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Originally Published: 13 May, 2010

Best Time To Visit China

Avoid Peak Periods

Travel services throughout China are severely disrupted during peak periods. Transport services are often booked out, hotels put up their prices and tourist sites become clooged with massive crowds. The peak periods that apply nationally are:

- Spring Festival: known more commonly as Chinese New Year, this event lasts for two weeks, usually in late January or February, but, since so many Chinese head home to visit their families, the period of disruption lasts for at least two weeks either side of the festival dates.

- May Holiday: International Labour Day is a public holiday and many locals take advantage to enjoy some tourist attractions. Fortunately, the week-long holiday is now history and the disruption is considerably less.

- October Holiday: the 'golden week' which commences with the 1 October celebrations for National Day remains on the calendar and is best avoided if possible.

Warm but not too hot or wet

Winters can be bitter, especially north of the Yangtse River. The hardy visitor arriving during the very cold weather is unlikely to encounter large crowds and should be able to get discounts on many services - but may also have their plans disrupted by a particularly heavy fall of snow.

The weather typically warms up in late March with a peak in July/August. Those two months also tend to be the wettest, with the wet season being slightly earlier further south.

There are windows in Spring and Autumn when the weather is most suitable for travel. Temperatures tend to fall quickly through November, with snows possible up north and on high ground.

The Best Time To Visit China

The weeks following the October Holiday (that is, from 9 October or thereabouts) are often the best for travel in China.If there are going to be blue skies then this is one of the most likely times.

Of course, you may have other considerations to take into account, and may time your visit to coincide with a particular event despite travel disruptions or adverse weather.

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