Beijing, China: When to Go and Weather

Weather: Beijing has a humid continental climate due to its location between the

Mongolian Plateau, where chilly winds sweep through from Siberia, and the ocean, where warm monsoon winds blow from the southeast. The seasons follow a predictable pattern: cold and dry with some snow in winter, comfortable and temperate in spring and fall, and hot and humid in summer.

Summer: Beijing weather is extremely hot and humid during summer. Rampant air pollution, hanging over the city like a low, smoggy cloud, only adds to the oppressive heat. Thankfully, most hotels and restaurants are more than adequately air-conditioned. The average temperature is 80 degrees F, the average rainfall is 8 inches.

Fall: Many travelers agree that autumn is the best time to visit Beijing. The days are comfortable and sunshine-filled, unlike cloudy summer afternoons, and during the evening, skies are clear and the temperature drops slightly. The average temperature is 62 degrees F and the average rainfall is 0.4 inches.

Winter: Snow is frequent and temperatures stay low during Beijing's winter months, starting in later November and lasting through the end of February. The average temperature is 25 degrees F, the average rainfall is 0.1 inches.

Spring: From March to May, Beijing weather is breezy and relatively warm, with plenty of rain and occasional sandstorms. The average temperature is 55 degrees F and the average rainfall is 0.8 inches.

Travelers to Beijing can check the local weather in English from their hotel rooms by turning on CCTV 9, a Chinese TV station, or by picking up an English-language newspaper like China Daily. or the People's Daily People's Daily..

When to Go: Peak Season

Peak travel seasons in Beijing depend on China's cultural calendar. During the weeks before and after the Chinese New Year, which usually occurs in January or February, the city is congested with domestic travelers and hotel rates increase. Beijing weather is cold and dreary in these winter months, but the spectacle of the colorful Chinese New Year makes the trip worthwhile to many international travelers. The weeks surrounding Labor Day and National Day (May 1 and October 1, respectively) also bring crowds to Beijing. While Beijing weather is cold and dreary around Chinese New Year, the other major holidays fall in temperate fall and spring. During the sweltering summer months of July and August, Chinese are less likely to travel to Beijing, but the Forbidden City and the Great Wall are jammed with foreign tourists, and hotel rooms are harder to come by.

Off Season: With the exception of the weeks around the Chinese New Year in

January or February (see above), Beijing's off season occurs in the cold winter months of December, January, and February. As temperatures drop as low as 13 degrees F and gray clouds release occasional snow and freezing rain over the city, hotel room prices drop and many of the city's major tourist sites are practically devoid of visitors. On January 1, as elsewhere in the world, most businesses are closed for New Year's Day. If you don't mind the short daylight hours and chilly weather, winter is a quiet and budget-friendly time to travel to Beijing.

Shoulder Season: Spring and fall are ideal times to visit Beijing. The weather is

generally sunny and comfortable from March to May and from September to October, and while tourist sites see a steady stream of visitors, hotel rates aren't overly expensive unless your trip happens to coincide with Labor Day or National Day (May 1 and October 1.) Domestic travelers usually travel at this time, thanks to the pleasant weather, but you won't see as many foreign visitors around Beijing during this shoulder season, so your sightseeing experiences should be slightly more relaxed than if you traveled during summer.

• Tue

   

  Partly Cloudy

  51  28

• Wed

   

  Partly Cloudy

  47  30

• Thu

   

  Partly Cloudy

  48  26

• Fri

   

  Sunny

  44  24

• Sat

   

  Cloudy

  45  24

• Sun

   

  Scattered Snow Showers

  48  26

• Mon

   

  Sunny

  47  26

Get more information on Beijing weather.