Huangshan (a city and region in central east China, which takes its name from the Yellow Mountains) is suitable for travel all year round with a different type of beauty for each season. The best time can vary depending on your preferences and what you want to experience.
The scenic area has a mountainous climate, which means it is colder and wetter than the surrounding area below. Temperatures are lower at higher altitudes. Be prepared for the change of weather as you ascend.
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- Best Times for Families & Couples
- Best Times for Hiking
- Best Times for Sunrise
- Best Times for Sea of Clouds
- Spring Weather
- Summer Weather
- Autumn Weather
- Winter Weather
Best Time to Visit Huangshan for Families and Couples
If your schedule is flexible, we recommend visiting Huangshan during the spring or autumn. During these two seasons, there are fewer tourists, pleasant weather, and beautiful scenery. (It's best to skip the peak periods during the first weeks of May and October.)
In spring, especially after the drizzle, it's the best time to witness the sea of clouds at Huangshan. You can also see vast fields of rapeseed flowers and visit nearby villages to observe spring farming activities.
Autumn allows you to enjoy a peaceful time to relax, enjoy the scenery, and sip a cup of tea. The mountains are adorned with vibrant autumn foliage, making it an excellent time for hiking.
If you're traveling with school-age children, Huangshan in summer won't disappoint either. Compared to spring and autumn, there are more tourists during the summer vacation, with June being relatively less crowded.
To avoid crowds, arrange some cultural activities such as learning to make fish-shaped lanterns. You could also visit a local family's vegetable field, pick the freshest vegetables, and even participate in cooking with freshly harvested ingredients.
Best Time to Hike in Huangshan
Walking up or trekking in Huangshan is a good choice if your physical condition permits. Your guide will plan the best route for you according to your condition and requirements.
For a better experience, you should choose a period with warmer weather, less rain, and fewer visitors. The following periods are the times we recommend for walking up Huangshan:
Mid-May to the beginning of June: There are fewer visitors than in the peak season and there is less rainfall. This is also the best period to admire the beautiful scenery of late spring and early summer.
Mid-October to November: The most popular season is over and the autumn breeze covers the mountains. You also have a better chance of having sunny days.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Best Mountain in China!
My husband and I had the best time in Huangshan with our guide, Tony. We were very lucky that the weather was clear when we were on the mountain because the views we had were incomparable! Tony also told us the best spot to experience sunrise on the mountain which was absolutely magical and 100% worth the hour of hiking in the dark. Tony was also an extremely kind and knowledgeable guide with so much insight, not only of the mountain, but also the local people and the surrounding area. He ensured that we had the best time and were safe at all time, especially when taking on the more challenging climb. We only managed to stay here for 2 nights but will definitely return for a longer stay and explore the rest of the hiking trail we didn't manage to explore this time around! more
Jan 2025, janicein B
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Amazing views
We got amazing views to the mountains and our guide Tony helped us get many spectacular views including the sunset by tailoring our itinerary as per the local conditions. I will recommend Tony as he has deep understanding of the area and is very friendly! Special thanks to Liberman for helping create the itinerary! more
Jan 2025, Mayur K
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Day tour to Xidi and Hungcun with Philip
Great day trip with Philip. He has great knowledge of local history and culture. He is very professional and helpful to make the trip unforgettable. more
Oct 2024, Gabriele M
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Best Times to View a Huangshan Sunrise and Sunset
Viewing a sunrise and sunset is one of the top things to do in Huangshan. Stay in the mountains to have the chance to enjoy the spectacular views.
Here is an approximate timetable of Huangshan sunrises and sunsets. You may refer to your guide for the actual times, and the hotels in the scenic area also have detailed timetables.
| Season | Spring (late Mar. to May) | Summer (Jun. to Sep.) | Autumn (Oct. and Nov.) | Winter (Dec. to early Mar.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunrise | 05:10 to 06:11 | 05:05 to 05:55 | 06:00 to 06:37 | 06:23 to 07:04 |
| Sunset | 18:19 to 18:57 | 18:05 to 19:12 | 17:09 to 17:53 | 17:07 to 18:13 |
Please note: The hotels in the mountains are harder to book, especially in the peak season. Book as early as you can.
Best Time to See the Sea of Clouds
Huangshan's sea of clouds scenery has been famous in both ancient and modern times. It is praised as one of the four wonders of Huangshan. Every November to May, you have the best chance to admire this view.
The best view appears when the sky clears up after rain or snow. In the twilight hours, the clouds are colored with red, orange, and yellow.
Huangshan in Spring
Spring in Huangshan is from late March to May.
Spring weather: The average temperature is from 5°C (41°F) to 10°C (50°F). It is mostly rainy, misty, and cloudy.
Spring arrives late in Huangshan. The brilliantly blooming flowers and fresh, crisp air are features of spring. Spring is one of the best seasons in Huangshan.
What to wear: Prepare layers of sweaters and a coat because the temperature gets lower the higher you climb. Wearing layers that can easily be taken on and off is convenient for comfort when hiking.
Spring is not the peak season: May 1 to 5 is the Labor Day holiday in China. Other than this period, there won't be too many visitors. You can enjoy a smooth journey in spring.
Huangshan in Summer
Summer in Huangshan is from June to September.
Summer weather: The temperature ranges from 13°C (55°F) to 19°C (66°F), with more rainfall than in spring.
In summer, Huangshan becomes a sea of green. It might be hot at the base but it gets cooler when you go higher up.
Summer is also the rainy season and the air is at its clearest. You can enjoy views of the mountains continuing into the distance. After the rain, the peaks are surrounded by mist, creating dream-like scenery.
What to wear: Prepare summer clothes and sun protection. Also, prepare a jacket for the evenings when the temperature gets lower. During summer thunderstorms with high winds, it is not recommended to use umbrellas due to safety concerns; raincoats are preferable.
Summer is the peak season: The long summer holiday for Chinese students and teachers falls in July and August. The Yellow Mountains region is crowded in this period. You'd better book 3 months in advance.
Huangshan in Autumn
Fall is from October to November.
Autumn weather: The temperature ranges from 4°C (39°F) to 11°C (52°F). The temperature turns cold, with less rainfall than in summer.
The climate is very comfortable and the scenery is stunningly beautiful in autumn. The Yellow Mountains region is one of the best places in China to enjoy fall foliage, looking down on the deciduous trees of the ravines and valleys. The pines, of course, retain their verdant needles.
What to wear: Prepare sweaters and a coat for this season.
The first week of October (1st–7th) is another peak season, being a national holiday, so Huangshan is more crowded, and it costs more to travel and stay in hotels. We recommend traveling after the holiday if your time is flexible.
Huangshan in Winter
Winter is from December to March.
Winter weather: The temperature during the daytime is about 3°C (37°F) and it drops to about -6°C (21°F) at night. The weather is freezing.
Winter is freezing up on the mountains and spectacular snowscapes are seen every year. Seas of clouds linger on the cold days in winter and the pine trees are frozen with rime, turning the mountains into a beautiful picture.
Additionally, it's an ideal moment to indulge in a hot spring experience following a mountain climb.
What to wear: Prepare warm winter clothes, including fleeces or a down jacket, and walking boots or snow boots that accept crampons (hirable there).
Winter is the off-season: The mountainside is much less crowded and it is much cheaper to travel. It's a good time to go if you are working with a budget.
Recommended Huangshan 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 Huangshan:
- 12-Day Guilin, Chengdu, Luoyang, Xian, Huashan and Beijing Tour
- 15-Day Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Huangshan and Shanghai
- 21-Day Shanghai–Suzhou–Huangshan–Hangzhou–Guilin–Zhangjiajie–Xi'an–Datong–Beijing
Huangshan Climate and Travel Information by Month
- Huangshan Weather in January
- Huangshan Weather in February
- Huangshan Weather in March
- Huangshan Weather in April
- Huangshan Weather in May
- Huangshan Weather in June
- Huangshan Weather in July
- Huangshan Weather in August
- Huangshan Weather in September
- Huangshan Weather in October
- Huangshan Weather in November
- Huangshan Weather in December