The Li River: A Journey Through China’s Most Breathtaking Landscape
Explore the Li River, China's breathtaking landscape with majestic mountains, serene waters, and picturesque views. A must-see for every traveler.
December in Xining averages 1°C (34°F) during the day and -16°C (3°F) at night. With just 5.2 mm (0.2 in) of snow/rainfall on average, it doesn't get much drier than this.
If you prefer dry days with pleasant temperatures, December may not be the ideal month to visit Xining. Our weather planner can help you explore destinations with more pleasant weather conditions.
Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Xining - and find the best time to visit.
50-year average (1976-2025)
Based on our historical records, temperatures in Xining typically stay consistent throughout December, with daily highs averaging around 1°C (34°F). Nights are very cold, with lows typically ranging from -15°C (5°F) to -11°C (12°F).
50-year average (1976-2025)
Average daily rainfall for each day of the month based on long-term records.
Browse day-by-day weather records for Xining spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual temperatures, rainfall, and conditions recorded on each day.
Our historical data for Xining spans 1976 to 2025, revealing these weather extremes.
Find out more about the weather in China and which places have the best travel conditions in this month. See all of China in December →
Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).
Dress warmly and in layers for your trip to Xining in December. A good base layer system works wonders. Start with good thermal underwear, add something warm like a fleece sweater, then finish with a waterproof jacket on top. Dry conditions mean you won't need to worry about rain protection. Don't forget sun protection, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. These are all good ideas with this much sunshine.
We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do.
Temperature Rainfall Sunshine Humidity Wind Speed
See the full Xining climate overview or explore weather in China.
Where to go in December - average daytime high across popular destinations.
Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.
The Li River: A Journey Through China’s Most Breathtaking Landscape
Explore the Li River, China's breathtaking landscape with majestic mountains, serene waters, and picturesque views. A must-see for every traveler.
Go to China's Zhangjiajie National Park with the highest, the fastest, largest-loaded outdoor elevator in the world
You won't find this unique landscape anywhere else in the world. Thousands of floating mountains overgrown with trees at the top dominate this fairy tale landscape.
Go to Xinjiang in China
In Xinjiang you get to see a mix of East and Central Asia. An experience that you might want to add to your bucket list. You can travel through the province as if you are following an ancient silk route.
Mount Kailash
The best time for a Kailash tour/trekking is from mid-May to mid-October when the temperature is most pleasant. It is warm, dry and sunny in that period.