China Weather in May

May is the last month of spring in China and also a transitional month from spring to summer. In the northern part of China, the weather is warm and dry. In the south and east, it starts to feel a bit hot, and there's more rainfall.

Is May a Good Time to Visit China

May is a good time to travel in China. Firstly, the temperature in this month isn't hot, making your trips extremely comfortable. Especially when engaging in outdoor activities in North China, you won't find it strenuous or be sweating profusely from the heat.

Secondly, the peak tourist season just passed a month ago at this time, and many people haven't finalized their travel plans yet, so tourist attractions won't be overcrowded.

However, you'd better not come during Labor Day. Labor Day is a national holiday in China, and Chinese people get a 5-day break. This period is a travel peak, also known as the Golden Week.

China Weather in May in the Eastern Regions

The weather in Qinghai is cool, and you need to wear autumn clothes. In Shanghai and its surrounding cities, it's warm, so summer clothes will do.

You can go to the observation deck of the Shanghai Tower to have a 360-degree panoramic view of the city of Shanghai and experience the unique feeling of being in a city in the sky. Looking nearby, iconic buildings like the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and Shanghai World Financial Center are right beneath your feet.

You can also see the magnificent sight of the Suzhou River and the Huangpu River winding together as they flow into the Yangtze River and finally merge into the East China Sea.

What to Wear in the Eastern Part of China

In Qinghai, you need to wear a sweatshirt or a long-sleeved shirt, along with a thin jacket. In Shanghai and its surrounding cities, you can wear a short-sleeved T-shirt or a long-sleeved T-shirt, and jeans or sports pants are both fine.

China Weather in May in Central Regions

The weather in Central China is warm, and wearing spring or summer clothes is fine. After rain, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park may present a marvelous sea of clouds. You can see the beautiful sight of clouds and mists surrounding the peak forests, as if you've arrived in a fairyland on earth.

The peak forest landscape here is a rare natural wonder in the world, made up of thousands of stone columns and peaks.

What to Wear in the Central Part of China

• Upper Segment: short-sleeved T-shirt or long-sleeved shirt, light jacket
• Lower Segment: sports pants or casual pants

China Weather in May in Northern Regions

In May in North China, it's cool in the morning, so you need to wear autumn clothes. By noon and afternoon, the weather becomes warm and comfortable, and you can change into summer clothes.

If you visit the Summer Palace this month, you'll see dense green trees and blooming flowers everywhere, full of vitality. You can also take a boat ride on Kunming Lake, enjoying the lake and mountain views while feeling the grandeur of the imperial garden.

What to Wear in North Part of China

In the morning, wear a short-sleeved T-shirt or a long-sleeved shirt, and add a thin jacket over it. For pants, choose casual pants or sweatpants. When it gets hot at noon and in the afternoon, just take off the jacket.

China Weather in May in the Northwest Regions

The weather in Xinjiang and Shaanxi is warm and comfortable, so spring clothes will do. If you go to Turpan, summer clothes are enough.

In Qinghai, Gansu, and Ningxia, it's cold in the morning, and at noon it's either cool or warm, so you need to bring clothes of different thicknesses.

The glaciers at Sayram Lake are starting to melt, the grass on Xihai Grassland has turned green, and flowers are in bloom, making the lakeside scenery extremely beautiful.

The architecture in the old town of Kashgar is very distinctive, full of a strong flavor of the Western Regions. You can try local cuisine and feel the locals' warmth.

What to Wear in the Northwest Part of China

In Xinjiang and Shaanxi, you can wear a sweatshirt or long-sleeve shirt with a light jacket over it, and pair it with jeans or sports pants.

In Gansu, Ningxia, and Qinghai, wear a long-sleeve T-shirt, then a hoodie, and top it off with a down jacket in the morning. Just take off the outer jacket at noon, and wear fleece-lined sports pants.

China Weather in May in Southern Regions

In May, the weather in South China is warm, making summer attire perfectly suitable. At this time, the Longji Rice Terraces have been irrigated, with the water surfaces reflecting like mirrors.

The layered terraces resemble thousands of bright mirrors, shimmering with waves and beautifully contrasting against the blue sky, white clouds, and lush green mountains.

It's like stepping into a series of breathtaking paintings. For the most stunning views, visiting early in the morning or in the evening is ideal.

What to Wear in the South Part of China

• Upper Segments: short-sleeved T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts
• Lower Segments: sports pants, casual pants, shorts

China Weather in May in the Southwest Regions

In high-altitude areas like Tibet and northern Yunnan, it's cold in the mornings and evenings but becomes cool by noon and afternoon. You need to pack both winter and autumn clothing. In other places where the weather is warm, summer attire will suffice.

You can rent a bicycle or an electric scooter and ride along the road beside Erhai Lake. On one side is the sparkling blue lake, and on the other are white residential buildings. The gentle sea breeze blowing against your face can whisk away all your worries.

What to Wear in the Southwest Part of China

In Tibet and northern Yunnan, wear a long-sleeved T-shirt, a thin sweater, and a hard-shell jacket in the morning and evening. When it gets cooler at noon, you can either take off the hard-shell jacket or replace it with a thin jacket.

For pants, opt for fleece-lined pants. In other places, you can wear short sleeves and sports pants, adding a long-sleeved shirt when it gets cool.

China Weather in May in the Northeast Regions

It's cold in the morning in Northeast China, but it becomes cool or warm by noon and in the afternoon. So, it's best to wear clothes that are easy to put on and take off.

You can visit the Northeast Tiger Park to see the king of the forest, the tiger, up close. You can also go to the science museum to learn about protecting Northeast tigers.

You can also take a special thrilling sightseeing bus to experience the excitement of feeding tigers and feel the wildness of nature and the unique charm of ecological conservation.

What to Wear in the Northeast Part of China

In the morning, wear a sweatshirt, then put on a fleece jacket, and finally layer it with a windbreaker outside. When the temperature rises at noon, just take off the outer coat. For pants, wear fleece-lined sweatpants.

How to Protect Yourself from the Sun in May in China

Before going out, you need to prepare high-SPF sunscreen and reapply it every two to three hours. Also, wear items that provide physical protection like wide-brimmed hats, sun-protective clothing, and sunglasses to reduce direct exposure to ultraviolet rays to your skin.

If you're going to places with extremely strong ultraviolet rays, such as plateaus or seaside areas, opt for professional sun-protection products with UPF 50+. Additionally, ultraviolet rays are strongest from 10:00 to 4:00, so try not to go out during these hours. If you have to go out, stay in the shade or use a sun umbrella.

Top Destinations in China in May

In May, you can visit royal gardens in North China, enjoy urban scenery in East China, and go sightseeing in mountains and waters in South China.

Beijing

Beijing has a particularly strong historical and cultural vibe. In this modern city, siheyuan and royal palaces have been well preserved. The Summer Palace is a representative royal garden in Beijing.

Based on Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, it draws inspiration from the design of gardens in the Jiangnan region, perfectly blending royal grandeur with natural landscapes.

When you take a boat and drift slowly on Kunming Lake, looking into the distance, Longevity Hill under the sunlight appears even more majestic. The buildings on the hill, such as the Hall of Buddhist Incense and the Pavilion of Cloud Dispersal, stand one after another in a particularly pleasing arrangement, glittering with golden light and exuding royal dignity and opulence.

How to Get to Summer Palace: Take Line 4 to Beigongmen Station and exit from Exit D.

Shanghai

Before Shanghai's plum rain season arrives, you can take a stroll along the Bund. The Bund is a significant historical site in modern China, featuring representative buildings that collectively form the Bund International Architecture Exhibition Group.

There stand 52 classical revival buildings with completely different styles. It has witnessed Shanghai's transformation from a small fishing village into an international metropolis, offering a unique sense of the City's blend of history and modernity.

How to Get to the Bund: Take Line 2 or Line 10 to East Nanjing Road Station and exit through Exit 7.

Zhangjiajie

When you arrive in Zhangjiajie, be sure to visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. It's famous for its peculiar peaks and beautiful waters. There's a saying, "For water, go to Jiuzhaigou; for mountains, choose Zhangjiajie."

The park has countless extraordinary peaks, with floating clouds and mists, just like a fairyland. Golden Whip Stream is called one of the most beautiful canyons in the world, and Yuanjiajie is even dubbed the mysterious Pandora World.

You can not only enjoy stunning natural scenery but also take part in many outdoor activities. You can hike up the mountains or take the Bailong Elevator or shuttle buses to visit various scenic spots.

How to Get to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: It takes about 1 hour to get to the National Forest Park by bus from Zhangjiajie Bus Station, and the fare is CNY12. Buses start running at 6:3 and end at 17:00, with a departure every 23 to 30 minutes.

China Weather by Month

• China Weather in January
• China Weather in February
• China Weather in March
• China Weather in April
• China Weather in May
• China Weather in June
• China Weather in July
• China Weather in August
• China Weather in September
• China Weather in October
• China Weather in November
• China Weather in December

Booking Your China Tour with Us

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