Best time to visit · Beijing · China
The best time to visit Beijing
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: xiquinhosilva, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
The best times to visit Beijing are September to October and April to May, when skies are clearest and temperatures comfortable for the Great Wall and long palace walks. Avoid 1–7 October and 1–5 May if possible, when national holidays bring huge crowds. Summer is hot and stormy, while winter is very cold but dry, quiet and lower-priced.
Key facts
- Best months
- April–May and September–October
- Shoulder season
- March, June and November
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 31°C (88°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 2°C (36°F))
- Rainiest month
- July (~13 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- March and November–January
Seasons
Beijing has a continental monsoon climate: cold, dry, sunny winters well below freezing at night, short windy springs with occasional dust, hot and humid summers when most of the year's rain falls, and a clear, pleasant autumn.
March–May
Spring
Blossom and warming days, with dry winds and occasional dust in March and April; May is warm and sunny.
June–August
Summer
Hot and humid with most of the year's rain in thunderstorms; lotus ponds bloom and family crowds peak.
September–November
Autumn
Beijing's best season: clear, crisp and colourful, especially in the Fragrant Hills, apart from the Golden Week crush.
December–February
Winter
Freezing but sunny and dry, with frozen lakes for skating, quiet palaces and Lunar New Year temple fairs.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2°C | -8°C | 2 | 9.6 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 5°C | -5°C | 3 | 10.6 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| March | 12°C | 1°C | 4 | 11.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 20°C | 8°C | 5 | 13.2 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| May | 26°C | 14°C | 6 | 14.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 30°C | 19°C | 10 | 15 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| July | 31°C | 22°C | 13 | 14.7 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 30°C | 21°C | 11 | 13.7 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 26°C | 15°C | 7 | 12.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 19°C | 8°C | 5 | 11.1 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| November | 10°C | 0°C | 3 | 9.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 3°C | -6°C | 2 | 9.4 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Ice skating on Houhai and in Beihai Park (usually January); Lunar New Year temple fairs (late January or February) |
| February | Spring Festival temple fairs in Ditan and Longtan parks (around Lunar New Year); Lantern Festival (15th day of the lunar new year) |
| March | Two Sessions — annual national legislative meetings with tighter security around Tiananmen (usually early March) |
| April | Beijing International Film Festival (usually April); Qingming Festival holiday (early April) |
| May | Labour Day holiday — heavy domestic travel (1–5 May) |
| June | Dragon Boat Festival (late May or June) |
| July | Lotus season at the Old Summer Palace and Beihai Park (usually July); Summer school holidays (July–August) |
| September | Mid-Autumn Festival — mooncakes and moon viewing (September or early October) |
| October | National Day Golden Week — Tiananmen Square decorated (1–7 October); Autumn leaves at the Fragrant Hills (usually late October to early November) |
| November | Beijing Marathon (usually late October or early November) |
| December | Ice and snow activities begin in parks and on lakes (usually late December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in March and November–January, and the sights are quietest in March and November–January.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Beijing?
The best times to visit Beijing are September to October and April to May, when skies are clearest and temperatures comfortable for the Great Wall and long palace walks. Avoid 1–7 October and 1–5 May if possible, when national holidays bring huge crowds. Summer is hot and stormy, while winter is very cold but dry, quiet and lower-priced.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Beijing?
Usually in March and November–January. Very cold but often sunny and dry; lakes freeze for skating and sights are quiet outside Lunar New Year.
+What is the rainiest month in Beijing?
July, with about 13 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Beijing get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 31°C (88°F) and lows of 22°C (72°F).