Month guide · Beijing · China
Beijing in May
What May is really like in Beijing: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Cory M. Grenier, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Beijing. Expect average highs of 26°C (79°F), lows of 14°C (57°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 14.4 hours of daylight. Warm, dry and sunny; one of the best months, apart from the very crowded 1–5 May Labour Day holiday.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 26°C (79°F) / 14°C (57°F)
- Rainy days
- About 6
- Daylight
- About 14.4 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 4th-warmest month in Beijing: days average 26°C (79°F) against a yearly average high of 18°C (64°F), and nights fall to about 14°C (57°F). Rain falls on roughly 6 of its 31 days. Compared with April (20°C (68°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 30°C (86°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 04:59
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 19:22
- Daylight
- About 14.4 hours
Spring (March–May). Blossom and warming days, with dry winds and occasional dust in March and April; May is warm and sunny.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is April at 4) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in April). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
- Labour Day holiday — heavy domestic travel (1–5 May)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Historic site · Huairou District
Great Wall at Mutianyu
Leave early to arrive at opening and walk west towards the steeper towers, where crowds thin out quickly.
- Time needed
- Full day including travel
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
- History
Religious site · Qianmen and Dashilar
Temple of Heaven
Emperors came here to pray for good harvests at the triple-roofed, round Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, built without nails.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Palace · Haidian
Summer Palace
Enter by the north gate, climb Longevity Hill first, then walk down to the lake and take a boat back towards the east gate.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Views
Viewpoint · Wangfujing and Dongcheng
Jingshan Park
The artificial hill directly north of the Forbidden City is topped by the Wanchun Pavilion, which gives the classic view south over the palace's golden roofs.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Photo spot
- Couples
- Outdoors
What to pack
For highs near 26°C, lows near 14°C and 6 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Beijing?
One of the best months to visit Beijing, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are April and September–October. Compare every month.
Beijing in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Beijing?
It is one of the best months to visit Beijing. Warm, dry and sunny; one of the best months, apart from the very crowded 1–5 May Labour Day holiday.
+How warm is Beijing in May?
Average highs are around 26°C (79°F) and lows around 14°C (57°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Beijing in May?
Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.