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China spans many climates, but the broad rule is that spring and autumn are the most comfortable almost everywhere.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | April, May | Mild and pleasant, blossom and clear skies. A top window. |
| Summer | June to August | Hot, humid and busy, heavy domestic travel and higher prices. |
| Autumn | September, October | Comfortable and clear, the other sweet spot. |
| Winter | November to March | Cold in the north, milder in the south, quiet and cheaper. |
A fine time across much of China. Beijing, the Great Wall, Xian and the Yangtze are mild and comfortable, with blossom and clear days before the summer humidity builds.
Hot and humid in most cities, and the peak domestic travel season, so expect crowds and higher prices at the big sights. The far west and the high country are more comfortable.
Many travellers' favourite, with clear skies, comfortable temperatures and autumn colour. Note that the early-October national holiday brings heavy domestic travel.
Cold and dry in the north, with the Great Wall quiet and striking under occasional snow. The south, around Hong Kong and Guangzhou, stays milder, and prices are lower.
Mind the national holidays
Chinese national holidays bring enormous domestic travel. The early-October Golden Week and the Lunar New Year period see packed sites and trains, so plan around them.
Flights from Dubai to Beijing or Shanghai take around seven to eight hours. China rewards a week or more to combine a couple of regions. Settle your visa route before booking.
Before you book flights, sort your visa. Check which route applies to your passport as a UAE resident on our China visa from Dubai guide.
April to May and September to October offer the most comfortable weather across most of the country, with mild temperatures and clear skies.
It is hot, humid and the peak domestic travel season, so cities are busy and pricey. The far west and high country are more comfortable.
Around the early-October Golden Week and the Lunar New Year, when domestic travel is at its heaviest and sites and transport are packed.
Winter, outside the national holidays, has the lowest prices, with the north cold and the south milder.
A week covers one or two regions such as Beijing and Shanghai. Two weeks lets you add Xian, the Yangtze or the south.
Most travellers need a visa. Check the route for your passport on our China visa from Dubai guide before booking.