Climate and Seasons

Climatic characteristics of China

North China
The North China region encompasses Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, and central Inner Mongolia, predominantly featuring a temperate monsoon climate. Summers are hot and rainy, while winters are cold and dry. Taking Beijing as an example, the average temperature in summer (June to August) ranges from 22 to 26℃, with the highest temperature reaching 38℃. Travelers should prepare rain gear and sunscreen products. In winter (December to February), the average temperature is -10 to 5℃, with the lowest temperature at night reaching -15℃. It is cold and dry, so travelers should bring down jackets, cotton hats, gloves, etc. Beijing boasts pleasant climates in spring and autumn, with autumn being the most recommended season.

East China
The East China region includes Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi, and Shandong provinces, with a predominantly subtropical monsoon climate and concentrated rainfall in summer. Taking Shanghai as an example, the climate is mild and humid, with short spring and autumn seasons and longer winter and summer seasons. The average temperature in January, the coldest month, is above 3℃, while the average temperature in July, the hottest month, is 28℃. During the rainy season (June and July), travelers should prepare rain gear, and for the wet and cold autumn and winter, down jackets should be prepared.

Central and Southern China
The central-south region includes Henan Province, Hunan Province, Hubei Province, Guangdong Province, Guangxi Province, and Hainan Province, with predominantly subtropical monsoon and tropical monsoon climates. Taking Guangzhou as an example, it belongs to the subtropical monsoon climate, characterized by warm and rainy weather, abundant sunshine and heat, long summers, and short frost-free periods. The average temperature in January is 8-16℃, and the average temperature in July is 28℃, making it one of the major cities in China with the smallest annual temperature difference. Guangzhou is known as the "Flower City" for its evergreen seasons and profusion of flowers.

Southwest region
The southwest region includes Chongqing, Sichuan Province, Guizhou Province, Yunnan Province, and the Xizang Autonomous Region, mainly featuring a subtropical monsoon climate. Taking Chongqing as an example, the average temperature in January is 1-8℃, and in July it is 21-29℃. The annual average precipitation is abundant, mostly concentrated from May to September. The annual sunshine duration is one of the lowest in China, with frequent fog, thus it is known as the "fog capital". Due to high humidity, the diet tends to be spicy.

Northwest China
The northwest region encompasses Shaanxi Province, Gansu Province, Qinghai Province, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, predominantly characterized by a temperate continental climate. It is prone to drought and water scarcity, with extensive deserts and frequent sandstorms. Taking Xi'an as an example, the city experiences distinct four seasons: cold, warm, dry, and wet. Winters are cold and foggy, springs are warm and dry, summers are hot and rainy, and autumns are cool and pleasant. The average temperature in January ranges from -11 to 3.5℃, while in July it is between 21 and 28℃. During travel, it is important to stay hydrated.

Northeast China
The Northeast region, encompassing Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning provinces, predominantly features a temperate continental climate. Summers are warm and fleeting, whereas winters are cold and protracted, with substantial snowfall, making it a renowned skiing destination. Taking Harbin as an example, winters are long and chilly, while summers are brief and cool. The average temperature in January ranges from -15 to -5℃, while the average temperature in July is approximately 24℃. The annual average precipitation stands at 569.1 millimeters, predominantly concentrated in June to September, with the peak snowfall period occurring from November to January of the following year. In winter, it is advisable to prepare cotton boots, thick down jackets, cotton hats, gloves, and other necessary gear.

Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions
The regions of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan primarily experience a subtropical monsoon climate. They are hot in summer and warm in winter, with distinct four seasons. Taking the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as an example, the annual average temperature is 23.3℃. The temperature in winter may drop below 10℃, while in summer it rises above 31℃. Rainfall is concentrated from May to September, accounting for about 80% of the annual rainfall.

 

Travel season

Spring (March to May)
Major tourist cities in China are all embracing the beautiful spring season. You can take advantage of the Easter holiday to embark on a spring outing trip to China. Here are some recommended destinations with the most distinctive features:
Nyingchi, Xizang: During the Peach Blossom Festival around April, the wild peach blossoms bloom all over the mountains, creating a splendid scene under the snow-capped peaks.
Luoyang, Henan: The Luoyang Peony Culture Festival is held in mid-April every year, with a sea of flowers in full bloom.
Guilin, Guangxi: In April, the Lijiang River is shrouded in misty rain, creating a picturesque scenery.
Xishuangbanna, Yunnan: In mid-April, the ethnic minority Water-Splashing Festival, known as the "Oriental Carnival", sees people taking to the streets, joyfully splashing each other with water, creating a spectacular scene.

Summer (June to August)
China is vast in territory, and there are significant differences and various landscapes within the same summer season. During the summer vacation, the temperatures at the seaside and in the mountains are pleasant, making them ideal for longer travel journeys.
Qingdao, Shandong: a renowned coastal resort city that hosts the International Beer Festival every July and August, bringing the whole city into a carnival-like atmosphere.
Lijiang, Yunnan: The Old Town of Lijiang, nestled beneath the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, is a world cultural heritage site. In summer, the highest temperature here is around 26℃, with a pleasant climate that is ideal for vacation and travel.
Hulunbeir, Inner Mongolia: Summer is the most beautiful season for grasslands. The Hulunbeir grassland, one of the four major grasslands in the world, boasts cool temperatures and magnificent scenery, making it a highly recommended summer resort. Especially the Nadam Fair held in July and August, which is an annual grand festival for the grassland ethnic groups, featuring horse racing, wrestling, archery, and various delicious foods, all with unique characteristics.
Guiyang, Guizhou: With a maximum temperature of around 25°C in summer, it is known as the summer resort capital and is highly suitable for tourism and vacation.

Autumn (September to November)
China in autumn boasts pleasant weather and vibrant colors. The most recommended cities are as follows:
Beijing, the capital: In autumn, Beijing is filled with yellow ginkgo trees, red maple trees, and the fragrance of roast duck and hot pot, making it hard for people to leave.
Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area, Sichuan: National Geographic has rated it as the most beautiful place in China during autumn. The colorful Aba Prefecture in autumn is as beautiful as a fairy tale world.
Ejin, Inner Mongolia: Ejin is one of the three remaining euphrates poplar forest areas in the world. In autumn, the euphrates poplar forest in the desert is golden and fiery red, making it a favorite spot for photographers.
Yuanyang, Yunnan: The Hani terraced fields of Honghe State is the 45th World Cultural Heritage site in China. When the sun rises, the sunlight casts a golden glow on the water-filled terraces, creating a magnificent scene.

Winter (December to February)
China's distinct climate differences between the north and south during winter make it a great choice for Christmas and New Year vacations.
Harbin, Heilongjiang: It is a renowned international city of ice and snow culture, often referred to as the "Oriental Moscow" and "Oriental Little Paris". The International Ice and Snow Festival, which kicks off every January, is the longest-running ice and snow festival globally.
Sanya, Hainan: Located at the southern tip of Hainan Island in China, it is known as the "Oriental Hawaii" and is a popular vacation destination for escaping the cold winter.
Mount Huangshan, Anhui: It is renowned for its "Five Wonders" - extraordinary pines, peculiar rocks, sea of clouds, hot springs, and winter snow. Winter is the most wonderful season to visit Mount Huangshan, and after the snowfall, the mountain appears dreamlike and illusory.
Guangzhou, Guangdong: It is a city of gourmet food in China, where you can taste various dim sum, desserts, seafood, etc. The average temperature in winter here is 17℃-25℃.
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: It is the third largest financial center globally, serving as a significant hub for trade, shipping, and international innovation and technology. The temperature here in winter hovers around 20°C. It is renowned as the Pearl of the Orient, a gourmet paradise, and a shopping haven.