Guilin in December: Weather, What to Wear and Li River Tips
Guilin in December averages 7–15°C with little rain. What to pack, why your room may be cold, how low water changes Li River cruises, and rainy-day backups.
· By Yunjie
Guilin in December is cool and mostly dry. Expect daytime highs around 15°C (59°F), nights around 7°C (45°F) and only a handful of rainy days. It is the quiet season for the karst scenery around Guilin and Yangshuo, and most of what you came for still works. The two things to plan for are a room that may not be warm at night and a Li River that runs low, which can shorten or move cruise routes.
Guilin weather in December
| December average | Guilin |
|---|---|
| Daytime high | 15.1°C (59°F) |
| Night-time low | 7.4°C (45°F) |
| Rainfall | 46.8 mm over about 9 days |
| Sunshine | about 117 hours in the month |
| Sunrise / sunset | about 7:10–7:25 am / 5:50–6:00 pm |
Temperatures and rainfall are China Meteorological Administration climate normals for 1981–2010 (compiled here); sunrise and sunset are our estimate for Guilin's coordinates.
These are averages. China Weather's Guangxi climate guidance notes that December brings cold-air outbreaks and frost, so a cold snap can drop nights close to freezing for a few days. Snow in the city is rare. Check the local forecast a few days before you go and again each morning.
The short days matter more than people expect. With sunset before 6 pm, plan river trips and cycling for the morning and early afternoon, and keep evenings for the city.
What to wear in Guilin in December
Pack for a 7–15°C day that feels colder on the water:
- Long-sleeved tops you can layer
- A fleece or light down jacket
- A windproof, water-resistant outer jacket, which matters most on an open boat deck
- Long trousers and walking shoes with good grip for wet steps and riverside paths
- A hat and light gloves for a morning cruise or bamboo raft
- A compact umbrella
- Warm sleepwear, because your room may be the coldest place you spend time (see below)
You will warm up quickly when walking or cycling in Yangshuo, so layers you can take off beat one heavy coat.
Your hotel room may be cold
Guilin is in southern China, where homes and most hotels do not have central heating. Rooms are usually warmed by the air conditioner's heating mode, and older or budget rooms, including many guesthouses in Yangshuo, can feel damp and chilly at night.
Before you book, ask the hotel whether your room type has working heating and how it is controlled. Reviews from December to February are more useful than photos taken in summer. Once you arrive, test the heating early in the evening rather than at midnight.
Li River cruises in the dry season
The Li River's low-water season runs from roughly September to March. When the river drops, operators can move the boarding pier, shorten the route or pause a line. In January 2018, for example, the 83 km cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo was cut to a 20 km round trip from Yangdi after a drought (China News Service). Plenty of December days run normally; low water simply means you should not assume the full route.
Before you pay, confirm:
- the boarding pier and the finishing pier
- the route and its length
- how you get to the pier and away from the finish
- departure time and ticket type
- what happens to your ticket if the route changes
The scenic area publishes operating status by pier. A normal status at one pier does not cover every route, so check the one on your ticket a day or two before, and again on the morning. If the cruise is your main reason for coming, do not book an inflexible train or flight straight after it, and if your plans allow, keep a second day free for it.
Rainy, cold or low-water day backups
- Reed Flute Cave in Guilin and Silver Cave south of Yangshuo are indoor and work in any weather.
- Elephant Trunk Hill and an evening walk or boat around the Two Rivers and Four Lakes fill a day in the city.
- In Yangshuo, cycling the countryside along the Yulong River is excellent on a dry, mild day. Skip it in steady rain.
For the full route, use our 3-day Guilin and Yangshuo itinerary. This page only covers what changes in December.
Getting there and around
Give your hotel the exact station or airport you arrive at. Guilin has several railway stations, and Yangshuo is about an hour and a half from the city, so "Guilin" alone is not enough for a pickup. See our China transport guide, set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arrive, and keep the hotel's Chinese address on your phone.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Guilin?
Yes, if you like cool, dry walking and cycling weather and fewer crowds than in summer. It is not the month for lush green scenery or warm days, and the Li River cruise is less certain than in the wet season.
Does it snow in Guilin in December?
Rarely. Cold snaps with frost happen, but snow in the city is uncommon.
Do Li River cruises run in December?
Usually, but low water can shorten the route or move the boarding pier. Confirm your specific route and pier a day or two before, and again on the morning.
What should I wear in Guilin in December?
Layers: long sleeves, a fleece or light down jacket and a windproof outer layer, plus grippy shoes and something warm for the hotel room at night.
Last checked: November 10, 2026. Climate figures are long-term averages, not a forecast. Cruise routes and piers change with the water level, so confirm them close to your trip.