When to Come

Regions

Major Cities

Climate

Best Time to Visit

North China

Beijing, Tianjin, Qinhuangdao, Langfang, Chengde, Handan, Baotou, Xilin Gol, Hohhot, Ordos, Taiyuan, Datong, Jincheng

In winter, from December to March, north China can be extremely cold and dry, and temperatures reaching -10 C (14 F) is common. Curious sights of sand dunes covered in snow can be seen.

During northern summers, from May to August, daytime temperatures range from 20 C to 30 C (68 F to 86 F) and drop a lot at night. It is also the rainy season here.

In spring and autumn

East China

Shanghai, Qingdao, Tai'an, Weifang, Weihai, Yantai, Jinan, Zibo, Lianyungang, Xuzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi, Yangzhou, Nanjing, Hefei, Huangshan, Shaoxing, Ningbo, Zhoushan, Hangzhou, Jiaxing

The four seasons are evenly distributed here. The area is strongly influenced by monsoons due to being near the sea. As a result, in winter and summer it can be hit by typhoons, storms, tides, floods, strong winds, tornados and heavy fogs.

In spring and autumn

South China

Nanning, Guilin, Qingyuan, Shantou, Shenzhen, Yangjiang, Zhaoqing, Zhongshan, Zhuhai, Dongguan, Foshan, Guangzhou, Jiangmen, Longyan, Quanzhou, Xiamen, Fuzhou, Sanya, Haikou

In summer temperatures can rise up to around 38 C (100 F), and it is a season of typhoons, especially between July and September.

Winters here are really short, between January and March, only lasting for one month sometimes. It is also not as cold as in north China, but warm clothes should still be brought.

Autumn and spring can be good times to visit, while it can be sometimes miserably wet and cold, with rain or drizzle.

Central China

Chongqing, Luoyang, Xuchang, Shangqiu, Nanyang, Zhengzhou, Anyang, Kaifeng, Shenlongjia, Suizhou, Wuhan, Yichang, Huanggang, Jingzhou, Xiangtan, Yueyang, Zhangjiajie, Changde, Changsha, Hengyang, Nanchang, Jiujiang, Jingdezhen

Central China has long and humid summers, with high temperatures from April to October.

In winter temperatures drop below freezing, and can be as cold as in north China, particularly the areas south of the Yangtze River, where there is no heating.

In spring and autumn

Northeast China

Qiqihar, Mutankiang, Daqing, Harbin, Da Hinggan Ling, Jiamusi, Shuangyashan, Tonghua, Changchun, Jilin, Liaoyuan, Shenyang, Tieling, Anshan, Benxi, Dalian, Fushun, Jinzhou, Huludao

In contrast to south China, winters here are very long, lasting four to five months. Temperatures can drop to around -14C (6 F), and ice and snow is common.

In summer, it is just warm, with the highest temperature 22.4C (72 F) in 1994, and storms are rare then.

The springs here are windy and dry, and there are always frosts in autumn.

In winter and summer

Northwest China

Shihezi, Turpan, Urumqi, Aksu, Hami, Hetian, Korla, Karamay, Kashi, Xining, Linxia, Lanzhou, Qingyang, Tianshui, Wuwei, Zhangye, Dingxi, Jiayuguan, Jiuquan, Yinchuan, Zhongwei, Shangluo, Tongchuan, Weinan, Xian, Yan’an, Baoji, Hanzhong

In summer it is hot, dry and sunny here. Temperatures in most places can reach up to 38 C (100 F) and even over 40 C (104 F) The temperatures differ a lot between day and night in the desert regions. It can be scorching in the daytime and drop to below 0 C (32 F) at night.

Winters here are as severely cold, as in north China. Temperatures may drop to -10 C (14 F). There is always little rain in winter here, so the air is extremely dry.

In summer and autumn

Southwest China

Nyingchi, Lhasa, Shigatse, Shannan, Nakchu, Ngari, Chamdo, Meishan, Xichang, Yibing, Panzhihua, Nanchong, Chengdu, Guangyuan, Zigong, Ganzi, Lijiang, Kunming, Xishuangbanna, Nujiang, Chuxiong, Dali, Diqing, Anshun, Guiyang, Zunyi

Apart from the fierce climate in Tibet, the other areas here have a mostly pleasant climate, especially around Kunming, which enjoys fame as 'Spring City' in China. Most places here are wet and hot in summers and wet and slightly cold in winters.

Tibet in summer and the other areas in winter and spring

Hong Kong

The weather is generally good in spring from March to April, with occasional fog and drizzle.

In summer, from May to September, it is wet and hot, and there are sometimes storms and thunderstorms in the mornings.

Autumns are often sunny, cool and breezy.

Winter is from November to February, when it is usually cloudy with frosts.

In autumn

Macau

Winter and summer are the main seasons here.

In summer it is hot and rainy, while winters are sunny and slightly cold. There may be typhoons in autumn.

In winter

Taiwan

It is hot during most time of the year. The summers last about eight months, from April to November, during which time it rains a lot. It is often hit by typhoons and storms in summer. Winters here, from December to March, are not cold at all, just like autumn in the areas on the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Everywhere is sunny and warm, with blooming trees and flowers.

In winter