When to go · Samye
Samye in January
Mixed month. Outside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–Oct). 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
- 8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) / −8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 1
- Crowds
- Medium
- China overall
- Prices
- Medium
- China overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–Oct). 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:
Weather in January
- SamyeHighs around 8 °C (46 °F), lows around -8 °C (18 °F), rain on about 1 dayHighs around 46 °F (8 °C), lows around 18 °F (-8 °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 Samye, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Mixed
May: Great (better)
Daytime high
Jan: 8 °C (46 °F)46 °F (8 °C)
May: 22 °C (72 °F)72 °F (22 °C)
Night low
Jan: -8 °C (18 °F)18 °F (-8 °C)
May: 7 °C (45 °F)45 °F (7 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 1 (better)
May: 7
Crowds
Jan: Medium
May: High
Prices
Jan: Medium
May: High
Festivals listed
Jan: 1
May: 1
January: Outside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–Oct). Across China: Cold and smoggy in the north, ice festival in Harbin; Spring Festival travel rush can start mid-month.
May: Inside Samye's best window: May–Jun, Sep–Oct.
Samye: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings