Best time to visit China

From glistening city skyscrapers and spiritual monasteries to bamboo rafts and lofty karst mountains, China is a vast and diverse country with so many sights that are just waiting to be explored.

The best time to visit China is between April/May and September/October, during spring and autumn when the weather tends to be pleasantly warm and dry. As the world’s third biggest country, China’s sheer size means that it is possible to travel year-round as long as you choose your destination carefully – when to go to China often depends on where you plan to go.

Summers can be hot and humid across much of the country, especially the subtropical climate of the south and east, while it’s often bitterly cold during winter in the north and west. But whether you’re tempted by the country’s long history, exploring ancient palaces and temples or gleaming modern cities, venturing into rice fields or walking the Great Wall, seeing pandas or snow-capped peaks, there’s always a good reason to explore.

January is usually the coldest month in China, with temperatures in the north dropping well below freezing. However it’s a dry cold around Beijing and in the far north around Harbin, so if you’re hoping to ski, it’s a great month to visit this part of China – you’ll need to wrap up warm though.

Elsewhere, January tends to be cold and damp, so while it’s a quiet time of year for a holiday to China, it’s not the best weather to enjoy it. Xi’an is also relatively dry, though with temperatures dropping below zero at night and snow on occasion, but it’s often hazy so visibility is poor.

If you’d like to enjoy Hong Kong without the heat and humidity that follows later in the year, January can be a good month to consider. The temperature normally hovers around 15C or slightly higher and it’s dry, even if it’s not the classic Hong Kong experience.

One exception to the lack of crowds is during Chinese New Year, with the lunar new year starting in late January or early February, so you can expect transport and attractions to be extremely busy with domestic travel.

Festivals: Chinese New Year is celebrated nationwide this month (or early February) with fireworks, time with family, parades, lanterns and an exchange of gifts. One of the biggest festivals of the year, you’ll find it marked everywhere, although expect the country to be extremely busy.

The Harbin Ice Festival also takes place in January, the world’s largest ice and snow sculpture festival, with carnivals, winter sports, and intricate ice sculptures on display. It often starts in late December and runs to mid-February, depending on the weather if you’re visiting slightly earlier or later.

Best for: Skiing, Harbin Ice Festival, Beijing without the crowds

February in China is similar to January with cold, damp weather across most of the country which makes travel less pleasant, although it’s also a quieter time of year if you’re prepared to wrap up warm against the chilly temperatures. Beijing is dry and you’ll often find clear blue skies.

It’s cold and snowy in the far north around Harbin and in some of China’s other 700+ kilometres of ski slopes, if you’re planning to go skiing. It’s also another comparatively cool, dry month in Hong Kong if you want to explore without the usual scorching temperatures.

Elsewhere, the conditions aren’t great for visiting, whether you’re hoping to get outdoors, into the mountains or exploring other major cities like Shanghai and Xi’an, so it’s best to postpone your trip for spring.

One exception to the lack of crowds at this time of year is during Chinese New Year, with the lunar new year starting in late January or early February, so you can expect transport and attractions to be extremely busy with domestic travel.

Festivals: Chinese New Year is celebrated nationwide this month (or late January) with fireworks, time with family, parades, lanterns and an exchange of gifts. One of the biggest festivals of the year, you’ll find it marked everywhere, although expect the country to be extremely busy.

The Lantern Festival, or Yuan Xiao Jie, takes place on the 15th day of the first lunar month, usually in February (sometimes early March), with streets decorate with lanterns, tangyuan rice balls eaten, plus dragon and lion dances and fireworks to celebrate.

Best for: Skiing, festivals, Beijing without the crowds

China is starting to warm up for spring, with blossom starting to appear on trees in the countryside. As the weeks go on, the temperatures begin creeping slowly towards 20C in Beijing and Shanghai, although it’s wetter in the east than in the north. It’s still a little cool to visit somewhere like Suzhou this month, but it’s a lovely time of year to explore Xi’an with pleasant temperatures for wandering through the historic streets and flowers blooming, but without the crowds which appear later in the year. Or further west, you can spot pandas in Chengdu and enjoy the teahouse culture of this corner of Sichuan.

Early spring is also a great time for a holiday in China’s south, including the cities south of the Yangtze, although Yunnan in the south-west can still be a little cool. Instead, head towards Guilin and Yangshuo, where you can enjoy the fabulous fairytale karst scenery as you float down the river on a bamboo raft or cycle between the peaks. Or head into the rice terraces known as the dragon’s backbone; in some places, golden flowers will be blooming, while at Ping’an, the terraces are flooded with water, looking like mirrors on the hillsides.

While Hong Kong is warmer this month too and relatively dry, it’s one of the cloudiest months of the year so not an ideal time to enjoy the views from Victoria Peak.

Best for: Cities without the crowds, rice terraces, scenery in Yangshuo, pandas in Chengdu

Easily one of the best months for a holiday in China, with temperatures warming up before the heat of summer arrives. While the central and southern parts of the country can be rainy, you’ll also see flowers blooming and trees blossoming everywhere. Go prepared for showers though and the landscape is wonderfully lush and green. Find peach flowers in Jiuzhaigou, where you can hike to waterfalls in the national park or the rainbow terraced pools of Huanglong. Temperatures are pleasant after the cooler days of early spring but without being too hot to enjoy walking and trekking.

It’s also a good month to explore some of China’s less-visited corners, including the grassy plains and mountains around Songpan in the sweet spot between the coldest days of winter and before the rains of summer. Or watch yak herders and discover Buddhist monasteries in Xiahe this month, both of which can be combined with spotting pandas in Chengdu.

Further north in Pingyao, the cherry blossoms will be in bloom in this fascinating ancient city, while it’s also a perfect time to find more history in Xi’an and Beijing, as well as Datong for the UNESCO World Heritage site including the Yungang cave complex.

Now is when to go to China’s second city Shanghai, before the rainiest weather arrives, where Art Deco style sits next to gleaming skyscrapers. Combine it with time in the atmospheric water towns, built on canals not far from Shanghai and Suzhou, or escape the big city buzz on the little island of Putuoshan with its Buddhist temples and white sands. It’s a great month to head into the Yellow Mountains too, with the carpet of spring flowers brightening the mist-capped peaks and dramatic gorges.

There are plenty of chances to get outdoors in the south and south-west this month as well. In Yunnan, head to timeless Lijiang at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the Naxi villages and sparkling lakes to the north of Lijiang or find out more about the Bai tribe as you cook traditional Chinese dishes in Dali. Follow the ancient Tea Horse Road to see one of the last preserved markets on this trade route between China and India, or enjoy a taste of Tibet in Zhongdian (Shangri-La) in the foothills of the Himalayas, with one of the area’s most important Buddhist monasteries here. For serious hikers, there is nothing quite like the views at Tiger Leaping Gorge, and April has some of the best conditions for the challenging trek.

Further south, the scenery is equally beguiling if less taxing at Yangshuo where you can cycle among the karst peaks or sail along the river on a bamboo raft, before heading up to the rice terraces of Ping’an and Longji, known as the dragon’s backbone. Take wet weather gear as it is often rainy here this month, but seeing the gleaming terraces filled with water and mist drifting among the hills is an unforgettable sight.

Festivals: The Qingming Festival in early April, better known as Tomb Sweeping Day, is a public holiday where people pay respect to their ancestors by tidying up local graveyards and tombs, and placing offerings. It’s also become a day to enjoy the spring weather.

The Sister’s Meal Festival usually takes place this month, celebrated by the Miao minority in the Guizhou Province, similar to Valentine’s Day. Girls and young women dress in colourful costumes and ornate silver jewellery to distribute different coloured rice to young men who show an interest in them.

Best for: Exploring the whole country, trekking & hiking, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Yunnan

Like April, the weather in May makes it one of the best times for a holiday in China with a few exceptions. The first week of the month includes national Chinese holidays, so it’s best to avoid this period as everywhere tends to be very busy, and transport and accommodation get booked up well in advance. It’s also the start of the typhoon season, although the worst of the rains don’t usually arrive until July, but be prepared for wetter weather on the east coast and in the south including Hong Kong.

If you’re hoping to visit Shanghai, you won’t be alone. I’s a popular month to do so but it’s still a good idea to go now before the worst of the summer rain, heat and humidity. If you want to escape the crowds, head up into the Yellow Mountains to hike amid the gorges, or find tranquillity among the Buddhist temples on the little islands of Putuoshan. The pretty canalside water towns are unlikely to be quiet either but the chance to explore this attractive corner of eastern China shouldn’t be missed.

It’s one of the peak months for flowers in the mountains of Yunnan, with rhododendrons blooming vividly on the slopes. Base yourself at lovely Lijiang in the shadow of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, where you can see the sparkling lakes and Naxi villages nearby, cook traditional Chinese dishes in Dali, or marvel at the foothills of the Himalayas as you enjoy a taste of Tibet in Zhongdian (now renamed as Shangri-La). Follow in the footsteps of traders as you follow the ancient Tea Horse Road between China and India, home to one of the last preserved markets which once dotted this trade route. Or head right into the peaks for the challenging trek at Tiger Leaping Gorge, with some of the best conditions this month.

In northern Sichuan and Gansu, there’s another taste of Tibetan culture as you discover semi-nomadic tribes, yak herders and Buddhist monasteries in the grassy plains and mountains around Songpan and in Xiahe.

You’re not limited to mountains if you’re hoping to get outdoors in China in May. Cycle among the karst peaks at Yangshuo in the south, and see the rice terraces of Ping’an and Longji, where it’s usually less rainy than in April. Or head to Jiuzhaigou National Park and the rainbow terraced pools of Huanglong, with warm days for hikes to hidden waterfalls.

It’s also a perfect month for exploring China’s historic cities. Pingyao ancient city is a maze of traditional courtyards, small teahouses, cobbled alleys and Buddhist temples, which will transport you back to the China of centuries past. See the Terracotta Army and Muslim Quarter of Xi’an and the Forbidden Palace and hutongs of Beijing, not forgetting a chance to walk part of the Great Wall. In Datong, you can see the Yungang cave complex and UNESCO World Heritage site here too, or slow down in Chengdu among the historic teahouses – save time to see the pandas while you’re there.

Festivals: The Dragon Boat Festival takes place on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, usually at the end of May (or early June) with exciting dragon boat races held in many cities and towns across the country. The Chinese holiday commemorates the poet Qu Yuan and it’s traditional to eat sticky rice dumplings called Zongzi too.

Best for: Exploring the whole country, trekking and hiking in mountains and national parks, historic cities, Beijing, Xi’an

June marks the start of summer, with temperatures rising across the country and the weather getting far more humid. The ‘plum rains’ start in Shanghai, with intense downpours which can flood some of the narrower city streets, plus it’s the most humid month of the year – a bad combination for a visit here or the surrounding water towns. It’s the rainiest month of the year in Hong Kong as well, with temperatures hitting around 30C, so that’s best avoided this month. China’s other popular cities are also sweltering in the heat this month, around 30C in both Beijing and Xi’an, while Pingyao ancient city is similarly hot and also wet.

Instead, it’s best to head up into the mountains and hills to find cooler weather if you’re planning a holiday in China in June. In Yunnan, Pretty Lijiang is still warm, but with temperatures peaking at around 25C, and plenty of tempting options to get outside this month, including mountain lakes and the Naxi villages nearby or Shaxi in the Tibetan foothills, a stop on the ancient Tea Horse Road between China and India. It’s also cooler in the foothills of the Himalayas at Zhongdian (now Shangri-La), although you can expect more rain this month, while trekking at Tiger Leaping Gorge is possible, but rainy conditions may close the area, so it’s not the best month to choose.

There’s a good chance of rain if you head over to northern Sichuan and Gansu for another taste of Tibetan culture, although you could still find dry weather towards the start of the month, and more pleasant temperatures in the mid 20Cs as you explore the grassy plains and mountains around Songpan and in Xiahe, home to semi-nomadic tribes, yak herders and Buddhist monasteries. Jiuzhaigou National Park will also be quieter this month to enjoy hiking to waterfalls and seeing the rainbow terraced pools of Huanglong, with rain often falling later in the day.

The karst scenery and rice terraces of the south, around Yangshuo and Guilin are better left for another month, as it’s also hot, humid and rainy here, so getting outdoors is far less enjoyable in June.

Festivals: The Dragon Boat Festival takes place on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, sometimes in early June, with exciting dragon boat races held in many cities and towns across the country. The Chinese holiday commemorates the poet Qu Yuan and it’s traditional to eat sticky rice dumplings called Zongzi too.

Best for: Heading into the mountains

With summer in full swing, it can be extremely hot and humid across China in July. It’s the hottest month of the year in Shanghai, Beijing and Xi’an, with temperatures well over 30C, plus a higher chance of typhoons in the south and east.

The best way to escape the heat if you’re planning a holiday in China this month is to head into the mountains, where the air is cooler at altitude. However some areas are extremely rainy as well, so it’s best to avoid trekking in Tiger Leaping Gorge this month, as paths can become blocked after landslides.

Head to Yunnan, where it’s pleasantly warm in Lijiang but not too hot – it is likely to be rainy as well, but you can still enjoy spotting mountain lakes, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and visit the Naxi villages or Shaxi in the Tibetan foothills, with its historic market from its time as an important trading post between China and India.

There are carpets of flowers in Jiuzhaigou National Park, although you can expect plenty of rainfall here if you’re hiking, while in northern Sichuan, it’s slightly less wet around Songpan as you explore the grass plains and mountains here, home to semi-nomadic tribes. You can still expect to see rain for much of the month though.

Otherwise, stick to lakes and rivers to cool the worst of the heat. If you’re planning a Yangtze River cruise, this is shoulder season and you’ll find some cool breezes off the rivers. You’ll struggle to stay cool south of the river though.

Festivals: The Ghost Festival, or Hungry Ghost Festival takes place during the seventh lunar month, a traditional Buddhist and Taoist festival where it’s believed restless spirits roam the earth. Rituals include preparing food for these hungry ghosts and burning incense, plus making offerings to help release souls which have been undeservedly condemned to the underworld.

Best for: Heading into the mountains

The last month of summer stays hot and humid across most of China, so it’s not a great time to visit the cities, including Beijing, Xi’an or Shanghai. Typhoon season reaches its peak, with the most severe storms likely to hit the east and south coast, affecting the area around Shanghai, Hong Kong and other coastal locations. And while August isn’t quite as hot as July, you’ll still find temperatures well above 30C around the country, so heading up into the mountains, or cooling off by lakes and waterfalls is a good option.

Yunnan is a good choice this month, although be prepared to dodge some showers. Follow in the footsteps of centuries of traders and head to Shaxi in the Tibetan foothills, on the ancient Tea Horse Road between China and India. In the shadow of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, it’s cool enough to get outdoors despite the rain, whether you explore around pretty Lijiang or the Naxi villages. It’s the rainiest month of the year around Zhongdian (or Shangri-La) though, while the succession of wet months also makes it harder to trek Tiger Leaping Gorge.

In Jiuzhaigou National Park, the rains have left lakes and waterfalls fuller than ever, with some dry weather between the showers here, as well as around Songpan in northern Sichuan. Unless your focus is on hiking, it’s best to wait another month if you’re planning when to go to China.

Best for: Heading into the mountains

Autumn is on its way this month, with warm days in much of the country but without the worst heat, humidity and rain of the summer, making it a contender for best time to visit China if you’re hoping to see most of the key sights. Typhoon season isn’t over, with September among the months where severe storms are most likely to hit the east and south coast however.

If you venture south to Guilin and Yangshuo, time your trip for the end of the month if possible, as it’s still hot towards the beginning of September. You can find some welcome breezes as your head down the river on a bamboo raft, while up at the rice terraces known as the dragon’s backbone around Longji and Ping’an, you can see vibrant shades of golden and green in the hills, as the rice turns steadily more golden throughout the month.

Further north, temperatures are getting far more pleasant in Beijing this month, hovering around 25-26C, and with fewer crowds at the key sights, it’s also easier to explore the popular attractions including the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China. It’s a similar temperature in Xi’an with clear, dry days to see the historic city and the Terracotta Warriors, as well as milder weather in Pingyao ancient city, or the Yungang cave complex at Datong.

It’s also a good time to head to Chengdu, where you’ll find more than pandas to tempt you. Combine it with a trip to Songpan in northern Sichuan, where the rains have eased and you’ll spot yak herders on the lush grassy plains, and in the highlands of Xiahe further north. The waterfalls and rainbow terraced pools of Huanglong in Jiuzhaigou National Park are looking their best too after the summer rain, with cooler days to enjoy walking and trekking.

There are more chances to enjoy getting outdoors in Yunnan too, whether you want to take on the challenging trek of Tiger Leaping Gorge, open again after the summer rains, or something less taxing. Enjoy a taste of Tibet in Zhongdian (Shangri-La) in the foothills of the Himalayas or follow part of the ancient Tea Horse Road to see one of the last preserved markets on this trade route between China and India. Or discover traditional food in Dali, learn more about local culture in the Naxi villages and wander the enticing cobbled streets of timeless Lijiang at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Festivals: The Mid-Autumn Festival takes place this month (or early October), originally a day to celebrate the year’s harvest. Also known as the Moon Cake festival, moon cakes are traditionally eaten, while families gather together to mark the festival, lighting paper lanterns. Some areas have dragon boat races as well.

Best for: Exploring north and west China, the rice terraces of Longji, trekking and hiking in Yunnan, Beijing, Xi’an and Chengdu

The weather in October makes it another perfect time for a holiday in China, although try to avoid travelling during the first week of the month as this coincides with Chinese national holidays so can be busy, with transport and accommodation booking up fast. Otherwise, temperatures are generally still pleasantly warm or mild, with little rain.

The autumn colours are also starting to appear across the country, with some spectacular shades of red and gold in Jiuzhaigou National Park, reflected in the lakes for a doubly vibrant autumn spectacle this month. October is also one of the best times to explore Songpan before it gets too cold, to drink in the sights of the grassy plains, home to yak herders, along with the lakes and mountains at Xiahe.

It’s also a spectacular time to visit Beijing and see the Great Wall, where it’s not just cool enough to walk one of the stretches but which has vivid colours along the route, or see the autumn colours at Pingyao Ancient City. Combine it with a stay in Xi’an, the UNESCO World Heritage site temples and caves of Datong, or for a slightly warmer option, head south to Chengdu to spy pandas and relax in teahouses.

For another more unusual autumn spectacle, at the rice terraces near Guilin, the fields turn a golden yellow as the rice ripens. The terraces at Longji and Ping’an are some of the best places to see the changing colours, along with in Yunnan, where it’s one of the last months to head into hills and mountains before the cold days of winter. Taste some traditional food in Dali before wandering the cobbled streets of timeless Lijiang and exploring the Naxi villages, or following part of the ancient Tea Horse Road, once a major trading route between China and India. It’s cool but clear in Zhongdian (aka Shangri-La) in the foothills of the Himalayas, and one of the last good months to take on the challenging trek of Tiger Leaping Gorge.

On the east coast, the biggest threat from typhoons has passed, and with temperatures falling from their summer peak in Shanghai, it’s one of the best months in the city, plus the picturesque water towns nearby. Although it’s not as warm on the beaches of Putuoshan this month, October is a great time for seafood on the little island, and there’s good weather for the Buddhist temples. It’s also much colder in the Yellow Mountains but wrap up warm and you’ll enjoy some of the best conditions to hike here.

The worst of the heat has passed in Hong Kong too, and without the haze of spring, it’s one of the best months to go and enjoy the views from Victoria Peak, the ancient temples and the bustle of everyday life.

Festivals: October 1 is National Day, kicking off a week of celebrations marking the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, with events including fireworks displays and concerts, and many people travelling to be with family.

The Chongyang Festival takes place on the ninth day of the ninth month in the lunar calendar, when traditionally you need to protect yourself against an imbalance of yin and yang – either by drinking chrysanthemum liquor, wearing the zhuyu plant or by climbing a high mountain.

The Mid-Autumn Festival takes place this month (or in September), originally a day to celebrate the year’s harvest. Also known as the Moon Cake festival, moon cakes are traditionally eaten, while families gather together to mark the festiva and light paper lanterns. Some areas have dragon boat races as well.

Best for: Exploring the whole country, the rice terraces of Longji, trekking and hiking, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an and Chengdu, festivals

November is one of the best months to see the autumn leaves in all their crimson and gold glory, although it’s significantly colder this month as winter begins in earnest. The far north can even see snow this month, and be prepared for subzero temperatures at night if you’re heading into the mountains and hills, so it’s no longer the best time of year to explore the much of Yunnan or the areas close to Tibet.

There still a chance to see the changing shades around the Great Wall in Beijing this month, where it’s quieter, although temperatures can drop down to freezing overnight. It’s similarly cool at Pingyao Ancient City, which has its own vibrant autumn colours, in Xi’an and Datong for its UNESCO World Heritage site temples and caves. Chengdu is also getting cooler, although temperatures hover around 16C this month, so it’s a slightly warmer alternative to the northern cities.

Further south, it’s still around 20C in Guilin and Yangshuo,perfect for cycling along the Li River, but it can feel chilly in the evenings and early mornings. It’s much quieter up by the rice terraces, and can be rainy around Longji and Ping’an, although the sight of mist drifting across the peaks makes for a fairytale scene.

The worst of the humidity and heat is gone in Shanghai, making it less taxing to wander through the city, and discover the surrounding water towns – set around canals, these can feel cooler and damp though. If you’d like to enjoy Hong Kong without the worst of the heat and humidity, this is one of the best months to visit and still far from cold with highs of 23C.

Best for: Autumn colours, Beijing and Xi’an without the crowds, Shanghai, Hong Kong, southern China

It’s cold to end the year across China, with snow in the north, sometimes including Beijing and Xi’an. It’s crisp and dry so if you’re happy to brave the lower temperatures, you’ll find you often have the main sights to yourself. Pingyao is similarly chilly and quiet this month, for another taste of China’s history but it’s too cold to make a visit to Datong pleasant. If you’re hoping to ski, resorts will be opening this month in the north as well.

Further south, Chengdu rarely sees snow, and November is less rainy than October with plenty of clear blue skies if you’re hoping to see pandas (perfectly happy in their furry coats) or warm up over tea in one of the teahouses. You won’t get the best experience around Guilin and Yangshuo with mist covering much of the rice terraces, and the damp atmosphere making it feel even cooler around the Li River. Shanghai also feels cold and damp this month.

Western China is also extremely cold this month, falling below zero in the hills and mountains of Yunnan, as well as the areas closer to Tibet, so it’s a bad time for trekking or discovering local culture here.

For some guaranteed warmth, the temperatures in Hong Kong are still around 20C, although it gets very busy this month as plenty of tourists are making the most of the dryer, less humid days.

Festivals: China marks the winter solstice with the Dongzhi Festival, with ceremonies to honour ancestors and at temples, plus eating dumplings, ginger rice and making rice wine.

Although Christmas isn’t a traditional festival in China, you’re likely to see lights and decorations around in bigger cities, and Christmas music in hotels and department stores, and younger generations often exchanging gifts with friends.

Best for: Exploring without the crowds, skiing, Hong Kong