Season guide · Beijing · China
Beijing in spring
March–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Shujianyang, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Blossom and warming days, with dry winds and occasional dust in March and April; May is warm and sunny. Expect highs up to 26°C (79°F) and lows around 1°C (34°F), with about 15 rainy days across March–May. April–May are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- March–May
- Temperatures
- 1°C (34°F) to 26°C (79°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 15
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in spring
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 12°C (54°F) | 1°C (34°F) | 4 | 11.8 h | 2/5 |
| April | 20°C (68°F) | 8°C (46°F) | 5 | 13.2 h | 4/5 |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 14°C (57°F) | 6 | 14.4 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 19°C (66°F) against a yearly 18°C (64°F), and 15 of the year's roughly 71 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in spring
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- March: Two Sessions — annual national legislative meetings with tighter security around Tiananmen (usually early March)
- April: Beijing International Film Festival (usually April)
- April: Qingming Festival holiday (early April)
- May: Labour Day holiday — heavy domestic travel (1–5 May)
Make the most of the weather
Historic site · Huairou District
Great Wall at Mutianyu
About 70 km northeast of the centre, Mutianyu is a restored Ming section of wall with more than 20 watchtowers along a forested ridge.
- Time needed
- Full day including travel
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
- History
Religious site · Qianmen and Dashilar
Temple of Heaven
Enter by the east gate before 8am to see the park at its liveliest, and buy the combined ticket that includes the main halls.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Palace · Haidian
Summer Palace
The Qing court's summer retreat spreads around Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, with the 728-metre painted Long Corridor, the Tower of Buddhist Incense and the Marble Boat.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Views
Viewpoint · Wangfujing and Dongcheng
Jingshan Park
Visit right after the Forbidden City, or come in late afternoon when the sun lights the palace roofs.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Photo spot
- Couples
- Outdoors
Park · Shichahai and Houhai
Beihai Park
A former imperial garden west of Jingshan, centred on a lake with Jade Flower Island and its White Dagoba, a Tibetan-style stupa from 1651.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Kids
- History
Day trips in spring
- Badaling Great Wall (About 1–1.5 hours by train) — The most visited and most heavily restored section of the Great Wall, with wide paths, cable cars and a museum.
- Jinshanling Great Wall (About 2.5 hours by car or tour bus) — A partly restored Ming section with dramatic watchtowers along a long ridge, popular with photographers and hikers who want fewer crowds than Mutianyu.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- Shoes with good grip for icy pavements
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is spring a good time to visit Beijing?
Yes: April–May are among the best months. Blossom and warming days, with dry winds and occasional dust in March and April; May is warm and sunny.
+What is the weather like in Beijing in spring?
Highs of up to 26°C (79°F) and lows around 1°C (34°F), with about 15 rainy days over the season.