July is the hottest month in Beijing, with daytime temperatures typically ranging from 25°C to 33°C (77°F to 91.4°F), and a maximum temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) possible.
The high humidity would make you feel quite sweltering.
Beijing July weatherJuly also marks the rainy season in Beijing, with frequent heavy rainfall typically occurring between the 20th-30th.
Traveling during this period might be impacted, and you may need to prepare another plan.
Therefore, we suggest visiting from the 1st-19th, when rainfall is less frequent and has minimal impact on your travel plans.
Clothing tips:
- Lightweight and breathable short sleeves, shorts, sun-protective jacket
- Sun hat, sunglasses, umbrella
4 Tips to Make Your Itinerary in July
1. Explore Outdoors in the Early Morning and Late Afternoon
In July, Beijing's outdoor temperature at noon will reach 33°C (91.4°F), which is unbearable especially for the elderly and children.
For attractions that require walking or have little shade, such as the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and the Great Wall, we suggest scheduling your visit between 8-11 am.
The Forbidden CityFor attractions with more shade, such as the Summer Palace and Hutongs, we suggest scheduling your visit between 4-7 pm.
See our 3-Day Classic Beijing Tour.
Our guests visited the Summer PalaceIn the late Afternoon, we recommend visiting Jingshan Park.
At Wanchun Pavilion, you could enjoy the beautiful sunset and evening glow, and overlook the spectacular panoramic view of the Forbidden City.
This attraction is suitable as the end of the day trip.
Panorama of the Forbidden City at sunset2. Arrange Indoor Activities in the Afternoon
When the afternoon heat becomes too intense, you could shift to enjoyable indoor activities.
If you like traditional Chinese culture or want interactive learning for children, we suggest visiting a family in the hutongs.
You could explore the architectural pattern of traditional Beijing houses, learn about the hutong lifestyle, and try activities like calligraphy, paper cutting, and Peking Opera mask painting.
Our guests learned paper cutting in the hutongIf you prefer a slow, relaxing time, consider afternoon tea at the Mansion's Palace.
You could take a rickshaw inside, and enjoy exquisite snacks and drinks in a beautiful Chinese courtyard accompanied by the elegant sound of zither.
Afternoon Tea at Prince's MansionOr if you want to go shopping, choose Wangfujing Shopping Street.
With not only a variety of Chinese specialty goods suitable as souvenirs, but also many famous brands from China and abroad, your shopping needs could be basically satisfied here.
Wangfujing Department Store3. Take Advantage of the Nighttime
You could also make the most of Beijing evenings to get a taste of the nightlife and cool off at the same time.
If you think it is too hot to visit the Great Wall during the day, we recommend visiting Simatai Great Wall at night.
You could take the cable car up to the wall and see the stunning night views.
Simatai is the most recommended section of the wall that is lit up and open to tourists at night. See our 2-Day Great Wall Mutianyu-Simatai Day-Night Tour.
Simajtai Great Wall at nightIf you are on the hunt for mouthwatering flavors, a night food tour is also a good option.
You could find authentic Beijing snacks in places like Nanluoguxiang, Wangfujing Street, Guijie or Qianmen Street.
Our guests tasted delicious food at Wangfujing Night MarketYou could also choose the Royal Gastronomy Museum to participate in an imperial banquet set and enjoy royal songs and dances.
Dressing up will enhance your immersive experience. We recommend light-weight Tang suits, which are suitable for summer.
Imperial Banquet ExperienceIf you are looking to experience lively nightlife, including bars, shopping, and night views, you could head to Houhai, Sanlitun or Guomao CBD to immerse yourself in the evening's vitality.
Sanlitun at night4. A Recommend Itinerary
A trip to Beijing in July usually takes 4-5 days. You will need 2-3 days to visit the main attractions.
If you want a deeper experience or plan to explore the surrounding areas, consider adding 1-3 more days.
Here is a recommended 5-day itinerary:
- DAY 1: Beijing Arrival
- DAY 2: Visit the Forbidden City, Hutongs (a family visit and a walking tour)
- DAY 3: Visit the Temple of Heaven, Afternoon Tea at Prince's Mansion, the Summer Palace
- DAY 4: Visit Jinshanling Great Wall, Night Tour at Simatai Great Wall
- DAY 5: Gubei Water Town and Beijing Departure
Since July is hot, we suggest a more relaxed itinerary for comfort (such as resting in a resort in the afternoon), allowing you to be more flexible in dealing with the weather.
There are many summer resorts around Beijing, such as Chengde (3-hour drive from Beijing), Shilin Gorge (1.5-hour drive from Beijing) and the Xilamuren Grassland (2.5-hour bullet train plus 2-hour drive from Beijing). Consider adding an additional 1-3 days.
If you have interest, feel free to contact us. Our itineraries can be customized or adjusted.
Xilamuren GrasslandCrowds and Costs
July is the peak tourist month in Beijing, making it the busiest time of the year. Attractions are usually crowded.
Compared to June and August, July tends to be hotter and sees the highest influx of visitors. If you have flexibility, consider visiting in June for cooler weather and fewer crowds.
If July is your only option, you could plan your explorations for early morning or late afternoon to avoid peak crowds and sweltering heat.
Additionally, visiting during the first or second week of July would help you dodge the busiest times.
Beijing is in high demand for travel in July, and the closer you book your flights and hotels to July, the higher the prices will be. To secure the best rates, we suggest you book your trip 1-2 months in advance.