Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Most regions warm up and flowers bloom. The south gets wetter from April.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Hot and rainy in the south; mountains are cooler than cities. July and August are school holidays, so popular sights are busy.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Settled weather and clear views in most regions — many people’s favourite season, except the National Day week in early October.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold in the north, damp in the south; few visitors and good for cities and indoor sights. Mountain trails may close when icy.
Best months by region
- Beijing, Xi’an and the north
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Zhangjiajie, Fenghuang (Hunan)
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
- Guangzhou, Guilin and the south
- Oct–Apr
Chinese holidays to avoid
- 1Chinese New YearThe date changes every year, usually between late January and mid-February. The two weeks around it are the country’s biggest travel rush, and some businesses close.
- 2May DayAbout five days off from 1 May; popular sights are crowded.
- 3National Day1–7 October, the busiest travel week of the year.
- 4Summer holidaysSchools are out in July and August, so expect families and book popular sights ahead.
Example: Hunan
Zhangjiajie’s pillars are worth seeing all year, and sea-of-clouds views are most likely after rain and early in the morning. April–June and September–November are comfortable; July and August are hot and busy; winter is quiet and sometimes snowy, but icy conditions can close some trails, cable cars or glass walkways.
Fenghuang works in any season, and its night views are a highlight. Summer by the Tuo River is pleasant but busy; winter is damp and peaceful.
Questions
Will the rainy season spoil my trip?
The south is wetter in May–July, but rain usually comes in showers and most plans go ahead. Mountain paths get slippery, and we adjust the order of visits to the weather.
Is winter worth it?
Yes. Fewer visitors and lower hotel prices, and cities and cultural sights are unaffected. Dress warmly in the north, and expect some mountain facilities to close when icy.
Is National Day completely off-limits?
You can go, but expect crowds and higher prices, and book early. Shifting your dates by a few days makes a big difference.
My dates are fixed. What now?
Tell us your dates and we’ll suggest destinations and an order of visits that suit the weather and crowds at that time.
Sources and verificationOpening hours, prices and booking rules change. We confirm them for your exact dates before you pay anything.