Best time to visit Beijing

April to May and September to October. Month by month below, with the weather, what's on and what it costs to fly there from your city.

April to May and September to October

Spring (April, May) and autumn (September, October) are named by most sources for mild, clear weather; autumn is picked most often.

“the best times to visit Beijing are April to May and September to October” chinaodysseytours.com
“Spring and autumn are the best times to be in Beijing, particularly in April, May, September, and October.” mybeijingchina.com
“the best months are April to June and September to November” chinadiscovery.com

5 of the 9 travel guides we read name these months.

Beijing month by month

Average high and low in Beijing

January38°F / 16°FChecking fares…January is the coldest month in Beijing.Winter is less crowded with off-season discounts, and indoor heating is widely available.Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)
February44°F / 21°FChecking fares…Winter can bring skiing, ice-skating and ice lantern festivals.
March59°F / 34°FChecking fares…Early spring can bring sandstorms, and the weather is windy and dry.
Best timeApril72°F / 45°FChecking fares…Qingming (Tomb Sweeping) runs April 3 to 5.April is one of the best months, with flowers blooming in parks and streets.Lilac blooms at the Temple of Heaven in mid-April.
Best timeMay82°F / 55°FChecking fares…Labor Day brings a 5-day public holiday from May 1.Labor Day and National Day lead to a surge in domestic tourism; avoid them if possible.
June89°F / 65°FChecking fares…June to August is hot and humid, with most of the year's rain.
July90°F / 72°FChecking fares…July is usually the hottest month, with heavy rain in July and August.
August89°F / 70°FChecking fares…Torrential downpours hit in July and August.
Best timeSeptember82°F / 60°FChecking fares…The Mid-Autumn Festival usually falls in mid-September.September is rainier than October.
Best timeOctober67°F / 45°FChecking fares…National Day brings a week off from October 1 to 7 and crowded attractions.October hotel prices peak on average.Fragrant Hill has the best red maples in autumn.
November52°F / 32°FChecking fares…October and November see temperatures decline slowly, with changing leaf colors.
December41°F / 19°FChecking fares…Winter is cold and dry, with temperatures that can drop to -10°C or lower.

Weather: Beijing averages (long-term averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.

Every date to Beijing from your city

Live fares from your airport. Watch them and we alert you when they drop.

What's on in Beijing

Festivals and seasons through the year

Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)Beijing, ChinaEvery January to February

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Summer, Labor Day and National Day (October 1 to 7)Domestic holidays pack the popular attractions.

Quietest

WinterFewer tourists and off-season discounts.

Watch for

June to AugustHot, humid, and heavy rainstorms can come on sunny afternoons.
March and AprilSandstorms and pollen can push air quality above AQI 100 in spring.
Early OctoberGolden Week is extremely crowded.
WinterFreezing cold with strong winds; full winter gear needed.

Questions people ask

Which month to visit Beijing?: April, May, September and October are most often named; one source picks late September for good weather without major holidays.
When to avoid traveling in China?: Avoid major holidays such as early October's Golden Week and Chinese New Year, when sites and transport are packed.

Best time to visit Beijing

April to May and September to October

Beijing month by month

Every date to Beijing from your city

What's on in Beijing

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

Best time to visit other places

Best time to visit Beijing

April to May and September to October

Beijing month by month

Every date to Beijing from your city

What's on in Beijing

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

Best time to visit other places