A summary of the weather of Chengdu might read "an early spring, a hot summer, a cool autumn and a warm (relative to surrounding areas) winter".
The average mid-winter temperature (January is the coldest month) lies between 3–8°C (37–46°F), while the average summer temperature (July being the hottest month) lies between 22–29°C (72–84°F).
Sometimes likened to the city of London as regards the fog and the drizzly weather, Chengdu gets about 250–300 foggy, cloudy or rainy days each year.
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- Best Times for Pandas
- Best Times for Families & Couples
- Spring Weather
- Summer Weather
- Autumn Weather
- Winter Weather
The Best Times to See Pandas in Chengdu
The best seasons: Spring and autumn are the best times to see giant pandas. They are lazy on hot days and like to cool off in air-conditioned rooms.
The best time of day: Morning is the best time to see giant pandas because this is when they are most active. You will probably see them climbing trees, playing on the ground, and eating at about 9:30 am.
The best time to see baby pandas: March to May is the "falling in love" period for pandas. If you visit Chengdu between late August and December, you will have a greater chance of seeing tiny newborns and cuddly babies in the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
For a unique panda experience that is not heavily affected by the weather, we are pleased to present our exclusive Panda Volunteer Program. In this program, you will have the opportunity to prepare panda-friendly meals, maintain clean panda enclosures, observe their feeding sessions, and receive an official volunteer certificate.
See the Top 4 Places to See Giant Pandas in Chengdu.
The Best Times for Families & Couples
The best times to visit Chengdu are during the periods from March to June (excluding the first week of May) and from September to November (excluding the first week of October).
From March to June, you can revel in the refreshing spring colors that envelop the city, while September to November offers pleasant temperatures. Additionally, this time frame guarantees fewer crowds.
However, for families traveling with school-age children, the summer months are the most popular choice. June, in particular, can be a quieter option during the summer holidays.
Don't let the summer rains and crowds deter you, though. Our Chengdu itinerary is thoughtfully designed to account for peak season crowds and not-so-ideal weather conditions. Arrange suitable activities such as Sichuan cooking classes, interesting face-changing performances, and visits to less crowded wild panda bases.
Regardless of the season you choose for your visit, rest assured that we will manage all logistical aspects, including transportation and accommodation, to provide you with a stress-free travel experience. Just contact us.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Amazing DuJiangYan!
I had an amazing trip to Dujiangyan in Chengdu! The site itself is incredibly impressive, with its ancient irrigation system and stunning scenery. Our fantastic tour guide, Helen. She was knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about sharing the history and culture of the area. Her explanations made the visit much more meaningful. Highly recommend China Highlight for anyone visiting China! more
Jan 2025, Audrey
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Thanks to Helen and China Highlights for an amazing time in Chengdu.
I highly recommend Helen, who guided our group of three during a private two-day tour in Chengdu. From start to finish, Helen was proactive, enthusiastic and incredibly insightful. She shared fascinating information about the places we visited and offered deeper context about the culture and history of Chengdu and Sichuan. Her eloquent English, extensive local knowledge and friendly, accommodating nature truly elevated our experience. Her flexibility, patience and genuine passion made our stay far more enjoyable than it would have been on our own. She went above and beyond, making us feel like friends rather than just clients. Here are some highlights of what made our time with Helen so memorable: - Panda Centre: She knew exactly where and when to go to avoid crowds and see the pandas at their most active. - People's Park: She introduced us to the local lifestyle, including tea-drinking rituals, line dancing and even the fascinating 'marriage market.' - Local Market: At our request, she guided us to buy very sweet mandarins and pears from a local market. - Jinsha Museum: She provided detailed and engaging explanations, bringing the artifacts and history to life. - Jinli Old Street: She led us to the most interesting spots, helped us purchase local snacks and ensured we didn’t miss anything special. - Sichuan Opera: She arranged for us to watch an incredible performance at the city’s best opera house. - Local Restaurants: She took us to authentic local eateries far from the typical tourist traps — hidden gems we would never have found on our own, even with Baidu Maps. - Community Centre: As an unexpected bonus, Helen introduced us to a local community centre supporting the elderly and individuals with special needs, which was a heart-warming experience. more
Jan 2025, Dominic
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Helen In ChengDu. A great guide makes our trip even more pleasant and memorable
Helen in ChengDu was our guide. Beside her deep knowledge and experience, she is a very sweet, smiley and pleasant lady. She speaks very well English and Mandarin. Visited SanxinDui and the Panda was the best thing to do in Chengdu. Wish we had more time to explore. more
Dec 2024, Cindy
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Spring: Shoulder Season
Spring is from March to May. While winter can be cold and summer can get muggy, spring in Chengduisa happy medium, with average temperatures hovering between 10–20°C (50–70°F). Prepare shirts, thin sweaters, and a coat for the weather.
There are not too many tourists in Chengdu at this time. So you can enjoy a quieter environment to see pandas, start food hunting, etc.
It is also a good time to witness Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong in full of vigor. Remember that early May is especially busy due to the Labor Day holiday.
Summer: High Season
July and August are the hottest months in Chengdu, with average lows and highs of 22°C (70°F) and 30°C (85°F). Half of the annual rainfall is concentrated in July and August. Prepare summer clothes and an umbrella.
Vacationing families make the summer months one of the most popular times to visit Chengdu. Expect airfare and hotel rates to be at their peak and availability to below. Book 3 months in advance.
Some towns and villages in western and northern Sichuan areas are good places to escape the heat and the crowds. See the 9-Day Panoramas of Western Sichuan Tour
Jiuzhaigou Valley, Mt. Qingcheng, and Mt. Emei are also ideal places to escape the summer heat.
Autumn: Best Season
Autumn is from October to November. This is a season with sharp and frequent temperature changes. A few chilly days could be followed by relatively hot weather.
The average low and high temperatures are respectively 15°C (59°F) and 21°C (70°F) in October, and 9°C (50°F) and 16°C (61°F) in November. Prepare a shirt, sweater, and jacket to cope with the weather.
This is one of the best times of the year to visit Chengdu due to the comfortable weather and the drop in Chinese tourists.
The autumn scenes at Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong are among the most beautiful in China. See the best places to see fall foliage near Chengdu.
Winter: Low Season
Winter is from December to February. Chengdu is at its quietest during these cold winter months when it is usually cold, damp, and grey, with little rainfall.
The average low and high temperatures are around 2–10°C (36–49°F). It is good to enjoy hot pot on cold days. Prepare a sweater and down jacket for winter.
The drop in temperature means a drop in both airfare and hotel rates, which makes this a great time to visit the city if you're looking for a bargain and are not bothered by a little cold.
Pandas are also very active in winter. Xiling Snow Mountain and Bipenggou are great places for skiing.
Our Popular Chengdu Tours
All of our tours can be adjusted or customized based on your requirements. Just contact us if you have a good idea about what you want to do. You could also start from one of our popular itineraries including Chengdu:
- 13-Day Shanghai, Chengdu, Xian, Pingyao and Beijing
- 12-Day Beijing, Chengdu, Yangtze River Cruise, and Shanghai Tour
- 15-Day Kunming–Dali–Lijiang–Chengdu–Jiuzhaigou–Dunhuang–Jiayuguan
Chengdu Climate Information by Month
- Chengdu Weather in January
- Chengdu Weather in February
- Chengdu Weather in March
- Chengdu Weather in April
- Chengdu Weather in May
- Chengdu Weather in June
- Chengdu Weather in July
- Chengdu Weather in August
- Chengdu Weather in September
- Chengdu Weather in October
- Chengdu Weather in November
- Chengdu Weather in December