When is the best time to visit China? The best period is spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October): in Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai, temperatures are mild, rain is moderate and skies are often clear. One important caveat: avoid « Golden Week » from October 1 to 7 and the Lunar New Year period, when hundreds of millions of Chinese people travel at the same time. In Xi’an, our guide to the Terracotta Army details the visit to the site.
China is an immense continental country: in January, it averages -7 °C (19 °F) at night in Beijing and 15 °C (59 °F) in Hong Kong. The country lives to the rhythm of the East Asian monsoon, with a dry winter in the north and a hot, rainy summer almost everywhere. Here is how to choose your time, based on the official 1991–2020 climate normals of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) and the Hong Kong Observatory.
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When to go to China at a glance
- Best times April–May and September–October (outside Golden Week) for a first Beijing – Xi’an – Shanghai circuit
- To avoid Golden Week (October 1 to 7), Lunar New Year (late January or February depending on the year) and the week of May 1
- Summer (June to August) hot, humid and rainy; rain peaks in July in Beijing (210 mm (8.3 in)) and in June in Guilin (449 mm (17.7 in))
- Winter (December to February) very cold and dry in the north, mild in the south; few tourists outside Lunar New Year
- Guilin and Yangshuo September to November, after the heavy rains of April to July
- Hong Kong October to December; typhoons possible from May to November on the south coast
- Kunming and Yunnan pleasant all year, dry season from November to April
When to go by priority
- Best weather: April–May and September–October for Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai; September to November for Guilin
- Cheapest: November to March, outside Lunar New Year, with marked cold in the north
- Fewest crowds: April, September and November; avoid Golden Week (October 1 to 7), Lunar New Year and the week of May 1
- Events: Lunar New Year (late January or February), Mid-Autumn Festival (September or October); lunar dates vary
China: the calendar at a glance
✅ Best months: April, may, September, October
❌ Period to avoid: July
Weather and climate in China month by month
The table below gives the normals for Beijing, the starting point of most circuits and representative of the north of the country (Beijing, the Great Wall, Xi’an to a lesser extent). The center, south and west are detailed further down. Our map of China helps gauge the extent of these regions.
| Month | Avg. max | Avg. min | Rain | Crowds | Prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2.7 °C (37 °F) | -7.1 °C (19 °F) | 2 mm (0.08 in) | Low (high at Lunar New Year) | Low | Very cold and dry ⚠️ |
| February | 6.5 °C (44 °F) | -4.3 °C (24 °F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | Variable (Lunar New Year) | Variable | Cold, crowds depend on the date of the New Year ⚠️ |
| March | 13.4 °C (56 °F) | 1.8 °C (35 °F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | Low | Moderate | Cool, wind and dust possible ⚠️ |
| April | 21.3 °C (70 °F) | 8.8 °C (48 °F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | Moderate | Moderate | Mild and dry ✅ |
| May | 27.6 °C (82 °F) | 14.8 °C (59 °F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | High (May 1) | High in early May | Very pleasant, except the May 1 holiday week ✅ |
| June | 31.0 °C (88 °F) | 19.7 °C (67 °F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | Moderate | Moderate | Heat setting in ⚠️ |
| July | 32.0 °C (90 °F) | 22.6 °C (73 °F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | High (school holidays) | High | Hot, heavy, the wettest month ❌ |
| August | 31.2 °C (88 °F) | 21.6 °C (71 °F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | High (school holidays) | High | Hot and stormy ⚠️ |
| September | 26.8 °C (80 °F) | 15.9 °C (61 °F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | Moderate | Moderate | The best month of the year ✅ |
| October | 19.5 °C (67 °F) | 8.3 °C (47 °F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | Very high from the 1st to the 7th | Very high in early October | Fine and cool, after Golden Week ✅ |
| November | 10.6 °C (51 °F) | 0.3 °C (33 °F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | Low | Low | Cold arriving ⚠️ |
| December | 4.0 °C (39 °F) | -5.2 °C (23 °F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | Low | Low | Very cold, skies often dry ⚠️ |
The seasons in China: pros and cons
Spring (April–May): mild weather and flowering landscapes
In April, highs rise above 20 °C (68 °F) in Beijing (21.3 °C (70 °F)), Xi’an (22.1 °C (72 °F)) and Shanghai (20.9 °C (70 °F)), with rain still moderate. It is a very good season for the Great Wall, the gardens of Suzhou and hiking. The south, on the other hand, enters its wet season: at Guilin, 227 mm (8.9 in) already falls in April and 321 mm (12.6 in) in May.
- Pros: ideal temperatures for sightseeing in the north and center, green countryside, gardens in bloom
- Cons: heavy crowds and rising prices during the May 1 holidays; rain already heavy in the south (Guilin, Hong Kong)
- Good to know: March and early April can still be cool and windy in Beijing
- Who is it for? A first Beijing – Xi’an – Shanghai circuit, Great Wall hiking enthusiasts
Summer (June to August): heat and monsoon
Summer is the East Asian monsoon season. It is over 30 °C (86 °F) in the afternoon in Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guilin and Hong Kong, with high humidity. Rainfall is heavy: 210 mm (8.3 in) in July in Beijing, 225 mm (8.9 in) in June and in August in Shanghai, 449 mm (17.7 in) in June in Guilin and 492 mm (19.4 in) in June in Hong Kong. It is also the Chinese school holiday period, with many people at the major sites.
- Pros: long days, very green landscapes, a good time for Yunnan at altitude (Kunming stays around 25 °C (77 °F)) and for the western regions
- Cons: heavy heat, storms, flood risk, typhoons possible on the south and east coast, crowds from Chinese holidays
- Who is it for? Travelers who only have July–August and accept the heat, adapting visits to the cooler hours
Autumn (September–October): the best season
September and October offer the most stable climate in most of the country: a high of 26.8 °C (80 °F) in September in Beijing and 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, then 19.5 °C (67 °F) and 28 mm (1.1 in) in October. At Guilin, rainfall falls to 81 mm (3.2 in) in September and 55 mm (2.2 in) in October. The only black spot, but a big one: Golden Week, from October 1 to 7.
- Pros: often clear skies, pleasant temperatures, autumn foliage in October in the north, the ideal season for Guilin and Yangshuo
- Cons: the National Day week (October 1 to 7) saturates trains, hotels and sites; typhoons still possible on the south coast in September
- Our tip: go in September or from mid-October
Winter (December to February): cold in the north, quiet everywhere
Winter is very cold and dry in the north: in Beijing, the average high in January is only 2.7 °C (37 °F) and the average low -7.1 °C (19 °F). In the center, Shanghai stays around 9 °C (48 °F) in the afternoon. The south is mild: 18.7 °C (66 °F) in January in Hong Kong, and about 16 °C (61 °F) in Kunming, under a dry sky.
- Pros: sites far less crowded, low prices, the Forbidden City and Great Wall sometimes under snow, the Harbin ice festival for lovers of extreme cold
- Cons: intense cold in the north, short days, more frequent air pollution peaks; the whole country is on the move during Lunar New Year
- Who is it for? Budget travelers well equipped against the cold, or travelers focused on Hong Kong, Yunnan and the south
When to go to China by region
The climate changes sharply from north to south. The north (Beijing, Xi’an) has freezing, dry winters and hot, stormy summers. The center (Shanghai, Chengdu) is humid all year. The south (Guilin, Hong Kong) is subtropical, with very heavy rain from May to September. Here is a comparison of the normals for four cities:
| Month | Beijing (north) | Shanghai (east) | Guilin (south) | Hong Kong (south) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2.7 °C (37 °F) / 2 mm (0.08 in) | 8.7 °C (48 °F) / 72 mm (2.8 in) | 11.7 °C (53 °F) / 69 mm (2.7 in) | 18.7 °C (66 °F) / 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| February | 6.5 °C (44 °F) / 6 mm (0.2 in) | 10.7 °C (51 °F) / 65 mm (2.6 in) | 14.2 °C (58 °F) / 84 mm (3.3 in) | 19.4 °C (67 °F) / 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| March | 13.4 °C (56 °F) / 10 mm (0.4 in) | 14.9 °C (59 °F) / 97 mm (3.8 in) | 17.5 °C (64 °F) / 153 mm (6.0 in) | 21.9 °C (71 °F) / 75 mm (3.0 in) |
| April | 21.3 °C (70 °F) / 22 mm (0.9 in) | 20.9 °C (70 °F) / 84 mm (3.3 in) | 23.7 °C (75 °F) / 227 mm (8.9 in) | 25.6 °C (78 °F) / 153 mm (6.0 in) |
| May | 27.6 °C (82 °F) / 35 mm (1.4 in) | 25.8 °C (78 °F) / 91 mm (3.6 in) | 27.9 °C (82 °F) / 321 mm (12.6 in) | 28.8 °C (84 °F) / 291 mm (11.5 in) |
| June | 31.0 °C (88 °F) / 85 mm (3.3 in) | 28.6 °C (83 °F) / 225 mm (8.9 in) | 30.5 °C (87 °F) / 449 mm (17.7 in) | 30.7 °C (87 °F) / 492 mm (19.4 in) |
| July | 32.0 °C (90 °F) / 210 mm (8.3 in) | 33.2 °C (92 °F) / 163 mm (6.4 in) | 32.8 °C (91 °F) / 266 mm (10.5 in) | 31.6 °C (89 °F) / 386 mm (15.2 in) |
| August | 31.2 °C (88 °F) / 120 mm (4.7 in) | 32.6 °C (91 °F) / 226 mm (8.9 in) | 33.2 °C (92 °F) / 148 mm (5.8 in) | 31.3 °C (88 °F) / 453 mm (17.8 in) |
| September | 26.8 °C (80 °F) / 53 mm (2.1 in) | 28.7 °C (84 °F) / 132 mm (5.2 in) | 30.8 °C (87 °F) / 81 mm (3.2 in) | 30.5 °C (87 °F) / 321 mm (12.6 in) |
| October | 19.5 °C (67 °F) / 28 mm (1.1 in) | 23.5 °C (74 °F) / 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26.3 °C (79 °F) / 55 mm (2.2 in) | 28.1 °C (83 °F) / 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| November | 10.6 °C (51 °F) / 15 mm (0.6 in) | 17.8 °C (64 °F) / 61 mm (2.4 in) | 20.8 °C (69 °F) / 82 mm (3.2 in) | 24.5 °C (76 °F) / 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| December | 4.0 °C (39 °F) / 3 mm (0.1 in) | 11.3 °C (52 °F) / 50 mm (2.0 in) | 14.9 °C (59 °F) / 54 mm (2.1 in) | 20.4 °C (69 °F) / 29 mm (1.1 in) |
Beijing and the north
The best window runs from mid-April to May and from September to mid-October. Winter, from December to February, is dry but freezing, with lows below -5 °C (23 °F). July concentrates the storms (210 mm (8.3 in)). For the Great Wall, spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking.
Xi’an and central China
Xi’an’s climate resembles Beijing’s, a little milder: a high of 5.0 °C (41 °F) in January, 32.8 °C (91 °F) in July. Rain is more spread out, with a maximum in September (117 mm (4.6 in)), which makes April–May and October slightly preferable. The Terracotta Army can be visited indoors all year.
Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou
The east is mild but humid: it rains in every season, between 50 mm (2.0 in) and 100 mm (3.9 in) a month in winter and spring. The « plum rain » season (meiyu) brings the heaviest rainfall in June (225 mm (8.9 in)), and summer is hot and muggy (33.2 °C (92 °F) in July). The best periods are April–May and October–November.
Guilin, Yangshuo and the south
This is the region where the choice of season matters most. Rain is very heavy from April to July, peaking at 449 mm (17.7 in) in June at Guilin. From September to November, rainfall drops below 85 mm (3.3 in) a month and temperatures stay pleasant (26.3 °C (79 °F) in October): this is the best time for the Li River cruise and cycling around Yangshuo.
Kunming and Yunnan
Thanks to its altitude (nearly 1,900 m (6,234 ft)), Kunming has highs between 16 and 25 °C (61 and 77 °F) all year, hence its nickname « the city of eternal spring ». The dry season runs from November to April (less than 30 mm (1.2 in) a month from December to April), the rainy season from June to September. Winter nights stay cool (4.0 °C (39 °F) in January).
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is hot and humid from May to September, with more than 290 mm (11.4 in) of rain a month and a risk of typhoons. The best period runs from October to December: 28.1 °C (83 °F) in October, less than 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain in November and December. January and February are cooler (about 19 °C (66 °F) in the afternoon) but remain pleasant for visiting the city.
The table below summarizes, month by month, the recommended period for each region.
| Month | Beijing and the north | Shanghai and the east | Guilin and Yangshuo | Kunming (Yunnan) | Hong Kong |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ |
| February | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ |
| March | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ⚠️ |
| April | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ⚠️ |
| May | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ |
| June | ⚠️ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ❌ |
| July | ❌ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ❌ |
| August | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ❌ |
| September | ✅ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ |
| October | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ✅ |
| November | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| December | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ |
When to go to China by trip type
| Trip | Best time | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| First trip (Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai) | April–May, September–October (outside October 1–7) | Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai |
| Hiking on the Great Wall | April–May, September–October | Mutianyu, Jinshanling, around Beijing |
| Karst landscapes and the Li River | September to November | Guilin, Yangshuo |
| Pandas and Sichuan cuisine | April–May, September–October | Chengdu |
| Trip in July–August | July–August, accepting the heat | Yunnan (Kunming, Dali, Lijiang), north |
| Budget | November, March, early December | Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai |
| City and shopping in winter | November to February | Hong Kong, Shanghai |
| Family trip | April holidays, July–August | Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu |
| Ice festival | January | Harbin (north-east) |
Major events and Chinese holidays
| Period | Event | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Late January or February (lunar calendar) | Lunar New Year (Spring Festival) | Huge migrations, saturated transport, some shops closed |
| Around May 1 | Labor Day holidays | Heavy crowds at tourist sites |
| July–August | School holidays | Crowds at major sites |
| 15th day of the 8th lunar month (September or October) | Mid-Autumn Festival | Mooncakes, short holiday |
| October 1 to 7 | Golden Week (National Day) | The busiest period of the year: avoid |
China month by month: what to expect
China in January: The coldest month in the north (-7.1 °C (19 °F) low in Beijing) and the driest. Hong Kong and Kunming stay mild. If Lunar New Year falls in late January, avoid the days around it.
China in February: Still cold in the north. Depending on the year, Lunar New Year falls in February: transport saturated before and after, some shops closed for a few days.
China in March: Spring arrives in the center and south, but Beijing stays cool (13.4 °C (56 °F)). Rain increases at Guilin (153 mm (6.0 in)). A quiet, fairly inexpensive month.
China in April: An excellent month in the north and center: 21.3 °C (70 °F) in Beijing, 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain. The south enters its wet season.
China in May: Very pleasant in Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai. Avoid the week around May 1. At Guilin and Hong Kong, rain exceeds 290 mm (11.4 in).
China in June: Heat sets in and rain peaks in the south (449 mm (17.7 in) at Guilin, 492 mm (19.4 in) in Hong Kong) and in Shanghai (225 mm (8.9 in)). A good period for Yunnan at altitude, despite the start of the rains.
China in July: The wettest month in Beijing (210 mm (8.3 in)) and Chengdu (238 mm (9.4 in)), heavy heat everywhere. Chinese school holidays: lots of people.
China in August: Still hot and humid, typhoons possible on the south and east coast. Prefer early-morning visits.
China in September: The best month in the north: 26.8 °C (80 °F) and 53 mm (2.1 in) in Beijing. Guilin comes out of the rainy season. Typhoons still possible in Hong Kong.
China in October: Fine and cool, but avoid October 1 to 7 (Golden Week). From mid-October, excellent conditions in Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai and Guilin.
China in November: Cold arrives in the north (10.6 °C (51 °F) high in Beijing). A very good month for Guilin, Hong Kong and Yunnan. Prices falling.
China in December: Very cold and dry in the north, mild and dry in Hong Kong (29 mm (1.1 in)). Few tourists, except over the year-end holidays in Hong Kong.
When to book your trip to China
For a trip in April–May or September–October, book your international flights 3 to 5 months ahead. If your dates are not flexible, simply avoid the weeks of Lunar New Year, May 1 and October 1 to 7.
Planning your trip to China
- Entry requirements: rules vary by nationality and change often; Hong Kong and Macao have separate rules. See our entry requirements for China.
- Time difference: China is on UTC+8 all year, with a single time zone for the whole country.
- Currency: the renminbi yuan (CNY). Cashless payments through apps such as WeChat or Alipay are almost universal (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 27 August 2026); it is still worth carrying some cash. Use our currency converter to estimate your budget.
- Seasonal weather: the typhoon season in China normally runs from May to November, affecting southern and eastern coastal regions, and flooding and storms are common between May and November (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 27 August 2026). Monitor storms on the Japan Meteorological Agency and China Meteorological Administration websites.
- Health: the UK FCDO notes that dengue is present in Guangdong Province and some other parts of China, mainly during the rainy season from May to November, and that altitude sickness is a risk in parts of China. The U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated March 12, 2026) says air pollution is a significant problem in many locations in China.
To plan your circuit, see our complete China travel guide. To compare with a neighboring destination, see also when to go to Japan or our ideas where to go in October. For a stay in the south or a neighboring stop, see also when to go to Hong Kong and when to go to Taiwan.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit China?
September is the best month for a classic Beijing – Xi’an – Shanghai circuit: a high of 26.8 °C (80 °F) and 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain in Beijing, without the national holidays. May and the second half of October are also excellent choices, outside the week of May 1 and Golden Week.
Why avoid Golden Week in China?
From October 1 to 7, the National Day gives a week of holidays to a large part of the country. Trains, domestic flights and hotels are overwhelmed, prices rise and the Forbidden City and the Great Wall become very crowded.
Can you go to China in July or August?
Yes, but it is hot and humid (over 30 °C (86 °F) in Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai) and it is the rainy season: 210 mm (8.3 in) in July in Beijing. It is also the Chinese school holiday period. Yunnan, cooler thanks to its altitude, is a good option.
When should you go to Guilin and Yangshuo?
From September to November. From April to July, rain is very heavy, with 449 mm (17.7 in) in June at Guilin according to the China Meteorological Administration normals.
Is it cold in winter in China?
In the north, yes: in Beijing, the average low in January is -7.1 °C (19 °F) and the average high 2.7 °C (37 °F). The south is much milder: about 19 °C (66 °F) in the afternoon in January in Hong Kong.
Should you go to China in April?
Yes: in Beijing, the China Meteorological Administration normals give 21.3 °C (70 °F) in the afternoon, 8.8 °C (48 °F) at night and 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain, with moderate crowds. If your stay runs into early May, allow for the May 1 holidays, which raise crowds and prices. See also our ideas for going away in April.
Our sources
- China Meteorological Administration (CMA): 1991–2020 climate normals for the stations of Beijing (Haidian), Shanghai (Xujiahui), Xi’an (Chang’an), Guilin, Chengdu (Shuangliu) and Kunming, as reproduced in the Wikipedia climate tables (in English)
- Hong Kong Observatory: 1991–2020 normals, as reproduced in the Wikipedia climate tables (in English)
- Seasonal weather, health and payment information read on 26 October 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for China (GOV.UK, updated 27 August 2026), and U.S. Department of State, China country information (travel.state.gov, last updated March 12, 2026)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
