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Best time to visit Beijing: month by month
Short answer
April–May and September–October are the best months, with highs of about 21–27°C and drier, clearer weather. Summer is hot (about 32–33°C) and July is the rainiest month; winter is cold (highs around 2°C, lows to −8°C) but quiet.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2°C | -8°C | 1 | low |
| Feb | 6°C | -5°C | 2 | medium |
| Mar | 15°C | 2°C | 4 | low |
| Apr | 21°C | 8°C | 3 | medium |
| May | 27°C | 14°C | 4 | high |
| Jun | 33°C | 20°C | 7 | medium |
| Jul | 32°C | 23°C | 15 | high |
| Aug | 29°C | 21°C | 11 | high |
| Sep | 27°C | 17°C | 7 | medium |
| Oct | 19°C | 8°C | 5 | very high |
| Nov | 10°C | 0°C | 3 | low |
| Dec | 2°C | -7°C | 1 | low |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Warming fast from about 15°C in March to 27°C in May, with little rain; occasional spring dust and wind.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Hot and humid, about 29–33°C, with the most rain in July and August (about 11–15 rainy days).
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September (about 27°C) and October (19°C) are dry and clear, the classic season; November drops to about 10°C.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold and dry, about 2–6°C by day and −5 to −8°C at night, with very few rainy days; the Great Wall is quiet and occasionally snowy.
Events worth planning around
- Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), with temple fairs (January or February)
- Lantern Festival, fifteen days after the New Year (February or March)
- Labour Day holiday, about 1–5 May
- National Day Golden Week, 1–7 October
When to avoid
Avoid Golden Week (1–7 October) and the Spring Festival holiday, when sights and trains are packed with domestic travellers; the 1–5 May holiday is also very busy.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit Beijing?
April–May and September–October.
Is Beijing worth visiting in winter?
Yes, if you dress warmly: it is cold and dry, but the sights are quieter and the Great Wall may have snow.
When should I avoid Beijing?
Golden Week (1–7 October) and the Spring Festival, when everything is crowded.