Chongqing Weather & Best Time to Visit

Written by Veronica | Updated March 18,2026

Located in southwest China, Chongqing is a popular tourist city worldwide. When planning a Chongqing tour, you may be curious about the climate conditions in Chongqing. This article will guide you through the Chongqing weather in different seasons and the best time to visit this city.

Chongqing experiences a subtropical monsoon humid climate characterized by four distinctive seasons, with an annual average temperature of 16 to 18 degrees. Spring is basically warm but the weather is changeable; summer is the hottest and most humid season, it is also the rainy season; autumn has the most comfortable weather; winter is relatively mild but foggy.

Besides, Chongqing is often referred to as “Fog City” due to its frequent fog. The city has an average of 104 foggy days per year, and Yunwu Mountain in Bishan District has up to 204 foggy days a year. Generally, spring and autumn are the best times to visit Chongqing for good weather.

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• Best Time to Visit Chongqing
• Chongqing Average Temperature and Rainfall by Month
• Chongqing Weather in Different Seasons
• Times to Avoid
• FAQs about Chongqing Weather and Seasons
• Explore Chongqing with China Xian Tour

Best Time to Visit Chongqing

Chongqing welcomes visitors all year round, but when deciding the best time to visit Chongqing, there are actually many important influencing factors, such as the weather condition, seasonal landscapes and activities, passenger flow and travel costs.

Best Time of Year for Good Weather

Taking the good weather as the priority, the best time to visit there is during spring and autumn when the weather in Chongqing is mild and the surroundings are pleasant. It is suitable not only for visiting indoor attractions, but also for experiencing outdoor activities.

What’s more, there are some attractions not affected by weather conditions, such as Ciqikou Ancient Town, Three Gorges Museum, Hongya Cave, and the CRT to Liziba Station, which can be visited anytime you want.

Best time for Outdoor Adventure

The cool weather and less rainfall in autumn offer the best conditions for most outdoor adventures, especially mountain climbing, hiking and photography. The red leaves in Wushan Mountain are really eye-catching in autumn.

In other seasons, there are also recommended outdoor activities. Spring is the best time for a city walk and flower appreciation. In summer, though the downtown area is like a furnace, the Wulong Karst Park is an ideal summer resort. You can also experience the exciting canyon rafting. In winter, it is a great time to go skiing and enjoy the hot spring bath in Jinfo Mountain.

Best time to Cruise Yangtze River

One of the best things to do in Chongqing is to go on a Yangtze River cruise tour to see the most spectacular riverside scenery. During the summer days, you will see the river glimmering in the sunshine and experience the cool wind blowing especially at night. Besides, you can also enjoy the beautiful water views of the Yangtze River in autumn when the weather in Chongqing is mild and cool.

Related reading: Best Time to Crusie Yangtze River

Chongqing Average Temperature and Rainfall by Month

Chongqing Weather in Different Seasons

Spring (March – May)

• Months: March, April, May
• Average temperature: about 9 – 15 ℃.
• Rainfall: about 300 – 350 mm
• Weather condition: relatively warm and pleasant but unstable

The weather in Chongqing’s spring is relatively warm and pleasant with an average temperature ranging from 9°C (48°F) to 15°C (59°F). And the city has been a sea of flowers. Various flowers bloom one after another since late February. It is ideal for spring outings and outdoor activities. So spring is regarded as one of the best times to visit Chongqing.

In early spring, influenced by the dual function of the ocean currents and cold air, the weather is unpredictable and changes a lot. It is possible to experience a sunny morning but a rainy afternoon on the same day, or see clouds in one district and snow in another. The cold spell also often occurs, when the temperature suddenly drops sharply during the warming process.

In late spring, the weather tends to be stable and it becomes warmer. In the afternoons of late May, it feels like early summer sometimes, but it is still cool in the morning and evening. From April, Chongqing enters the rainy season, so the rainfall also increases significantly.

What to Wear

Shirts, thin long pants, and a thin overcoat.

Recommended Activities in Spring

1. Head for tourist attractions in downtown Chongqing. Start your day with admiring the city landmark Chongqing People’s Liberation Monument. Then, experience the life of old Chongqing in Ciqikou Ancient Town, and finally, immerse yourself in the splendid night view of Hongya Cave. Visit other sites in Chongqing if you want.
2. Marvel at the sea of flowers in Nanshan Botanical Garden. During March – April, varieties of flowers are in full bloom and make it a hot destination for a spring outing. Besides, Hufeng Mountain and Tianping Mountain also present stunning views of flowers.They are relatively niche and offer a sweeping view. You can also capture cityscapes.
3. Embark on a one-day tour to Dazu Rock Carving, a world cultural heritage site. It is worth spending one day admiring the exquisite carvings there.

Recommended Chongqing Tours in Spring

• 1 Day Chongqing City Tour

Summer (June – August)

• Months: June, July, August
• Average temperature: about 30℃.
• Rainfall: about 500 mm
• Weather condition:high temperature, muggy, frequent rainstorms

Chongqing is called one of the three furnace cities in China, together with Wuhan and Nanjing, whose highest temperature reaches 43.8 degrees in summer. And in recent years, summer has lasted for a longer period. More often than not, July is the month with the highest temperature.

Summer is also the major flood season with concentrated and intense rainfall. And due to its topography of the basin and the evaporation of rivers, the humidity always maintains between 60 – 70%, or even higher, resulting in a higher sensible temperature. In the evening, it is still muggy. So if travelling to Chongqing in summer, the theme of your tour will be a summer retreat. It is recommended to visit the surrounding mountains and play with water.

What to Wear

• shirt, shorts, skirts, sun-proof clothing, hat.

Recommended Activities in Summer

1. Take a cableway to fly over the Yangtze River. During the ride, experience a “God’s-eye view” of the Yuzhong Peninsula and feel the magical terrain of this mountain city.Or start a Yangtze River cruise tour to marvel at the river scenery.
2. Go on a summer retreat tour in Xiannvshan National Forest Park. The grassland there has an average temperature of only about 20 ℃. It will be an enjoyment to go camping or go hiking there. Or in the Foyingxia Scenic Area that is closer to the city center, drift in the valley to experience the coolness and thrill of the “water roller coaster”.
3. Embark on a one-day trip to see the three natural stone arch bridges in Wulong Geological Park and experience the awe of the world natural heritage.
4. Visit the Zhuoshui Ancient Town that greets visitors with enchanting night views.At night, the world’s longest wind-and-rain bridge with a length of 658 meters is illuminated by the lights, like a golden dragon across the river.
5. Get up close with pandas in Chongqing Zoo to watch them eating bamboos, playing and climbing trees.

Recommended Chongqing Tours in Summer

2 Days Chongqing Tour with Wulong Karst Geological Park

5 Days Chongqing Yangtze River Cruise Tour with Wulong

Autumn (September – November)

• Months: September, October,November
• Average temperature: about 20℃.
• Rainfall: about 250mm
• Weather condition: cool and mild, with frequent drizzle

Chongqing weather in autumn is cool with mild temperatures and it’s the best season for traveling. In early September, it is still hot sometimes, while from mid-to-late September, the temperature starts to fluctuate and drop and the rainfall increases. From October, it enters the most comfortable period in autumn. Since November, the autumn rain will continue for a long time, though most are drizzle. With every rain, the chill deepens. The temperature difference will also become larger gradually. And there are more foggy days.

In autumn, Chongqing has been filled with colorful leaves. From the golden rice terraced fields in September to the golden gingkgo and red leaves in October and November all over the city, you will enjoy charming scenery no matter when you visit the city.

What to Wear

Shirts, thin sweaters, light jackets, long pants.

Recommended Activities in Autumn

1. Take a cruise to appreciate the graceful landscape of Wushan Small Three Gorges. The steep cliffs, emerald-green water and swirling mist will make you feel like travelling in a picture. Sometimes, you may also hear the sound of apes.
2. Hike the Jinfo Mountain to see the beautiful views. Hike through the colorful forest, the cliffside plank road and the alpine meadow. Also, you’ll get a chance to taste the fresh bamboo shoots there, the unique speciality in the scenic area.
3. From mid-October to mid-November, Hongchiba is at the most beautiful time. Red maple, red birch and golden larch trees interweave. There is also a vast alpine meadow for you to hike. Besides, you’ll see stunning views of a sea of clouds.
4. Head for places of interest famous for red leaves, including Baidicheng or Baidi Fortress and Qutang Gorge. The red leaf gallery in Qutang Gorge is as long as 10 km. When sailing by boat, the scenery before your eyes will amaze you.

Recommended Chongqing Tours in Autumn

• 2 Days Chongqing Tour with Dazu Rock Carvings
• 4 Days Chongqing Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

Winter (December – February)

• Months: September, October, November
• Average temperature: about 4℃.
• Rainfall: about 70mm
• Weather condition: relatively warm, foggy

The weather in Chongqing in winter is warmer than the cities in the same latitude like Wuhan and Nanjing, with an average temperature of 4°C (39°F). The frost and snow are less in winter, and the total rainfall accounts for only 10% of the whole year. Continuous rainy days are common and in high-altitude areas, snow and freezing rain often occur. Due to the poor diffusion of air pollution, it tends to be foggy and cloudy.

Chongqing is known as the “World Capital of Hot Springs”. Soaking in the steaming hot spring water to dispel the chill will be the most comfortable experience in winter. During Spring Festival, many scenic areas will hold various folk activities, full of the festival atmosphere.

What to wear

Sweaters, woolen coats or warm jackets, jeans.

Recommended Activities in Winter

1. Try the local spicy hotpot in Chongqing, which is an icon of this city. In the cold winter, the hotpot is the most recommended food. It will warm your body.
2. Soaking in hot springs is also a must-do activity in winter. By the way, Ronghui Spring, Tianxing Spring, and Tongjing Spring are good places for you to go. Tianxing Spring is characterized by traditional Chinese medicine hot spring pools.
3. Capture the beautiful snow views of Chongqing in Jinfo Mountain in Nanchuan, Fairy Mountain in Wulong, and Nantian Lake in Fengdu. Besides, they offer opportunities for you to attend ice activities there, such as go skiing.
4. Dive into the folk activities in Chongqing, such as the Food Festival, Temple Fair, and exhibitions of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Chongqing. Ciqikou Ancient Town and Zhuoshui Ancient Town are popular destinations.

Recommended Chongqing Tours in Winter

4 Days Chengdu & Chongqing Highlights Tour

Times to Avoid

Though Chongqing weather influences the traveling experience a lot, to gain a better travel experience, avoid visiting Chongqing on China’s public holidays, during which the tourist attractions will be crowded. During holidays like the Spring Festival at the end of January or February, the May Day Holiday from May 1st to 5th, and the National Day Holiday from October 1st to 7th, the scenic sites are full of tourists and the prices for accommodation in hotels increase significantly.

FAQs about Chongqing Weather and Seasons

Does Chongqing have a monsoon season?

The rainy season is from May to September. The rainfall during this period accounts for about 70% of the whole year.

What is the coldest month in Chongqing?

January is the coldest with a temperature of 6 – 11 ℃.

Why is Chongqing known as the fog city?

Because the number of average foggy days in Chongqing is as many as 104 days. It is because of its basin terrain, abundant water vapor source from the Yangtze River and Jialing River, and special climate condition.

What activities can I do in Chongqing during rainy weather?

You can pay a visit to the museums or art galleries, such as the Three Gorges Museum. Or savor the tea and watch the intangible cultural performance like the face-changing show in the Huguang Guild Hall or 1941 Teahouse Theater.

Explore Chongqing with China Xian Tour

When planning the Chongqing tour, you may already find that almost every tourist complains about the complex transportation conditions in the city. The 8D terrain results in many tourists getting lost. So it is strongly recommended to join a tour group, so that you can have a dedicated driver and a car to transport you and save more time for attractions. China Xian Tour is glad to offer help. Besides the driver, we can also tailor a trip to cover all the scenic spots and experiences you prefer. So do not hesitate to contact us.