China's climate varies from bitter cold in winter and heat in summer. The Yangtze River serves as China's official dividing line between north and south. Given the size and varied landscape of the country, there is no one time in the year when Chinese weather is ideal. Of course, the warmest areas in winter are to be found in the South and Southwest, such as Sichuan, Banna in Yunnan, and Hainan Island. In summer the coolest spots are in the far northeast.
Climates differ from region to region in China because of the country's extensive and complex topography. In northeast China, summer is short but there is much sunshine, while winter is long and cold. Precipitation is limited in northwest China where it is cold in winter and hot in summer. In southwest China of low latitudes, the elevation rate is high, and has characteristically vertical seasonal zones.
There's not really an 'ideal' time to visit the country, so use the following information as a rough guide to avoid temperature extremes.
Northern area (Beijing, Shanghai)
Northern winters, from December to March, can be extremely cold. Beijing generally experiences temperature of -20ºC, dry and no sun. Further north, temperatures reaching -40ºC are not uncommon, and you'll see the unusual sight of sand dunes covered in snow.
During the summer, from May to August, temperatures in Beijing can increase to 38ºC (100 F), coinciding with the rainy season for the city. The best time for visiting the north is spring and autumn. Daytime temperatures range from 20ºC to 30ºC (68 F to 86 F) and drop a lot at night. Precipitation is 6370cm (25-28 inches) per year.
Southern area
Sanyaˇ¦s temperatures can rise to around 38ºC. Winters are short, between January and March. It's not as cold as in the north, but you'd better bring warm clothes with you while visiting.
Autumn and spring can be good times to visit, with day temperatures range from 20ºC to 25ºC (68 F to 75 F). Sometimes, it can be miserably cold and wet, with rain or drizzle. Precipitation averages 76 cm (30 inches) per year. |
