When to Go

Deciding what time of year to travel is as important as where you travel to. China is a huge country and it’s hard to say when the best time to travel is, but there are a few guidelines to follow


Season

Most parts of China have four distinct seasons and it’s important to plan around the weather in each area. These are just guidelines: it’s best to look into the specific area you’re travelling to for details before you leave.

The summer months are warm almost everywhere in China. T-shirts and shorts can be worn comfortably in most areas. Even the northeast is fairly comfortable, though summer is short there. Southern provinces can be unbearably hot and humid. Keep in mind that in mountainous, inland areas, the weather can still turn quite chilly at night.

Fall is considered the most comfortable time of year in many parts of the country. In some of China’s big cities like Beijing, the temperature is perfect and the wind blows the pollution away, making blue skies more common. Places with extreme climates like the northeast and Xinjiang can already be below freezing by fall. This is the high season for tourism in many parts of the country, so expect prices for accomodation to be relatively high.

Winter is cold almost everywhere in the country. Places like Harbin can see temperatures plummet to -20 degrees Celsius, and Beijing is routinely below zero degrees for most of winter. Even southern provinces can see extreme cold and require warm clothing. Only the most southerly locations like Hainan province and Hong Kong can stay warm throughout the winter. The benefit is that winter is the low season for tourism, so there are substantial discounts on hotels and hostels in many places.

Spring is marked by rising temperatures. In general, southern provinces get warm faster than northern ones. Dust storms blow across much of northern China during this time of year. Dust storms are not dangerous but might pose inconveniences for travel like interrupting bus transportation and sightseeing.

Note that elevation is as important as latitude and season in China. Weather in higher altitude places can be harsh even in the summer and change rapidly, so preparation is necessary for trips to places like Tibet and Qinghai.

Holidays

Travel during national holidays can be difficult in China. During holidays like National Day, tourist sites can be packed to the brim and sometimes it is better to stay at home than face the crowds.

The most difficult holiday to travel during is the Chinese New Year. According to Chinese tradition, all family members should return home to reunite during the Chinese New Year. Literally hundreds of millions of Chinese travel during this time, making buying bus and train tickets extremely difficult. Don’t expect to be able to travel easily during this holiday.

It can sometimes be difficult to get train tickets just before the school season begins in the beginning of September and again afters school starts up again after the Chinese New Year, in  mid-February. Tickets are scarce because students are all returning to school to attend classes. If you’re travelling around those times, consider budgeting a bit of extra time in case it’s hard to get the train tickets you want.