Things to Do in Shenzhen in December

December Weather in Shenzhen

21°C (70°F) High Temp

14°C (58°F) Low Temp

0.0 mm (0.0 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Peak dry season with minimal rainfall - only 10 scattered drizzle days make outdoor activities highly reliable for planning
Comfortable 14-21°C (58-70°F) range perfect for all-day exploration without the summer heat that drives locals indoors
New Year shopping season brings massive discounts at Luohu Commercial City and Dongmen - locals save 40-60% on electronics and fashion
Clearest air quality of the year due to northern winds - visibility from Ping An Tower reaches 25-30 km (15-18 miles) on most days

Considerations

Peak tourist season from mainland China during New Year holidays - expect 2-3x crowds at major attractions from Dec 28-Jan 3
Hotel rates increase 150-200% during final week of December, with many properties requiring 3-night minimums
Occasional cold snaps can drop temperatures to 8°C (46°F) for 2-3 days, catching visitors unprepared for winter clothing needs

Best Activities in December

Window of the World Theme Park Visits

December's dry weather and clear skies make this outdoor miniature world showcase perfect for photography. The 14-21°C (58-70°F) temperatures allow comfortable all-day exploration of 130 world landmark replicas. Evening light shows run longer hours during December tourist season, ending at 10:30pm instead of 9:30pm.

Booking Tip: Buy tickets 24 hours ahead online for 20% discount. Avoid Dec 28-Jan 3 when crowds triple. Entry typically costs ¥200-220 ($28-31). Best visited 10am-2pm before afternoon tour groups arrive.

Dapeng Peninsula Coastal Hiking

December brings the year's most stable weather for coastal trail hiking. Crystal-clear visibility reveals Hong Kong skyline across Daya Bay, impossible to see during summer haze. Temperatures stay ideal for 6-8 hour hikes without summer's dangerous heat. Local wildflowers bloom only in December-January dry season.

Booking Tip: Join weekend hiking groups that depart Shenzhen North Station 7am Saturdays. Transportation plus guide typically costs ¥150-200 ($21-28). Book through licensed outdoor clubs - check current options in booking section below.

Dafen Oil Painting Village Art Tours

December's comfortable indoor temperatures make browsing the world's largest oil painting reproduction center pleasant for hours. Artists work outdoors during December's mild weather, offering live demonstrations impossible during summer heat. Year-end inventory clearance brings 40-50% discounts on custom paintings.

Booking Tip: Visit weekday mornings 9am-12pm when artists are most active and tourists minimal. Custom portraits take 3-5 days, typically cost ¥300-800 ($42-113). Avoid weekends when tour bus groups dominate.

Shenzhen Bay Park Cycling Routes

December's northeastern winds clear pollution for spectacular views across Shenzhen Bay to Hong Kong's skyline. The 13 km (8 mile) waterfront cycling path offers perfect conditions without summer's oppressive humidity. Migratory birds arrive in December, making it peak season for nature photography.

Booking Tip: Bike rentals available at park entrances, typically ¥30-50 ($4-7) per day. Best riding hours 8am-11am and 3pm-6pm when visibility peaks. Electric bike tours run weekends, typically ¥120-180 ($17-25) including guide.

Dongmen Pedestrian Street Night Markets

December's mild evenings extend comfortable outdoor dining and shopping until midnight. New Year preparation season brings special street foods only available in December - nian gao (rice cakes) and tang yuan (sweet rice balls). Locals do major shopping for Chinese New Year, creating authentic bustling atmosphere.

Booking Tip: Peak activity 7pm-10pm when locals finish work. Street food typically ¥10-30 ($1.50-4) per item. Join evening food tours through certified guides for safety and translation - see current options in booking section below.

Wutong Mountain Sunrise Hikes

December's stable high pressure systems guarantee clear sunrise views 80% of mornings - highest success rate of any month. Cool pre-dawn temperatures of 10-12°C (50-54°F) make the 2-hour ascent comfortable without summer's dangerous heat. Shenzhen's city lights visible from 944m (3,097 ft) summit create spectacular pre-dawn photography.

Booking Tip: Start hiking 5:30am for 7:15am sunrise. Join organized sunrise groups departing downtown 4:30am, typically ¥80-120 ($11-17) including transportation. Bring headlamp and warm layers for temperature drop at elevation.

December Events & Festivals

Mid December

Shenzhen International Marathon

Major international marathon attracting 30,000+ runners through the city's modern districts. December's cool, dry conditions provide ideal running weather. Course showcases Shenzhen's skyline transformation from fishing village to megacity.

Early to Late December

Window of the World International Beer Festival

Month-long festival featuring craft beers from 20+ countries, taking advantage of December's comfortable outdoor drinking weather. Live music performances nightly with extended hours during tourist season.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Layered clothing system - mornings start at 14°C (58°F) but afternoons reach 21°C (70°F), requiring easy adjustment

Light waterproof jacket for 10 scattered drizzle days - showers are brief but can soak cotton clothing

SPF 50+ sunscreen despite mild temperatures - UV index of 8 causes burns within 15-20 minutes at midday

Comfortable walking shoes with good grip - marble surfaces in shopping malls become slippery during humid spells

Warm sweater or fleece for occasional cold snaps that can drop temperatures to 8°C (46°F) overnight

Power bank and charging cables - December sightseeing days last 12+ hours with heavy phone camera use

Breathable cotton or linen shirts - avoid polyester in 70% humidity which becomes uncomfortable by midday

Light scarf or neck warmer for early morning activities like sunrise hikes at elevation

Waterproof bag for electronics during brief afternoon showers that occur without warning

Cash in small denominations - many street vendors and local transport still don't accept foreign cards

Insider Knowledge

Locals avoid major attractions Dec 28-Jan 3 due to mainland tourist crowds - this is when they explore neighborhoods like Nanshan's cultural district instead

December air quality improvement comes from northern wind patterns - check weather apps for wind direction to plan outdoor photography days

Shenzhen Metro extends operating hours until 1am during December tourism season, but last trains to border crossings still end at 11:30pm

Local restaurants serve special December dishes preparing for Chinese New Year - ask for 'la ba zhou' (eight-treasure congee) only available this month

Avoid These Mistakes

Booking accommodations only 1-2 weeks ahead in December - rates double and availability drops to zero near New Year holidays

Wearing only light summer clothing - December cold snaps catch tourists unprepared when temperatures drop 10°C (18°F) overnight

Visiting Window of the World or theme parks during final week of December - crowds make attractions nearly impossible to enjoy properly