China Weather
| China Live Weather on Feb. 04, 2012 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
35°F - 18°F |
47°F - 32°F |
46°F - 41°F |
49°F - 48°F |
67°F - 63°F |
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Yalong Bay in Sanya, Hainan Island. Hainan Island is the best place to escape chilly winter in China.
China is a huge country, about the same size as the USA or Europe, with the greatest range of weather of any country on the planet. So, before you travel to China, it is recommended that you check the weather conditions. China is vast, and the climate and conditions vary widely from region to region.
Climates range from desert in Xinjiang (the Northwest), to Inner Mongolian grasslands, to temperate and alpine forests and farmlands, to rice paddies and sub-tropical vegetation, to tropical rainforest, to sunny beaches. There is the vast high-altitude plateau of Tibet and archipelagos of tropical islands.
Along with the seasons, latitude and altitude affect the temperature dramatically, with temperatures as low as -40°C in the north and as high as 40°C in the south. Distance from the monsoon rains of the tropics, generally defines the amount of rainfall in China, along with distance from the Pacific Ocean and the presence of mountains.
Tourist Destinations
A grassland in Tibet. Tibet weather features clear skies and big temperature changes.
Beijing and Xi'an are dry, hot in summer and cold in winter. Shanghai (along with nearby Hangzhou, Suzhou and the Yellow Mountains), Guilin, and Hong Kong all experience monsoon rains in the spring and summer, with hot summers and milder winters.
Tourists visit Harbin in winter for its ice festival and ski slopes. Tibet has clear skies and big daily temperature differences and is best avoided in the frigid winter. The Silk Road in the Northwest is also best explored in the warmer months, when the deserts and barren vistas are at their best.
Tropical Hainan is a sunny escape for holidaymakers at any time of year. Chengdu is the overcast city, with muggy hot summers and cold dreary winters, and Kunming is the "Spring City" with pleasant mild weather all year round. For other tourist destinations see the list below.
North-Central China
Winter in Yabuli Ski Resort, Northern China. The daytime temperatures would be around -30°C
North-Central China (Beijing, Xi’an) is similar in climate to Nebraska and Kansas, with less snow and rain during the winter. Dry with hot summers and cold winters, late winter and early spring bring regular dust storms and haze.
South-central China
Southern and Central China (Shanghai, Guangzhou) is comparable to the Gulf Coast states, through winter storms do not occur as often. Rainfall is concentrated in the stormy monsoon months from late spring through summer, leaving autumn and winter relatively dry and settled. Summer is hot and humid. Winter is shorter, cool, and often overcast with drizzle.
Northeast China
Northeast China (Shenyang, Harbin) is similar to Minnesota. Dry with a short warm summer, and a long and very cold winter.
Western China
Crescent Lake near Dunhuang, Western China. The annual precipitation is around 23mm here.
Xinjiang (Urumqi, Kashgar) experiences severe desert conditions with dramatic daily temperature swings. Summer can get very hot during the day, but generally cools off at night. Similarly, winter temperatures warm up during the day but plummet at night. In dramatic contrast to the desert are the snowcapped Heavenly Mountains, with their verdant pastures, near Urumqi.
Tibet (Lhasa, Shigatse) also sees marked daily temperature changes. When the sun shines (and Tibet is known for its blue skies), temperatures reach the mid 80s Fahrenheit (around 30°C) in the summer and the mid-60s (around 20°C) in the winter. At night or when it rains or snows, temperatures drop rapidly, maybe by 40 or 50°F (20 or 30°C). Precipitation is minimal in the winter; summer showers are more common, but occur mainly at night.
Best Time to Visit China
The best time to cruise on the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo is April to July, when scenery is at its best in the sun or mountain mists, and when the river has plenty of water.
Choosing the best time to visit China depends on which places you wish to visit, and what type of weather you enjoy. May, September and October are the peak tourist months at China's most popular destinations when the weather is most comfortable, but prices are higher, and everywhere is more crowded.
Prices drop a bit in the shoulder season, which runs from late March through April and from June through August. The low season arrives in late November, and continues through the winter when there are fewer crowds and the prices are lower. Have a look at our China top tours 2012 and choose your time of travel.
See Best Times to Go to China for a more comprehensive coverage of this topic.
The best time to see fall colors in China is from late October to early December, as parts of the country are saturated with fall hues.
China Weather by Month
China Weather by City
- Anshun Weather
- Beijing Weather
- Chengde Weather
- Chengdu Weather
- Chongqing Weather
- Dalian Weather
- Fenghuang Weather
- Guangzhou Weather
- Guilin Weather
- Guiyang Weather
- Haikou Weather
- Hangzhou Weather
- Harbin Weather
- Hohhot Weather
- Hong Kong Weather
- Huanglong Weather
- Huangshan Weather
- Jiuzhaigou Weather
- Kashgar Weather
- Kaili Weather
- Kunming Weather
- Leshan Weather
- Lhasa Weather
- Lijiang Weather
- Longsheng Weather
- Luoyang Weather
- Macau Weather
- Mount Tai Weather
- Nanjing Weather
- Nanning Weather
- Ningbo Weather
- Qingdao Weather
- Sanjiang Weather
- Sanya Weather
- Shanghai Weather
- Shangri-la Weather
- Shenzhen Weather
- Shigatse Weather
- Suzhou Weather
- Taiwan Weather
- Tibet Weather
- Tianjin Weather
- Turpan Weather
- Urumqi Weather
- Wuhan Weather
- Xi'an Weather
- Xining Weather
- Xiamen Weather
- Yantai Weather
- Yangzhou Weather
- Yichang Weather
- Zhuhai Weather
Hi Elynn,
Thank you for your inquiry!
Regarding your inquiry about the weather & typhoon condition in Hong Kong in September, it is quite hot and humid with a constant threat of showers, thunderstorms and typhoons. Since you are travelling with your family, please prepare umbrellas, summer clothes and sun protection, you will need them. It is very common for the temperature to exceed 31 °C (87 °F).
By the way, you are coming from our detailed date page of Hong Kong Weather in September (http://www.chinahighlights.com/hong-kong/weather/september.htm), the data is based on former weather, it just for your reference.
Hope it helps.
Please feel free to let me know if there is anything that we can assist you with your China vacation.
Wish you and your family a nice weekend! ;-)
Hi Natalie, I recommend our Beijing tour packages to you. Please click here for details: http://www.chinahighlights.com/beijing/tours.htm. How many people in your group? I can tailor make an itinerary for you.
Dear Md Mahmudul Hoque,
You could bring some thermal clothes there, such as an overcoat and a pair of thick trousers. Moreover, a hat, a scarf and a pair of gloves are also suggested to keep warm.
Besides, the shopping moll will be open at that time. You can search more information on the website http://www.chinahighlights.com/beijing/shopping.htm.
Hope it helps.
if you travel to the north, it is damp with occasional rainfall. Please visti our website at http://www.chinahighlights.com/taiwan/weather/february.htm for more details.
Hi,
May be or may be not. But I will help last year's drought will not happen again.
Beijing's winter lasts from Dec. to Feb. According to the weather in past years, the temperature in late Feb. ranges from -3 °C (27 °F) to 6 °C (43 °F), and the wind could be strong. Hence, a down jacket, gloves and a scarf might be prepared.
Generally speaking, Hangzhou becomes warm since early March, and there would be overcast and rainy day in March. However, Hangzhou's rainy seasons are April, July and December.
Hi Deepanshu,
Thank you for your inquiry! ;-)
Regarding your inquiry about the weather condition of Harbin, I have checked the weather information these days, it is still 10 Centigrades below zero, so it should be no problem for the Festival. And I have also called the organizer but they cannot tell the accuracy ending date.
Please visit their official website for more information: http://www.isharbin.com/
Or Call them at 86-451-87656661
Hope it helps.
Please feel free to contact us if you need any assistance for your China trip.
Wish you a nice day!
Dear Jasmine,
The sandstorm mainly takes place in April and it happens once every three or five days. You may bring something just in case to protect you from it, such as a hat or a respirator.
Hope it helps.
