China Weather
🇨🇳 2 cities covered · Asia
· humid subtropical, humid continental climates
Warmest city
Shanghai
Coolest city
Beijing
Sunniest city
Beijing
Best time to visit
March to May
Weather in China at a glance
China offers 2 distinct climate types, from humid subtropical to humid continental among its 2 covered cities. Year-round, Shanghai posts the highest average temperature (63°F (17°C)) and Beijing the lowest (55°F (13°C)), so the right base depends as much on climate as on itinerary.
Quick facts
- Warmest city: Shanghai - annual average 63°
- Coolest city: Beijing - annual average 55°
- Sunniest city: Beijing (8.9 h sun/day)
- Best time to visit: March to May
- Climate types: humid subtropical, humid continental
The bigger picture
For sunshine, Beijing leads with about 8.9 hours of sun per day on average. Shanghai is the wettest of the covered cities, collecting roughly 1477 mm (58.1 inches) of precipitation a year, and Beijing sees the most snow, around 3 snowy days annually. Averaged across the country's covered cities, March to May brings the most comfortable mix of temperature, dry days and daylight.
Live weather across China today
China cities compared
China weather by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainy days | Sunshine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43° | 27° | 4 | 7.0 h/day |
| February | 47° | 30° | 6 | 7.3 h/day |
| March | 60° | 39° | 7 | 8.4 h/day |
| April | 70° | 50° | 7 | 8.6 h/day |
| May | 80° | 60° | 8 | 9.0 h/day |
| June | 86° | 69° | 11 | 8.5 h/day |
| July | 89° | 75° | 16 | 8.9 h/day |
| August | 88° | 74° | 13 | 9.6 h/day |
| September | 81° | 66° | 10 | 8.5 h/day |
| October | 69° | 53° | 6 | 7.5 h/day |
| November | 57° | 42° | 6 | 6.7 h/day |
| December | 45° | 30° | 4 | 7.2 h/day |
China weather FAQs
What is the warmest city in China?
Among the cities we cover, Shanghai is the warmest, averaging 63°F (17°C) across the year. Its hottest month is August, with highs near 90°F (32°C).
What is the coldest city in China?
Beijing runs coldest, averaging 55°F (13°C) for the year; January lows average 20°F (-7°C).
What is the sunniest city in China?
Beijing, with about 8.9 hours of sunshine per day averaged across the year.
When is the best time to visit China?
Averaged across the covered cities, March to May offers the most comfortable combination of temperatures, drier days and daylight. Coastal, mountain and desert areas can differ - check each city's climate page for specifics.
Does it snow in China?
Yes - 2 of the 2 covered cities see regular snowfall. Beijing gets the most, about 3 snowy days in a typical year.
What is the climate of China like?
The covered cities fall under humid subtropical, humid continental climates. That means hot, humid summers and generally mild winters.