Climate in China
The area of the country is over 9.6 million square kilometers. China is only slightly smaller than all of Europe. A whopping 18 different climate zones influence the country’s weather. From the continental climate in the west and north to the tropical climate in the south to the high mountain climate in Tibet, everything is represented in the country. However, most of the country is in the temperate zone . In addition, the monsoons affect the climate of all of China. This gives most regions a rainy summer. Read on for detailed information on the climate in the various areas of the country. From the temperatures to the number of hours of sunshine to the amount of precipitation in the individual months – my travel calendar has it all ready for you.
Beijing climate
According to CLOTHINGEXPRESS, Beijing – the capital of China – is located in the temperate climate zone . In this region of the country, the winters are very cold and the summers are hot. With a minimum temperature of -10 degrees Celsius, January is the coldest month of the year. The maximum value is 2 degrees. In the summer months, vacationers expect temperatures of 30 degrees in June and August and 31 degrees Celsius in July. While July is the hottest month , it doesn’t bring the most hours of sunshine of the year. With 9 hours a day, May and June are the sunniest months in Beijing. Compared to Hong Kong or Shanghai, there is little rainfall throughout the year. The most rain however falls in July and August. With an average of 1 rainy day, January, February, November and December are the driest months. Do you want to go on vacation to China and visit the capital?
Then decide on a trip in April, May, September, October or November, because that is the best time to travel to Beijing . During these months it hardly rains, the sun shines at least 8 hours a day and the temperatures are pleasant during the day. However, don’t forget to pack something warm so that you don’t freeze in the evening.
Climate table for Beijing
Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
Max. Temperature in ° C | 2 | 4 | 11 | 20 | 26 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 26 | 19 | 10 | 3 |
Min. Temperature in ° C | -10 | -7 | -1 | 7 | 13 | 18 | 22 | 20 | 14 | 7 | 0 | -7 |
Hours of sunshine per day | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
Rainy days per month | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Precipitation in mm | 3 | 7 | 10 | 28 | 31 | 72 | 178 | 191 | 46 | 18 | 5 | 2 |
Climate in Shanghai
Similar to Beijing, the seasons are pronounced in Shanghai , but it doesn’t get quite as cold in winter in Shanghai. With a maximum temperature of 32 degrees Celsius, July and August are the hottest months . During this time the sun shines for 7 hours a day. On the other hand, it is seldom seen in January and February, namely only 4 hours a day. The lowest temperatures brings the January with minimal 0 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 8 degrees with it. Just like in the other regions of China, it also rains the most in Shanghai in summer. Typhoons sweep across the country and bring a lot of precipitation to the metropolis in the east. The month with the most rainy days – 14 in number – is June. In September it rains two days less, but the amount of precipitation is the highest of the whole year.
The best time to travel to Shanghai is in April, May, October and November, because spring and autumn bring less rain than summer. In addition, the temperatures are milder during these months.
Climate table for Shanghai
Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
Max. Temperature in ° C | 8 | 9 | 13 | 19 | 24 | 27 | 32 | 32 | 27 | 22 | 17 | 11 |
Min. Temperature in ° C | 0 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 15 | 9 | 2 |
Hours of sunshine per day | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Rainy days per month | 9 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
Precipitation in mm | 39 | 59 | 81 | 102 | 115 | 152 | 128 | 133 | 156 | 61 | 51 | 35 |
Climate in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is located in the south on China’s coast. Due to its location on the Pearl River, the city is one of the most important metropolises for international trade. The world’s largest cargo airport, Hong Kong International Airport, is also located there. Hong Kong is located in the subtropical climate zone . Therefore, the winters are dry and cool there and the summers are rainy and hot. Typhoons occur more frequently during the summer months. The coldest time of the year is from January to February. During these months the temperatures are between 15 and 19 degrees Celsius. It is warmest in July and August with maximum average temperatures of 31 degrees. The sunniest month July is with 8 hours of sunshine per day, closely followed by August with 7 hours. March is less cheerful – the month only gives holidaymakers 3 hours of sun a day. The rainiest time is from May to September.
The maximum precipitation comes in August. On 17 days of the year, 433 millimeters of rain fall. June brings with it more rainy days – 19 in total – but with 388 millimeters, a little less rainfall than in August. The summer months are not only very rainy, many vacationers find them uncomfortable due to the high humidity and hot temperatures. The best time to travel to Hong Kong is therefore between October and April .
Climate table for Hong Kong
Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
Max. Temperature in ° C | 19 | 19 | 21 | 25 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 24 | 20 |
Min. Temperature in ° C | 15 | 15 | 17 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 20 | 16 |
Hours of sunshine per day | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Rainy days per month | 5 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 5 |
Precipitation in mm | 25 | 35 | 56 | 175 | 311 | 388 | 378 | 433 | 331 | 102 | 38 | 28 |
Climate in Xi’an
To give you an impression of the climate in Central China , I am providing you with a climate table for Xi’an . This region lies in the warm temperate climate zone . Winter has freezing temperatures and it gets very hot in summer. The coldest month is January with a maximum of 5 degrees Celsius and a minimum of -4 degrees during the day. December is only one degree warmer. The maximum temperature is reached in June and July at 32 degrees Celsius. August also brings a hot 31 degrees with it. During the summer months, the sun shines the longest at 7 hours a day. Compared to the climate tables for the cities of Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai, Xi’an has the least rainfall. The rainiest month is September with 106 millimeters of precipitation per month. These are spread over an average of 12 days.
In comparison: In Hong Kong there is more than four times the amount of rain in the wettest month. The best time to travel to Xi’an is from March to May. September and October are also suitable for a trip to the city in central China. In this way you avoid the cool temperatures of winter and the heat of summer.
Climate table for Xi’an
Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
Max. Temperature in ° C | 5 | 8 | 14 | 20 | 26 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 25 | 19 | 12 | 6 |
Min. Temperature in ° C | -4 | -2 | 3 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 16 | 10 | 3 | -3 |
Hours of sunshine per day | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Rainy days per month | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 3 |
Precipitation in mm | 6 | 11 | 25 | 47 | 62 | 51 | 93 | 67 | 106 | 64 | 26 | 5 |
Climate in Tibet
Tibet is subject to the high mountain climate . This varies enormously from north to south. Because parts of Tibet are at an altitude of over 4,500 meters. Other regions are in the high mountain valley. The best weather awaits holidaymakers in the lower elevations. As a representative of the climate in Tibet, you can find a climate diagram for Lhasa here . The city is located in the southeast of Tibet at an altitude of 3,650 meters. Lhasa is particularly popular for the Potala Palace, the former seat of government of the Dalai Lama. During a trip to Tibet you can expect the warmest temperatures in June . This month brings a peak of 23 degrees Celsius with it. The coldest month January is a maximum of 7 and a minimum of -10 degrees Celsius. The hours of sunshine per day are quite even over the year. The value is between 7 hours in July and August and a maximum of 9 hours of sunshine in May, June, October, November and December.
July and August bring the most precipitation with them – it rains on an average of 15 days during these months. Do you want to travel to China at the best time to travel to Tibet ? Then plan your vacation in May, June, September or October. Summer is the wettest on average over the year, but it rains mostly at night in Tibet. Therefore, the summer months are also suitable for a trip.
Climate table for Lhasa
Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
Max. Temperature in ° C | 7 | 9 | 12 | 16 | 19 | 23 | 22nd | 21 | 20 | 16 | 11 | 8 |
Min. Temperature in ° C | -10 | -7 | -3 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 1 | -5 | -9 |
Hours of sunshine per day | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
Rainy days per month | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Precipitation in mm | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 27 | 27 | 119 | 123 | 58 | 10 | 2 | 1 |