precipitation, Both Rain and Snow Happen
On average, Xi’an experiences low precipitation of about 7 mm in about 4 days. Since the temperature fluctuates around freezing, rain, snow, and sleet are all possible this month. If it snows, the historical sites look more solemn covered by white snow, like the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and Small Wild Goose Pagoda. But the snow usually melts quickly. Also, if it snows, rains or sleets, it may cause some inconvenience to your travel. Thanks to the low precipitation, this kind of weather could be avoided by checking the weather forecast in advance.
The air is very dry with an average humidity of 66%.
Short Daylight Hours/ Sunshine Hours
The length of day time this month is around 10 hours on average, roughly from 08:00 to 18:00. Therefore, you need to make full use of your time to sightsee and pay attention to the closing times of attractions. For example, the Terracotta Army is closed earlier this month at 18:00. Although the precipitation is not high, the sunshine hours are only about 4 each day on average because of the high cloud cover and occasional haze. The haze may also lead to low visibility and poor air quality.
Averages for Xi'an Weather in January
Temperature: 0°C / 32°F
High Temperature: 5°C / 41°F
Low Temperature: -4°C / 25°F
Humidity: 66%
Rainfall: 7 mm
Rainy Days: 4 days
Sunrise: 07:43 ~ 07:50
Sunset: 17:45 ~ 18:12
Air Quality in January
Average AQI:123
Average AQI:123
Is January a Recommended Month to Visit Xi’an?
For most tourists, January may not be a good time to visit Xi’an. This is because Xi’an in January has low temperatures, short daylight and sunshine hours, many cloudy days, and even some hazy days, all of which are not very favorable for outdoor visits.
However, due to these reasons, the number of tourists is not large this month. Major attractions will not be crowded, especially indoor attractions like the Terracotta Army. At the same time, prices for hotel and air tickets won’t be particularly high. Therefore, tourists with limited budgets or those who don’t like crowds can consider going to Xi’an this month.
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| Less-crowded Bell Tower in January |
What to Wear in Xi'an in January
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Clothes: As the climate of Xi’an is cold, especially in the morning and evening, a thick down jacket is necessary. In terms of the inner layers, you don’t need to wear very thick clothes, since the indoor places are usually heated and warm. For example, a knit shirt plus a long-sleeved T-shirt, a thin sweater, or a hoodie are all suitable choices. For pants, you can wear thick jeans and sweatpants, plus thermal underwear. Shoes: Generally, comfortable and thick sneakers are OK. But remember to wear warm socks. Or, if you are sensitive to coldness, you can prepare a pair of snow boots. Others:1. To keep warm, you can also pack hats and scarves.
2. Prepare a mask for possible hazy days.
3. Xi’an is quite dry this month, remember to drink water frequently to keeping hydrated. Besides, facial cream and lip balm can prevent your skin and lips from being too dry.
Travel Recommendations for Xi’an Trip in January
In the morning in January, the temperature tends to be below freezing, so indoor visits are recommended. You can visit the Terracotta Army Museum, Stele Forest, Shaanxi History Museum, Xi'an Museum, etc. If you have a long travel list in a day, you’d better arrive at your first destination when it just opens, since the daytime is short. Another advantage of arriving early is that you can avoid the peak tourist flow.
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| Terracotta Army |
13:00 to 17:00, when the temperature is relatively higher, is better for visiting outdoor scenic spots like the magnificent City Wall, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, or the Great Mosque.
Of course you are advised to admire the illuminated Bell Tower and busy Great Tang All Day Mall at night. However, remember not to get back to your hotel very late, because the temperature is dropping.
What to Do in Xi’an in Winter - 7 Best Destinations
Recommended Tours
Travel Tips for Xi’an Trip in January
1. Due to the Spring Festival Travel Rush possibly starting from late January, the traffic becomes hectic and it is difficult to get flight and train tickets at this time. So, have your itinerary arranged in advance and book the transport tickets as early as possible.
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| Crowded Xi''an Station during Spring Festival Travel Rush |
2. January 1 to 3 in 2026 marks the New Year’s Day Holiday, when Xi’an may receive more visitors and the hotels are more expensive than usual. Book a room in advance or just avoid traveling here during this period.
3. You can book a hotel with humidifiers in the room, so that you feel comfortable in dry January.
4. Please note that Mt. Huashan may be closed for safety’s sake if there is a heavy snowfall
What is the temperature in Xi'an in January?
High/Low Temperatures of Xi'an in January
Air Quality of Xi'an in January
Historical Xi'an Weather in January
| Jan | Temperature | Sunrise / Sunset | Humi- dity (%) | |
| High | Low | |||
| 1 | 4.9°C / 40.8 °F | -4.7°C / 23.5°F | 07:50 / 17:45 | 46 |
| 2 | 4.5°C / 40.1°F | -4.5°C / 23.9°F | 07:51 / 17:46 | 44 |
| 3 | 6.8°C / 44.2°F | 0.7°C / 33.3°F | 07:51 / 17:46 | 34 |
| 4 | 9.1°C / 48.4°F | 1.3°C / 34.3°F | 07:51 / 17:47 | 36 |
| 5 | 7.8°C / 46.0°F | -2.0°C / 28.4°F | 07:51 / 17:48 | 53 |
| 6 | 10.8°C / 51.4 °F | -1.4°C / 29.5°F | 07:51 / 17:49 | 59 |
| 7 | 10.4°C / 50.7 °F | -0.8°C / 30.6 °F | 07:51 / 17:50 | 45 |
| 8 | 11.0°C / 51.8 °F | -0.6°C / 30.9°F | 07:51 / 17:50 | 43 |
| 9 | 7.3°C / 45.1°F | 0°C / 32°F | 07:51 / 17:51 | 54 |
| 10 | 3.7°C / 38.7 °F | 0.3°C / 32.5°F | 07:51 / 17:52 | 60 |
| 11 | 1.5°C / 34.7°F | 0.2°C / 32.4°F | 07:51 / 17:53 | 84 |
| 12 | 0.3°C / 32.5°F | -2.0°C / 28.4°F | 07:51 / 17:54 | 88 |
| 13 | -2.0°C / 28.4°F | -4.7°C / 23.5°F | 07:51 / 17:55 | 81 |
| 14 | -3.2°C / 26.2°F | -5.8°C / 21.6°F | 07:51 / 17:56 | 74 |
| 15 | 0.6°C / 33.1°F | -4.5°C / 23.9°F | 07:51 / 17:57 | 81 |
| 16 | -2.1°C / 28.2°F | -5.3°C / 22.5°F | 07:50 / 17:58 | 85 |
| 17 | -2.5°C / 27.5°F | -5.1°C / 22.8°F | 07:50 / 17:59 | 83 |
| 18 | -2.8°C / 27.0°F | -3.5°C / 25.7°F | 07:50 / 18:00 | 82 |
| 19 | -2.2°C / 28.0°F | -3.8°C / 25.2°F | 07:49 / 18:00 | 84 |
| 20 | -2.3°C / 27.9°F | -4.3°C / 24.3°F | 07:49 / 18:01 | 85 |
| 21 | -1.9°C / 28.6°F | -3.7°C / 25.3°F | 07:49 / 18:02 | 86 |
| 22 | -1.4°C / 29.5°F | -4.1°C / 24.6°F | 07:48 / 18:03 | 73 |
| 23 | -2.8°C / 27.0°F | -6.1°C / 21.0°F | 07:48 / 18:04 | 55 |
| 24 | -3.8°C / 25.2°F | -7.8°C / 18.0°F | 07:47 / 18:05 | 48 |
| 25 | -3.9°C / 25.0°F | -6.6°C / 20.1°F | 07:47 / 18:06 | 55 |
| 26 | -1.3°C / 29.7°F | -6.2°C / 20.8°F | 07:46 / 18:07 | 57 |
| 27 | -2.8°C / 27.0°F | -4.7°C / 23.5°F | 07:46 / 18:08 | 79 |
| 28 | -2.1°C / 28.2°F | -5.2°C / 22.6°F | 07:45 / 18:09 | 60 |
| 29 | -2.8°C / 27.0°F | -8.9°C / 16.0°F | 07:45 / 18:10 | 47 |
| 30 | -1.5°C / 29.3°F | -6.4°C / 20.5°F | 07:44 / 18:11 | 51 |
| 31 | -1.0°C / 30.2°F | -8.2°C / 17.2°F | 07:43 / 18:12 | 57 |
- Last updated on Jul. 07, 2025 by Demi Li -