Beijing Weather & Climate | Best (Worst) Time to Visit Beijing

It is very important to check the weather forecast before you go so that you know what to pack and how to plan your trip to Beijing. When you visit Beijing at the right time, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery in comfortable weather.

So what is the weather like in Beijing all year round as well as every month? When is the best time to visit Beijing, for the Great Wall, or when you travel with kids? When should you avoid so as to avoid bad weather and huge tourist crowds? Which days should you avoid because of bad weather and huge tourist crowds?

Read on to find all answers.

Beijing Weather & Climate

Beijing, as the capital of ancient China in various dynasties and now, enjoys excellent geographical and climatic advantages. Located in the north-central part of China, not far from the sea, it has a typical northern temperate sub-humid continental monsoon climate. It has the characteristics of continental climate with four distinct seasons, giving people a variety of experiences. It also features a warm and humid monsoon climate, which is favorable for vegetation growth.

Beijing has hot and rainy summers, cold and dry winters, and short springs and autumns. The annual frost-free period is 180 to 200 days, with shorter periods in the western mountains. The seasonal distribution of precipitation is very uneven - 80% of the annual precipitation is concentrated in the summer months of June, July and August, with heavy rains in July and August.

The average annual solar radiation in Beijing ranges from 112 to 136 kcal/cm. The average annual sunshine hours range from 2000 to 2800 hours.

Summer is the rainy season, so the number of hours of sunshine decreases, averaging around 230 hours per month. Although the duration of sunshine in autumn is not as long as that in spring, it is longer than that in summer, with an average of 230 to 245 hours of sunshine per month. Winter is the season with the least sunshine duration in a year, with an average of less than 200 hours of sunshine per month, usually ranging from 170 to 190 hours.

Beijing weather by month

Check below Beijing weather all year, you can have a general idea of Beijing’s temperature and weather averages, and understand the coldest month, hottest month and rainy season. It will surely help for you to plan and pack for your Beijing trip.

The Best Time to Visit Beijing

Beijing is China's famous historical and cultural city, also the political and economic center. It is worth experiencing a Beijing tour all the year round. Considering the weather conditions, spring and autumn, especially May, September and October are the classic best time to visit Beijing. May is about to enter the summer of Beijing, the temperature is pleasant along with charming nature scenery; The broad-leaved forests turn red in September and October, and some of the leaves are as red as fire. It is the most beautiful moment in Beijing.

In recent years, with the revival of old Beijing culture and the popularity of the snow in the Forbidden City, it is also highly recommended to go to Beijing in winter to see snow falling on the ancient buildings with red walls and black tiles.

Beijing in Spring: Warm, Windy, and Best Time for Flowers

Weather

Average high: 18°C / 64°F
Average low: 6°C / 43°F
Average rainfall: 65 mm

Spring in Beijing is short, from the end of March to May, only about two months in general, but the big temperature difference between day and night is one of the outstanding features of Beijing’s spring. 

It's just that it's windy in spring, and it blows even more often and stronger than in winter. With less precipitation (about 4-6 days per month, mostly light rain or showers), the air will be drier. 

Sandstorms and sandstorms can occur in Beijing in March and April (2-3 times a year), so it is recommended that you have a mask and windproof jacket.

Clothing advice

Windproof jacket (for sand and wind), thin sweater/sweatshirt (for temperature differences), breathable T-shirt (for warmer midday), mask (for sand and dust), and hat (for wind and sun) are essentials.

Spring weather in Beijing can be very changeable, so it is recommended that you check the real-time weather forecast 3 days before your trip to adjust your clothing and other things you need to pack.

What to do

Everywhere in the city is a picture of the revival of all lives, especially when the flowers in the Forbidden City, Summer Place, Jiangshan Hill, Yuyuantan Park are in full bloom, showing the grand scene of Ming and Qing dynasties. And in spring, the Temple of Heaven is perfect for kite flying.

The Mutianyu or Jinshanling Great Wall is surrounded by wildflowers in the mountains, making it the best time for hiking and photography. If you go to the Great Wall in spring, you should wear some wind-proof clothes.

In addition, May is one of the most colorful seasons for literary and artistic life in Beijing, with performances of international standard shows often held.

>> Recommended tour: 4-day Beijing Highlights Tour

Beijing in Summer: Hot & Rainy

Weather

Average high: 31°C/ 88°F
Average low: 21°C/ 70°F
Average rainfall: 400-500 mm

The summer in Beijing is long and heat. It is getting hot from June, and maintain the high temperature in July and August. Annual precipitation season distribution is very uneven, the annual precipitation of 80% concentrated in the summer; it often rains or heavy rain in July and August; after the rainfall, temperature is much more comfortable.

Clothing advice

SPF 50+ sunscreen, umbrella, sunglasses, folding rain jacket, quick-drying t-shirt, shorts, sandals, and comfortable walking shoes are a must.

What to do

Travel to Beijing in summer, it is recommended to do a good job in the sun and heat. Try to go outdoors in the morning (6:00-10:00 a.m.) and in the evening. It is recommended to visit museums and other interior attractions during the midday hours to avoid the heat. Recommend visiting Forbidden City, 798 Art Zone, Temple of Heaven, Hutongs, or the nearby Chengde Summer Resort to spend your vacation. Enjoying Beijing Opera or Kongfu Show will help to spend a night. A night tour to Simatai Great Wall is also recommended.

Beijing in Autumn: Mild, Colorful, and Best Time for Travel

Weather

Average high: 20°C/ 68°F
Average low: 8°C/ 46°F
Average rainfall: 110 mm

Autumn in Beijing is from September to October. The temperature drops quickly and stays around 20°C. There is a temperature difference between day and night. This season is very cool with clear skies (70% sunny days), little rain (5-7 days/month) and more clouds.
However, cold air often moves south in late October-November, accompanied by high winds, so keep warm.

Clothing advice

In September, you can wear short sleeves and a thin jacket (hot in the afternoon and cool in the morning). In October, sweatshirts/knitwear and windproof jackets are recommended. In November, you need to pack sweaters and tweed coats/light down..

What to do

Autumn is regarded the best time of the year to go to Beijing, and is also the golden season for tourism in Beijing, which is suitable for all kinds of outdoor programs and activities.

The Great Wall and the Summer Palace are good place to enjoy the scenery in autumn. The autumn scenes such as red leaves and ginkgo trees complement the ancient buildings in Beijing, presenting a breathtakingly beautiful scene. The red walls and yellow tiles of the Forbidden City complement the ginkgo and persimmon trees, especially in the areas of the "Wenhua Hall" and the "Cining Palace". The red walls and green tiles of the Yonghegong Lama Temple, set against the backdrop of golden ginkgo trees, offer a serene and Zen-like autumn atmosphere amid the curling incense smoke. Cycling in the hutongs, from the Bell and Drum Towers to Yandai Xiejie, to Houhai, and then to Wudaoying Hutong, you can see fallen leaves fluttering. It is also recommended that you enjoy the sunset over the Forbidden City in Jingshan Park.

The red leaf season at Xiangshan Hill in Beijing is from mid-October to early November. There are many tourists on weekends, so weekdays are the best time of a week to visit it.

>> Recommended tour: 5-day Beijing Tour for Seniors

Beijing in Winter: Cold, Dry, and Best Time for Forbidden City Snow Scenes

Weather

Average high: 3°C/ 37°F
Average low: -6°C/ 21°F
Average rainfall: 10 mm

Winter begins in November and ends in March. After the first snow, the temperature will stay below zero with wind, be sure to wear a down jacket and hat. The coldest months are January and February. It hasn't snowed much in recent years. Winter is also the driest season of the year in Beijing.
The winter weather in Beijing is dry and cold, so you have to protect yourselves from the wind and keep warm so that you can have no problem in outdoor activities. Old people should avoid falling and be careful of slipping. .

Clothing advice

Windproof and waterproof long down jackets, fleece/scrubbers, thermal underwear, woolly hats, scarves, touchscreen gloves, and non-slip snow boots are all necessities.

What to do

Although the winter in Beijing is cold, the snow-covered imperial city, the lively temple fairs and the hot spring experience offer a unique China travel experience. The Forbidden City, Yonghe Lamasery and the Great Wall are recommended to see snow. There are also ski resorts in the suburbs (such as Nanshan and Jundusan Ski Resorts) for different levels of tourists. >> Top 6 Ski Resorts in China

At the Shichahai Ice Rink (late December-early February), experience the winter fun of old Beijing by riding ice bicycles and riding ice slides. At the Gubei Water Town Hot Spring, you can watch the snowy scenery of the Great Wall while soaking in the soup. Spend the Chinese New Year at the Temple Fairs in Ditan and Longtan (New Year's Eve - the 6th day of the Lunar New Year), eat sugar gourds, participate in the festivals, and see local handicrafts such as windmills and face-painting.

Best Time to Visit Beijing Great Wall

The Great Wall of China in Beijing is suitable for visiting all year round. But the best time to visit it is spring and autumn, with comfortable weather and stunning scenery. These are also best for Great Wall photography and hiking.

In spring, the Beijing temperature is moderate, and peach blossoms and apricot blossoms bloom along the Jiankou Great Wall and Mutianyu Great Wall in particular. In the fall, the weather is sunny and the temperature is mild, and the Great Wall is dotted with red and yellow leaves, especially Badaling and Jinshanling.

Surprisingly, winter is also a good time to visit the Beijing Great Wall. With fewer people and beautiful snowy scenery, the Wall, especially Simatai section, is preferred by photographers.

Best Time to Visit Beijing with kids

For international tourists who come to Beijing with children, the best time is also spring and autumn. Warm and sunny weather is more suitable for family outdoor activities. Besides the most famous historical attractions, kid-friendly activities in Beijing also include Beijing Zoo, China Science and Technology Museum, Water Cube Water Park, etc.

>> Recommended tour: 5-day Beijing Family Tour

Worst Time to Travel to Beijing

If possible, try to avoid summer, that is, traveling to Beijing from the end of June to August, especially in July and the first ten days of August, due to extreme high temperatures and widespread rainfall. It is also recommended to avoid the smoggy days in December and the sandstorm season in March.

Other days to definitely avoid:

May Day: May 1-5
National Day Golden Week: October 1 to 7

Beijing Weather FAQs:

When Will Beijing Snow?

Normally, Beijing gets its first snow in early November, but in recent years as the global climate has warmed and humidity has dropped in Beijing, the snow has fallen later. It will be concentrated in January and February, but not every day. It's mostly by luck.

Does Beijing Have Rainy Season?

The rainy season in Beijing is concentrated in July and August, often followed by heavy rainfall after continuous high temperatures. If you choose to come to Beijing in these two months, be sure to bring rain gear. March and April are the driest months of the year.