Weather: May is quite comfortable. It is often sunny and warm, and the nights are cool. The average daily high temperature is 26 °C (78 °F), and the average nightly low temperature is 17 °C (62 °F). It rains about 15 days of the month, and there is about 147 mm of total precipitation.
Clothing: Long-sleeves, a jacket and slacks are enough for the evenings. Bring shorts and rain gear. Wear waterproof shoes for wet weather. Take an umbrella on days rain is likely. Check the current weather and forecast>>
Top Things to Do in Hangzhou in May
Visit West Lake
West LakeWest Lake is the favorite tourist attraction in the city. It is a great place for a run or for an extended walk along the walkway along the shore. You can rent bikes or boats and go out on the water. There are large crowds on holidays and sunny weekends at the popular park.
Hike at Moganshan
Moganshan is a mountain about a 1½ hour drive from Hangzhou that was a favorite retreat center for both Chinese government leaders and foreigners. It is especially popular in sweltering Hangzhou summers, but in May, you can enjoy the cool spring scenery, go for hikes, and enjoy the tea on the tea farms. The main peak is called Ta Shan, and it is 724 meters high (2,375 feet).
Hike or Relax at Thousand Islets Lake
Thousand Islets LakeThousand Islets (Qiandao) Lake is almost 10 times bigger than West Lake, and there is forest on the thousand islets and on the shore. It is a great place for sightseeing, relaxing, hiking and finding tranquility. It isn't a place to visit with a rushing Chinese tour group, and we recommend that you avoid the Chinese tour boats and tour buses. It is a place best enjoyed privately or with a private tour.
There are hotels where you can relax, and hiking paths extend all around. You can find places to rent boats, canoes, and even powerboats. You could bike around the area. See our Thousand Islets Lake Biking Guide
Touring Hangzhou in May
Peak Travel Season
Lingyin TempleMay marks the beginning of the peak travel season. Travel surges at the end of April, and most people get a three day public holiday around May 1. The hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions will be hosting crowds of Chinese during the first week in May.
Tourists are advised to avoid travelling during this week around May 1. But if you are planning to visit Hangzhou in May, we can help find accommodations and tickets. The prices for hotel rooms, flight tickets and train tickets are high. We can use our experience to arrange your trip and find discounts and save you time.
Recommended Tour Packages
- 1-Day Dragon Well Tea Culture & West Lake Tour
- 2-Day Hangzhou Highlights & Grand Canal Heritage Tour
We have many more popular tour products and our tours can be customized. If you are not interested in the above tours, you can just tell us your interests and requirements, and China Highlights will create a China tour for you.
Further Reading
Hangzhou Climate Information by Month
- Hangzhou Weather in January
- Hangzhou Weather in February
- Hangzhou Weather in March
- Hangzhou Weather in April
- Hangzhou Weather in May
- Hangzhou Weather in June
- Hangzhou Weather in July
- Hangzhou Weather in August
- Hangzhou Weather in September
- Hangzhou Weather in October
- Hangzhou Weather in November
- Hangzhou Weather in December