Plan your Xian tour in January? So for various reasons, you choose to visit Xian in January, one of the coldest months in Xian. Basically Xian can be dry, cold and very often windy in January.
Don’t be scared by the cold weather since you don’t have to stay long outdoor due to the fact that most of the attractions you are going to visit are indoor historical sites with central heating systems.
But the “blessing in disguise” is that you can take the advantage of the low tourist season to enjoy discounted flight tickets, hotel room rates and even entrance fees for the sites on your Xian bucket list.
The Weather in January in Xian
Xian enters one of the coldest month in a year when as mercury drops between average 5 ℃ in the day and -3 ℃ at night, almost as cold as the previous December.
The city has good heating system allows indoor rooms and facilities warm and comfortable.
Historical Weather Data for January in Xian
We’d like to inform you of the historical weather data listed below that may help you plan your trip to Xian well in advance. You may use the data to choose what to dress, what to pack for your coming trip to Xian.
| Date | Average High | Average Low | Extreme High | Extreme Low |
| Jan 01 | 5℃ | -4℃ | 12℃(2008) | -16℃(1990) |
| Jan 02 | 5℃ | -4℃ | 16℃(1989) | -15℃(1952) |
| Jan 03 | 5℃ | -4℃ | 16℃(1989) | -11℃(1952) |
| Jan 04 | 5℃ | -4℃ | 15℃(1955) | -15℃(1952) |
| Jan 05 | 4℃ | -5℃ | 15℃(1983) | -15℃(1952) |
| Jan 06 | 5℃ | -4℃ | 16℃(1989) | -17℃(1952) |
| Jan 07 | 5℃ | -4℃ | 17℃(1959) | -13℃(1951) |
| Jan 08 | 5℃ | -4℃ | 17℃(2008) | -12℃(1967) |
| Jan 09 | 5℃ | -4℃ | 14℃(2008) | -14℃(1954) |
| Jan 10 | 5℃ | -4℃ | 16℃(2008) | -17℃(1954) |
| Jan 11 | 5℃ | -4℃ | 12℃(1951) | -21℃(1954) |
| Jan 12 | 5℃ | -4℃ | 16℃(1988) | -17℃(1975) |
| Jan 13 | 4℃ | -4℃ | 12℃(1951) | -5℃(1954) |
| Jan 14 | 4℃ | -4℃ | 16℃(1955) | -12℃(1975) |
| Jan 15 | 4℃ | -5℃ | 11℃(1998) | -13℃(1975) |
| Jan 16 | 4℃ | -6℃ | 13℃(1978) | -14℃(1975) |
| Jan 17 | 5℃ | -5℃ | 15℃(1971) | -12℃(1975) |
| Jan 18 | 5℃ | -5℃ | 15℃(1998) | -12℃(1984) |
| Jan 19 | 5℃ | -5℃ | 19℃(1964) | -11℃(1956) |
| Jan 20 | 5℃ | -4℃ | 16℃(1996) | -11℃(1999) |
| Jan 21 | 4℃ | -4℃ | 12℃(1964) | -12℃(1960) |
| Jan 22 | 4℃ | -4℃ | 12℃(2000) | -13℃(2008) |
| Jan 23 | 4℃ | -4℃ | 10℃(1962) | -15℃(1953) |
| Jan 24 | 4℃ | -4℃ | 15℃(1996) | -15℃(1953) |
| Jan 25 | 5℃ | -5℃ | 14℃(1993) | -19℃(1956) |
| Jan 26 | 5℃ | -4℃ | 14℃(1998) | -17℃(2002) |
| Jan 27 | 5℃ | -4℃ | 15℃(1987) | -14℃(1991) |
| Jan 28 | 5℃ | -3℃ | 17℃(1987) | -13℃(1991) |
| Jan 29 | 3℃ | -3℃ | 17℃(1987) | -13℃(1991) |
| Jan 30 | 5℃ | -4℃ | 13℃(2000) | -16℃(1954) |
| Jan 31 | 5℃ | -4℃ | 14℃(2001) | 15℃(1954) |
What to Wear and Pack in Xian in January
Outdoor daytime wear ( average 5℃ ): Winter clothes, down jackets, layers （knitwear, or thermal wear).
Outdoor evening wear ( Average -4℃): Thick winter clothes, layers （knitwear, or thermal wear), gloves, and winter hats & caps.
Where to Stay in Xian
Xian is a very compact and walkable city, so no matter where you are going to stay you will easily get to the major attractions and shopping areas in Xian. Some hotels start to offer discounted room rates from mid-November. Domestic tourist volume is getting thinner.
The city layout within Xian City Wall is based on a grid pattern centrally denoted by the grand Bell Tower (钟楼), which levels out four main avenues clockwise: East avenue (Dong Dajie 东大街), South Avenue ( Nan Dajie 南大街), West Avenue (Xi Dajie 西大街) and North Avenue (Bei Dajie 北大街).
Xian Railway Station is just located on the northeast corner of Xian city wall while Xian Airport is located 40km northwest of Xian.
The areas near Bell Tower, East Avenue, South Avenue, West Avenue and North Avenue are considered ideal places to stay in Xian. Check out the link for more information – Where to Stay in Xian.
What to See in Xian
Xian is well known for its historical relics, both above ground and underneath. Season or weather changes make no big difference for your visit to Xian.
So if you travel Xian in January as a first-time visitor, you may cover the major attractions like Terracotta Warriors, Xian City Wall, Xian Muslim Quarter, Great Mosque Bell & Drum Towers and the list could be longer if you stay in Xian for quite a few days. Check out the Top 10 Attractions in Xian for more information.
Xian is well known for its historical relics, both above ground and underneath. Season or weather changes make no big difference for your visit to Xian.
So if you travel Xian in January as a first-time visitor, you may cover the major attractions like Terracotta Warriors, Xian City Wall, Xian Muslim Quarter, Great Mosque Bell & Drum Towers and the list could be longer if you stay in Xian for quite a few days. Check out the Top 10 Attractions in Xian for more information.
What to Eat in Xian
Xian is a haven for eaters. Hitting the food streets of Muslim Quarter is a must for first-time visitors. It is said there are over 300 Muslim local snacks on the streets in Xian Muslim Quarter that attract a consistent flow of visitors everyday coming here to savor or just have a glimpse.
Have a bite of some of the local food: the famous Xi’an Liangpi (cold skin noodles) , the lamb skewers, the cuttlefish, the yogurt, pomegranate juice and the list could be much longer.
Check out Tips for Visiting Muslim Quarter in Xian for more information.
January Events, Holidays & Festivals
1. Ski Resorts in Xian
Visiting a ski resort is a bonus added to make a perfect winter holiday in Xian. No matter you are a keen skier or non-skier, you can rewind and entertain yourself in a ski resort around Xian, skiing and participating in snow activities, or just sitting in a cozy snack bar and appreciating the white ski area over a cup of coffee or tea.
2. New Year Eve Ceremony
Each year Xian local tourism bureau will hold a fantastic “New Year Celebration” on the eve of the coming new year in a unique way. Turn to a local travel agency or visit Xian tourism bureau’s official website for the new year celebration.
3. Spring Festival
Spring Festival is the biggest and most celebrated festival in China as well as some countries of east and south east Asia. People enjoy 3 day holiday. Chinese government makes it a 7 day holiday by moving the prior weekend and the upcoming one together. This year’s Spring Festival lasts from January 31 to February 6, 2022
Tip : Hassle-free Xian Guided Tours
If you don’t want to do a self-guided tour and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Xian guided tours:
Xian Tour
Xian Day Tour
Xian Tour Packages
Beijing Xian Tour
Further Readings
Beijing Xian High Speed Train Experience
Top 10 Attractions in Xian
Tips for Visiting Muslim Quarter in Xian
Tips for Visiting Xian City Wall
Tips for Visiting Shaanxi History Museum
Tips for Visiting Xian Bell Tower
How to Visit Terracotta Army
How to Visit Daming Palace National Heritage Park
Top 10 Photography Spots in Xian
The Night View of Great Tang All Day Mall
Tips for Visiting Hanyang Tombs Xian
The Song of Everlasting Sorrow Show in Xian
Tips for Visiting Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Tips for Visiting Huaqing Hot Springs in Xian
How to Visit Mount Huashan
Top 10 Hostels in Xian
Best Time to Visit Xian
Any questions, just drop a line.