The best times to visit Beijing are spring (April and May) and fall (September and October) when, on average, the weather is the most pleasant and the views are the most spectacular.
However, good weather also means increased costs and tourists. Is there a time that has good weather while benefiting from smaller crowds and affordable prices? Take a look at our weather tips and recommendations below.
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Best Times to Visit Beijing for Good Weather
The best times to visit Beijing for good weather are during the spring and autumn months.
Spring, from April to May, offers mild temperatures, clear skies, and blooming flowers, making it a delightful time to explore the city's historical sites and parks.
Autumn, from September to October, provides crisp air, comfortable temperatures, and vibrant foliage, creating a picturesque backdrop for your sightseeing adventures.
Accordingly, these periods usually attract more tourists and see higher prices.
Our tip: Traveling before or after the most popular times is a smart value-for-money choice, such as late March or early November.
These are transition periods. The weather won't vary very much, which means you could enjoy a less touristy environment and a better price while still enjoying decent weather.
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Beauty in the hustle and bustle of Beijing
With the delightful and knowledgeable tour guide, Kelly, and the skilful and friendly driver, Guo Wei, we were able to visit several key and historical places in the city.
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Fantastic tour
Excellent tour with an awesome guide -Selinda Zhang! Ask for her in your tour. She was flexible when I wanted. I recommend her highly
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A nice trip to Beijing with a caring and knowledgeable guide
We came to China and first stop was at Beijing. Helen, the excellent guide came with a big car and a nice lady driver(name forgotten).
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Best Times to Visit the Great Wall
The best time to visit the Great Wall is from September to November, with less rain, comfortable temperatures, and more clear days for you to enjoy hiking and photography.
The Great Wall could be visited for sightseeing throughout all four seasons of the year. Each season has its unique scenery. See more on The Best Times to Visit the Great Wall.
Best Times to Visit Beijing for a Family Trip
For families with children in school, your travel time would usually need to be matched to your children's school timetable. The summer vacation (June to August) is usually the available time for a trip.
June could be a good travel month for a summer vacation trip (if you can get the time off school) for weather that's not too hot, fewer tourists, and more reasonable prices.
The period around mid-August or after could also be a good option for relatively fewer crowds.
If you are planning a family trip to China, you could get ideas and tips from our How to Plan Your First-Time Family Trip to China.
You could also contact us to customize your itinerary to meet and balance your whole family's interests and requirements without any hassles.
Best Times to Visit Beijing for Low Prices
December to February is the off-season in Beijing. Hotel prices are relatively low and there are fewer crowds except for in late December because of the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The Worst Times to Visit Beijing
The time we wouldn't recommend visiting Beijing is when the city is at its peak tourism times as there are too many tourists, especially on the Great Wall and in the Forbidden City.
This period usually falls in July and August as well as China's two golden weeks for tourism: May Day (May 1–5) and National Day (October 1–7).
Our tips:
Choose to travel before or after these holidays. That way, you could avoid the crowds and enjoy a more reasonable price.
If your schedule is fixed, there are still many helpful solutions to ensure a good travel experience. For example, we could take you to visit a comparatively less-crowded section of the Great Wall at Jinshanling or Gubeikou, arrange a VIP channel for you to skip the queues, and make flexible plans to cope with any overcrowding.
Feel free to contact us to arrange your trip. We will design the best itinerary for you based on your interests and requirements.
Beijing Travel Guide by Month
Click the links for each month below to check out more detailed Beijing weather and travel guide information.
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
Beijing in January
- Average daily temperature range: -6–3°C (21–37°F)
- Average rainy days: 5
- Average sunny days: 26
In January, Beijing experiences occasional snowfall with cold temperatures, but indoor heating systems keep things cozy.
January is Beijing's off-peak season, except for the New Year holiday (January 1–3), making it a cost-effective choice.
Visiting the Great Wall during this time offers snowy landscapes. It is also good for hiking on clear days.
Skiing and enjoying hot springs in a wonderful ski resort are also good for a December trip.
See more on Beijing Weather in January.
Beijing in February
- Average daily temperature range: -4–6°C (25–43°F)
- Average rainy days: 4
- Average sunny days: 24
February is the third-coldest month in Beijing. If you visit Beijing in February, you would experience a quieter city and you could immerse yourself in the vibrant celebrations of Chinese New Year (in 1 in 3 years, it falls in January not February).
Many parks host temple fairs for the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year). The fair at the Temple of Earth is the most popular one. You could see many traditional Chinese crafts and taste authentic Beijing food.
During the Spring Festival, major attractions remain open, including the Great Wall and the Forbidden City.
See more on Beijing Weather in February.
Beijing in March
- Average daily temperature range: 3–15°C (37–59°F)
- Average rainy days: 4
- Average sunny days: 27
March sees Beijing's transition out of winter and into spring.
The weather starts to warm up slightly, although it can still be a bit chilly. March could be a good time to visit Beijing, especially if you're looking for favorable prices and a quieter travel environment.
See more on Beijing Weather in March.
Beijing in April
- Average daily temperature range: 10–23°C (50–73°F)
- Average rainy days: 4
- Average sunny days: 26
In April, Beijing enters spring. The Great Wall displays rejuvenated vegetation while flowers bloom in parks across the city.
The pleasant weather marks the beginning of the peak season. Despite increased visitors compared to the off-season, April offers a manageable crowd level.
Various activities are suitable, such as hiking the Great Wall, embarking on a food tour, and exploring the Forbidden City.
See more on Beijing Weather in April.
Beijing in May
- Average daily temperature range: 16–29°C (61–84°F)
- Average rainy days: 5
- Average sunny days: 26
May is a peak travel time in Beijing, especially the Labor Day holiday (May 1–5). If you're traveling during this period, make sure to book tickets and hotels at least a month in advance.
If your schedule allows, we recommend planning your trip after the holiday to avoid the crowds and get a better travel experience.
See more on Beijing Weather in May.
Beijing in June
- Average daily temperature range: 21–32°C (70–90°F)
- Average rainy days: 9
- Average sunny days: 21
June is a good choice for family travel to avoid the upcoming peak time of July and August.
Beijing starts to get hot in June. Consider visiting the Great Wall around sunset or taking a night tour to avoid the daytime heat. Enjoying an evening culinary adventure is another ideal option.
Alternatively, Beijing offers many interesting and cultural indoor activities, such as learning Chinese calligraphy with a senior hutong resident.
See more on Beijing Weather in June.
Beijing in July
- Average daily temperature range: 24–33°C (75–91°F)
- Average rainy days: 12
- Average sunny days: 19
In July, China's summer vacation begins and Beijing sees an influx of tourists. To avoid the domestic crowds and avoid the heat or occasional rain, we could arrange various family experiences for you. You could take a cooking class, participate in a family morning exercise experience at the Temple of Heaven, or take a rickshaw ride to explore the hutongs.
For an enhanced Great Wall experience, we recommend visiting the Jinshanling section. It is less crowded and best for hiking.
The Mutianyu section is a preferable option for younger kids with easy access and a fun toboggan ride experience to descend.
You could get more ideas and tips on How to Plan a Summer Trip to China.
See more on Beijing Weather in July.
Beijing in August
- Average daily temperature range: 23–32°C (73–90°F)
- Average rainy days: 9
- Average sunny days: 22
August is also a peak season month in Beijing, but the number of tourists decreases after the middle of the month as the summer vacation ends.
To escape the heat, Beijing's vibrant nightlife offers solutions, such as a nighttime food hunting discovery tour or a night tour of the Great Wall.
Museums, such as the Beijing Museum of Natural History and the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution, provide an immersion in knowledge and could be a good choice to get respite from the heat.
Visiting the Temple of Confucius and the Imperial Academy could also be good options for a family trip. They would enable your kids to learn about the roots of Chinese culture.
See more on Beijing Weather in August.
Beijing in September
- Average daily temperature range: 17–27°C (63–81°F)
- Average rainy days: 6
- Average sunny days: 24
September's warm and sunny weather makes it one of the best months to explore Beijing.
The favorable conditions suit various activities, such as hiking or camping on the Great Wall, taking cooking classes, a relaxing city walk, a food tour, and more.
Moreover, compared to the crowded months of July and August, there are fewer tourists, allowing for a more enjoyable experience.
See more on Beijing Weather in September.
Beijing in October
- Average daily temperature range: 9–19°C (48–66°F)
- Average rainy days: 7
- Average sunny days: 23
With clear and cool weather, October in Beijing is ideal for admiring autumn landscapes on the Great Wall. If you're into photography or simply love capturing memories, the sunset view at Jinshanling is a must-see.
The pleasant temperatures also make a stroll in the Forbidden City a comfortable experience, offering picturesque autumn scenes. The ancient red palace walls are adorned with cascades of golden and crimson leaves, creating a harmonious dance between architecture and nature.
However, do note that the National Day holiday (October 1–7) is a peak travel time with many visitors.
See more on Beijing Weather in October.
Beijing in November
- Average daily temperature range: 1–10°C (34–50°F)
- Average rainy days: 5
- Average sunny days: 25
In November, temperatures start to drop in Beijing and the city enters the off-peak season.
Many of Beijing's attractions are architectural and cultural landmarks, which are less affected by weather changes. Therefore, November is a favorable time to explore the city. It offers budget-friendly travel, cool and mostly dry weather, and a better overall experience with fewer crowds.
See more on Beijing Weather in November.
Beijing in December
- Average daily temperature range: -5–4°C (23–39°F)
- Average rainy days: 7
- Average sunny days: 24
December in Beijing often sees the city's first winter snowfall and major ski resorts are open for skiing.
Popular attractions, such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, tend to have fewer visitors, providing a better visiting experience.
Universal Beijing Resort hosts a light show on New Year's Eve. If you're celebrating Christmas with kids, Gubei Water Town is also a great option, offering markets, Christmas parades, light displays by drones, and various ice activities.
See more on Beijing Weather in December.
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