China's weather in May is pleasant with a relatively plentiful amount of sunshine and warm temperatures throughout China.
There is a stretch of warm, fairly dry weather before the summer heat and rains set in. May is one of the best times for traveling and sightseeing in China.
Read on for more about China's weather in May and our travel suggestions.
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- May Weather Conditions
- Weather in North China
- Weather in East China
- Weather in South China
- Weather in West China
- Top 7 Places to Visit in May
- Crowds and Costs
China Weather in May: Overview
- Average daily temperature range: 14–25°C (57–77°F), mild to warm
- Average rainfall: 101 mm (4 in), moderate
- Average rainy days: 7
- Average sunny days: 24
Weather in North China (Beijing, Xi'an...)
In North China, spring is at its best in May. The natural scenery is green and filled with flowers, and the weather is moderate. Although it is cool at night, the daytime temperatures are very comfortable for outdoor activities.
Taking Beijing as an example — the average temperature range is 14–26°C (57–79°F) and there are eight rainy days totaling 36 mm (1.5 in).
The blue sky may be seen in cities such as Beijing which rarely have blue sky during the rest of the year.
Clothing: A pullover or light jacket should be enough during the day.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Beijing in a day
My partner found this company and booked with ease and no hassle. From start to finish we have been so looked after, upon arrival in Beijing after a train from Shanghai we were met by our guide Selinda. She has been amazing through out the day, flexible with times. She showed us the best place to get some food and then taking us to and from the Great Wall was filled with information and little facts. Plenty of time was given to explore the wall and then we were taken for some dumplings to revive us. Selinda made sure we were looked after and ensured we got back on the correct train. She made this trip so much less stressful and much more enjoyable. Would highly recommend this company for future use. more
Jan 2025, French-Biscuit14
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Great way to tour Beijing
My daughter and I toured Beijing with Selinda. She was prompt, professional, friendly, and helpful. We saw Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Mutianyu Great Wall section. At each site she shared the history and offered suggestions of good places for pictures. She was attentive to us and made sure we had everything we needed. The driver was helpful and having him drop us off and pick us up was immensely helpful. We toured the Summer Palace with Jason and he also did a stellar job sharing interesting facts and information which gave us context and a greater appreciation of what we saw. Jason, like Selinda, did a splendid job suggesting good photo spots and always happily offered to take our picture for us. I highly recommend these two tour guides and the driver. This was a great way to see some of the tourist attractions in Beijing. more
Jan 2025, Chris
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Epic time in Beijing with Selinda Zhang
A huge shoutout to our most awesome tour guide Selinda Zhang!!! She is a walking talking encyclopaedia with a wealth of knowledge both historic and current. She made our visits to well preserved historical sites all the more interesting sharing architecture, literature, Chinese penmanship and poems to highlight the significance of each site we visited! She engages both adults and children and usually reticent kids were asking questions and learnt heaps about Beijing history this trip. We had an epic time in Beijing thanks to Selinda!! more
Jan 2025, Hwei ling C
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Weather in East China (Shanghai, Hangzhou...)
East China has more rain than the north. Expect high humidity but pleasantly warm weather with moderate rainfall before the beginning of the summer monsoon season in June.
Taking Shanghai as an example — the average temperature range is 16–23°C (61–73°F) and there are 17 rainy days bringing a moderate 112 mm (4.5 in) of rain.
Clothing: Wear T-shirts, light trousers, and a jacket, and take a light waterproof or an umbrella.
Weather in South China (Guilin, Hong Kong...)
South China starts its long summer in May. Cities in the southern region are quite hot during the daytime. Guilin gets its monsoon rain early — the average temperature range is 20–27°C (68–81°F) and there are 23 rainy days amounting to an extremely high 341 mm (13 in) of rain.
You can wear T-shirts and shorts most of the time at this time of year. You may encounter rainy days in May, but it usually rains early in the morning and at night, so your trip won't be affected too much.
The warm weather also means that you don't need to take very much luggage.
Clothing: Wear T-shirts, shorts, and a light water-resistant jacket, and take an umbrella.
Weather in West China (Chengdu, Tibet, Yunnan...)
May is one of the best months for visiting the dry western regions as it is warmer without the high temperatures of the summer heat. It might rain for a short time but this won't affect your trip.
Cities at high altitudes enjoy a big temperature difference between the daytime and nighttime. Take Lhasa as a particularly dry example — the average temperature range is 6–20°C (43–68°F) and there are 9 days with a little rain — a semi-arid 27 mm (1 in).
Clothing: Pack a coat, some jackets, T-shirts, shorts, a hat, and sunglasses.
The Top 7 Places to Visit in May
May is a comfortable time to visit anywhere in China. In addition to the following destinations, you can tell us if you have any other destinations you want to go to. Our tours are customized. The itinerary will be tailored to your requirements.
1. Guilin
In May, the mountains around Guilin are covered with lush greenery, and colorful flowers add charm to the scenery.
It's a great time to visit the Longji Rice Terraces in Guilin when the terraced fields are irrigated but not yet obscured by growing rice.
You will see fantastic views of flooded fields reflecting the sky, and the ancient minority villages on the mountains will be shrouded in mist and fog.
Exploring the countryside by cycling in Yangshuo and appreciating the blossoms are also good to experience the vibrant springtime.
2. Beijing
May is one of the best times to visit the Great Wall. When the trees and plants turn green, the Wall snakes its way through lush vegetation.
If you like adventure, you could hike on a wild Great Wall section or experience camping on the Great Wall.
The stable and warm spring weather also makes visiting the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Summer Palace a good experience.
3. Xi'an
Xi'an enjoys warm and comfortable weather in May too. The comfortable daytime temperatures make a bicycle trip on the Xi'an City Wall a very pleasant experience.
A visit to the Terracotta Army is not to be missed. You could also experience making a mini clay warrior yourself with us.
Additionally, we recommend going to the Muslim Quarter to taste a variety of local food.
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Tour of Xi'an with Jenny from China Highlights
Jenny from China Highlights took us to see the Terracotta Warriors, the Wild Goose Pagoda and to the city wall where we bicycled around. It was a great experience and we couldn't recommend her more highly. more
Jan 2025, Joshua R
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China Highlights tour around Xi’an with tour guide Jenny
Jenny from China Highlights took us to the Wild Goose Pagoda, the Terracotta Warriors and a fun bicycle ride around the city wall. Jenny also showed us a great restaurant with plenty of delicious local foods. Jenny was very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. The day was filled with history. Overall I would give the tour and Jenny a 10/10, it was a great day. more
Jan 2025, Andrew R
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Excellent Tour
Fantastic journey arranged by an experienced Tour Guide Mr.Jerry for our Xi'an tour. Under his arrangment: Firstly we managed to visit the 兵马俑博物馆馆主杨先生, close chat with him about his founding of this world heritage sites. Secondly we smoothly and safely visited the 兵马俑three buildings, in avoiding huge crowd. Thirdly you should definitely not miss the 西安千古情剧recommended by Mr. Jerry. 4th special thanks to his smart arrangment to send one of our family member back to hotel due mindgrand. 5th nice trip to 大雁塔,大唐夜城,回民街etc. At last, each meals arranged by Jerry were tasteful and mount watering foods. He is strongly recommended. more
Jan 2025, Sweeboonk
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4. Tibet
Lhasa has good weather in May. It is mild and sunny with low rainfall. The flowers are in bloom and the trees are green.
As the temperature range is cool to mild, it's a great time to visit remote attractions, such as Everest Base Camp and Lake Yamdrok.
Experience the Tibetan spirit and Buddhism by visiting the Potala Palace and monasteries, such as Sera Monastery, and watching a unique monks' debate.
5. Zhangjiajie
May is the start of the rainy season in Zhangjiajie, yielding its misty scenery of "floating mountains". As the plants and trees have new green leaves and blooming flowers, its National Forest Park is especially worth exploring.
Try bungee jumping off the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, bike around the beautiful and non-touristy side of Tianmen Mountain, and enjoy the scenery on and off the beaten path route.
6. The Silk Road
Exploring the Silk Road during May is a fascinating and historically enriching experience.
The pleasant weather during May is ideal for visiting deserts and exploring the Zhangye National Geopark.
The scenery of Qinghai Lake is also at its best. Along the lake, vast fields of rapeseed flowers bloom, creating a beautiful contrast of yellow flowers against the endless blue waters.
A visit to the Mogao Caves is a must to admire intricate and early Buddhist art. Additionally, you could experience the unique cultural charm of Xinjiang by visiting local bazaars and towns.
7. Yunnan
May is a fantastic time to visit Yunnan as the weather is mild and pleasant with blooming flowers and lush greenery. It also offers a wide range of outdoor activities.
Explore the old town of Lijiang, pay a visit to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and experience the unique Naxi culture in the quaint villages at the foot of the mountains.
Hike through breathtaking Tiger Leaping Gorge and visit the ancient city of Dali, known for its Bai ethnic heritage.
Marvel at the magnificent stone forest formations near Kunming and discover the enchanting terraced fields of Yuanyang.
Crowds and Costs in May
As the summer crowds haven't arrived yet, May is one of the best times for traveling in China.
But it's important to note that the first week of May can be crowded because there is a 1-week Labor Day holiday. Hotel and airfare prices increase by 50% to 100% during this time.
If your time is flexible and you don't like having a crowded travel experience, we recommend that you avoid this week (around the May 1–5 holiday).
May 1–5 Travel Tips
Our customers and local guide in GuilinMake your reservations as early as possible (6 months or more in advance is best) for this holiday, as hotels, transport, and attractions can be sold out quickly.
Book a trip with a travel agency. It will make your trip more efficient in the crowds of May Day: using the travel agency entrance or VIP service means that you'll enjoy less queuing time, a private car is much more efficient, and a private tour can introduce some interesting hidden routes away from the crowds.
Crowds are expected, especially in popular tourist cities. But you could choose a less-traveled route, such as Western Sichuan, the Silk Road, Inner Mongolia, or a Yangtze River cruise.
Recommended China Tours
All of our tours can be customized or adjusted based on your requirements. Feel free to tell us your ideas to create your itinerary. Or you could see our popular China tours for inspiration:
- Family Happiness — 11-Day Beijing – Xi'an – Guilin/Yangshuo – Shanghai Tour
- The Golden Triangle — 8-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai Highlights Tour
- Land of Pandas — 2-Week Beijing – Xi'an – Chengdu – Yangtze Cruise – Shanghai Tour