The best times to visit Beijing are spring (April and May) and fall (September and October) when, on average, the weather is the most pleasant and the views are the most spectacular.
However, good weather also means increased costs and tourists. Is there a time that has good weather while benefiting from smaller crowds and affordable prices? Take a look at our weather tips and recommendations below.
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Best Times to Visit Beijing for Good Weather
The best times to visit Beijing for good weather are during the spring and autumn months.
Spring, from April to May, offers mild temperatures, clear skies, and blooming flowers, making it a delightful time to explore the city's historical sites and parks.
Autumn, from September to October, provides crisp air, comfortable temperatures, and vibrant foliage, creating a picturesque backdrop for your sightseeing adventures.
Accordingly, these periods usually attract more tourists and see higher prices.
Our tip: Traveling before or after the most popular times is a smart value-for-money choice, such as late March or early November.
These are transition periods. The weather won't vary very much, which means you could enjoy a less touristy environment and a better price while still enjoying decent weather.
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4 day tour of Beijing
We just completed our four-day tour of Beijing. We want to share our experience with you with Ethan Liu (our tour guide). Wow, we had a great experience from the moment we arrived in Beijing, where he greeted us at the airport. We already knew that the next four days would be a wonderful experience. These are some of the reasons why: 1. He connected with my family, including my wife and two boys. They felt comfortable around him, and we enjoyed learning about Beijing and Chinese history; he kept us engaged and informed. 2. He went the extra mile to ensure we had a great time; he even spent extra time after the tour helping me find an ATM. 3. He is a professional guide who is meticulous about details and will make your tour smoothly with low stress. 4. In all, much love and appreciation to Ethan Liu, Carol Wang, who is our travel coordinator & helped us plan our trip, and our driver, who drove us around without making us car sick. We highly recommend our tour guide and China Highlights without any reservations. They are a 5/5 stars company. Sincerely, The Nguyen Family more
May 2024, Azurite
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Great tour for 1 day
The tailor-made package was great and arranged according to my liking. Lucy, my tour guide was very knowledgeable, well-versed in English and ensured we were taken care of throughout our tour. Lucy was able to answer all questions beyond our toured places. She has very positive energy, kind and is full of confidence. more
May 2024, Lis R.V
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Amazing time in Beijing with Ethan
During our recent two-week tour in China, we spent three days in Beijing with Ethan as our guide, who left a lasting impression on us. Ethan navigated us through the historical and monumental city of Beijing and its surroundings, shared fascinating historical and cultural stories with us and left none of our questions unanswered. What truly set Ethan apart was his ability to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. His infectious good vibes made our time in Beijing exceptionally pleasant. He truly listened to our interests and preferences, accommodated our requests and made personalized recommendations. All that added an extra layer of enjoyment to our trip. more
May 2024, Marijana Petrovic
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Best Times to Visit the Great Wall
The best time to visit the Great Wall is from September to November, with less rain, comfortable temperatures, and more clear days for you to enjoy hiking and photography.
The Great Wall could be visited for sightseeing throughout all four seasons of the year. Each season has its unique scenery. See more on The Best Times to Visit the Great Wall.
Best Times to Visit Beijing for a Family Trip
For families with children in school, your travel time would usually need to be matched to your children's school timetable. The summer vacation (June to August) is usually the available time for a trip.
June could be a good travel month for a summer vacation trip (if you can get the time off school) for weather that's not too hot, fewer tourists, and more reasonable prices.
The period around mid-August or after could also be a good option for relatively fewer crowds.
If you are planning a family trip to China, you could get ideas and tips from our How to Plan Your First-Time Family Trip to China.
You could also contact us to customize your itinerary to meet and balance your whole family's interests and requirements without any hassles.
Best Times to Visit Beijing for Low Prices
December to February is the off-season in Beijing. Hotel prices are relatively low and there are fewer crowds except for in late December because of the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The Worst Times to Visit Beijing
The time we wouldn't recommend visiting Beijing is when the city is at its peak tourism times as there are too many tourists, especially on the Great Wall and in the Forbidden City.
This period usually falls in July and August as well as China's two golden weeks for tourism: May Day (May 1–5) and National Day (October 1–7).
Our tips:
Choose to travel before or after these holidays. That way, you could avoid the crowds and enjoy a more reasonable price.
If your schedule is fixed, there are still many helpful solutions to ensure a good travel experience. For example, we could take you to visit a comparatively less-crowded section of the Great Wall at Jinshanling or Gubeikou, arrange a VIP channel for you to skip the queues, and make flexible plans to cope with any overcrowding.
Feel free to contact us to arrange your trip. We will design the best itinerary for you based on your interests and requirements.
Beijing Travel Guide by Month
Click the links for each month below to check out more detailed Beijing weather and travel guide information.
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
Beijing in January
- Average daily temperature range: -6–3°C (21–37°F)
- Average rainy days: 5
- Average sunny days: 26
In January, Beijing experiences occasional snowfall with cold temperatures, but indoor heating systems keep things cozy.
January is Beijing's off-peak season, except for the New Year holiday (January 1–3), making it a cost-effective choice.
Visiting the Great Wall during this time offers snowy landscapes. It is also good for hiking on clear days.
Skiing and enjoying hot springs in a wonderful ski resort are also good for a December trip.
See more on Beijing Weather in January.
Recommended China Tours
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