Best time to visit China
China’s spectacular scenery is flecked with seasonal shades, from the pink azaleas in spring to the crimson leaves of autumn trees.![]()
Spring (March-May) and autumn (September and October) are the best times to visit China, thanks to the more comfortable climate. August is a popular time of year to visit China for families; prepare for hot, sticky weather and some crowded viewpoints. Although the seasons in China are defined, it’s a big country with a climate that varies from region to region. You can travel year-round but be prepared for what the seasons might throw at you. The south is subtropical with sweltering summers, the north bears the brunt of harsh winters, and central China has a bit of both. A handy rule of thumb is to travel from south to north in spring and from north to south in summer.
Best time to visit the Great Wall of China
Spring (March-May) and autumn (September and October) are great times to visit the Great Wall of China. Viewpoints are less busy and temperatures are more comfortable for exploring. Winter (November-February) sees sections of the Wall become a snow-capped photographer’s dream, but it can get bitingly cold – we’re talking -20°C – and pretty precarious for walkers. On the flipside, June, July and August bring heat, storms, inflated prices and lots of visitors at the popular spots.
A month by month guide on when to go to China
January in China
February in China
March in China
April in China
May in China
June in China
The Great Wall gets covered in snow in December. That makes it quite dangerous to walk on, but a photographer’s dream.![]()
– Ollie Pemberton from our partner Exodus Adventure Travels
July in China
August in China
September in China
October in China
November in China
December in China
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Best times to visit China for festivals & events
Chinese New Year (January or February)
Beginning on the new moon that falls between 21 January and 20 February, Chinese New Year marks the arrival of spring and is celebrated with feasting (especially dumplings and rice cakes), firecrackers and dragon dances to bring good luck. With people on the move across the country to meet up with family, and thousands more returning from abroad to join the festivities, this is an incredibly exciting time to be in China. Expect big crowds in the cities, heavy traffic, and red everywhere, from lanterns to clothing and decorations, being symbolic of luck, prosperity and joy.
Lantern Festival (February)
The climax of the Lunar New Year celebrations is the Lantern (Yuan Xiao) Festival, which takes place on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar. People light their paper lanterns to bring good luck for the year ahead, or for specific wishes. There are different types of lantern, with some being cast into waterways or the sky (neither of which are great for the environment), and others being hung outside homes or carried around the streets in processions. You can also see colourful dragon and lion dances across the country, which also beckon good fortune.
Dragon Boat Festival (May or June)
Duanwu Jie, the Dragon Boat Festival, is held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (sometime in May or June). Dragon boat races using long canoes painted with bright colours and powered by up to 80 rowers take centre stage, their crews fuelled by zongzi (filled and steamed glutinous rice balls) and plum wine. You can see dragon boat races across the country. The Miluo River in Hunnan, where the tradition has its roots, offers a particularly beautiful setting.
Mid-Autumn Festival (September or October)
If you want to really embrace the traditions of the Mid-Autumn Festival, then find yourself a quiet spot in the countryside and spend an evening gazing up at the moon, sipping rice wine and composing poetry. Also known as the Moon Festival, this country-wide harvest festival brings families together to celebrate with feasting and prayers for good fortune. Swing your lantern with one hand, and in the other cup a delicious slice of mooncake, a traditional pastry filled with sweet paste.
Harbin International Ice & Snow Festival (December-February)
In north-east China, the city of Harbin plays host to the world’s biggest snow and ice festival every winter. And when we say big, we mean big. The intricate ice sculptures here are beyond works of art – they’re feats of architecture. Near life-size replicas of famous buildings, bridges, monuments and people are sculpted with amazing precision, making it a fascinating place to wander around. You can also try ice golf or ice archery, and whizz down a gigantic slide made of… you guessed it.
Our travellers also ask…
When is Golden Week in China?
Golden Week is usually held over the first week of October, give or take a few days either side. This is considered one of the busiest times of year to travel to China, as virtually everyone has the week off work, and many will be travelling around the country themselves. Accommodation, restaurants, public transport and visitor attractions are incredibly busy, and congestion in cities can bring travel to a standstill.
What are the best months to visit China?
The best months to visit China tend to be March to May (spring) and September and October (autumn), avoiding Golden Week. You can expect generally warm, dry weather and less busy tourist sites compared with the summer months of July and August. Spring or autumn can also be the best time of year to visit China for our walking holidays, with beautiful colours in the landscapes.
What is the rainy season in China?
May to September is the rainy season in China, though it should be noted that there are variations around the country. Northern China, where you’ll find cities like Beijing and Xi’an, is relatively unaffected with just the occasional shower to worry about – nothing to put you off touring sites like the Forbidden City and the Terracotta Army. Southern China is more tropical, however, and you will see more – and more intense – rainfall, with the chance of typhoons in coastal regions.
Does China get all four seasons?
Yes, China has four distinct seasons, with spring between March and May, summer from June to August, autumn from September to November, and winter from December to February. But this is the fourth-largest country in the world, so you get a broad range of weather conditions year-round, and it’s never either too hot, too cold or too rainy to discourage visiting altogether. Generally speaking, though, the north has longer winters and is colder, while the south is typically wetter and has longer summers.
What months are hot in China?
July is usually the hottest month in China, followed by August, with average daytime temperatures around 30°C. These are also the wettest months of the year, especially in the more tropical regions south of the Yangtze River. Expect high levels of humidity, too, and possibly typhoons. Despite this, the summer months are still a popular time of year to travel to China, and in mountainous areas like Yunnan the temperatures are a lot more manageable.
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