Weather: December in Urumqi is very cold and very dry. It is not recommended for touring.
The average daily high temperature is -6°C (21°F), and it gets much colder at night and with windchill! There is only about 11 mm (1/2 inch) of snow that falls lightly on 10 days of the month.
Clothing: All hotels and restaurants in Urumqi have central heating. Dress in layers, with a thick coat, long winter underwear, and gloves and hat, if you venture out.
Pollution: The Air Quality Index has been recorded as 188 in December, so it is a "moderately polluted" month. There may be some irritation, and those with breathing and heart problems are advised to reduce exercise. Urumqi is less polluted outside the winter months, and outside the city.
Things to Do in Urumqi in December
Outdoor activities in the city are best avoided due to the pollution and frozenness. However, if you journey outside the city, there are some reasonable ski resorts, as well as regions with clean air, fine mountain views, and Kazakh culture. See more on Urumqi Weather in January.
Explore the History of China's Northwest in Urumqi's Museums
As December is a good month for staying indoors, we recommend three interesting museums in Urumqi: Xinjiang Silk Road Museum, The Xinjiang Autonomous Region Museum for ancient local mummies and artifacts, and Xinjiang Geological and Mineral Museum.
Feast on Hearty Local Food
Winter is a great time to enjoy the meaty meals of Urumqi's Muslim minorities. Savor whole roast lamb, piquant flat breads, succulent BBQ, and hand-pulled noodles. Discover more on Urumqi Food.
Enjoy Urumqi's Ice and Snow Festival
A festival called the Ice and Snow Festival is held during the second half of December. You'll enjoy various ice and snow exhibitions, and can appreciate ice sculptures, driving in the snow, and so on. This is a smaller version of the more famous Harbin Ice and Snow Festival held slightly later in the year.
Christmas isn't celebrated very much in Urumqi, as it is firsty a Muslim minority area and secondly a Chinese area.
Touring Urumqi in December
Urumqi will have ice sculptures like these in Harbin in December.December does not fall during the busy travel season, so you'll be one of few travellers in Urumqi, able to enjoy the lack of crowds and low prices, if you don't mind the frozen weather and pollution!
Low Travel Season
Expect few travel and tourism to be virtually zero, and for lower prices for Urumqi flight or train tickets. Hotel room prices are also cheaper. We can help you arrange these, and other China plans.