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Best (and Worst) Times to Visit Beijing (+Tips for All Months)

Best (and Worst) Times to Visit Beijing (+Tips for All Months)

Written by Chris QuanUpdated Sep. 25, 2023

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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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.

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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.

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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.

Click here to plan your tailor-made tour now. Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.

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.

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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.

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