China's weather in May is pleasant with a relatively plentiful amount of sunshine and warm temperatures throughout China.
There is a stretch of warm, fairly dry weather before the summer heat and rains set in. May is one of the best times for traveling and sightseeing in China.
Read on for more about China's weather in May and our travel suggestions.
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- May Weather Conditions
- Weather in North China
- Weather in East China
- Weather in South China
- Weather in West China
- Top 7 Places to Visit in May
- Crowds and Costs
China Weather in May: Overview
- Average daily temperature range: 14–25°C (57–77°F), mild to warm
- Average rainfall: 101 mm (4 in), moderate
- Average rainy days: 7
- Average sunny days: 24
Weather in North China (Beijing, Xi'an...)
In North China, spring is at its best in May. The natural scenery is green and filled with flowers, and the weather is moderate. Although it is cool at night, the daytime temperatures are very comfortable for outdoor activities.
Taking Beijing as an example — the average temperature range is 14–26°C (57–79°F) and there are eight rainy days totaling 36 mm (1.5 in).
The blue sky may be seen in cities such as Beijing which rarely have blue sky during the rest of the year.
Clothing: A pullover or light jacket should be enough during the day.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Amazing time in Beijing
Tom has been an amazing guide during our trip to Beijing. He explained us a lot about all the attractions we have visited, giving details about the history behind.Always on time, always flexible to accomodate our needs and requests. He gave us a lot of great suggestions about what to do in the free time and about restaurants.Has been a real pleasure to have him as guide, hope everyone can have someone like him during their time in Beijing. more
Aug 2025, giulio
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Experienced and knowledgeable private guide
Mark is a knowledgeable private guide with good English skills. He always had a story or tips to share at each location we visited. Also he and Mr Joe the driver were very flexible. We were there leading up to a military parade and so some locations were restricted around Tiananmen Square and so they worked late to help us navigate the situation and accomplish our goal to see the square. more
Aug 2025, taylor kevin
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Best Experience Ever! (Thanks Bruce!)
We had the chance for traveling to the Great Wall (Mutianyu section) and we really enjoyed the experience.Bruce was our guide and was absolutely helpful and supportive.And also a great photographer! more
Aug 2025, giorgiocY8586FY
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Weather in East China (Shanghai, Hangzhou...)
East China has more rain than the north. Expect high humidity but pleasantly warm weather with moderate rainfall before the beginning of the summer monsoon season in June.
Taking Shanghai as an example — the average temperature range is 16–23°C (61–73°F) and there are 17 rainy days bringing a moderate 112 mm (4.5 in) of rain.
Clothing: Wear T-shirts, light trousers, and a jacket, and take a light waterproof or an umbrella.
Weather in South China (Guilin, Hong Kong...)
South China starts its long summer in May. Cities in the southern region are quite hot during the daytime. Guilin gets its monsoon rain early — the average temperature range is 20–27°C (68–81°F) and there are 23 rainy days amounting to an extremely high 341 mm (13 in) of rain.
You can wear T-shirts and shorts most of the time at this time of year. You may encounter rainy days in May, but it usually rains early in the morning and at night, so your trip won't be affected too much.
The warm weather also means that you don't need to take very much luggage.
Clothing: Wear T-shirts, shorts, and a light water-resistant jacket, and take an umbrella.
Weather in West China (Chengdu, Tibet, Yunnan...)
May is one of the best months for visiting the dry western regions as it is warmer without the high temperatures of the summer heat. It might rain for a short time but this won't affect your trip.
Cities at high altitudes enjoy a big temperature difference between the daytime and nighttime. Take Lhasa as a particularly dry example — the average temperature range is 6–20°C (43–68°F) and there are 9 days with a little rain — a semi-arid 27 mm (1 in).
Clothing: Pack a coat, some jackets, T-shirts, shorts, a hat, and sunglasses.
The Top 7 Places to Visit in May
May is a comfortable time to visit anywhere in China. In addition to the following destinations, you can tell us if you have any other destinations you want to go to. Our tours are customized. The itinerary will be tailored to your requirements.
1. Guilin
In May, the mountains around Guilin are covered with lush greenery, and colorful flowers add charm to the scenery.
It's a great time to visit the Longji Rice Terraces in Guilin when the terraced fields are irrigated but not yet obscured by growing rice.
You will see fantastic views of flooded fields reflecting the sky, and the ancient minority villages on the mountains will be shrouded in mist and fog.
Exploring the countryside by cycling in Yangshuo and appreciating the blossoms are also good to experience the vibrant springtime.
2. Beijing
May is one of the best times to visit the Great Wall. When the trees and plants turn green, the Wall snakes its way through lush vegetation.
If you like adventure, you could hike on a wild Great Wall section or experience camping on the Great Wall.
The stable and warm spring weather also makes visiting the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Summer Palace a good experience.
3. Xi'an
Xi'an enjoys warm and comfortable weather in May too. The comfortable daytime temperatures make a bicycle trip on the Xi'an City Wall a very pleasant experience.
A visit to the Terracotta Army is not to be missed. You could also experience making a mini clay warrior yourself with us.
Additionally, we recommend going to the Muslim Quarter to taste a variety of local food.
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Repeat visit to Xian - Excellent!
This time Jenny was my guide and she is a wealth of knowledge and very accommodating in regards to making sure my visit exceeded expectations. One thing I did really appreciate was her suggesting the best days and times to visit the sights to minimize the crowds as August is very busy with Chinese tourists heading to the same sights as was in my schedule. Everything went smoothly and while intense was never overwhelming. I also loved her choices for food and showing me places where the cuisine was unique to this province. more
Aug 2025, DMW1207
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X'ian an extraordinary experience with a great guide and driver
Xian is an extraordinary city, and Crystal was just as extraordinary. From the moment we arrived at the airport, both she and the driver proved to be reliable, helpful, and incredibly kind. We visited the Terracotta Museum, following her advice to leave early in the morning. This gave us the opportunity to see this extraordinary discovery up close with fewer people. The guide was always eager to explain something to us, whether it was about the language, history, or traditions. She's a person with a golden heart, very knowledgeable, and passionate about her work. Amidst so much history, there were plenty of opportunities for calligraphy and cooking classes. Not to forget the evening at the theatre organised by Crystal, who even took the time to buy our tickets and wait for us at the theatre, even though it was already evening.The driver was truly top-notch and incredibly kind. What can I say, an unforgettable experience. more
Aug 2025, Tanja T
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Xi'an trough Crystals eyes
We had the honor to explore the city together with Crystal and her driver. An amazing and heartwarming couple, always with a smile on their faces and ready to help out. Extremely knowledgeable and always with an explanation ready for us. The tour to the terracotta worriers was an unforgettable experience also thanks to our guides advice and explanations. We had the opportunity to get to know the city not only throughout museums but also trough the daily life. Been extremely happy and will certainly come back for more exploring. more
Aug 2025, Aurora P
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4. Tibet
Lhasa has good weather in May. It is mild and sunny with low rainfall. The flowers are in bloom and the trees are green.
As the temperature range is cool to mild, it's a great time to visit remote attractions, such as Everest Base Camp and Lake Yamdrok.
Experience the Tibetan spirit and Buddhism by visiting the Potala Palace and monasteries, such as Sera Monastery, and watching a unique monks' debate.
5. Zhangjiajie
May is the start of the rainy season in Zhangjiajie, yielding its misty scenery of "floating mountains". As the plants and trees have new green leaves and blooming flowers, its National Forest Park is especially worth exploring.
Try bungee jumping off the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, bike around the beautiful and non-touristy side of Tianmen Mountain, and enjoy the scenery on and off the beaten path route.
6. The Silk Road
Exploring the Silk Road during May is a fascinating and historically enriching experience.
The pleasant weather during May is ideal for visiting deserts and exploring the Zhangye National Geopark.
The scenery of Qinghai Lake is also at its best. Along the lake, vast fields of rapeseed flowers bloom, creating a beautiful contrast of yellow flowers against the endless blue waters.
A visit to the Mogao Caves is a must to admire intricate and early Buddhist art. Additionally, you could experience the unique cultural charm of Xinjiang by visiting local bazaars and towns.
7. Yunnan
May is a fantastic time to visit Yunnan as the weather is mild and pleasant with blooming flowers and lush greenery. It also offers a wide range of outdoor activities.
Explore the old town of Lijiang, pay a visit to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and experience the unique Naxi culture in the quaint villages at the foot of the mountains.
Hike through breathtaking Tiger Leaping Gorge and visit the ancient city of Dali, known for its Bai ethnic heritage.
Marvel at the magnificent stone forest formations near Kunming and discover the enchanting terraced fields of Yuanyang.
Crowds and Costs in May
As the summer crowds haven't arrived yet, May is one of the best times for traveling in China.
But it's important to note that the first week of May can be crowded because there is a 1-week Labor Day holiday. Hotel and airfare prices increase by 50% to 100% during this time.
If your time is flexible and you don't like having a crowded travel experience, we recommend that you avoid this week (around the May 1–5 holiday).
May 1–5 Travel Tips
Our customers and local guide in GuilinMake your reservations as early as possible (6 months or more in advance is best) for this holiday, as hotels, transport, and attractions can be sold out quickly.
Book a trip with a travel agency. It will make your trip more efficient in the crowds of May Day: using the travel agency entrance or VIP service means that you'll enjoy less queuing time, a private car is much more efficient, and a private tour can introduce some interesting hidden routes away from the crowds.
Crowds are expected, especially in popular tourist cities. But you could choose a less-traveled route, such as Western Sichuan, the Silk Road, Inner Mongolia, or a Yangtze River cruise.
Recommended China Tours
All of our tours can be customized or adjusted based on your requirements. Feel free to tell us your ideas to create your itinerary. Or you could see our popular China tours for inspiration:
- Family Happiness — 11-Day Beijing – Xi'an – Guilin/Yangshuo – Shanghai Tour
- The Golden Triangle — 8-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai Highlights Tour
- Land of Pandas — 2-Week Beijing – Xi'an – Chengdu – Yangtze Cruise – Shanghai Tour
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