When to Visit Beijing

in Beijing is its most starkly beautiful and coldest month.

remains quite cold, with highs around 6°C (42°F) and lows of -4°C (24°F), but you might notice the daylight lasting a bit longer by the end of the month, around the Lunar New Year, when the city empties out and many businesses close.

feels like a tentative awakening. Temperatures become more manageable, with highs near 13°C (55°F), though nights are still chilly at 1°C (35°F). The famous (or infamous) spring winds can pick up, carrying dust from the north, but you'll see the first buds appearing in the parks.

is often lovely, a true spring month. Highs of 21°C (69°F) and lows of 9°C (48°F) make for comfortable exploring, though a light jacket for evenings is wise. Rainfall increases slightly but days are generally clear and bright, good for visiting the Summer Palace.

brings consistently warm and pleasant weather to Beijing, with highs of 27°C (80°F) and pleasant lows around 15°C (59°F). It's a popular time to visit before the summer heat and rains arrive, so expect the major sites to be busy. The peonies at the botanical gardens are in full bloom.

marks the beginning of Beijing's hot, humid summer. Highs jump to 30°C (87°F) with noticeably muggier air, and rainfall increases significantly to 74mm. It's a month of transition, where you might still get some dry, hot days before the peak monsoon downpours begin.

is the hottest and wettest month in Beijing. Highs average 31°C (89°F) with oppressive humidity and the year's highest rainfall at 170mm. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, and the heat can be intense, making midday breaks in air-conditioned spaces a practical necessity.

is still very hot and humid, with similar highs of 30°C (87°F) and substantial rain at 114mm. However, you might notice the evenings starting to become slightly less stifling by the end of the month, offering a hint of the autumn to come.

brings welcome relief to Beijing. The humidity breaks, temperatures become pleasant at 26°C (79°F) highs, and rainfall decreases sharply. It's arguably one of the best months to be in the city, with clear blue skies and comfortable conditions for any activity.

is another prime month for Beijing, featuring crisp, clear autumn air and mild temperatures around 19°C (66°F) for highs. The rainfall is low, and the changing leaves in places like Fragrant Hills add another layer of beauty to the city.

sees a rapid cooldown. Highs drop to 10°C (50°F) and lows hover around freezing at 0°C (33°F). The trees are bare, the air is dry and often windy, and you'll feel winter's approach. It's a quiet, introspective time to visit before the deep cold sets in.

is cold and dry, with highs of 3°C (38°F) and lows of -5°C (23°F). While not as bitter as January can be, it's firmly winter, and you'll need warm layers, for early morning visits to see the snow-dusted rooftops of the Forbidden City.