When Is the Best Time to Visit Beijing?

Written by Clementine | Updated September 22,2025

The best time to visit Beijing is definitely the autumn season from September to October, during which the weather is clear and comfortable, neither hot nor cold, with relatively little precipitation, and the mean temperature usually fluctuating at the range of 20-26ºC (68-78.8ºF). Countless natural beauty, including red maple leaves and yellow ginkgo leaves, makes a great number of tourists have incredible explorations to Beijing during this period. Besides, the months from March to May in spring are good choices to take part in outdoor activities in Beijing thanks to the cherry and peach blossoms in full bloom in a warm climate.

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• Peak Season & Slack Season of Beijing
• Best Time to Visit Beijing for Weather
• Best Times to Visit Beijing Great Wall
• Best Times to Visit Beijing for Low Prices
• Time Better to Avoid to Travel to Beijing – The Worst Times
• Average Temperature of Beijing by Months
• Visit Beijing in Different Seasons
• FAQs about the Best Time to Visit Beijing
• Plan Your Perfect Beijing Tour with China Xian Tour

Peak Season & Slack Season of Beijing

Peak Season – April to October

The peak tourist season in Beijing is from April to October, during which Beijing’s climate is labeled mild and comfortable, quite suitable for tourists to explore various outdoor activities, such as hiking on the Great Wall and shooting the blooming flowers.

However, you should be prepared to spend more during peak travel season, especially on transportation and hotels. If you would like to visit some of the city’s most popular scenic spots, be sure to arrive early to avoid long lines. Also, July and August are summertime in Beijing, with the temperature sometimes rising to 38ºC (100.4ºF). If you are going to Beijing during this period, remember to bring sun protection products like sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun hats.

Related reading: Best Times to Visit the Great Wall of China

Slack Season – December to February

The slack season in Beijing falls in winter months from December to February when the weather gets frigid and dry, with the lowest temperature occasionally dropping below -10ºC (14ºF) if it snows. For budget travelers, this is undoubtedly a good time to travel to Beijing at a lower price, as transportation, hotels and even tickets to attractions will be heavily discounted during this time. Moreover, people generally avoid traveling to Beijing in winter, so there is less foot traffic in the scenic areas, which gives you an opportunity to enjoy a peaceful exploration.

Chinese New Year, aka Spring Festival, is the grandest traditional festival in China usually falling in late January or February when most tour guides go home for the reunion, and many restaurants will be very busy to make the scheduled New Year’s Eve dinners. If you travel to Beijing in this period, you will most likely have to explore the city of Beijing on your own.

Best Time to Visit Beijing for Weather

The best times to visit Beijing weather-wise are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). The pleasant weather and moderate temperatures in these periods make it perfect to enjoy outdoor activities and sightseeing.

In Beijing’s spring, as the temperature gradually warms up, the city is filled with vibrant blossoms and picturesque scenery. It is the ideal time to hike the Great Walls and enjoy cherry and peach flowers in the Summer Palace.

Autumn is when the city is dominated by cool and refreshing weather, with clear skies frequently to see. This season is a favorite time of year for travelers to enjoy hiking and charming views of vibrant red maples.

Mid-October to mid-November is especially great to enjoy Beijing’s autumn scenery. Stunning fall colors appear at various attractions in Beijing during this time. Badaling Great Wall, Xiangshan Park, and Mutianyu Great Wall at lower altitudes are ideal destinations for early autumn outings and foliage from mid-October to late October. From early November to mid-November, as autumn deepens, ancient temples, suburban parks, and city parks in urban areas become prime spots for enjoying stunning scenery.

Best Times to Visit Beijing Great Wall

Generally, April to May and September to October are the best months to visit the Great Wall. Nature awakens in April and May, creating a vibrant and lively landscape around the Great Wall.

September and October mark the most beautiful time of the Great Wall, as the magnificent historical structures are enhanced by clear skies, cool breezes, and red and golden leaves.

Recommended Beijing Great Wall Tours:

• 2 Days Wild Great Wall Trekking & Camping Tour
• Beijing Group Tour to Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall-No Shopping
• Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour in Beijing

Best Times to Visit Beijing for Low Prices

The cheapest time to visit Beijing is its off-peak travel season, which typically falls from November to March. Due to the cold weather, Beijing sees fewer tourists during this time, contributing to the lower prices for accommodations, flights, and attractions. Though the Chinese New Year in January or February may cause a temporary increase in visitors and prices rise for some services, the prices remain affordable compared to the peak season.

Related reading: 10 Unmissable Things to Do in Beijing During Chinese New Year

Time Better to Avoid to Travel to Beijing – The Worst Times

The months of July and August are the summer holidays for Chinese students when there will be a lot of families flocking into Beijing, making the scenic areas crowded. Beijing weather during this period is super hot and humid, which may cause great difficulties for outdoor travel in Beijing.

In addition, China’s National Day holiday from October 1st to 7th is another time to avoid planning a trip to Beijing. Roads will be clogged with traffic and attractions are also crowded with tourists. Accommodation and other travel costs will be higher than usual during these days, and you’re advised to book air or train tickets one month in advance.

Our Recommendations:

If you travel to Beijing with your family or kids during the summer vacation, June could be a good month when the weather is still not too hot, and tourists are not overcrowded in the attractions. Hotels and flights in June are also not that unaffordable.

If possible, schedule your Beijing tour before or after the public holidays in China to avoid crowds and enjoy more affordable cost on accommodation and transportation.

For people with fixed schedule and plan to embark on a Beijing tour during its peak season, the less-crowded Great Wall sections are more recommended to escape the crowds instead of Badaling and Mutianyu Great Walls. Jinshanling, Simatai, and Gubeikou sections are all highly recommended, offering great hiking, breathtaking landscapes, and awesome historical structures. >>Top 10 Great Wall Sections around Beijing

Average Temperature of Beijing by Months

Learn more about Beijing weather by season and month.

Visit Beijing in Different Seasons

Spring – Changeable Weather, Suitable for Outdoor Activities

What’s the weather like in Beijing in Spring？

Spring is the season with the most drastic weather changes throughout the year in Beijing, when the temperature fluctuates greatly. The temperature difference between day and night is large, which is up to 12 – 14 ℃. And there are many windy days, which result in quite dry air and dusty weather, especially in March and April.

Top experiences in spring

Spring is the time with the flower show. Various flowers are in bloom at the International Sculpture Park, Western Hills National Forest Park, and Mutianyu Great Wall. The weather is mild and perfect for time spent out in the ancient relics such as the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace.

Packing list for spring travel to Beijing

1.Clothing: Long-sleeved T-shirts, thin sweaters, windbreakers, jackets, warm coats, long pants

2.For others, sunglasses, a sunhat, sunscreen, lip balm, and an umbrella will also be necessary for the ever-changing weather.

3.Furthermore, pack a few general medicines, such as cold medication, since the erratic weather may as well cause discomfort.

Summer – Hot and Rainy, Special Night Tours

What’s the weather like in Beijing in Summer？

In brief, the weather is hot and rainy in summer. The temperatures average over 25℃, especially on several days, the temperature is over 38 ℃, which is extremely high. Also, precipitation tends to be very concentrated with occasional thunderstorms in late July and early August. With very high humidity levels, it feels muggy.

Top things to do in summer

To escape the sun of summer, early mornings or late afternoons should be devoted to visiting outdoor scenic areas such as the Forbidden City and Summer Palace, with indoor sightseeing, such as at the National Museum, in the midday heat. Then see the hutongs and art districts in the late evening, with the most special bit being the night tours of Badaling Great Wall and Mutianyu Great Wall, which are only conducted in summer.

Packing list for summer travel to Beijing

1. Clothing: Quick-drying T-shirts, shorts, dresses, sun-protective clothing
2. Other essentials include sunscreen, sunglasses, sunhats, large water bottles, small fans, wet wipes, and umbrellas to grapple with hot and rainy weather.

Autumn – Most Comfortable Seasons, Festival Activities and Special Snacks

What’s the weather like in Beijing in Autumn？

Autumn is the most comfortable season in Beijing. The average temperature is about 21 – 32℃. It is warm at daytime and cool in the evening, but the temperature difference in a day is large. There are more sunny days with occasional rain, making it suitable for outdoor activities. In late autumn, haze days may occur.

Top experiences in autumn

Red leaves and golden ginkgo trees are abundant in autumn in Beijing, you can appreciate the colorful leaves in Xiangshan Park, Temple of Earth Park and the Great Wall. It is also popular to view the autumn scenery in the gardens, such as the Summer Palace and Beihai Park. In the Mid-autumn Festival, most major scenic areas will hold various activities, including admiring the moon. Besides, you can taste the dedicated snacks in autumn: chestnut roasted with sugar, sugar-coated haws and baked sweet potato.

Packing list for autumn travel to Beijing

1.Clothing: Long-sleeved T-shirts, thin sweatshirts, windbreakers, jackets, long pants.

2.Other necessary items include sunglasses, sunhats, sunscreen, lip balms, moisturizing skin care products, umbrellas and common medicines.

Winter – Cold and Dry, Various Ice and Snow Activities

What’s the weather like in Beijing in Winter？

The main features in winter are cold, dry and a large temperature difference. The average temperature is between -5 and 5 ℃, and it even drop to -10 ℃ sometimes. The rainfall is also the least among all the year, and the average precipitation is only 10.8 mm. In addition, with more windy days, it may feel even colder than the actual temperature. But there are also many sunny days in winter.

Top experiences in winter

Tourists can experience skating and snow sledding in Shichahai Ice Rink, a very famous and most traditional natural ice rink in Beijing. Also, you can go skiing in the ski resorts around Beijing. When the snow falls, the snow scenery of the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and the Great Wall attracts plenty of tourists to take photos. During Spring Festival, various temple fairs are held, which are full of festive atmosphere, and you can watch traditional performances like lion dance and dragon dance.

Packing list for winter travel to Beijing

1.Clothing: Down jackets, thick sweaters, thermal underwear, hats, scarves, gloves, snow boots and cotton-padded shoes

2.Moisturizing skin care products, lip balms, and insulated cups are needed. Besides, a power bank is also recommended, because the electronic equipment discharges faster and even automatically shuts down in low temperatures.

FAQs about the Best Time to Visit Beijing

Is it worth going to Beijing during winters?

From the point of view of weather, it is a good time to visit in the winter. It is off-season, which means fewer tourists, and more serene scenic areas. The beautiful snow scenery of the Forbidden City and the Great Wall is also worth watching. Besides, ice-related fun activities and other special snacks make it even better.

When is the best time to visit Beijing to see cherry blossoms or autumn foliage?

To view the cherry blossoms, a visit between late March and late April is advised to Yuyuantan Park, Beijing Botanical Garden, and National Botanical Garden. Whereas the ideal period for autumn colors would be from late October to early November, with excellent views available from Xiangshan Park, the Temple of Earth Park, Olympic Park, and the Great Wall.

What is the best month for photography in Beijing?

The best period in Beijing for photography is without a doubt late October to early November because it is when the colors are bright and sunny days prevail, thus making beautiful photos possible.

Is early November a good time to visit Beijing?

Yes. During this period, you can not only avoid crowds on the National Day, but also appreciate the autumn scenery. And the weather is cool and pleasant.

Plan Your Perfect Beijing Tour with China Xian Tour

Beijing, as the former capital of the Ming and Qing Dynasties and also the current capital of China, attracts numerous domestic and foreign tourists every year. So the tickets for most scenic areas are difficult to book. China Xian Tour can help you book the tickets and hotels, plan an itinerary and arrange a guide and a driver at a reasonable price. So contact our travel consultant now and tell her your demands and preferences, then she will tailor a tour for you.