Beijing · Month comparison
December vs September
September ranks #1 overall vs December at #11. Golden autumn with crystal-clear skies — Beijing at its most photogenic and comfortable
December
#11 of 12 months
Worth considering
Cold and smoggy but peaceful — perfect for empty Great Wall photos and bargain Forbidden City visits
- ↑Great Wall almost entirely to yourself — a rare and deeply atmospheric experience
- ↑Cheapest hotel rates all year and easy last-minute bookings
September
#1 of 12 months
Best match
Golden autumn with crystal-clear skies — Beijing at its most photogenic and comfortable
- ↑Perfect 20–26°C temperatures and brilliant blue skies after the summer haze lifts
- ↑Great Wall sections like Jinshanling and Mutianyu glow with early autumn colour
| Factor | December | September |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 3 | 9 |
| Value score | 7 | 5 |
| Crowd score | 3 | 7 |
| Events score | 5 | 6 |
| Atmosphere | 5 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 2°C | 25°C |
| Monthly rain | 3mm | 56mm |
| Daily sunshine | 5hrs | 9hrs |
December trade-offs
- ↓Sub-zero possible (−6 to 3°C) and pollution alerts are common
- ↓Short days (9h daylight) limit outdoor sightseeing time significantly
September trade-offs
- ↓Crowds build ahead of National Day Golden Week — book accommodation early
- ↓Prices rise across hotels and tours as demand peaks
Scores compare months within Beijing. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →