When to go · Golmud
Golmud in January
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Feb (extreme cold, limited transport).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- −2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) / −15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 2
- Crowds
- Medium
- China overall
- Prices
- Medium
- China overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Feb (extreme cold, limited transport).
Is another month better than January?
January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- JuneGreatInside Golmud's best window: Jun–Aug (dry, warm, most train/bus services operate).
- JulyGreatInside Golmud's best window: Jun–Aug (dry, warm, most train/bus services operate).
- AugustGreatInside Golmud's best window: Jun–Aug (dry, warm, most train/bus services operate).
- AprilGoodOutside the best window (Jun–Aug (dry, warm, most train/bus services operate)). Across China: Spring across the east; Qingming break early in the month.
Weather in January
- GolmudHighs around -2 °C (28 °F), lows around -15 °C (5 °F), rain on about 2 daysHighs around 28 °F (-2 °C), lows around 5 °F (-15 °C), rain on about 2 days
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 Golmud, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Avoid
Jun: Great (better)
Daytime high
Jan: -2 °C (28 °F)28 °F (-2 °C)
Jun: 22 °C (72 °F)72 °F (22 °C)
Night low
Jan: -15 °C (5 °F)5 °F (-15 °C)
Jun: 7 °C (45 °F)45 °F (7 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 2 (better)
Jun: 6
Crowds
Jan: Medium
Jun: Medium
Prices
Jan: Medium
Jun: Medium
Festivals listed
Jan: 1
Jun: 0
January: Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Feb (extreme cold, limited transport).
June: Inside Golmud's best window: Jun–Aug (dry, warm, most train/bus services operate).
Golmud: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings