Best time to go to China for a perfect weather and where to go?
Julie Parment and Tony Samson last update: 16/04/2024When is the best time to go to China?
The best time to visit China is spring, from April to June, as well as late summer and autumn, from August to November. However, these recommendations will largely depend on the region you wish to visit:
- In the northern part, it is best to plan a trip between April and November, when temperatures are pleasant. The rest of the year, the weather is cold, especially in the northeast, and your stay conditions would not be favorable.
- On the east coast and in the South-Central region, prefer the shoulder seasons, autumn or spring. In summer, it is very hot and humidity levels are high, while winters are cold.
- In the Southeast and in Hong Kong, a visit is possible all year round, but the months between May and August are particularly rainy.
- In the Yunnan region, the only truly favorable season is spring, April and May. The rainy season lasts from June to October and in winter, generally from November to March, it is cold in the north.
- In Tibet, the months of July and August offer very pleasant weather conditions.
When to visit China on a reasonable budget? The peak tourist season extends from July to October, as well as in December. During this period, airfare and accommodation prices soar, especially during the summer school holidays. It is best to opt for spring, between April and June, which provides a good compromise between attractive prices and pleasant weather conditions across most of the country.
If you dream of experiencing the Chinese New Year, which takes place in January or February, head to the southern part of the country, which enjoys a milder climate. Elsewhere, warm clothing will be necessary to participate in this major cultural event.
Where and when to go based on the weather?
East Coast of China
Shanghai, Wenzhou, Yancheng...
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Island, Tai Po, Kowloon...
North of China
Beijing, Qingdao, Pingyao...
North West of China
Xi'an, Urumqi, Jiuquan (Gansu)...
Northeast of China
Harbin, Dalian, Qiqihar...
South East of China
Guangzhou (Canton), Guilin, Hainan island (Haikou)...
Southern Central of China
Chengdu, Wuhan, Zhangjiajie...
Tibet
Lhasa, Shigatsé, Chamdo...
Yunnan
Kunming, Lijiang, Yuanyang...
To get all the information about the climate and weather in China for a specific month, click on the corresponding link below:
China in january China in february China in march China in april China in may China in june China in july China in august China in september China in october China in november China in december
Best time to travel to China by cities
Climate and Weather in China
China shares borders with Mongolia, North Korea, Vietnam, India, and Nepal. Its territory is so vast and extensive, being the third largest country in the world, that China's climate includes all possible types, except for the Siberian climate. Moreover, the topography is very diverse, with high mountain areas, forests, deserts, and a coastline stretching almost 18,000 kilometers long.
Here are the main variations:
- The predominant climate is humid subtropical, with a dry winter and hot summer in the Canton or Guilin region, or a season without drought and hot summer around Shanghai or Wuhan.
- A humid continental climate with hot summers and very dry winters is present in the Beijing region and a large part of the northeast.
- Elsewhere, the climate varies greatly by region, from arid to oceanic, passing through subarctic in Tibet.
In general, the weather in China is rather hot and humid in the south, while the north is more dry and windy.
The monsoon mainly affects eastern and central China, with 80% of the year's precipitation in the south during this period, and only 5% of the year's precipitation in the north. It starts in May in the south and continues its course to reach the north in July before ending in September across the entire territory.
Climate in the Southeast and in Hong Kong
From Macau to Haikou, passing through Shenzhen in southeastern China, the climate is humid subtropical, with dry winters and hot summers. The rainy season starts as early as March and intensifies in May. June is the wettest month in the region, with up to 21 days of rain. It will be September before the downpours become less frequent and shorter.
This season is accompanied by intense heat. In August, it is not uncommon for the temperature to rise above 35°C, making the atmosphere difficult to bear. Moreover, this whole area can experience typhoons: the rain is then very intense, with strong winds and floods. These climatic hazards can disrupt transportation and make travel conditions challenging.
In Hong Kong, the climate during the rainy season is relatively similar, but the sun is even less present. Even when it's not raining, the sky remains overcast almost constantly between June and August.
The rest of the year, generally between October and March, or even April, the weather is nice and the temperatures are pleasant. The maximum temperatures in Hong Kong are around 20-21°C during the winter season, in January and February, and 26°C in April as well as in November.
In southeastern China, temperatures during the dry season vary widely depending on the regions. In January, for example, it is 23°C in Hainan, 19°C in Shantou, but only 14°C in Guilin. It is in Sanya that it is the warmest, with averages around 24°C during the same period.
Climate on the East Coast and in the South-Central
Along the east coast and in the South-Central region, the best times to travel are spring, from March to May, and autumn, from September to November. The seasons are particularly marked compared to the rest of the country:
- Winter is short, from December to February. It is quite cold, with averages between 12 and 15°C in Chengdu, and between 9 and 12°C in Suzhou and Hangzhou, near Shanghai. The season is characterized by rain and a humid atmosphere.
- In spring, between March and May, temperatures rise quickly to reach highs around 28°C by the end of the season. Even though it rains more, the showers quickly give way to a clear blue sky and are not particularly bothersome.
- Summer, between May and September, corresponds to the rainy season, and the heat is as intense as the humidity. July and August are the hottest months, with temperatures around 33°C on the coast and even close to 35°C or more inland. Rain is very present during this period, although less frequent compared to the south of the country.
- Autumn occurs in October and November. Showers become less frequent, without disappearing completely, but it is still very mild. Expect averages between 20 and 26°C at the warmest hours.
Climate in Yunnan
The weather in China is particularly pleasant in Yunnan. Indeed, even though temperatures are never very high due to the altitude, it hardly rains between November and April. Between December and March, temperatures range from 17 to 21°C, with January and February being the coldest months, especially in the Shangri-La region where snow can occur.
April and May are the most pleasant periods. Rainfall remains at a reasonable level and temperatures are perfect for a stay: around 27°C.
During the rainy season, between June and September, showers are frequent, but it is not too hot: averaging between 25 and 27°C.
In October and November, the rain gradually disappears and the mercury rises above 20°C.
Climate in the North and Northeast
In general, winters are long and harsh and summers are short in this part of China, due to its humid continental climate. The best time to visit is therefore between April/May and October. The region experiences a wide temperature range:
- From November, nighttime temperatures are negative and it ranges between -9 and -19°C from December to February. During the day, the thermometer barely reaches 0°C in the northeast, while in the north, it approaches 10°C. Winter continues until March with lows between -4 and 1°C and highs reaching 8°C in the northeast, and even 18°C around Zhengzhou.
- During the transitional seasons, in April and October, the average nighttime temperature is around 10°C, and between 17 and 18°C during the day. In the north, temperatures often reach around 24°C.
- Between May and September, temperatures in the northeast range from 24 to 31°C, with July being the hottest month. In the north, it can be scorching hot, with highs around 35°C from June to August. Regarding precipitation, showers are less frequent during this period.
Climate in the Northwest
The climate in northwest China is mostly arid and semi-arid. It is characterized by dry weather and very large temperature variations. The best time to visit is from May to September, as temperatures range between 28 and 34°C. Note that the season experiences violent but brief thunderstorms.
A trip in April or October is quite possible, even though it is cooler: between 22 and 24°C during the day.
Winter is long in this region, lasting from November to March. It is cold with nighttime temperatures between 0 and -7°C. During the day, expect temperatures between 11 and 18°C in February, March, and November, while in December, January, and February, the thermometer rarely exceeds 10°C.
In the Xian region, the temperate climate is of the humid subtropical type, so temperatures are warmer regardless of the season.
Climate in Tibet
Located at a very high altitude, with an average of 4,000 m, the Tibetan Plateau has a predominantly subarctic climate. As a result, the region experiences particularly harsh winters and very short but fairly mild summers. The best months to visit are therefore July and August. There is a very high rate of sunshine in this part of China throughout the year.
Here's what to expect if you wish to visit Lhasa, the capital:
- In winter, from November to March, nighttime temperatures range between -3 and -10°C, and daytime temperatures between 2 and 8°C, with January being the coldest month. Snow is therefore quite common.
- In April, May, and October, temperatures are higher with highs between 11 and 15°C. However, these are the periods with the most snowfall.
- From June to September, expect temperatures between 18 and 20°C at the hottest time of the day. However, be prepared for a few rainy and gray days, and even snow in August.
Temperatures and rainfall in China
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of China and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Beijing, Lhasa, Hong Kong Island, Guangzhou (Canton) and Kunming, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in China
Find out when China has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in China
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, June and November. The number of visitors to China is high in: April, May, July, August, September, October and December.
- Very low season in China: January, February, March and June.
- Low season in China: November.
- High season in China: April and May.
- Peak season in China: July, August, September, October and December.
Figure: Visitor index for China month by month
Average price for flights to China
A return flight between Sydney and Hong Kong is generally cheaper if you go in may ($ 760 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 419 more for your airline ticket to Hong Kong if you go in december.
Where to go in China?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| Beijing | 2°C | 6°C | 15°C | 22°C | 30°C | 34°C | 35°C | 33°C | 28°C | 21°C | 11°C | 3°C |
| Lhasa | 2°C | 5°C | 7°C | 11°C | 15°C | 20°C | 20°C | 20°C | 18°C | 13°C | 8°C | 5°C |
| Hong Kong Island | 20°C | 21°C | 23°C | 25°C | 29°C | 30°C | 31°C | 31°C | 31°C | 28°C | 25°C | 21°C |
| Guangzhou (Canton) | 20°C | 23°C | 25°C | 28°C | 32°C | 33°C | 34°C | 35°C | 33°C | 30°C | 26°C | 21°C |
| Kunming | 15°C | 19°C | 22°C | 25°C | 26°C | 25°C | 25°C | 26°C | 24°C | 21°C | 19°C | 15°C |
| Shanghai | 10°C | 11°C | 15°C | 20°C | 26°C | 28°C | 32°C | 32°C | 28°C | 24°C | 19°C | 12°C |
| Shigatsé | 2°C | 4°C | 7°C | 12°C | 16°C | 21°C | 21°C | 20°C | 18°C | 13°C | 8°C | 4°C |
| Chengdu | 12°C | 15°C | 20°C | 25°C | 29°C | 31°C | 32°C | 32°C | 27°C | 22°C | 18°C | 13°C |
| Dalian | -0°C | 2°C | 7°C | 12°C | 18°C | 23°C | 27°C | 28°C | 24°C | 18°C | 11°C | 4°C |
| Guilin | 14°C | 17°C | 20°C | 24°C | 28°C | 30°C | 32°C | 32°C | 31°C | 27°C | 21°C | 15°C |
| Hainan island (Haikou) | 21°C | 23°C | 27°C | 29°C | 32°C | 33°C | 33°C | 32°C | 31°C | 29°C | 26°C | 23°C |
| Harbin | -14°C | -9°C | 1°C | 14°C | 22°C | 27°C | 29°C | 27°C | 21°C | 12°C | -1°C | -12°C |
| Jiuquan (Gansu) | -3°C | 2°C | 10°C | 17°C | 22°C | 27°C | 30°C | 29°C | 23°C | 15°C | 6°C | -2°C |
| Lijiang | 13°C | 16°C | 18°C | 21°C | 24°C | 24°C | 23°C | 23°C | 21°C | 19°C | 16°C | 13°C |
| Pingyao | -0°C | 4°C | 11°C | 17°C | 23°C | 28°C | 29°C | 27°C | 22°C | 16°C | 8°C | 1°C |
| Qingdao | 4°C | 6°C | 10°C | 16°C | 21°C | 25°C | 28°C | 29°C | 26°C | 21°C | 14°C | 6°C |
| Qiqihar | -14°C | -9°C | 2°C | 14°C | 22°C | 27°C | 31°C | 28°C | 21°C | 12°C | -1°C | -12°C |
| Urumqi | -4°C | -2°C | 6°C | 17°C | 22°C | 27°C | 30°C | 29°C | 23°C | 15°C | 5°C | -2°C |
| Wenzhou | 13°C | 15°C | 18°C | 22°C | 26°C | 29°C | 32°C | 33°C | 30°C | 25°C | 20°C | 15°C |
| Wuhan | 11°C | 14°C | 19°C | 24°C | 29°C | 32°C | 34°C | 34°C | 30°C | 26°C | 19°C | 12°C |
Legend:
perfect weather
good weather
tolerable weather
bad weather
very bad weather
About China
What can I do in China?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for China reliable?
Climate data for China has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for China allows us to determine the average for each month in Beijing, Lhasa, Hong Kong Island, Guangzhou (Canton), Kunming, Shanghai, Shigatsé, Chengdu, and 80 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.