As the world’s third largest country by land area, China’s weather varies dramatically from region to region. From the Uyghur outcrops in Central Asia to seasonal Beijing in the northeast and all the coast, countryside and cities in between, we’d be lying to say you’ll have consistent weather when travelling through China.
It all comes down to the trends to get a grasp of China’s climate. Most of China is very hot in July and August, and northern China gets bitterly cold with snow in the winter months (December-February). Northern inland China gets hot and dry summers, whereas Shanghai and parts of coastal and southern China have clear monsoon seasons, generally between April and September.
Here’s a bit more of a taste on what to expect in China’s hotspots:
Weather in Beijing
Beijing has four distinct seasons, with hot, dry summers and cold, frosty winters. Late winter and early spring can often bring a dust storm rolling in from the Gobi Desert. Three-quarters of Beijing’s average yearly rainfall (approximately 570 mm) falls from June to August.
MONTH |
AVERAGE HIGH |
AVERAGE LOW |
March to May |
19°C/66°F |
6°C/43°F |
June to August |
30°C/87°F |
20°C/68°F |
September to November |
18°C/65°F |
7°C/45°F |
December to February |
3°C/37°F |
-8°C/18°F |
Weather in Shanghai
Rainfall in Shanghai is concentrated to the stormy monsoon months – late spring through summer – and the rest of the year is relatively dry and settled. Summers are hot and humid, with some freak thunderstorms rolling through, on occasion. Winter is shorter, cool, and often cloudy with drizzle.
MONTH |
AVERAGE HIGH |
AVERAGE LOW |
March to May |
19°C/66°F |
11°C/51°F |
June to August |
30°C/87°F |
23°C/74°F |
September to November |
22°C/72°F |
15°C/59°F |
December to February |
9°C/48°F |
1°C/34°F |
Weather in Xi'an
Xi’an and the surrounding area, again, has four clear seasons. Snow occasionally falls in winter, and dust storms rip through the city in March and April as temperatures dramatically rise. One of Xi’an’s major problems is its air – having some of the poorest air quality in the country.
MONTH |
AVERAGE HIGH |
AVERAGE LOW |
March to May |
20°C/68°F |
9°C/48°F |
June to August |
30°C/87°F |
20°C/68°F |
September to November |
19°C/66°F |
10°C/50°F |
December to February |
6°C/43°F |
-3°C/27°F |
Weather in Yangshuo
To keep Yangshuo picturesque and green, rainfall is high and concentrated. Summers are super hot with frequent downpours, and winter brings with it grey skies and cool damp temperatures. Late September to early November are the ideal times to visit Yangshuo and the Li River. Snow in Yangshuo is very rare.
MONTH |
AVERAGE HIGH |
AVERAGE LOW |
March to May |
23°C/73°F |
16°C/60°F |
June to August |
32°C/89°F |
24°C/75°F |
September to November |
26°C/80°F |
16°C/60°F |
December to February |
13°C/56°F |
6°C/43°F |
Click to read about the best time to visit China
Click to read our China packing guide
Our tours in China
12 Days
From
4845
Take a small group Premium adventure that weaves together some of China’s most famous...
8 Days
From
1391
Take a trip through epic China and see the Terracotta Warriors, the Great Wall,...
19 Days
From
3910
Travel to China and tour Beijing, visit the Great Wall of China, see the Terracotta...
15 Days
From
4505
Travel from Beijing to Kathmandu on an epic overland journey, seeing the temples and...
15 Days
From
4505
Travel from Beijing to Kathmandu on an epic overland journey, seeing the temples and...
Tailor-Made trips
Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
12 Days
From
1295
Discover China’s northern hotspots with Intrepid on a 12-day trip to Beijing, the Great...
11 Days
From
2990
Visit energetic China, where culture, history and cuisine come together to create a...
12 Days
From
3410
Travel to the Land of the Dragon and explore Beijing, Xi'an, Yangshuo, Chengdu and Hong...
12 Days
From
1095
You’ll see the Terracotta Warriors, Chengdu pandas, Yangshuo’s beauty, the Great Wall...
12 Days
From
3300
Spend 12 days exploring northern China from Shanghai to Beijing, including Luoyang, the...
12 Days
From
2590
Embark on a 12-day adventure from Beijing to Hong Kong, exploring key highlights...