When to Travel Where in China for the Perfect Holiday
Thinking of traveling in China but wondering when to pack up and go? It is time to discover the beats of this huge and magnificent country! Be it the magnificent relics of ancient times or the beauty of nature, being aware of the most optimal time may turn your journey into an indispensable tale.
Spring (March to May) – A Season of Flower and Fresh Air
Suitable to: Beijing, Hangzhou, Guilin and Suzhou
Spring in China is gentle, wet and warm when blossoms come out and the sky is blue and clear – ideal situation to travel by sightseeing.
Spring brings in the parks the flowering cherry blossoms in Beijing’s Yuyuantan Park and the Summer Palace. Spring is the best season to visit the Great Wall because the weather is great and the crowd is fewer in numbers compared to the summer.
Suzhou and Hangzhou are especially lovely in spring as the traditional Chinese gardens and West Lake erupt into color. That is the ideal time to also experience the delicate floral flavors present in the eastern Chinese cuisine.
Guilin is a top pick when you want to ride a boat on the Li River in spring. The views are foggy and full of green, great for taking pics of the stone tops and rice fields.
Spring is meanwhile the season in which Qingming Festival occurs, and this is an opportune time to see traditional practices and celebratory foods.
Summer (June to August) – Best for Seasides and Mountains
Best suited to: Tibet, Qinghai, Inner Mongolia, and Qingdao
July and August are the hottest and most humid months in lowland China such as in Shanghai or Chongqing. But head higher or head north, and there’s your perfect summer getaway.
Summer is the ideal season for traveling in Tibet. Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake treks are open; the weather is clear and dry and the day temperatures are mild. Summer is also the time when there are more festivals such as the Shoton Festival in Lhasa.
Qinghai Lake on the northeast Tibetan Plateau is most lovely during summer between June and August when the meadows surrounding the lake are covered in wildflowers and the sky is at its clearest. The location attracts in great numbers for nature enthusiasts and photographers.
Inner Mongolia is just as wonderful in the summer, particularly for travelers who would totally love sleeping in yurts with starry skies or participating in traditional Naadam festivals like wrestling, horse racing, and archery.
Qingdao is a coastal city in Shandong and has beaches, sea breeze, and even the international beer fest in August annually. A dead cert if a beach relaxation is on the cards for you.
Autumn (September to November) – Arguably the Best Time to Travel
Best for: Xi’an, Huangshan, Chengdu, and Zhangjiajie
China has been viewed to be best visited in the autumn season. The clear sky, the mild temperatures, and the landscape sparkling in golden color will make the travel pleasant.
Xi’an in the fall is especially stunning. Seeing the Terracotta Warriors or riding a bike on the old city wall is way better when it’s not so hot.
In October, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is full of clouds and bright leaves. It’s one of the best spots in China for fall photos.
Chengdu has sunny, dry conditions and a great panda-watching climate at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. It’s also hotpot season, in the form that warmer weather is perfect accompaniment to the hot spicy dishes.
Zhangjiajie, where pillars of quartz sandstone dominate the landscape above the land, is even more beautiful in the autumn sunlight. Sparse visitor travel and pleasant temperatures make the walking within the national park more enjoyable.
Winter (December to February) – Snow, Ice, and Cultural Riches
Best for: Harbin, Sanya, and Yunnan
Northern China turns bleak during winter yet there are others that are places that gleam, literally so.
Harbin is a city in northeastern China well known in the world because of its International Ice and Snow Festival that takes place between January and February. Get ready to see tons of ice sculptures, ice castles and some colorful lights which are ideal even to winters and family.
A tropical escape with blue skies and palm fringed beaches will be had by Sanya situated on Hainan Island. It’s one of the few spots in China where you can lay in the sun in December.
Yunnan Province has places like Lijiang, Dali, and Kunming, and it’s not too cold in winter. With not many people and clear skies, it’s a great time to see Yunnan’s mix of Han and local group ways, old buildings, and hill towns.
And winter falls during the Chinese New Year, usually in the last half of January through February. That is peak travel in the country, but transportation hubs will be busy—but it is a special cultural celebration with the lighting of the lanterns, fireworks, and Chinese foods.
