Best time to visit China

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 and autumn bring the mildest weather across most of China. Avoid the national holiday weeks, when crowds and costs jump.

“The best time to visit China is during the spring or fall, as the country experiences warm and dry weather” intrepidtravel.com
“So, taking crowds, weather, and scenery into account, the best months to travel are April, May, September, and mid-to-late October.” chinahighlights.com
“The best time to visit China is in spring, April to May and autumn, September to October,” wendywutours.co.uk

6 of the 8 travel guides we read name these months.

China month by month

Average high and low in Beijing

January38°F / 16°FChecking fares…January is the coldest month, with ski resorts in Beijing and Harbin most popular.One tour operator advises skipping January because of the cold.The Harbin Ice Festival fills the city with ice sculptures.Harbin ice and snow festival · Macau lunar new year lion dance parade
February44°F / 21°FChecking fares…Chinese New Year falls in late January or early February, bringing buzz to Shanghai and Beijing.Chinese New Year is best avoided because most of the country is travelling.The Lantern Festival closes the Lunar New Year celebrations in February.
March59°F / 34°FChecking fares…March is the first month of spring, with warming temperatures and longer days.The Shanghai Peach Blossom Festival runs from March 20 to April 16.Hong Kong Arts Month
Best timeApril72°F / 45°FChecking fares…April suits hiking, cycling and garden walks, with temperatures near 68F and some rain.Qingming Festival in early April is a major public holiday with very crowded sites.Qingming, or Tomb Sweeping Day, falls in April.Spring water season at Longji rice terraces · Luoyang Peony Culture Festival
Best timeMay82°F / 55°FChecking fares…May is the best month for being outdoors, with warm weather at its peak.The Labor Day holiday starting April 30 is extremely crowded.Spring crowds build, and May is busier than early March.Miluo River Dragon Boat Festival
June89°F / 65°FChecking fares…Summer crowds arrive in June, with higher prices and low availability.Mid to late June brings frequent downpours.The Dragon Boat Festival falls in late May or early June.Ili Lavender Season · Qinghai Lake Rapeseed Bloom
July90°F / 72°FChecking fares…July has short showers in the morning or evening.July is the hottest month of summer.The Naadam Festival in Inner Mongolia runs from late July to early August.Yi Torch Festival · Qingdao International Beer Festival
August89°F / 70°FChecking fares…Early to mid August is the peak of the peak season, with the heaviest crowds.August brings rain and humidity.August is popular with families, with hot, sticky weather and crowded viewpoints.Shoton Festival
Best timeSeptember82°F / 60°FChecking fares…September to November is mild in southern China, with less rain than summer.National Day week begins September 30 and is extremely crowded.Autumn weather turns milder and cooler starting in September.Qiantang River Tidal Bore · Qufu Confucius Cultural Festival
Best timeOctober67°F / 45°FChecking fares…National Day week runs to October 6, with crowds and higher costs.National Day on October 1 starts the 7-day Golden Week holiday.October daytime temperatures reach the mid 60s to low 70s F.Jiuzhaigou Autumn · Cloud sea season at Zhangjiajie
November52°F / 32°FChecking fares…In southern China November is tolerable and the holiday crowds have cleared.Early November is a good option in Yunnan and Guilin.Smog affects some northern cities from November to January.Tachuan Autumn · Poyang Lake Winter Cranes
December41°F / 19°FChecking fares…Snow covers the Great Wall in December, which is dangerous for walkers.Crowds are thin on the coast in November and December.Yuanyang Rice Terraces Mirror Season · Jilin Rime Ice

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

Every date to China from your city

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

What's on in China

Festivals and seasons through the year

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

June to AugustSummer is peak travel season.
Chinese New Year and Golden WeekThe whole country is on the move and travel is extremely busy.

Quietest

November to MarchWinter is less crowded but colder, with snow in some regions.

Watch for

Qingming, Labor Day and National DayMajor public holidays leave tourist sites extremely crowded.
May to SeptemberMonsoon and typhoon season; typhoons strike southern and eastern coastal provinces.
July to AugustHeavy rain in eastern and southern China, mostly from early July to late August.
Late spring and early summerCoastal monsoon rains are heavy.

Questions people ask

Which is the best month to go to China?: April, May, September and mid-to-late October are best for crowds, weather and scenery.
When to avoid travelling to China in 2026?: Avoid Qingming (April 3 to 5), Labor Day (April 30 to May 4) and National Day (September 30 to October 6).

Best time to visit China

April to May and September to October

China month by month

Every date to China from your city

What's on in China

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

More about China

Best time to visit other places

Best time to visit China

April to May and September to October

China month by month

Every date to China from your city

What's on in China

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

More about China

Best time to visit other places