When to go · Cherchen
Cherchen in January
Mixed month. Outside the best window (Sep–Nov, Mar–May (cool, less sandstorm risk)). Across China: Cold and smoggy in the north, ice festival in Harbin; Spring Festival travel rush can start mid-month.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) / −12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 1
- Crowds
- Medium
- China overall
- Prices
- Medium
- China overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Sep–Nov, Mar–May (cool, less sandstorm risk)). Across China: Cold and smoggy in the north, ice festival in Harbin; Spring Festival travel rush can start mid-month.
Is another month better than January?
January is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
- MarchGreatInside Cherchen's best window: Sep–Nov, Mar–May (cool, less sandstorm risk).
- AprilGreatInside Cherchen's best window: Sep–Nov, Mar–May (cool, less sandstorm risk).
- MayGreatInside Cherchen's best window: Sep–Nov, Mar–May (cool, less sandstorm risk).
- SeptemberGreatInside Cherchen's best window: Sep–Nov, Mar–May (cool, less sandstorm risk).
Weather in January
- CherchenHighs around 2 °C (36 °F), lows around -12 °C (10 °F), rain on about 1 dayHighs around 36 °F (2 °C), lows around 10 °F (-12 °C), rain on about 1 day
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) big impact
Spring Festival: about 5–11 Feb 2027 (New Year's Day 6 Feb; official dates set late in the year — check) · China
Chunyun travel rush for about 40 days around it; shops and small restaurants close for up to a week, trains and flights sell out, hotel prices jump. Big sights stay open with crowds.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · China overall
- Medium
- Prices · China overall
- Medium
China overall: Cold and smoggy in the north, ice festival in Harbin; Spring Festival travel rush can start mid-month.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Cherchen, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Mixed
Mar: Great (better)
Daytime high
Jan: 2 °C (36 °F)36 °F (2 °C)
Mar: 12 °C (54 °F)54 °F (12 °C)
Night low
Jan: -12 °C (10 °F)10 °F (-12 °C)
Mar: -2 °C (28 °F)28 °F (-2 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 1 (better)
Mar: 2
Crowds
Jan: Medium
Mar: Medium
Prices
Jan: Medium
Mar: Medium
Festivals listed
Jan: 1
Mar: 0
January: Outside the best window (Sep–Nov, Mar–May (cool, less sandstorm risk)). Across China: Cold and smoggy in the north, ice festival in Harbin; Spring Festival travel rush can start mid-month.
March: Inside Cherchen's best window: Sep–Nov, Mar–May (cool, less sandstorm risk).
Cherchen: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings