Huangshan Weather: Best Time to Visit Huangshan City and Yellow Mountain

Located in southern Anhui Province, Huangshan blends dramatic granite peaks, ancient Huizhou villages, and a mountain climate that shifts from misty mornings to glowing sunsets in a matter of hours. Understanding the Huangshan weather—plus what to wear and what to do in each season—will help make any Huangshan travel experience smoother, prettier, and way more enjoyable.

Huangshan Climate

Huangshan sits in a subtropical monsoon zone, which means four distinct seasons and plenty of moisture. When it comes to the weather of Huangshan, China, spring and autumn are shorter, while summer and winter tend to last longer. Rainfall is generous—around 1500–1600 mm a year—and most of it arrives in spring and early summer. Sunshine hours are moderate, about 1,600+ hours annually.

Because Yellow Mountain, one of China’s top tourist attractions, rises sharply and carves the airflows around it, the region develops a unique mountain micro-climate: cool summers, cold winters, and lots of clouds hugging the peaks. It rains more in the mountains than in the city, and the temperature difference between Huangshan City and Mount Huangshan is often dramatic. Expect humid summers, noticeable temperature drops at night in autumn, and chilly winds in winter.

Huangshan Weather by Month

When looking at Huangshan’s weather by month, the city goes through very recognizable shifts.

 January usually settles in with a cold, damp chill and plenty of gray skies, and February stays wintry even though the days slowly stretch out. By March, early spring creeps in with milder temperatures and more rain, and April follows with classic spring showers and fresh blossoms everywhere. May turns warm, humid, and incredibly lush, and then June rolls into the full plum-rain season, when steady rainfall becomes part of daily life. July turns hot and brings sudden afternoon storms, while August keeps the heat but starts offering slightly cooler evenings.

September brings one of the nicest stretches of the year—mild, steady, and great for sightseeing—before October arrives with crisp mornings, clear views, and beautiful fall colors. The weather in Huangshan in November cools down and dries out, which makes the hiking trails especially comfortable. By December, colder air, shorter days, and frequent cloud cover return. And for anyone comparing this with Huangshan Mountain weather, the peaks are always a different story—colder, windier, and cloudier than the city, no matter the season.

Temperatures of Huangshan City by Month

Huangshan’s annual average temperature stays around 17°C, but the weather shifts a lot with elevation. December is on the colder end — Huangshan temperature in December usually hovers around 7–10°C in the city during the daytime, while nights can drop close to 4°C. It often feels colder than the numbers because of the humidity and wind, so a warm jacket is definitely needed.

Huangshan Mountain Weather and Temperature

On the top of Mt. Huangshan, one of the top ten famous mountains in China, it is very cool in summer, compared with the hot weather at nearby metropolises like Shanghai and Hangzhou, Huangshan is definitely a very nice summer retreat. But it is humid in the mountains with plentiful rainfall. In one year more than 200 days on the mountains it is foggy and cloudy, and there are about 50 days snow days on the top annually.

>> Recommended 5-day Shanghai Huangshan tour

Huangshan Weather in Four Seasons

Huangshan in Spring — Misty, Blooming, Fresh

Spring runs from March to May with temperatures around 8–25°C (46–77°F). Huangshan’s weather warms up slowly, rain comes and goes, and cold snaps still show up occasionally. But the scenery is completely dreamy. 

Villages like Hongcun and Xidi turn gold with canola flowers. The Yellow Mountain areas explode with azaleas—from soft pink to fiery red—climbing all the way up the slopes. 

Hiking the plank paths on the mountain in spring feels surreal, almost like drifting through the clouds, which is not to be missed on your Huangshan tours.

What to Wear

Pack layers—thin long sleeves for the day, a warmer jacket for evenings, and a raincoat or umbrella. If heading up the mountain, wear moisture-wicking layers and non-slip hiking shoes.

Top Things to Do in Huangshan in Spring

• Hike Yellow Mountain for cloud seas, flowers, and mist-filled canyons.
• Wander Hongcun & Xidi Ancient Villages for spring blossoms and classic Huizhou architecture, one of the most distinctive traditional dwellings in China.
• Explore Huizhou Ancient City and soak up its 1,600+ years of history.

>> Recommended 3-day Huangshan highlights tour

Huangshan in Summer — Lush, Rainy, Refreshing on the Peaks

In summer, Huangshan’s weather is warm, humid, and a little sticky—classic southern China vibes. Temperatures usually hover around 23–32°C (73–90°F), and the heat builds through the day, often with that “just rained or about to rain” feeling in the air. Up on Yellow Mountain, though, the air is cooler and breezy, typically around 20°C (68°F). 
Waterfalls are at their strongest, especially the Jiulong Waterfall in June. On clear summer nights, stargazers sometimes catch the Milky Way from Danxia Peak, and the West Sea Grand Canyon glows with fireflies.

What to Wear

Light clothing—T-shirts, shorts, breathable fabrics. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, mosquito repellent, and a light rain jacket. Nights on the mountain can still feel cool, so throw in a thin outer layer.

Top Things to Do in Huangshan in Summer

Escape the heat with a Yellow Mountain tour and watch the sunset from Bright Summit.

Visit Chengkan Village to see lotus blossoms and get lost in the Bagua Maze.

Spend a day at Taiping Lake for boating and water sports.

>> Recommended 6-day Huangshan Yellow Mountain hiking tour

Huangshan in Autumn — Crisp, Colorful, Perfect for Hiking

Autumn (September–November) is widely considered the best season for Huangshan travel. Temperatures of Huangshan in fall sit around 10–26°C (50–79°F), days are clear, and visibility is excellent. Leaves blaze into shades of gold, orange, and red, especially around Bright Summit, Beginning-to-Believe Peak, and the West Sea Grand Canyon. 

Villages celebrate harvest season with traditional events—drying crops in bamboo baskets, showcasing chili reds and corn golds. In places like Tachuan, the whole valley looks like a watercolor painting.

What to Wear

Use a “sandwich style” outfit—long sleeves inside, a warm middle layer, and a windproof outer jacket. Nights can be chilly, especially at higher altitudes.

Top Things to Do in Huangshan in Autumn

Enjoy fall foliage across Yellow Mountain in the clear Huangshan weather.

Soak up the vibrant "Autumn Drying" atmosphere in Tachuan.

Admire Tangyue Archways and taste Huangshan food like stinky mandarin fish or hairy tofu at Tunxi Old Street.

>> Recommended 4-day Huangshan discovery tour

Huangshan in Winter — Quiet, Frosty, Magical

The weather in Huangshan in winter is relatively chilly. It brings that sharp, crisp air as cold fronts sweep down from the north. Rainfall is lighter compared to other seasons, yet overcast days are pretty common. 
Up in the higher elevations, frost is a regular guest. Snow often dusts the peaks of Yellow Mountain, turning the whole place into a sparkling winter wonderland—a breathtaking sight best captured on a Huangshan tour.

What to Wear

Bundle up: thermal layers, a thick down jacket, fleece, scarf, gloves, and waterproof hiking boots. If heading up the mountain, add extra insulation and waterproof pants.

Top Things to Do in Huangshan in Winter

Catch Yellow Mountain’s snow-covered peaks and icy pine forests.

Relax in Huangshan hot springs on the southern slopes.

Visit Shexian County and try your hand at traditional ink-making — a fun little stop if you travel to Huangshan with kids.

>> Recommended 5-day amazing Huangshan culture tour

Best Time to Visit Huangshan and Yellow Mountain

The best time to visit Huangshan is spring or autumn. Spring feels like stepping into a massive flower ocean—rapeseed fields, cherry blossoms, and magnolias are all showing off everywhere you look. Autumn weather in Huangshan, on the other hand, is all about crisp blue skies, fiery red leaves, and the perfect cool temps for those long hikes.
Winter is the most budget-friendly season and ideal for travelers who love quiet landscapes, snow scenes, and Huangshan hot springs. Summer works beautifully for anyone wanting cooler mountaintop weather and lush scenery. 

Times to Avoid

The only times worth avoiding are major Chinese holidays—especially China Golden Week in early October—when crowds surge, and hotels book out early. Plum-rain weeks in June can also be inconvenient if you prefer dry weather in Huangshan, though the mountains stay beautifully green.

Yellow Mountain Weather Tips

1. The early bird wins: Mornings are usually the clearest. Sunrise here isn't just a sunrise; it's an event.
2. Trust the mountain forecast: Don't just look at the Huangshan weather forecast app. Check the specific forecast for the peaks.
3. Pack snacks: Trails can be slow (and steep). Bring energy bars and water.
4. Embrace the fog: If it's misty, don't be bummed. The fog turns the mountains into a living Chinese painting.
5. Winter safety: Some steep paths close in winter due to ice. Double-check the trail status before you head up!

>> More Huangshan travel tips