The Best Seasons to Travel in China

Spring (March-May)

China’s major tourist cities embrace the spring from March to May. Why not take a trip to China during Easter? Here are a few special places to visit during spring:
Nyingchi, Xizang(Tibet): April is peach blossom season, wild peach trees bloom on the plateau and perfectly contrast against a background of snowy peaks.
Luoyang, Henan Province: The China Luoyang Peony Cultural Festival is held in mid-April every year. The festival sees a profusion of pink and purple flowers transform the local parks and attractions.
Guilin, Guangxi Autonomous Region: In April, the famous Li River is misty and rainy, making it incredibly picturesque.
Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province: The Water Splashing Festival of the Dai minority is held in mid-April every year. Bringing with it a carnival atmosphere, the festival sees local people take to the streets and splash each other with water, just as the name suggests. Be prepared to get drenched.

Recommended routes:
Chengdu > Lhasa > Nyingchi > Chengdu > Guilin > Shanghai (10 days)
Beijing > Luoyang > Shaolin > Zhengzhou > Shanghai (10 days)
Shanghai > Kunming > Xishuangbanna > Kunming > Hong Kong (9 days)

Summer (June-August)

China is a vast country that encompasses a great variety of different landscapes. During the summer holidays, the best places to travel to are seaside and mountainous areas. These areas stay cool, making them suitable for longer trips.
Qingdao, Shandong Province: Qingdao is a famous seaside resort and the annual International Beer Festival held in July and August really brings the city to life.
Lijiang, Yunnan: At the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the ancient city of Lijiang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In summer, the maximum temperature here is approximately 26°C, making it a pleasant destination.
Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia: Grasslands are at their most attractive in summer, and the Hulunbuir Grasslands, one of the four largest grasslands in the world, are no exception. Boasting cool temperatures and incredible scenery, this area is perfect for a summer getaway. The Naadam Festival, held in July and August, brings together the various groups that call the grasslands their home for three traditional sports, horse racing, wrestling, and archery, plus traditional food.
Guiyang, Guizhou Province: With a maximum temperature of approximately 25°C in summer, Guiyang is a well-known summer destination.

Recommended routes:
Beijing > Qingdao > Shanghai > Suzhou > Hangzhou (10 days)
Beijing > Hulunbuir > Beijing (7 days)
Kunming > Lijiang > Shangri-La > Kunming (7 days)

Autumn (September-November)

Autumn brings with it cooler temperatures and a profusion of red and yellow foliage. Some incredible places to visit during this season are:
Beijing, China’s capital: yellow ginkgoes, red maple trees, and the fragrance of roast duck and Beijing hotpot wafting in the air make Beijing an enjoyable autumn destination.
Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan Province: National Geographic magazine named Jiuzhaigou the most beautiful place in China in autumn. During these months, the park, in Aba Autonomous Prefecture, transforms into a riot of colour, with greens, oranges, reds and yellows set against emerald-blue lakes.
Ejin Banner, Inner Mongolia: Ejin Banner is home to one of only three remaining major poplar forests in the world. The golden and fiery red hues of this desert forest make it a popular place for photographers in autumn.
Yuanyang, Yunnan Province: The Hani Terraces in Yuanyang are China’s 45th UNESCO World Heritage Site. When the sun rises, the water-filled terraces reflect the sunshine in a magnificent golden shimmer.

Recommended tour route:
Beijing > Qingdao > Shanghai > Suzhou > Hangzhou (10 days)
Beijing > Lanzhou > Zhangye > Ejin Banner > Jiayuguan > Dunhuang > Beijing (11 days)

Winter (December-February)

The climate in winter varies significantly from north to south and it is a good time to enjoy Christmas and New Year holidays.
Harbin, Heilongjiang Province: Often compared to Moscow and Paris, Harbin is best known internationally for its snow and ice culture. The International Ice and Snow Festival, held in January each year, is the longest snow festival in the world and features enormous snow sculptures and buildings.
Sanya, Hainan: Located at the southern tip of Hainan Island, Sanya is often called “the Hawaii of the East” as its warm weather makes it an ideal spot to escape the winter cold.
Huangshan Mountain, Anhui Province: Huangshan Mountain is famous for fantastically shaped rocks, seas of clouds swirling around mountain peaks, ancient pines clinging to rocks, hot springs, and winter snow. During the colder months, the mountain transforms into a true winter wonderland.
Guangzhou, Guangdong Province: China’s gastronomic capital, Guangzhou is the place to go to sample dim sum, desserts, and seafood. The average temperature in winter is 17°C-25°C.
Hong Kong SAR: Hong Kong is the third largest financial centre in the world and an important hub of trade, shipping, and technological innovation. The city is a foodie and shopper paradise and in winter, it enjoys temperatures of around 20°C.

Recommended travel routes:
Beijing > Shenyang > Changchun > Harbin > Beijing (9 days)
Beijing > Nanjing > Huangshan > Hangzhou > Shanghai (9 days)
Guangzhou > Sanya > Hong Kong (7 days)