Winter in Guilin feels cool but generally mild compared to much of China. You’ll see average daytime temperatures around 13–15°C (55–59°F) and nighttime lows near 7–9°C (45–48°F), so the chill isn’t too harsh.
Snow barely makes an appearance here, with only the occasional light flurry in January.
You might find the skies flipping between cloudy and clear, and sometimes the sun peeks through for a bit. Rain falls lightly, just a few days each month, so you won’t have to worry about constant drizzle.
The air can feel damp, but winter skips the heavy downpours you get in summer.
This weather really shapes how you’ll experience Guilin’s scenery. Crisp air and fewer crowds mean winter is a pretty good time to check out the karst mountains and rivers without sweating or dodging storms.
Overview of Guilin’s Winter Climate
Guilin’s winters stay mild compared to the north, but high humidity and limited sunshine make it feel damp and chilly. You’ll get cool temperatures, lots of cloud cover, and light, steady rain that sets the mood for the season.
Typical Winter Weather Patterns
From December through February, you’ll see daily temperatures between 6–12°C (43–54°F). Nights sometimes dip close to freezing, and if snow falls, it’s usually just a dusting on the hills.
Rain comes moderately, usually 45–100 mm per month, spread across 9–16 days. It doesn’t pour, but the air always seems a bit wet.
Fog often rolls in, especially in the mornings, and that can make the Li River look mysterious but also a bit hard to see.
Sunshine is limited, usually just 2–4 hours a day. Humidity hovers around 70–75%, so it feels colder than you might expect from the numbers.
Winds stay light, under 10 kph, so you won’t get blasted by cold gusts.
You’ll want to dress for cool, damp weather. A waterproof jacket, layers, and comfy shoes for wet ground are more useful than a big winter coat.
Subtropical Monsoon Characteristics
Guilin sits in a humid subtropical climate zone (Köppen Cfa), shaped by the East Asian monsoon. Winters are short and mild, but leftover moisture from the summer monsoon keeps humidity high even when it’s cool.
Guilin never really gets a dry season. Winter rain is lighter than summer, but it still shows up enough to keep everything green.
This steady moisture feeds the region’s karst hills and evergreen plants.
Clouds often take over the sky for days at a time. That’s just what you get with a subtropical winter and all that maritime air.
Because Guilin sits inland but still catches the monsoon, it dodges the bitter cold of the north but misses out on those dry, sunny winter days you find up there. This blend of mild temperatures and damp air really defines winter here.
Average Winter Temperatures in Guilin
Guilin’s winters bring cool but not biting temperatures, especially compared to northern China. You’ll notice the difference between daytime highs and chilly nights as December, January, and February roll by.
Daytime and Nighttime Temperature Ranges
During the day, highs usually reach 58°F to 62°F (14°C to 17°C) early in winter. By late January, the coldest time, highs fall closer to 51°F (10°C).
At night, lows hover around 41°F to 45°F (5°C to 7°C). Temperatures rarely slip below 34°F (1°C), so frost is pretty rare.
You won’t see the deep freezes of northern China. Guilin winters stay moderate, but the damp can make it feel a bit colder.
Monthly Temperature Variations
December starts off mild, with highs near 62°F (17°C) and lows around 45°F (7°C). Early winter is actually one of the nicer times to visit.
January brings the coldest days. Highs average about 51°F (10°C), with lows down to 41°F (5°C). You’ll probably notice more clouds and dampness then.
By February, things start to warm up. Highs climb back to 58°F (14°C), and nights stick close to 44°F (7°C). That’s your sign that spring is coming.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low |
|---|---|---|
| December | 62°F / 17°C | 45°F / 7°C |
| January | 51°F / 10°C | 41°F / 5°C |
| February | 58°F / 14°C | 44°F / 7°C |
Temperature Compared to Other Seasons
If you compare winter to summer in Guilin, the difference stands out. July brings highs of 91°F (33°C), and nights never really cool off, staying around 78°F (25°C).
Spring and autumn fall in the middle. Spring heats up quickly, and autumn cools down more slowly.
Winter is the only time you’ll need heavier clothing, but you almost never face freezing temps.
Humidity matters, too. In summer, it makes the heat feel even hotter. In winter, the dampness makes cool air feel colder. It’s funny how the same temperature can feel totally different depending on the season.
Precipitation During Winter
Guilin’s winters bring cooler temperatures and lighter rain compared to the soaking wet summer. You’ll find rain is still pretty frequent, but totals stay modest, and snow is almost unheard of.
The season’s more about damp, overcast days than wild storms.
Monthly Rainfall Totals
Rain falls moderately and steadily in winter. December averages about 45–50 mm (1.8–2.0 in), January gets 50–55 mm (2.0–2.2 in), and February bumps up a bit to 55–60 mm (2.2–2.4 in).
That’s much less than summer, when monthly rain can shoot past 250 mm.
Winter rain spreads out over many days, so you’ll usually get light showers or drizzle instead of downpours.
The steady, lighter rain keeps the air damp, especially with high humidity. Even though the totals aren’t huge, you’ll want to expect wet conditions outside.
| Month | Avg. Rainfall (mm) | Avg. Rainfall (in) |
|---|---|---|
| December | 45–50 | 1.8–2.0 |
| January | 50–55 | 2.0–2.2 |
| February | 55–60 | 2.2–2.4 |
Rainy and Sunny Days
Guilin’s winter skies stay cloudy much of the time, with rain scattered over several days each month. December averages about 12–14 rainy days, January has around 13–15, and February gets a bit wetter with 14–16 days.
Clear, sunny days are rare. You might get 5–7 days of real sunshine in a winter month.
With so little sun and high humidity, the air often feels colder than it looks on paper.
Since the rain is usually light, you can still get outside and explore, but you’ll want to pack a rain jacket or umbrella just in case.
Snowfall Frequency
Snow in Guilin is almost a non-event. When it does show up, it’s quick and barely noticeable.
January is the only month with any measurable snow—about 0.5 days and just 3 mm (0.12 in) total.
December and February basically never see snow. Winter temps usually stay above freezing, so snow just can’t stick around.
If you spot snow, it’s more of a surprise than anything else. Most winter precipitation comes as drizzle, light rain, or mist.
Humidity Levels in Winter
Even though winter cools things down in Guilin, the air still holds a lot of moisture. Humidity stays pretty high compared to other places at this latitude, so the season feels damp and chilly, not dry and crisp.
Average Relative Humidity
In winter, average relative humidity sits between 66% and 75%. December usually feels the driest at 66%, while January and February creep up a bit.
You’ll rarely get that bone-dry feeling, even on colder days.
When temperatures drop near 10–13°C in January, the humidity can make the chill feel sharper. If you’re indoors without heating, the dampness just hangs around and adds to the cold.
Most travelers don’t find this level of humidity uncomfortable, but it does change how the cold feels. A light jacket might not cut it if you’re outside for long stretches, since the damp air saps the warmth from your clothes.
Humidity Changes Across Winter Months
Humidity shifts a bit as winter moves along. December feels the least humid, around 66%, which makes early winter a bit more comfortable for being outside.
January brings a slight rise in humidity, and that matches up with the coldest temps. The combo of dampness and cool air can make it feel colder than you’d expect.
By February, humidity stays high, close to 70–75%. Temperatures start to climb, but the moist air means cloudier days and more light rain or mist. That’s when you know spring isn’t far off.
For planning, just remember that winter humidity in Guilin is steady but not extreme. You won’t run into super dry air, but you should be ready for dampness that affects comfort and what you wear.
Seasonal Weather Impacts on Travel
Winter in Guilin brings cool temps, short days, and damp air—all of which affect what you wear and how you plan your trip. The season is mild compared to the north, but the humidity and lack of central heating in many places can make it feel colder than you’d think.
Recommended Clothing for Winter
Daytime temperatures in winter usually land between 5°C (41°F) and 14°C (57°F). At night, the damp air makes it feel chillier, even when it’s above freezing.
Most indoor spots use space heaters or just blankets, not central heat, so you’ll want to be ready for a bit of indoor chill.
Pack layered clothing so you can adjust as the day goes on. Good choices include:
- A warm base layer (like a long-sleeve shirt or thermal top)
- A fleece or sweater
- A medium-weight jacket, preferably water-resistant
- Pants with thicker fabric
If you’re sensitive to cold, bring scarves, gloves, and hats—especially for the evenings. Shoes should be water-resistant and have good grip, since winter days can get damp or drizzly.
Don’t forget an umbrella—light rain is common.
Outdoor Activities and Sightseeing
Winter lets you explore Guilin without the crowds that pack in during spring and summer. The karst mountains and Li River look stunning, and the cooler air sometimes makes the views even clearer than in humid summer.
River cruises still run, but you might want a shorter trip to avoid too much time in the cold. Walking through Reed Flute Cave or Elephant Trunk Hill works well, since those spots aren’t as affected by the weather.
If you plan to hike in places like Longji Rice Terraces, wear sturdy shoes because the paths can get slippery after rain.
Shorter days mean you’ll want to start activities earlier. Once the sun goes down, it’s best to head indoors and enjoy local food, since temperatures drop quickly in the evening.
Winter Weather Trends and Variability
Winter in Guilin feels cool and damp. You’ll notice short spells of light rain and a lot of humidity.
Even though temperatures usually stay above freezing, the cloudy skies and all that moisture make it feel colder than you’d expect. Sometimes it’s hard to believe the thermometer.
Long-Term Climate Patterns
Compared to northern China, Guilin’s winters are pretty mild. Daytime highs often reach 53–59°F (12–15°C). Nights get down to around 42–45°F (5–7°C).
It’s rare for temperatures to actually dip below freezing. Snow hardly ever shows up, and if it does, it’s just a dusting that disappears fast.
Rain falls steadily, but it never really gets extreme. Each winter month brings about 2–4 inches (55–95 mm) of precipitation.
Unlike those heavy summer downpours, winter rain in Guilin comes lighter and stretches across more days.
Humidity stays up there, usually around 70–75%. That high moisture cuts visibility and makes everything feel a bit damp.
With the overcast skies thrown in, Guilin’s winter vibe is definitely cool, moist, and a little gray.
So, you get a stable subtropical climate here with winters that are short, cloudy, and wet, but really not harsh at all.
Recent Changes in Winter Conditions
In recent decades, you might’ve noticed winters getting a bit warmer and wetter. Records actually show average winter temperatures creeping up by about 1–2°F (0.5–1°C) compared to earlier climate data.
This shift, even if it seems small, makes cold snaps less common.
Precipitation patterns seem all over the place lately. Some years dump more rain, with plenty of damp days, but others end up drier.
That inconsistency can mess with river levels and sometimes complicate local travel, especially out in the countryside.
Humidity still runs high. Warmer air just grabs more moisture, so you might see more fog and those stubborn low clouds.
These changes probably won’t flip the whole vibe of Guilin’s winters, but honestly, they do shape how often you get stuck with damp, chilly days instead of milder, clearer ones.