The best and worst times to visit China depend on your travel goals, preferred weather, and tolerance for crowds. Assuming you are a tourist planning a trip to China just for fun, you will find spring and autumn the best seasons to travel there.
Best Times to Visit China
Spring (March–May)
Spring is a pleasant time to visit China when the weather is mild. That’s the time of year when flowers bloom and the landscape turns green. The sunny skies and comfortable temperatures make spring an ideal season to explore China, especially for outdoor activities like hiking or exploring rural areas.
Best Destinations: Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Chengdu, Shanghai, Hong Kong and pretty much anywhere except mountainous regions of high altitudes.
Autumn (September–November)
Comfortable temperatures, clear skies, and vibrant autumn foliage create a picturesque setting for sightseeing.
Best Destinations: anywhere including Beijing, Xi’an, Jiuzhaigou Valley, Shanghai, Suzhou and Hong Kong.
Summer (June – August)
This is the best time to explore Tibet, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Northeast and Northwest China. Agreeable temperatures, lush green landscape and lack of rain make these destinations perfect locations for summer vacationers.
Winter (December – March)
Southern China close to or on the South China Sea are good destinations for winter escapes. They include Hainan Island, southern Yunnan and Guangdong. Hainan Island is particularly popular among wealthy Chinese to escape harsh winter in the north. In that sense, it’s like Florida and Hawaii in North America.
Worst Times to Visit China
Chinese New Year (late January or February, varies)
It’s the largest annual migration, with crowded transportation, closed attractions, and higher prices. However, experiencing the festival can be fascinating if you’re prepared.
Golden Week (October 1–7)
Enormous domestic travel crowds, inflated prices, and limited availability of accommodations and tickets.
Summer (June–August)
Many regions experience sweltering temperatures, particularly in cities like Beijing and Shanghai. South China faces heavy rain and potential typhoons. It’s peak domestic tourism season due to school holidays.
However, if you plan to visit Tibet, Xinjiang or Inner Mongolia, summer is the best time.
Winter (December–February)
Northern regions can be extremely cold, while central and southern areas are often damp and chilly without central heating.
Exceptions: Harbin Ice Festival: A highlight for those who enjoy winter activities. Yunnan and Hainan: Warm-weather escapes.
Best Time to Visit China – Tips for Timing Your Trip
Shoulder Season
From late May to early June, there are about two weeks when you’ll experience fewer crowds and decent weather.
In the second half of the year, it is late September, two weeks before the National Day holiday week starts on October 1. The weather is nice overall but it can be rainy. Sometimes, typhoon may get in the way if you happen to in a coastal area along the East China Sea or South China Sea. Use Google Maps for additional information.
Region-Specific Considerations
Some regions have unique climates due to high altitudes and remoteness from the ocean that call for special attention when you plan your China trip. For example, if you want to visit Tibet or Xinjiang, it’s better to do it in summer or late spring at the very least.
Would you like recommendations for specific cities or regions? Get in touch with us.
