Huangshan Weather
Located in the east of China, Huangshan has a humid subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. This article will help you decide on the best time to visit Huangshan.
Huangshan receives plentiful rainfall, particularly in the Yellow Mountains area. The city receives rain on more than 180 days in a year, and the wettest months are May, June, and July.
The weather in this mountainous area tends to vary, with warm summers and cool winters. The hot season lasts from mid-May to mid-September, and the average daily temperature during this season in about 27 °C (81°F). The cold season lasts from mid-November to mid-March, with an average daily temperature of 5°C (41°F).
Note: The temperature can vary significantly between the foot and top of the mountains, and between day and night. This is data based on Huangshan city weather; the temperature would be much lower on the mountaintop.
Best Times to Visit Huangshan
When is the best time to visit Huangshan? The answer is all year round! You can admire different types of beauty in each season.
- Trees turning green and flowers blooming in spring
- Waterfalls and a sea of clouds in summer
- Red maple leaves and pines retain verdant, green needles in autumn
- Snowflakes and rime on trees in winter
The peak tourist season lasts from April to November, with September and October being the most popular months for travel due to the pleasant weather. However, many travelers regard winter as the perfect season for hiking tours, as hiking paths will be less crowded, and you can enjoy the snow-covered landscape and fresh air along the trail.
For a more comfortable travel experience, avoid visiting during public holidays, such as the Chinese National Day (1–7 October), Chinese New Year, and school summer holidays (July and August).
Visiting Huangshan in Spring (Mid-March to Mid-May)
Huangshan has a short but resplendent spring, with flowers in full bloom and fresh, crisp air. In spring, the weather is cloudy, misty, and rainy, with cool and humid days.
The average temperature ranges around 6–14°C (43–57°F) in March, 12–20ºC (54–68°F) in April, and 17–25°C (63–77°F) in May.
Clothing: padded jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts, waterproof shoes, and raincoats
Recommended tour: 3-Day Yellow Mountains and Hongcun Village Tour
Visiting Huangshan in Summer (Mid-May to Mid-September)
In summer, it might be hot at the base of Huangshan, but it will get colder when you go higher up the mountains. The hottest days of the season fall in July, which has an average maximum temperature of 32°C (90°F) and an average minimum temperature of 24°C (75°F).
The rainy season lasts from May to August, with an average monthly precipitation of about 300 mm (12 in). Due to the rains, summer is a unique time to appreciate the breathtaking scenery of Huangshan — you will be swept away by the sea of clouds and thundering waterfalls.
Clothing: jackets, t-shirts, waterproof shoes, raincoats, and sunhats
Recommended tour: 3-Day Huangshan Classic Tour from Shanghai
Visiting Huangshan in Autumn (Mid-September to Mid-November)
The autumn season in Huangshan is quite short. Nevertheless, it’s the best time to appreciate the natural landscape awash with the reds and greens of verdant pine forests, red maples, and wild chrysanthemums.
In autumn, the temperature ranges from 14–28°C (57–82°F). The weather turns cold with fewer showers than in summer. As the weather is quite pleasant at this time, autumn is considered the best time to travel to Huangshan.
Clothing: padded jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts, sports shoes, and sunhats
Recommended tour: 9-Day Tour of East China (including Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Huangshan)
Visiting Huangshan in Winter (Mid-November to Mid-March)
Winter on the Yellow Mountains lasts quite long, but Huangshan city at the base does not get as cold as you might expect. The temperature ranges from 0–10°C (32–50°F).
Thanks to the cold weather, the mountains are less crowded and you can enjoy their pristine beauty in relative quiet.
Clothing: down jackets, warm coats, sweaters, thermals, snow boots, scarves
Recommended tour: 3-Day Huangshan Relex Tour from Shanghai
Best Time to See the Sea of Clouds
Huangshan gets foggy on more than 200 days of the year. The sea of clouds is regarded as one of the Four Natural Wonders of the Yellow Mountains. You are most likely to view this breathtaking sight from November to May due to the lower temperature in the mountain area, especially on the first clear day after rainy or snowy weather.
Tip: Pay close attention to the real-time weather forecast.
Best Time to See Sunrises and Sunsets
Many travelers prefer to stay overnight in the mountains to catch sunrise or sunset views. Here we have provided a timetable of Huangshan Mountains sunrises and sunsets for your reference.
Tip: The golden shooting spots are always full of people in the morning. It’s best to reach there half an hour ahead of sunrise or sunset.
Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter | |
Sunrise | 05:10 to 06:10 | 05:05 to 06:00 | 06:00 to 06:30 | 06:30 to 07:00 |
Sunset | 18:20 to 18:50 | 18:25 to 19:11 | 17:10 to 17:50 | 17:07 to 18:00 |
Travel to Huangshan with Us
If you are worried that the unexpected weather will spoil your journey, talk to us and let us help you design the perfect tour. Our experienced tour guide will adjust the itinerary to make sure you enjoy all the highlights of Huangshan.
Feel free to contact us and tell us your requirements, our expert travel advisor can tailor a Huangshan tour just for you based on your preferences. We are confident that we will be able to create a beautiful journey for you!