Seasonal guides
Season decides crowds, weather, price and which regions are at their best. Here is how the year breaks down — and which festivals to plan around.
Blossom, tea picking and mild walking weather across the centre and east of the country.
Best for
Plan around: April–May is peak domestic travel around Labour Day; book hotels early.
Hot in the cities, perfect in the mountains, on the plateau and along the northern grasslands.
Best for
Plan around: Typhoon season affects the southeast coast; rain is heaviest in June–July.
The best all-round season: clear skies, comfortable temperatures and harvest colours.
Best for
Plan around: National Day (1–7 October) is the busiest week of the year — plan around it.
Fewer crowds, lower prices, and the best conditions in Yunnan, Hainan and Hong Kong.
Best for
Plan around: Chinese New Year closes many small businesses for a week; north-east temperatures drop below −20 °C.
Chinese public holidays move the whole country. These are the dates worth planning around.
Tell us when you can travel and we will tell you honestly whether it is the right month for the places on your list.
