Harbin in December: Weather, Best Things to Do & Useful Tips

December is one of the coldest months of Harbin in a year, and it is also among the best time to explore this beautiful ice city in China. Many tourists choose to explore the winter of Northeastern China in Harbin. During this period, you will be gifted with the precious chance to witness the snowscape and cold weather of Harbin’s winter. Now, this article will provide you useful information about travelling in Harbin in December, covering Harbin weather & temperature in December, what to wear in Harbin in December, what to do in Harbin in December, tips for travelling in Harbin in December and how to plan a tour in Harbin in December.


Harbin Weather & Temperature in December

Harbin is located at the northeastern part of China and has a high latitude, ans thus the weather in Harbin is generally colder than that in most places of China. Harbin has a temperate continental monsoon climate, and it has long winter and short summer. In December, Harbin sees a cold and dry winter time, with temperature ranges from -27℃ (-16.6℉) to 8℃. In December, the average temperature is -9℃ (15.8℉) during daytime, and is -20℃ (-4℉) during night time. Meanwhile, there will be snow days in December. The following chart is about Harbin temperature in December.
>>Harbin Weather
>>Harbin Temperature
>>Harbin Weather in January
>>Harbin Weather in February
>>Harbin Weather in November

Harbin Temperature

Harbin Highest & Lowest Temperature in December, 2018 Day by Day

Harbin AQI in December

In past years, many places in northern part of China use coal fire heating and Harbin is among them. Therefore, Harbin’s AQI is highly influenced by the flue gases in winter. However, the air quality of Harbin has improved a lot in last year and it will continue such a good trend to be better. You will see clean snowy days more than ever. The following chart is about AQI of Harbin in last year.

The average AQI of Harbin in December is 76, which is considered as good. According to the historical Harbin AQI data in December, 2018, 11 days were evaluated as excellent, 13 days were good, 4 days were lightly polluted, 1 day was moderately polluted and 2 days are heavily polluted.

Harbin AQI

Harbin AQI in December, 2018 Day by Day

What to Do in Harbin in December

You can enjoy Harbin’s Ice and Snow Festival if you visit Harbin in late December. Actually, the opening ceremony of this international festival is in 5th, January. However, the relevant celebrated activities usually start from late December. Therefore, in late December you could explore the highlights of those activities. You could see delicate and large ice sculptures in Ice and Snow World, and Stalin Park, and appreciate the ice lantern show in Zhaolin Park. In Sun Island Scenic Resort, you will be amazed at those beautiful snow sculptures.

Furthermore, in December you can explore the China Snow Town of Harbin, the No.1 snow town of China. You could also play amusement projects in Ice and Snow World, the highlights of Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. Going to the Zhongyang Pedestrian Street to appreciate those elegant Russian architecture from a bygone era can be a good choice for you. You can visit the St. Sophia Cathedral which is a typical Byzantine architecture, or go to Siberian Tiger Park, the largest breeding center in the world for endangered Siberian Tigers. There are also many other things for you to do in Harbin. Just come and explore!
  Other Useful Links

>>Harbin to China Snow Town
>>5 Days Charming Harbin & China Snow Town Winter Tour

Harbin Ice and Snow World Harbin Ice and Snow World
Harbin Sun Island Harbin Sun Island

What to Wear in Harbin in December

As you have already seen, the temperature in Harbin is so low in December, so you have to keep yourself warm.

It is advised to wear down jacket, cotton-padded clothes and any other kinds of cold-proof clothes as the overcoat. Meanwhile, you need to wear thermal underwear and sweater under the overcoat. It will be uncomfortable for you to wear tight underwear, because you can easily get hot after outdoor activities as skiing. So it would be better if you wear loose underwear. Just wear multiple layers, so you can take them off as you heat up.

Furthermore, you could wear sunglasses in case of snow blindness if you have any winter activities. Both the wind-proof scarf and cap are needed for you to prevent yourself from cold winds. You could wear shoes with thick sole and cold-proof socks, and take several pairs of insoles.

What to Wear in Harbin in December What to Wear in
Harbin in December

Tips for Travelling in Harbin in December

1. You could go to China Snow Town at mid-December when there will be less tourists than the following months.

2. The open time of Ice and Snow Festival is not fixed, but it usually lasts about 2 months from late December to early March. The Ice and Snow world is only open during the festival.

3. An indoor Ice and Snow Paradise with smaller scale is built in the scenic area of the Ice and Snow World, and tourists could also enjoy the ice and snow there as well when the festival ends.

4. If you are not live in cold places, then those thick clothes sold in your country may not be cold-proof enough in Harbin. Therefore, you could buy down jacket in Harbin.

5. The principle of wearing clothes is: Just wear multiple layers, so you can take them off as you heat up.

6. When you have some outdoor activities, keep your camera, telephone and other electronic equipment warm to work with battery. You can also take several batteries to keep your camera working.

>>3 Days Classic Harbin Winter Tour
>>3 Days Harbin Ice Festival Tour

China Snow Town China Snow Town

How to Plan a Harbin Tour

Usually, most travellers spend about 2 to 4 days when touring in Harbin, covering 2 days catching highlights of downtown area of Harbin city and 1 to 2 days exploring the hot destinations around Harbin city. In Harbin’s downtown area, you could enjoy those delicate masterpiece of artists, such as ice lantern show in Zhaolin Park, Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Scenic Resort, etc. You can also appreciate St. Sophia Cathedral, Zhongyang Pedestrian Street, and Laodaowai Baroque Styled Architectures, etc. After visiting downtown area of Harbin, travellers can spend one full day to the Yabuli Ski Resort, a ski resort that is about 220 km away from Harbin, to experience the most professional skiing. Otherwise, they will spend one full day to the China Snow Town, the no.1 snow town in China that is about 280 km away from Harbin, to see the paradise-like snowscape. Some travellers may combine the trip in Harbin downtown area with these two destinations.
>>5 Days Harbin Winter Tour with Yabuli Ski Resort
>>5 Days Charming Harbin & China Snow Town Winter Tour

Furthermore, you could also combine your Harbin tour with any other hot travel destinations in China, such as BeijingXianShanghaiGuilinLhasa, etc.
>>4 Days Harbin Fantastic Winter Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port
>>6 Days Beijing & Harbin Stunning Winter Tour by Flight
>>8 Days Northeast China Tour with Harbin Ice & Snow Festival

Yabuli Ski Resort Yabuli Ski Resort
Dream Home of China Snow Town Night View of Dream Home

Travel Harbin & China with China Discovery

Harbin is a city famous for its ice and snow festival and Russian styled-buildings. Here you can explore the winter of northeastern China. You could choose to travel with China Discovery. We could offer you the highly convenient service of private transfer, by which you will save time and free from worry. Our private driver will escort you along your whole trip and you don't need to transfer for several times. Meanwhile, our local tour guide will guide you to have an in-depth tour in Harbin. If you have your own interests and concerns about the trip, you could just contact our private consultant. They will help you to make your own tour plan. In addition, you could just ask us if you want to travel to any other places in China. We will also help you to make plan and offer relevant service for you.

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