Climate guide for Harbin, China

Harbin in December

Weather, crowds & best time to visit

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December · China

Best time to visit Harbin in December Weather, crowds & prices

Weather in Harbin in December

Average temperature -17°C, 5 mm of rain, about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 89% humidity — based on the five most recent complete years of ERA5 data (2021–2025).

December score

3.7/10

Ranked #4 of 12 months

Full year for Harbin
Avg temp
-17°C
Rainfall
5 mm
Humidity
89%
Days with 6h+ sun
0
Crowd Density
Moderate Crowds
Average Expenses
$$ · Moderate Cost ($$)

December in Harbin scores 3.7/10 for snow and ski travel - an above-average month (#4 of 12). Expect around -17°C, 5 mm of rain, and roughly 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine this month.

Harbin's ice festival, Russian churches and Siberian winters make it China's frozen north.

December in Harbin: expect compromises

December averages -17°C (1°F) — deep-winter cold that dictates the whole trip: short outdoor stints, indoor plans on standby, and no expectation of long walking days.

Precipitation is light at 5 mm (mostly snow at altitude), with almost no days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 8.5 hours of daylight.

It scores 3.7/10 here, 4th of 12 months, against 8.2/10 in the destination's best month.

Pack insulated layers, a windproof shell, gloves and boots with grip, goggles and a helmet if you are not renting.

Figure on mid-season pricing, with crowds are moderate.

Flexible dates? November scores 4.5 points higher here — enough to change the trip.

View all 12 months

Ranked by pure climate comfort

Score scale: 0.0 → 10.0Quiet / UncrowdedModerate CrowdsPeak Tourist Rush

Frequently asked

What is the weather like in Harbin in December?
In December, Harbin averages -17°C, 5 mm of rain, and about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine. Its climate-comfort score is 3.7/10.
Is December a good time to visit Harbin?
December earns a 3.7/10 climate-comfort score. Use the year-round chart to weigh the weather against your budget and crowd preferences.
How much does it rain in Harbin in December?
Expect about 5 mm of rain in December. Average humidity is 89% and there are about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine.

Curated in Harbin

Tickets & experiences

Things to do in Harbin

Harbin, China. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.