Spring and autumn seasons: How to use China's two best months
April to May and September to November are the golden windows for travel in China. This article explains the regional differences, flowering periods, and colorful forest schedules during these two periods, as well as how to plan the most cost-effective trips.
Why these two windows
?China is vast, with climates ranging from tropical to temperate. But there are two common comfort windows nationwide:
- Mid-April to late May: Temperatures rise nationwide but are not extremely hot; tourist numbers decline after May Day, prices are reasonable
- Mid-September to mid-November: After summer vacation and National Day, the sky is clear and the air is crisp, autumn colors gradually emerge, making it the best overall time of the year
Spring schedule
- Mid-March to early April: Rapeseed flowers in Wuyuan, cherry blossoms at Wuhan University, cherry blossoms at Yuantouzhu in Wuxi, peach blossoms in Nyingchi (Tibet, late March to mid-April).
- Mid-April: Peonies in Luoyang, Mist and Rain in Jiangnan, Peach and Willow by West Lake
- May: Rhododendron in western Sichuan and Yunnan, the grasslands of Ili in Xinjiang turning green, misty rain in Guilin
Spring notes: In the north, March and April bring sandstorm weather (Inner Mongolia and northwest), while willow catkins fly in April (people with allergies should be cautious); In Jiangnan, the plum rain begins in mid-June
Autumn schedule
- Mid-September to early October: Kanas and Hemu birch trees in northern Xinjiang are golden (the most beautiful two weeks of the year, September 20–October 10), golden grasslands in Inner Mongolia, and clear skies on the Qinghai Plateau
- Mid to early November: Jiuzhaigou Colorful Forest (best in mid to late October), autumn scenery in Shangri-La and Daocheng Yading, sea of clouds on Huangshan
- November: Red maple at Qixia Mountain in Nanjing, Tianping Mountain in Suzhou, Ginkgo Village in Tengchong, Xiangshan in Beijing
Autumn note: National Day (October 1–7) is the peak visitor period, so be sure to avoid it; For the Jiuzhaigou Colorful Forest Season, tickets must be booked at least 14 days in advance
Regional recommendations
- North China: April and October are the best. Beijing blooms flowers in April and the sky is high in October; Shanxi in September to October
- Jiangnan: April and October–November. Avoid the plum rain in June and the intense heat in July–August
- Northwest: May–June and September. Summers are extremely hot (Turpan), winters are extremely cold
- Qinghai-Tibet: May–June and September–October. July–August is the rainy season and the most crowded.
- Southwest China: March–May and September–November. The rainy season (June–August) affects mountain road conditions.
- South China: November–March. Summers are hot and humid with typhoons.
- Northeast China: Summer (June–August) and winter (December–February). Spring and autumn are shorter.
How to Plan for the Best Deals
- Late April and early November are price valleys: Airfares and accommodation are 30–50% lower than peak season, with still good weather.
- Avoid all public holidays: Qingming, May Day, Dragon Boat, Mid-Autumn, National Day.
- Travel midweek: Airfares and accommodations from Tuesday to Thursday are significantly lower than on weekends.