Does It Snow in Beijing? See When and How Much

China is usually not on the list of countries that people imagine it snows. But the reality is that China is a huge country with a vast landscape and many climates. When it comes to China’s capital, Beijing, people wonder if it snows there. Yes, it snows in Beijing. Even though it is not common, Beijing’s snowiest months are between late November and late February, with snow sometimes occurring in March. The amount of snow varies per month and year, but there are an average of 11 snowy days during the winter months of November, December, January, February, and March. 

Let’s take a look at where most of the snow in Beijing takes place, the average amounts, temperatures, and more.

Average Snow in Beijing

Snow is most common between December and February in Beijing. However, the snowy months can extend in either direction from November to March. The two months that experience the most snowfall are December and January with an average of 2.8 snowy days. February comes in at number two with 2.5 snowy days. November and March are the months with very little amount of snow, coming in at 1.7 and 1.3 snowy days, respectively. When it comes to April, it usually does not snow, but there have been extremely rare occasions so the average for the month is 0.1 snowy days.

Snowiest Places in Beijing

There are several ski resorts where you can enjoy the snowiest places in Beijing, including Huaibei Ski Resort, which is said to be one of the largest ski resorts in the city. And because of the Winter Olympics, the city spruced them up for tourists worldwide. Other places where snow is best are on the outskirts of the city like the Great Wall of China and Longqing Gorge.

Wildlife in Beijing

Beijing is famous for bad air quality. Environmentalists have pummeled Beijing and the Chinese government for not being stringent enough in combating the bad air quality and climate change in the country’s capital. However, even though air quality is bad, Beijing still has an abundance of wildlife, including 20 nature reserves.

The mountains surrounding the city are home to leopards, wolves, red foxes, roe deer, and the Mandarin rat snake. There are also various protected species living in Beijing including the Mandarin duck and the Chinese giant salamander. Nestled in the Fangshan mountains are several species of bats, too.

When it comes to the city’s flora, Beijing is home to a variety of plants. The trees most popular to see in the capital city are the Chinese arborvitae. There are also Chinese roses and chrysanthemums (the city’s flowers) planted in many places.

Best Places to See Snow in Beijing

Because snow can be rare in Beijing, when it does snow, it’s best to find places where you can have a fun time. The optimal places that can be unique for you are touristy places that are usually photographed during spring or summer like the Great Wall of China. With a stunning backdrop of mountain ridges, the Great Wall will offer spectacular views.

You can also go to Longqing Gorge, which is about two hours from Beijing. They host an Ice and Snow Festival every year in January and February that is fun to admire. Lastly, if you want a more city feel, go to the Forbidden City after a snowfall or even better, Jingshan Park for views of snowy rooftops and a snowy Forbidden City in all its glory.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Beijing’s winter like?

Winter in Beijing is cold and dry. All this means is you need to have sweaters, winter coats, scarves, jackets, or anything to keep you warm during this time. Make sure you book indoor activities to combat the cold, as well. The coldest months of the year in Beijing are usually between December and February.

How cold does Beijing get in winter?

The average temperatures in Beijing are between a high of 41 degrees Fahrenheit to a low of 23 degrees Fahrenheit. The coldest month of the year is January which has an average temperature of 27 degrees. It is followed by December, which averages around 30 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the month.

Conclusion

And there you have it, it does snow in Beijing. Although snow is sporadic in China’s capital, it does occur. The average snowfall is 11 days per winter season. This means the odds are good if you go to Beijing during its snowy season that you will experience snowfall. There are many fun city activities you can do during the snowy season. Visiting around the typical tourist places with snow will capture a more unique lens of these places. 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Thomas Zhang/iStock via Getty Images