China Climate
The best time to visit China is during spring or fall. The weather tends to be warm and dry during these periods, in contrast to the bitterly cold winters and hot, humid summers experienced in much of the country. China’s sheer size, however, means there are no true limitations for travel, and with one or two exceptions it is possible to visit all year round.
In general, the ideal time to visit western China is between April and October, when the flowers are blossoming and the local bazaars throng with life. For those heading across the high passes or into the mountains, the best time to visit is from June to August, when alpine flowers carpet the steppe and the conditions for hiking and trekking are at their best.
Weather Month-By-Month
In the north and in the mountainous areas — for example, around Beijing and in the mountains of Yunnan — winter is cold but dry, with typically clear blue skies and possible smatterings of snow at night. Elsewhere, China’s humidity levels make January and February cold and damp, although most sites will be fairly quiet. Chinese New Year usually falls in early February or late January, and traveling over this time is extremely busy.
Events & Festivals
- Chinese New Year (late January or early February): Celebrated across the country with fireworks, lanterns, decorative red scrolls, gifts and feasting with the family.
- Harbin Ice Festival (early January): This is held over a week or so and features a large, impressive display of intricate ice sculptures.
- Lusheng Festival (April): Celebrated by the Miao minority in mountainous areas of the southwest with dancing in traditional costumes, lusheng-playing and bull-fighting.
- Dragon Boat Festival (late May or early June): Exciting dragon boat races are held in many major cities and towns.
- Sister’s Meal Festival (May): A Miao minority festival similar to the Western Valentine’s Day, young women dress in colorful costumes and distribute rice wrapped in leaves to young men who show an interest in them.
- Dragon Boat Festival (late May or early June): Exciting dragon boat races are held in many major cities and towns.
- Mid-Autumn Festival (September or early October): During this festival, people eat a delicacy called moon cake, light paper lanterns and in some regions, have dragon boat races.
- Lusheng Festival, Guizhou (November): This is the same festival as in April but held in different regions of Guizhou Province.
Temperatures in March are a little warmer than in the earlier winter, and toward the end of the month the fruit trees start to blossom. While not as prolific as the spread in Japan, the blossoms in China — mostly found in rural areas — are nevertheless still strikingly beautiful.
April can be rainy in central and southern areas, although temperatures are fairly warm. The fruit trees will be in full blossom and the landscape beautifully verdant. Every year in early April there is a Tomb-Sweeping Festival, which is a public holiday for the Chinese. On this day, people tidy up local graveyards and take a day out to enjoy the spring, so the whole country is very busy.
Events & Festivals
May is one of our favorite months to visit China as temperatures are warm but not yet into the sticky heat of the summer. In Yunnan Province this is the peak month for flowers to bloom; particularly the rhododendron, which covers the mountain slopes. The first few days of May are a national holiday, which makes traveling very busy, so we would recommend planning around these dates.
Events & Festivals
June is the start of the summer, when temperatures start to get very hot and humid. June can also be quite rainy, which means that plant life is vibrant and river levels are high. Typically the Longji rice terraces will be irrigated, with the water creating mirror-like surfaces.
Events & Festivals
Summer in China can be exceedingly hot and humid; particularly in the south. In western China, temperatures can reach over 100°F but the climate here is dry. It is cooler in the mountainous areas, for example Yunnan Province, where conditions are ideal for hiking and the landscape is blooming.
The weather throughout the country is hot but northern Yunnan can be home to some of the cooler weather this time of year.
September is still warm, but not as hot, humid or wet as the summer, making it a great month to visit anywhere in China. It’s an optimal month for journeying along the Silk Route as temperatures in western China fall dramatically, making travel more comfortable and still possible before snowfall in Kyrgyzstan’s high passes.
Events & Festivals
The first week of October is a national holiday, so traveling during this time is extremely busy and best avoided. The rest of October, however, is a delightful month, with pleasantly mild temperatures, little rain and beautiful foliage.
November is the key month to see autumn foliage colors; particularly in the northern and central areas of the country. Days become cool and crisp with typically clear blue skies, making it a wonderful month to visit if you don’t mind cooler temperatures. The north of the country may see its first snowfall in November. The main sites are less busy throughout the country, as domestic tourism is not as popular in November.
Events & Festivals
December is cold throughout China, with extremely low temperatures in places like Beijing and Xian. Here, days are typically cold but crisp and dry, and you may experience snow. December is a great time to visit Beijing if you don’t mind the cold, as you’ll have many of the main sites to yourself. Western China is exceptionally cold and not advisable to visit. Southern China has more mild temperatures, although because of the damp atmosphere it feels colder than it is.
Mexico
Are you planning to visit Mexico? Check if you need a power plug adapter or voltage converter for the power sockets (outlets) used in Mexico.
The following information is for travellers living in the United States of America. I live in another country.
You don’t need a power plug adapter in Mexico when living in the United States of America.
Electricity in Mexico
In Mexico the power plugs and sockets are of type A and B. The standard voltage is 127 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.
Power plug adapter needed in Mexico?
In Mexico the power plugs and sockets are of type A and B. When living in the United States of America you don’t need a power plug adapter in Mexico. Your power plugs fit.
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| Type A: This socket has no alternative plugs | Type B: This socket also works with plug A |