By Zhangjiajie Private Guide Editorial Team · Updated
Key facts
Last verified:
- Average high / low (city)
- 9.5 °C / 2.9 °C (49 °F / 37 °F)
- Rain
- Roughly 46 mm over about 11 days
- Snow days (city station)
- About 5, the most of any month
- Holiday
- New Year, 1–3 January 2026
- Winter closures
- Icy skywalks may close temporarily
How cold is Zhangjiajie in January?
January is the coldest month: the city averages a high of 9.5 °C (49.1 °F) and a low of 2.9 °C (37.2 °F). Those numbers come from the city weather station at 219 m. The viewpoints you visit are much higher, and they feel noticeably colder, especially in wind.
| Item | Average |
|---|---|
| High (°C) | 9.5 |
| High (°F) | 49.1 |
| Low (°C) | 2.9 |
| Low (°F) | 37.2 |
| Rain (mm, approximate) | 46.2 |
| Days with rain | 11.1 |
| Days with snow | 5 |
| Sunshine (hours in the month) | 57.7 |
Last verified November 1, 2026. Sources: en.wikipedia.org. Prices change — we re-check monthly and confirm current prices in your quote.
Rainfall is light by Zhangjiajie standards, roughly 46.2 mm, but sources disagree: a modelled dataset puts January closer to 75 mm. What matters more is that it is often grey and damp, with some of the lowest sunshine hours of the year.
Will I see snow?
You might. The city station averages about 5 snow days in January, more than any other month, and snow falls more often and settles longer on the mountains. When it does, the sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park turn white along their ledges and pine branches, which is the image many winter visitors come for.
More common than snow is freezing fog. On the high peaks it coats trees and railings in rime, which looks striking close up but can hide the wider view for a whole day. Cloud seas are less frequent than in spring or autumn; they are most likely on a clear morning after rain or snow.
Is anything closed in January?
Nothing closes for the whole month. The main parks stay open in winter, but glass skywalks and some exposed sections (e.g., at Tianmen Mountain) can close temporarily when icy. Glass and ice do not mix, so plan skywalks as a bonus rather than a fixed part of a January day.
At Tianmen Mountain, only Route C runs since 13 October 2026: the express cable car from the Mountain Gate up and down, with escalators to the summit. The long cable car from downtown is suspended, so do not plan around it. Baofeng Lake is the other one to check: boats may stop when the water level is low in winter.
How crowded is Zhangjiajie in January?
January is one of the quietest months, with one exception: the New Year holiday, which ran 1–3 January in 2026. After that, weekday trails are close to empty compared with any month from April to November. The 2027 New Year days off have not been published yet, but 1 January itself is a statutory holiday every year.
Spring Festival can fall in late January in some years. In 2027, Lunar New Year’s Day is 6 February, so most of January 2027 should stay quiet; the official holiday dates are still to come.
What should I wear in January?
Dress for a cold, damp mountain day rather than a city day:
- Insulated jacket (down or synthetic) that packs small
- Fleece or wool mid-layer
- Thermal base layer top and leggings
- Warm hat, gloves and a neck gaiter or scarf
- Waterproof walking shoes with deep tread
- Light waterproof shell for drizzle and wet fog
- Wool socks, plus a spare pair in your day bag
- Hand warmers if you feel the cold
Layers matter more than one heavy coat: you warm up fast on stairs and cool down fast at windy viewpoints. See our packing list for the full checklist.
What is good and bad about January?
| Good | Bad |
|---|---|
| Very few people on the trails after 3 January | Coldest month; damp cold feels harsher than the numbers suggest |
| Shortest queues for the Bailong Elevator and cable cars | Freezing fog can hide the views for a whole day |
| Best chance of snow on the pillars | Icy skywalks and some exposed paths may close |
| Same ticket price as summer, but far more space | Short daylight; mountain paths get dark early |
Local tips for January
- Plan the forest park for your clearest day. Watch the forecast, and keep Tianmen Mountain or Yellow Dragon Cave as the fallback for a foggy day. The cave stays around 16–18 °C inside all year, so it feels warm in winter.
- Use lifts, not stairs, on icy days. Stone steps on routes such as the Huangshi Village climb get slippery when frozen. The Bailong Elevator and Tianzi Mountain cable car take you to the plateau without them.
- Carry gloves you can grip with. Railings and the iron ladders on the Yangjiajie trails are freezing to the touch.
- Start a little later than in summer. Paths in shade can be icy at first light; a 09:00 start gives the sun a chance to soften them, and crowds are not a reason to rush in January.
- Wear a warm layer under your waterproof on Tianmen. The summit is often several degrees colder than downtown, and you spend hours exposed on cliff paths.
Which tour works best in January?
A short, flexible plan works best. The 1-day forest park tour can be moved to the clearest day of your stay, and the 3-day classic tour gives you room to swap days around fog. For the bigger picture of how January compares with other months, read the best time to visit Zhangjiajie, or see the December and February pages.
Planning a winter trip? Send us your dates and we will check for closures before you book.
Frequently asked questions
Does it snow in Zhangjiajie in January?
Is Zhangjiajie National Forest Park open in January?
Is January a good month to visit Zhangjiajie?
Can I ride the Tianmen Mountain cable car in January?
What should I wear in Zhangjiajie in January?
Sources
- Zhangjiajie climate table, CMA 1991–2020 normals (Wikipedia) (accessed October 14, 2026)
- State Council — 2026 public holiday notice (gov.cn) (accessed October 14, 2026)
- Travel China Guide — Zhangjiajie weather (accessed October 14, 2026)
