China spans from Siberian cold to tropical heat — when you go matters as much as where.
Seasons by region
| Region | Best months | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing/North | Apr–May, Sep–Oct | Winter smog + cold; summer heat spikes |
| Shanghai/East | Oct–Nov | Plum rain (June), typhoons (Aug–Sep) |
| South (Guangzhou) | Nov–Feb | Typhoons + extreme humidity May–Sep |
| Yunnan | Year-round | Rainy season Jun–Aug |
| Chengdu/Sichuan | Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov | Grey winters, summer downpours |
| Northeast (Harbin) | Dec–Feb (ice festival) | -25°C is real |
| Tibet/Xinjiang | May–Oct | Altitude weather swings |
Typhoons (Jul–Sep, south & east coast)
- Flights and trains cancel; attractions close for a day or two
- Hotels are safe; follow staff instructions, stock snacks, charge devices
- Track via weather apps; a typhoon day is a museum-and-hotpot day
Floods and summer storms
Central and southern China can see severe flooding (June–August). Check forecasts before river or mountain trips; never hike gorges in heavy rain — flash floods are the genuine danger.
Air quality
- Much improved, but winter (Nov–Feb) still brings smog episodes in the north
- Check an AQI app; carry KN95 masks; plan indoor sights (museums) on bad days
Everyday preparedness
- Weather app + Amap alerts cover warnings in English adequately
- Umbrella always (June–September)
- Layer for trains and malls — air conditioning is aggressive
Earthquakes: Western Sichuan and Yunnan are seismically active. Modern hotels are built to code; know the drill — drop, cover, hold on, then move outside away from facades.