If you are planning a China tour but don't know much about the country, then you can continue reading this China climate guide, and figure out what’s the weather like in China and when is the best time to visit China. The article describes the best and worst times to visit China, the off-season and peak seasons of travel in China, as well as the monthly climate overview and where to visit.
What is the Best Time to Visit China
The best time of year to visit China really depends on your preference.
If divided by four seasons, spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) would be the best seasons to visit China. They are also the most beautiful seasons in China. Flowers blooming in spring and maple leaves turning red in autumn can bring you a different natural beauty.
Spring is relatively warm, and hiking and enjoying the sight of flowers are good tourist activities. In northern China, there is less rainfall in spring. However, if it is in southern China, the spring is relatively humid. Although the rainfall is not large, the number of days of rainfall is greater, so it is not easy to travel. For example, it rains almost all the time in Guilin in the first half of the year. We recommend that you travel to South China in the early spring. Autumn is cooler and drier. In summer (June to August), most cities in China are hot, often accompanied by heavy rain. Winter (December to February) is very cold. However, visiting China in winter means less crowded and lower expenses.
In terms of months, the peak season for traveling to China is generally from April to October, and the low season is generally from November to March. But it varies in different cities. In Sanya, for example, the peak season is in winter. Sanya has a mild climate at this time, which is the most suitable temperature for traveling. The best months to visit China we recommend are April, September, and mid to late October. Although these months are peak tourist season, you can enjoy some of the best natural scenery in China and avoid the peak seasons of Chinese holidays.
The cheapest time to visit China is during the off-season or after the holidays, when Chinese employees go back to work, fewer people travel. At this time, the cost of catering, air tickets, and hotels are relatively low, often less than half of the peak season. If you want to save on your budget, you could choose to plan your China tour during the off-peak season, or after the big holidays, so that you could avoid the crowds and high cost.
China Travel Guide by Month
Because the climate in China varies greatly, you can find the right destination no matter when you visit. Whether you want to travel to China with your family in spring to experience the greenery karst mountain landscape in Guilin, visit Yunnan and Guizhou provinces to escape the heat in fierce summer, take pictures of maple leaves at the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China in autumn, or admire Yellow Mountain coated with silvery white snow in winter, China offers something for everyone.
Visiting China in January
China is often very cold in January. It usually snows in the north. It is the best time to go to the north to enjoy the snowy scenery, such as Harbin. You could attend the annual Harbin Ice and Snow Festival (usually from January 5th to February 5th), which is the biggest ice and snow festival in the world. At this time, you could visit the beautiful ice and snow sculptures and enjoy the rime landscape illuminated by the sun. In addition to the various events at the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, you could also experience skiing, skating and other winter activities.
Or you could choose to escape the cold in the north and spend your journey in the relative warmth of the south. The south of China is relatively warm, with temperatures usually above 0 °C (32 °F) and less snow. If you are in Sanya, you could enjoy the mild climate and beautiful beaches.
Visiting China in February
February and January are about the same, but a little warmer than January. Chinese New Year may occur in late January to early February, and the time varies from year to year. The atmosphere of the Lunar New Year lasts until the Lantern Festival (the 15th day of the first lunar month). Large cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou will hold large-scale lantern shows and garden parties. You could experience Chinese Spring Festival while spending your vacation in China.
Participating in the Chinese New Year activities, such as going to the temple fair is a good choice. You could not only taste a variety of snacks at the temple fair, and buy some traditional crafts, but you could also pray for a safe and healthy for the coming year. You could enjoy colorful lanterns in different shapes at the lantern shows. In addition, you may also see the lion dance, which is one of the most distinctive activities of the Chinese New Year. In the various celebrations, you could deeply experience the unique charm of traditional Chinese culture.
Visiting China in March
March is the first month of spring in China, and everything comes back to life. In March, temperatures begin to rise, generally above 0 °C (32 °F) and as high as 10 °C (50 °F). We recommend visiting southern cities such as Hangzhou, Guilin, and Yunnan to enjoy the spring season and do outdoor activities such as cycling or hiking to get in touch with nature.
You could also take a cruise on the West Lake in Hangzhou to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the quiet of the spring day. Or find a teahouse and sit down with a cup of tea and refreshments, admiring the swaying willows and blooming peach blossoms by the lake. March is a good time to enjoy cherry blossoms. You could also travel to Wuhan, the cherry blossom city of China, and enjoy the cherry blossoms stacked on top of each other.
Visiting China in April
The weather in April is pleasant and comfortable, which is perfect for relaxing in nature. You could hike outdoors, enjoy the flowers, and have a picnic. If you travel to Guilin, you can not only immerse yourself in the beautiful karst mountains and waters of Li River but also experience the Shangsi Festival (also known as the “Double Third Festival”). During this festival, folk activities such as folk song singing, bamboo pole dancing and the ethnic costume show will be held in Guilin, which is a great opportunity to discover the culture of Guangxi's ethnic minorities.
Or travel to Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province to experience the carnival of the Water-Splashing Festival. The Water-Splashing Festival is the grandest traditional festival of the Dai people in a year. You could pour water on each other with local residents, enjoy local music and dance culture, and taste local traditional snacks.
Visiting China in May
Temperatures in May generally range from 15 °C to 26 °C (59 °F to 80 °F). The weather is warm at this time, and it is not as hot as in summer.
We suggest you go to Shangri-La in Yunnan, when the azalea flowers are in full bloom. Here you could enjoy snow-capped mountains, vast grasslands and patches of azaleas. Shangri-La also has a strong Tibetan culture. You can get a feel for the Tibetan-style architecture in Shangri-La, such as the Songzamlin Temple, and visit the Buddha statues and murals inside.
Or you could take a cultural trip to Beijing, visit the Forbidden City, explore the royal palace buildings, and feel the story of human civilization and wisdom and the profound heritage of Chinese culture. Stroll from Beijing's hutongs to high-rise buildings, you could experience the changes of history from the rich history of old Beijing to the prosperity of the city.
Visiting China in June
June is the beginning of summer in China. The weather starts to get hot, and many places are in the rainy season. You can explore the beautiful scenery of Zhangye Danxia Geopark, featuring gorgeous rainbow mountain landform and enjoy the sunrise and sunset at the Danxia scenic area. If it is after the rain, you may see the hills like oil paintings.
Generally speaking, the Dragon Boat Festival comes at the beginning of June. On this day, many cities will hold dragon boat races. You could feel the warm atmosphere of the Dragon Boat Festival. In addition, you can also taste the special food of the Dragon Boat Festival, Zongzi (Sticy Rice Dumplings).
Visiting China in July
July and August are the hottest months in China, and many cities will have high temperatures. We suggest you travel to the coastal area, which will make you more comfortable. In coastal cities like Qingdao, Xiamen, and Dalian, you could swim and surf, which is a paradise for divers. You could also walk on the beach, enjoy the summer sun, and feel the soft sand on your feet. Attending Qingdao's Beer Festival is also a great experience, where you could taste a variety of beers. Or visit the Qingdao Beer Museum to learn about the history and brewing process of beer.
Visiting China in August
In China, the weather in July and August is about the same, most of them are hot and rainy. Some parts of southern China, such as Guangdong, Fujian, and Zhejiang provinces, may be affected by the typhoon and heavy rains, and make it difficult to travel. So we recommend you exploring Xinjiang for the Silk Road, Inner Mongolia for the beautiful Badain Jaran Desert, and other inland places with less rain, and mostly sunny weather.
August is when the prairie scenery is at its most beautiful. You could enjoy horseback riding, taste authentic roast mutton and dairy products, and admire the endless grassland under the blue sky. We advise you to protect yourself against the sun and insects. The temperature difference in Inner Mongolia is relatively large. Even in August, sometimes it will be cold, and you can bring a coat.
Visiting China in September
September is the alternating season of summer and autumn, and the summer heat gradually dissipates. At the same time, China's summer vacation has just passed, and there will be relatively few tourists. You will have a better experience if you travel to the popular cities and attractions. You could choose to travel to Zhangjiajie to fully experience the change of seasons. You could explore the famed Avatar mountains, unique stone pillar peak forest, the walkway on the cliff. In autumn, Zhangjiajie also holds a wealth of activities, such as mountaineering competitions and folk culture festivals.
There is the Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival) in September. The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the traditional Chinese festivals that usually has the custom of admiring the moon, eating moon cakes and so on. West Lake in Hangzhou is a famous place to enjoy the moon in China.
Visiting China in October
The weather in China in October is very cool, the climate is pleasant, and there is less rain. The weather in October is perfect for outdoor activities, and it is also a good time to enjoy the natural scenery. We recommend you visit cities and scenic spots with four distinct seasons, such as Beijing, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), and Jiuzhaigou. As autumn progresses, large leaves turn red or yellow. You could hike outdoors in Jiuzhaigou while enjoying the red maple leaves and the clear lake in the valley. Or you could climb the Great Wall of China, enjoying the magnificent scenery with the cool wind on the ancient artificial wonder.
Visiting China in November
In November, it is the late autumn season. At this time, there begins to be a marked difference in temperature between the south and the north of China. Some parts of northern China begin to cool, but the south is still relatively warm. This season is a great time to enjoy natural scenery and visit historical sites.
So we recommend that you travel to Guilin to explore the stunning golden Longji rice terraces. Or head to Nanjing, a city with a long history. You could stroll down a street with sycamore trees in late autumn and see the sycamore leaves covering the ground. You could also visit ancient buildings and cultural heritage, experience the city's culture, and explore historical sites.
Visiting China in December
December is the beginning of winter in China, and snow has already begun to fall in some areas. If you like snowy scenery and exciting snow sports, Harbin is sure to satisfy you. Except for the Ice Festival, you can enjoy snow activities at Yabuli Ski Resort (the largest ski resort in China) or visit the snow-covered small village China Snow Town.
Winter and hot springs are also a good match. When visiting Mt. Changbaishan for winter activities, you can book a hotel where you can relaxing hot springs. After you climb Changbai Mountain, you can soak in hot springs. This can not only relieve your fatigue after exercise, but also bring relaxation and maintenance to your body. Here, you could enjoy skating, snowmobiling, sled dog sledding, and other winter sports to release your energy.
Another highlight in winter you should not miss is the Yuanyang Rice Terraces. The terraced fields, full of water, look amazing reflecting the sun and clouds. Alternatively, you can visit Chengdu to see the cuddly pandas, which remain active, or taste spicy hot pot to warm your body.
Worst Time to Visit China
The worst time to visit China are during the rainy season and major holidays. These are the two main factors you need to consider.
The rainy seasons in China are June, July, and August. If it is in some southern cities, such as Guilin, Hangzhou, etc., spring and summer are relatively humid, and the rainy season will be relatively long. But if it is in the northern or western cities, the rainfall will be relatively less, such as in Beijing, Xi'an, Inner Mongolia, and other places. If you travel to these areas, your schedule would be less affected by the weather.
If you could only travel to China during these months, we recommend that you check the weather forecast in advance and bring an umbrella or raincoat. Or you could schedule more indoor activities and reduce outdoor activities.
Major holidays we suggest you avoid:
Chinese New Year (usually late January to mid-February)
National Day holiday (October 1 - October 7)
Labor Day holiday (May 1 - May 5)
Due to the relatively few holidays in China, Chinese people will basically travel during these holidays. So there will be many more people than usual in all tourist destinations. Scenic spots and restaurants will be packed with people. Hotels are also hard to book. The cost will also be higher than usual. It’s also advisable to avoid traveling during the Chinese summer vacation in July and August, asit will greatly degrade your travel experience.
If you must travel to China at this time, please book the hotel, air tickets, and scenic spot tickets you want to visit in advance to ensure that your trip is smooth. Or you could find an experienced China tour guide to help you avoid crowded times and find niche attractions that are less frequented.
Tour China with Us
No matter when you are coming to China, our China travel experts can find you the best time to visit China and assist you customize a perfect China tour itinerary just for you and your family. Here are some of our top escorted China tour packages for inspiration:
★ 8-day China Golden Triangle Tour to Beijing, Xian, Shanghai
★ 11-day Classic China Tour with Natural Wonder: Beijing - Xian - Guilin/Yangshuo - Shanghai
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