Xinjiang Weather in January

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Xinjiang, China in January.

Planning a getaway to Xinjiang, China this January and curious about the weather you should prepare for? Discover all the vital details you need on this page, solving your puzzle:

What to Expect in Xinjiang in January

Xinjiang, China is a region in China. January in Xinjiang generally has very cold temperatures, with precipitation levels ranging from almost none to low. The month of January is in the winter season.

Temperatures

The average maximum temperatures are very cold and range from -7°C (19°F) in Urumqi to 2°C (36°F) in Yining. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to -10°C (14°F) in Yining and -16°C (3°F) in Urumqi. In general, this month stands out as the coldest period throughout the year. Given the lower temperatures, it's essential to be well-prepared. Packing the right winter clothing and necessary accessories can make a significant difference in ensuring your comfort and well-being during this chilly season.

To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of Xinjiang, China, check out the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From almost no snowfall in Turfan with an average of 1.3 mm (0.1 in) to low snowfall in Yining with 18 mm (0.7 in). Going by our weather data, this month in Urumqi usually has the least rain, making it the driest month of the year.

Average sunshine

Sunshine is moderately available across various locations. In Urumqi, you can expect around 187 hours of sunlight in January, which gives a pleasant combination of sun and shade. For those who want maximum sunshine, our weather planner can point you toward the sunniest places on Earth.

Explore Xinjiang by month

Best Places to Visit in Xinjiang in January

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Xinjiang.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

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).

Popular Destinations in Xinjiang

What is the weather like in January for some of the most popular destinations in Xinjiang, China?

Temperature range in Xinjiang (January)

Precipitation variation in Xinjiang (January)

Urumqi

In January Urumqi generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -7°C (19°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -16°C (3°F) and low monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-4°C (25°F)
-7°C (19°F)
-2°C (28°F)
Min temperature
-13°C (9°F)
-16°C (3°F)
-12°C (10°F)
Monthly sun hours
146 hours
187 hours
148 hours
Monthly snowfall
13 mm (0.5 in)
8.8 mm (0.3 in)
13 mm (0.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
8 days
8 days
6 days
Weather conditions

Kashgar

In January Kashgar generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 1°C (34°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -10°C (14°F) and low monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
3°C (37°F)
1°C (34°F)
6°C (43°F)
Min temperature
-7°C (19°F)
-10°C (14°F)
-5°C (23°F)
Monthly sun hours
159 hours
156 hours
155 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
7 mm (0.3 in)
6.8 mm (0.3 in)
13 mm (0.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
2 days
3 days
3 days
Weather conditions

Yining

In January Yining generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 2°C (36°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -10°C (14°F) and low monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
4°C (39°F)
2°C (36°F)
5°C (41°F)
Min temperature
-7°C (19°F)
-10°C (14°F)
-7°C (19°F)
Monthly sun hours
142 hours
155 hours
165 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
23 mm (0.9 in)
18 mm (0.7 in)
22 mm (0.9 in)
Monthly rainy days
7 days
8 days
7 days
Weather conditions

Turfan

In January Turfan generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 0°C (32°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -9°C (16°F) and almost no monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
1°C (34°F)
0°C (32°F)
6°C (43°F)
Min temperature
-7°C (19°F)
-9°C (16°F)
-4°C (25°F)
Monthly snowfall
1.4 mm (0.1 in)
1.3 mm (0.1 in)
2.4 mm (0.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
a single day
2 days
a single day
Weather conditions

Korla

In January Korla generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -2°C (28°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -13°C (9°F) and almost no monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
0°C (32°F)
-2°C (28°F)
4°C (39°F)
Min temperature
-10°C (14°F)
-13°C (9°F)
-7°C (19°F)
Monthly snowfall
3.6 mm (0.1 in)
2.7 mm (0.1 in)
5.9 mm (0.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
3 days
3 days
2 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Xinjiang, in China.

In our records: China January extremes

Notable January records observed across cities in China in our climate database (1976 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • In our records, the coldest January daytime high in China was -43°C (-45°F) in Ergun on January 11, 2001.

Popular cities in January

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Xinjiang in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Urumqi -7°C (19°F) -16°C (3°F) 8.8 mm (0.3 in)
Kashgar 1°C (34°F) -10°C (14°F) 6.8 mm (0.3 in)
Yining 2°C (36°F) -10°C (14°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Turfan 0°C (32°F) -9°C (16°F) 1.3 mm (0.1 in)
Korla -2°C (28°F) -13°C (9°F) 2.7 mm (0.1 in)

Xinjiang weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Xinjiang, China in January?

Xinjiang, China typically experiences poor weather in January, part of the winter season. Daytime highs in Urumqi average around -7°C (19°F), and temperatures drop to about -16°C (3°F) at night.

What is the average temperature in Xinjiang, China in January?

Average temperatures in Xinjiang, China during January range from a nighttime low near -16°C (3°F) to a daytime high around -7°C (19°F) in Urumqi.

Does Xinjiang, China get a lot of snow in January?

January is on the drier side in Xinjiang, China. Urumqi averages only about 8.8 mm (0.3 in), with most days staying dry.

Is January a Good Time to Visit Xinjiang, China?

In our opinion, January may not be the ideal time to visit Xinjiang, China due to the typically poor weather in Urumqi.

Generally speaking, May, June and September provide perfect weather in Urumqi. On the other hand, the weather in January, February and December tend to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Xinjiang.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to China? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in China.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

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