China covers an extensive land area of nearly 96 million square kilometers. The country spans 50 degrees latitude from south to north and 60 degrees longitude from west to east, with the weather varying considerably from region to region. Generally, it is suitable to visit China year-round; the best time depends on your chosen destination and the type of vacation you seek. If you're planning for your trip to China, we've prepared a guide to help you figure out the best time to visit China.
Most of China's territory is located in the northern temperate zone, which results in distinct seasonal changes. It will be rather hot in summer and cold in winter, while the weather in spring and autumn is milder and more comfortable. Let's look at the characteristics of China's four seasons and some festivals worth celebrating.
In Spring (March to May)
Spring is one of the best times to visit China. Between March and May, the weather warms up and becomes comfortable, with temperatures averaging 10-23 °C (50-73 °F). The south of China becomes humid because of rain, while the north of China is still relatively dry. In the spring, most of the cities are full of green scenery and colorful flowers. Plus, the air is fresh after a rain.
Recommended Places:
Xi'an, Hangzhou, Huangshan, Yunnan, Wuyuan, Gansu, Yili (in Xinjiang Province), Shandong
Events and Festivals:
Water Splash Festival: It is a Chinese ethnic minority festival celebrated by the Dai people in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, in mid-April every year. Dai people believe pouring water on people will wash away their bad luck. You can join them and have lots of fun.
Luoyang Peony Festival: The Culture Festival is held from April to May, when peony flowers burst into bloom. You can admire different kinds of peony flowers and partake in many exhibitions in Luoyang.
In Summer (June to August)
In this season, hot sunshine revitalizes most cities in China, and the constant rainfall offers fresh greenery and endless waterfalls to mountain and highland attractions. This makes the scenery most beautiful throughout the year. However, China's temperatures average 28-34 °C (64-82 °F) in the summer.
Recommended Places:
Hulunbuir, Qinghai, Zhangjiajie, Guizhou
Events and Festivals:
Dragon Boat Festival: It occurs on May 5th in the Lunar Calendar (usually in early June). At this time, people in China will eat zongzi. It's a pyramid-shaped dumpling made of glutinous rice with meat and peanuts wrapped in bamboo leaves. You can learn to make zongzi and watch dragon boats racing by the river.
Torch Festival: It is a regional festival celebrated by the Li ethnic group in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan. It occurs on June 24th in the Lunar Calendar (usually in late July). People will parade along the mountains at night, with a small torch in their hands. You can join them, sitting around the big torch, to watch various performances.
Double Seventh Festival: It's also called the Qixi Festival, the Valentine's Day of China. It occurs on July 7th in the Lunar Calendar (usually in August). People celebrate it by giving their sweethearts flowers, chocolates, and other gifts.
In Autumn (September to November)
Autumn, like spring, is thought to be the most pleasant time to visit China. The temperatures remain between 15 and 27 °C (59 and 81 °F). It is warmer than spring and cooler than summer. Autumn brings China lower rainfall, a softer breeze, and more clear days, and it provides ideal conditions for people to enjoy outdoor activities.
Recommended Places:
Guilin, Suzhou, Jiuzhaigou Valley, Kanas (Xinjiang), Wuhan, Henan
Events and Festivals:
Mid-Autumn Festival: One of the most well-known traditional Chinese festivals occurs on August 15th in the Lunar Calendar (usually in late September or early October). There will be a full moon at night during the Mid-Autumn Festival. In Chinese people's opinion, the full moon means reunion. Chinese people worship the full moon with their family at night and eat mooncakes.
In Winter (November to February)
Wintertime temperatures are generally low, basically ranging from -30 °C to 8 °C (-22 °F to 46 °F). Northern China usually has temperatures below zero and snow. In southern China, especially in Yunnan, the temperature is typically above zero and much warmer than northern China. During the winter, the views in the north and south of China are totally different. There will be heavy snow in the north, while trees may remain green in the south.
Recommended Places:
Harbin, Sanya, Yunnan, Taiwan
Events and Festivals:
Spring Festival: The Spring Festival is another important festival for Chinese people. Usually, it falls in late January or early February. People put spring festival couplets on the gate and decorate their homes with red accessories. Parents and elders will give children red papers to wish them luck all year. There will be celebrations in squares or parks. You can enjoy the traditional lion dance with the locals.
Lantern Festival: It falls on the 15th day of the Spring Festival. Eating tangyuan is a tradition of the Lantern Festival. It's a cuisine made of glutinous rice flour with sweet fillings. At night, people will watch lantern parades in parks. You can try to release floating lanterns on the river or lake.
Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: It's the biggest event for people to enjoy snow views and ice sculptures. People usually celebrate this festival from December to early February. People in Harbin would celebrate the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival and the Spring Festival together. For a better experience, you can visit Harbin Ice and Snow World to admire the best-designed ice sculptures. In this park, you can participate in some snow sports.
When Is the Best Time to Visit China
Generally, a year in China can be divided into three tourist seasons: peak season, shoulder season, and off season. We recommend you visit China during shoulder season the most. However, whenever you want to visit China, we can tailor-make your trip to make the most of your vacation, offer you an unforgettable trip to China with best views.
Peak Season (May to August)
Although it's hot in summer, the view is the best at that time. The trees in nature resorts are greener than in spring, bringing more vigor to the sites, especially to natural resorts like Zhangjiajie and Mountain Huang. Students will have 2 months of summer vacation starting in July. Many parents and schools will plan trips for them.
There's a 5-day holiday from May 1 to 5, plus the weather is usually pleasant at that time, making May also a busy month for sites in China.
Shoulder Season (March to April & September to October)
These four months have the most comfortable weather and beautiful scenery. There are fewer tourists compared to the peak season. While it might not be as stunning as summer, there are many seasonal sights to enjoy. For example, in spring, you can see apricot and cherry blossoms in many spots. In autumn, you can admire the spectacular terraced fields. This is why many people choose to travel during the shoulder season.
Off Season (December to February)
Most places will have their off-season between December and February. At this time, it will be cold and rainy for continuous days in the south of China. Many resorts will close temporarily until the weather is better. However, there is an exception. In the northeast of China, winter is actually the peak season. People would head there for snow sports and ice sculptures.
Not Suggested Times to Visit China
We do not suggest you visit China during these holidays: Labor Day from May 1 to 5 and the Chinese National Day Holiday from October 1 to 7. During these holidays, tourist attractions are very crowded, and you might not have the best experience.
