Zhangjiajie in December: Weather, Rime, Quiet Trails

What is the weather like in Zhangjiajie in December?

December is cold and dry: the city averages a high of 12.2 °C (54 °F) and a low of 4.9 °C (40.8 °F). It feels raw rather than bitter: damp air and wind make it colder than the numbers suggest, especially on the peaks.

December is the driest month of the year at the city station, roughly 26.9 mm. A modelled dataset gives about double that, so “driest month” is the reliable part rather than the exact figure. Rain and fog are more common in the first half of the month.

All of these numbers come from the city station at 219 m. The plateau viewpoints sit far higher, and the Tianmen summit is often several degrees colder than downtown.

Will I see rime or snow in December?

Rime is more likely than snow. On cold, foggy days, freezing fog coats trees and railings on the high peaks with white ice crystals, which can make Tianzi Mountain and the Tianmen summit look snow-covered even when town is just grey and damp.

Snow itself is occasional. The city averages about 1.7 snow days in December, fewer than January’s, and it falls more often and settles longer on the mountains. Clear cloud seas are less common than in autumn, but they can appear on a still morning after rain.

Is anything closed in December?

Nothing closes for the season, though icy spells can shut some sections. The main parks stay open in winter, but glass skywalks and some exposed sections (e.g., at Tianmen Mountain) can close temporarily when icy.

At Tianmen Mountain, only Route C runs since 13 October 2026: the express cable car from the Mountain Gate up and down, with escalators through the mountain to the summit. The long cable car from downtown is suspended with no reopening date. Baofeng Lake may stop its boats in the winter low-water season, so we check before including it.

How crowded is Zhangjiajie in December?

December is one of the quietest months. China has no national public holidays in December, and Christmas is a normal working day. Queues for the Bailong Elevator and the cable cars are short, and the viewpoints on Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain are calm on weekdays.

The only busier days come at the very end of the month, as the New Year holiday begins on 1 January. The 2027 New Year days off had not been published as of 14 October 2026.

What should I wear in December?

Pack for cold, damp days and freezing mornings on the peaks:

• Insulated jacket (down or synthetic)
• Fleece or wool mid-layer
• Thermal base layers
• Warm hat, gloves and scarf
• Waterproof shoes with deep tread for icy steps
• Light waterproof shell for fog and drizzle
• Wool socks and a spare pair
• Lip balm and moisturizer for dry, cold wind

The full winter checklist is on our packing list page.

What is good and bad about December?

Local tips for December

• Book a hotel near the park, not downtown. On cold, short days, saving the drive from the city gives you more daylight on the plateau.
• Pick the coldest foggy morning for rime. Rime forms in freezing fog, so the grey, cold days that look unpromising in town are often the ones that turn the peaks white.
• Start your descent early. Daylight is short in December, and lifts and eco-buses set their last runs daily. Plan to be heading down by mid-afternoon.
• Choose lifts over long staircases. Shaded stone steps stay icy longer in December. The Bailong Elevator and the Tianzi Mountain cable car avoid the worst of them.
• Bring warm gloves for photos. Phone screens and camera controls are hard to use in thick gloves; thin touchscreen gloves under warmer mittens work well at cold viewpoints.

Which tour suits December?

Shorter trips work well in December. The 1-day Tianmen Mountain tour uses cable car and escalators for most of the climb, and the 3-day classic tour gives room to work around fog. Compare with November and January, or read the best time to visit Zhangjiajie.

Considering a winter trip? Send us your dates and we will check for closures before you book.