Best Time To Visit China

Enchanting Travels China Vacation Zhangjiajie cliff mountain at Wulingyuan Hunan China

Fisherman stands on traditional bamboo boats at sunrise (boat with a red sail in the background)

Cub of Giant panda bear playing on tree Chengdu, China

Enchanting Travels China Tours ancient pavilion on the west lake in hangzhou

A guide to the weather in China and its regions

Covering nearly 10 million sq km, China is the third-largest country in the world. Such a vast geographical expanse naturally lends itself to tremendous diversity in temperatures and weather conditions. The months of April and May (Spring) and then September and October (Fall) are generally considered the best time to travel to China – the temperatures are usually mild around this time and you can expect plenty of sunshine. While the summer months can be extremely hot and humid, winters get cold and freezing across most parts of the country.

Another important factor to consider when planning your China vacation is the Chinese public holidays. The two main holidays are the Spring Festival and the National Day – while the dates vary, based on the lunar calendar, you can expect the Spring Festival celebrations to fall between January and February, while the National Day week is usually celebrated in the first week of October. Travel becomes extremely busy in the country around this time and attractions are usually packed.

Best Time To Visit

Most Ideal

Low Season

overview

Winter is in full swing at this time, with most parts of the country experiencing cold and freezing conditions. Temperatures in Beijing average around 25°F and can drop to as low as 14°F. Hong Kong and Macau in the south are warmer than the rest of the country at this time. Due to the Spring Festival, China’s New Year celebrations, several businesses are closed for two weeks at this time and there is a huge movement of people across the country.

we recommend

Go skiing or ice-skating at a mountain resort
Head to the beaches of Hainan Island for some fun in the sun
The world-famous Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is held around this time
Enjoy the festivities around the Spring Festival

overview

Cold and freezing conditions persist across the country, though it does get a touch warmer in Beijing with temperatures averaging around 30°F. Do factor the Lunar Festival celebrations while making your travel plans.

we recommend

Take advantage of the warmer temperatures in Hong Kong and explore the diverse attractions of this cosmopolitan city

overview

Temperatures begin to rise across the country as spring beckons. The temperatures in Beijing usually average in the low 40s but expect a great variance between day and night temperatures. With spring on the horizon, the flowers begin to make an appearance, making for a beautiful sight – like the rapeseed flowers in the Eastern Yunnan province. This is usually one of the quieter months to visit before the crowds begin to throng the country.

we recommend

Take advantage of fewer crowds and head to the Great Wall of China
This is a good time to explore the major attractions in Beijing and Shanghai before they get busy
This is cherry blossom season in China and the blooms make for a pretty sight, especially in the rural areas

overview

While it is still cold in Northern China, temperatures are rising in other parts of the country. In Beijing, expect temperatures to vary between the mid-40s and high 60s with the occasional sandstorm. There is a fair amount of rain, especially in the south and central parts of the country. This is also the time the Chinese landscape is truly beautiful: the terraced rice fields are full of water, making for great photographic opportunities.

we recommend

See the Great Pandas of Chengdu or take a culinary tour
Embark on a tour of Shangri-la (Zhongdian) with its deep roots in Tibetan history
See the Qingming (Tomb Sweeping Day), a two-day holiday in April, when the Chinese pay tribute to their ancestors

overview

China is beautiful in May, making it one of the best months to plan your visit. Verdant landscapes teeming with flowers and pleasant temperatures will greet you. The first week of May is a holiday in China for Labor Day and many businesses shut around this time. Make your bookings well in advance if you plan to be in the country at this time.

we recommend

Enjoy a bamboo raft cruise on the Li River in Yangshuo
Take a walking tour of Shanghai
Explore the beautiful countryside of Yangshuo on cycle
Visit the Forbidden City

overview

This is high season in China, so expect the crowds to swell across the country. This is also summertime and conditions will be hot and humid, especially towards the end of the month. Temperatures average in the mid-80s across most of the country – and even touch the mid-90s in Beijing, with the occasional shower. While the north of the country remains largely dry, expect wet conditions in the south.

we recommend

Unwind with an early morning Tai Chi class in Beijing or Shanghai
Embark on a cycling tour of Beijing
Enjoy the Dragon Boat Festival celebrations in Hong Kong, especially the rice dumplings!
Enjoy the celebrations around the Dragon Boat Festival that takes place in the first week of June

overview

Summer is in full swing across the country – be prepared for heat and humidity during your travels! Ensure you carry plenty of sunscreen and remain well hydrated at all times. Local school holidays start in July, so expect crowds at all the major attractions. Make your booking well in advance!

we recommend

Savor the diverse tastes of Chinese cuisine on an evening culinary tour of Beijing
Go on a Yangtze River Cruise
Attend a Thangka painting class in Shangri la

overview

Expect heat humidity and crowds! Temperatures can cross 100°F in cities like Shanghai and Beijing. This is also monsoon season in the south of the country. This is also when typhoons can affect cities like Hong Kong on the southeast coast of the country.

we recommend

Learn how to make handmade dumplings at a local family’s home
Hike in Yunnan province
Go on a tour of Tibet

overview

This is a month of transition as summer gives way to fall. This is a wonderful time to visit China – temperatures begin to drop, the crowds thin out as the school holidays end and the foliage turns red and gold, making the country a visual delight. The temperature averages in the high 60s in Beijing, and conditions are largely cool and dry. The Mid-Autumn Festival usually falls around this month.

we recommend

Take advantage of the fewer crowds and visit the Museum of the Terracotta Army in Xi’an
Hike a remote section of the Great Wall of China in Jinshanling
Eat savory mooncakes – a ubiquitous part of the Mid-Autumn Festival across the country!

overview

Excellent conditions continue through this month, making it one of the best times to visit China. Temperatures average around 55°F in Beijing, and the major attractions are not as busy as in the summer months. The first week of October is Golden Week in China – celebrating Chinese National Day, which falls on October 1. Travel can busy around this time and some businesses can be closed for a week.

we recommend

Take advantage of the fewer crowds and enjoy a picnic lunch atop the Great Wall after an exhilarating hike
Head on a Feng Shui walk in Hong Kong’s neighborhoods
Embark on a Star Ferry cruise in Hong Kong
Explore the historic region of Kunming

overview

Temperatures continue to dip across the country with average day temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to the mid-50s. The autumn foliage is at its best, making this a good month to visit China if you don’t mind the growing cold.

we recommend

Explore the Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve in Sichuan province, drenched in stunning fall colors
Enjoy a cultural experience in Chengdu – the Sichuan Opera

overview

Freezing cold conditions take hold as winter sets in and the cold fronts from Siberia spread across the country. But if you don’t mind the cold, then the ice and snow across several parts of the country make for a stunning visual spectacle. Warm beach destinations like Hainan Island are popular around this time.

we recommend

Enjoy the New Year’s Eve fireworks in cities like Hong Kong
Take advantage of the warmer temperatures in the coastal province of Guangdong and explore historical sights

What to Pack for China

What you pack on your trip to China depends on the region you plan to visit and the time of the year. Cool cotton clothes along with a hat, sunscreen and comfortable footwear are a must for the summer months. In spring and fall, do carry a few extra layers for the cooler evening and nights. Do carry appropriate raingear and ensure you carry plenty of warm clothing in the winters as there may not be central heating in some places. Other must-haves include an electrical adapter, a VPN and the WeChat app for your mobile phone.

It is important to note that without a VPN you will not be able to use apps like Whatsapp, Google, Instagram, Facebook, etc. on your mobile phone. Make sure you download a VPN in your home country before you embark on your China trip – you will find online options for both Android, as well as iOS phones. WeChat, a messaging app, is extremely popular in China, so ensure you install this on your phone as well.

Plan an unforgettable trip to China with expert advice from our team. We’ll plan a perfectly timed tour so you don’t miss out on any of the highlights! Get in touch with us for a personalized, obligation-free itinerary.

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Best Places To Visit

The energetic megacity of Beijing is a rich tapestry of the old and new, where imperial palaces, museums and buzzing ancient alleyways rub shoulders with cutting edge architecture, new shopping malls and modern buildings.

Beijing

Chengde’s stunning beauty leaves you in no doubt as to why it was chosen as a summer retreat during the imperial Qing dynasty. Nestled snugly among the verdant rolling hills to the north of Beijing, the town is washed by the Wulie River that flows past.

Chengde

The capital of the Sichuan province, Chengdu, in the foothills of the Himalayas, is renowned for its giant pandas, flavorful cuisine, and a laid back vibe. The city is a mix of downtown skyscrapers and well preserved ancient neighborhoods.

Chengdu

Chongqing, also known as Mountain City, lies at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers in southwest China. It is best known for its food culture and its natural beauty – green capped hills, rivers, and the Three Gorges downstream.

Chongqing

Dali is located in China’s south western Yunnan province on the shores of Erhai Lake, between the Cang mountains to the west and Mount Jizu to the east.

Dali

Home to several indigenous communities like the local Tujia and the Miao people, Fenghuang has been a vibrant center of trade and culture for centuries.

Fenghuang

Things To Do

Where else can you find a country that has both great lakes and a desert, cutting edge technology and architecture, and towns where life has gone unchanged for centuries? To help you navigate the vast expanse, here is our list of the top things to do in China.

Things To Do in China

Safety

In general, there is very little crime and violence in China. Nevertheless, there are still a few things worth noting down before you jet off on a China vacation. Our destination experts share an overview on the top tips for safe and seamless travel in China.

Is China Safe

Travel Guide

Whether you’re a little unsure about China’s visa requirements, or simply want to know a bit more about the recommended vaccinations, prepare yourself for an unforgettable vacation in the Far East with tips from our China travel guide.

China Travel Guide

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