China in May

Warm and clear, but the 1–5 May holiday packs every sight; go after the 6th.

• North China · Beijing, Tianjin, Xi'an, Datong, Pingyaobest weather

  Continental: dry winters down to −10 °C, hot humid summers with thunderstorms. Dust and smog peak in late winter and spring; September–October is the clear season.

• East China and the Yangtze · Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Huangshanbest weather

  Damp cold winters without much heating south of the Huai river; plum rain (meiyu) mid-June to mid-July; typhoons can hit Shanghai Aug–Sep.

• South China · Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Guilin, Yangshuo, Xiamen, Hainanrainy

  Subtropical: long humid summers, heavy rain Apr–Jun, typhoons Jul–Sep; October–December is dry and mild. Hainan is warm all year.

• Sichuan and Yunnan · Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Dali, Lijiangbest weather

  Chengdu is grey and humid, Chongqing is among the hottest cities in July–August; Yunnan's plateau is mild all year with a dry season Nov–Apr.

• Tibetan plateau · Lhasa, Shigatse, western Sichuan, Qinghaibest weather

  Altitude 3,000–5,000 m: strong sun, cold nights all year. Permits for Tibet often pause in March — check.

• Northwest and Silk Road · Xinjiang, Gansu (Dunhuang, Zhangye), Inner Mongoliabest weather

  Desert and steppe: very hot summer days in Turpan, bitter winters; May–June and September–October work best.

• Northeast · Harbin, Changchun, Shenyangbest weather

  Winters to −25 °C; the Harbin Ice and Snow World runs roughly late December to February.

• Beijing26° / 13°, 8 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Labour Day (May Day) big impact

  1–5 May

  Five-day holiday with make-up working days around it; the Great Wall, West Lake and the Bund packed.

• Labour Day holiday

  Around 1 May · Beijing

  A domestic travel peak; sights and transport are busier.

Crowds · China

High

Prices · China

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• North China

  Best weather of the year (Beijing, Tianjin, Xi'an, Datong, Pingyao)

• East China and the Yangtze

  Best weather of the year (Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Huangshan)

• Sichuan and Yunnan

  Best weather of the year (Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Dali, Lijiang)

• Tibetan plateau

  Best weather of the year (Lhasa, Shigatse, western Sichuan, Qinghai)

• Northwest and Silk Road

  Best weather of the year (Xinjiang, Gansu (Dunhuang, Zhangye), Inner Mongolia)

• Northeast

  Best weather of the year (Harbin, Changchun, Shenyang)

• Beijing

  Warm and dry; May Day week is crowded.

• Shanghai

  Best months: Mar–May and Oct–Nov: mild, drier air before summer humidity sets in and after the main typhoon risk passes

• Chengdu

  Best months: Mar–May and Sep–Nov: mild temperatures and clearer skies than summer or winter

• Xi'an

  Best months: Mar–May and Sep–Nov: mild and dry, avoiding both summer heat and winter cold