Xi’an has four distinct seasons. Learn about its climate, seasons, and month-by-month weather in this Xi’an weather guide for 2027.
Spring is warm, great for cycling on the City Wall and exploring the old city district. Summer can be pretty hot, but the city gets lively after dark. Autumn is cool, a great time for outdoor activities. Winter may be cold, but it’s also the least crowded season.
If you are trying to decide when to visit Xi’an, April to May and September to October usually have the best weather. If you’d rather avoid the peak season, you can also consider June and November. Read more about the best time to visit Xi’an. You can compare its monthly weather, tourism traffic, and travel experience.
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- Xi’an Weather Overview
- Best Time to Visit Xi’an
- Xi’an Weather by Month
- Xi’an Weather by Season
- When Is the Rainy Season?
- What to Wear in Xi’an in Different Seasons
- Best Time for Visiting the City Wall & Mount Huashan
- Plan Itinerary Based on the Weather
Xi’an Weather Overview
Best Weather Conditions |
April to May, September to October |
Hottest Months |
July to August |
Coldest Months |
December to next February |
Most Rainfall |
July to September |
Spring |
March to May |
Summer |
June to August |
Autumn |
September to November |
Winter |
December to next February |
The temperature increases rapidly in Xi’an from spring to summer. It can reach as high as 35–40°C (95–104°F) during July and August. It slowly cools down after September. The winter is cold and dry with the temperature often dropping below 0°C (32°F) at night.
Capture the essence of Xi'an in two days — stand before the vast Terracotta Army, cycle the ancient City Wall, explore the unique Great Mosque, and taste the Muslim Quarter's famous street food.
Best Time to Visit Xi’an
If you’re traveling to Xi’an for the first time, April to May and September to October are usually the best months.
The temperature is neither too high nor too low. You won’t have to worry about the heat whether you’re cycling on the City Wall, exploring the city on foot, or taking a day trip to Mount Huashan.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that these months are not necessarily the low travel season in Xi’an.
April to May: Warm Weather Suitable for Outdoors
Xi’an starts to get warm again in April. The weather is great for taking a walk on the City Wall, cycling, or spending a couple of hours walking around the old city district.
May is even warmer, perfect for visiting Mount Huashan. However, popular attractions like the Terracotta Warriors Museum, City Wall, and Mount Hua get very busy during the Labor Day holiday (first week of May). If you can be flexible with your dates, I highly recommend avoiding that week.
September to October: Recommended for First-Time Visitors
September cools down a little, especially in the mornings and evenings. It’ll be a lot better for going outdoors compared to the summer months, but there will be a little more rain. It’s best to reserve some flexibility in your itinerary just in case.
Xi’an weather is usually great during October. However, the National Day Holiday in early October makes the city very busy. Your travel experience will be a lot better if you can avoid that time.
June and November: Good Time to Avoid the Crowds
Xi’an in June is already starting to get hot, but the influx of tourists on summer holidays will not have started yet. Xi’an in November also sees fewer tourists with the weather cooling down.
If the tourist traffic is more important to you than the ideal weather, these two months might be good options for your Xi’an tour.
Spend four days exploring Xi'an's greatest treasures — the Terracotta Warriors, ancient pagodas, and City Wall — plus a thrilling day on Mount Huashan's precipitous peaks.
Xi’an Weather by Month: Which Month Is Best for You?
Month |
Average Highest Temperature |
Average Lowest Temperature |
Rainfall |
Tourist Volume |
Travel Experience |
5°C (41°F) |
-4°C (25°F) |
★☆☆☆☆ |
★☆☆☆☆ |
cold and dry, relatively few tourists |
|
9°C (48°F) |
-1°C (30°F) |
★☆☆☆☆ |
★★★☆☆ |
still cold, begins to warm back up |
|
15°C (59°F) |
4°C (39°F) |
★★☆☆☆ |
★★☆☆☆ |
continues to warm up, good time for touring the city |
|
22°C (72°F) |
10°C (50°F) |
★★★☆☆ |
★★★☆☆ |
warm and nice, good for outdoor activities |
|
27°C (81°F) |
15°C (59°F) |
★★★☆☆ |
★★★★☆ |
warm, great time for visiting the City Wall and Mount Huashan |
|
32°C (90°F) |
20°C (68°F) |
★★★☆☆ |
★★★☆☆ |
starts to get hot, good time to visit Xi’an before the summer holiday |
|
33°C (91°F) |
23°C (73°F) |
★★★★☆ |
★★★★★ |
hot, rainy, avoid outdoor activities around noon |
|
31°C (88°F) |
22°C (72°F) |
★★★★☆ |
★★★★★ |
hot and humid, mornings and evenings are better for going out |
|
25°C (77°F) |
16°C (61°F) |
★★★★☆ |
★★★☆☆ |
begins to cool, but is still rainy |
|
20°C (68°F) |
10°C (50°F) |
★★★☆☆ |
★★★★☆ |
nice and cool, great for exploring the city on foot |
|
13°C (55°F) |
3°C (37°F) |
★★☆☆☆ |
★★☆☆☆ |
a little cold, a drop in tourist volume |
|
7°C (45°F) |
-2°C (28°F) |
★☆☆☆☆ |
★☆☆☆☆ |
cold and dry, great for off season travel |
The tourist volume surges during Chinese public holidays like Chinese New Year, Labor Day Holiday, and National Day Holiday. The specific dates of your travel are just as important as the month.
Xi’an Weather by Season
Xi’an Spring Weather: March to May
Xi’an starts to warm back up in March. Daytime temperatures are pretty pleasant from April onward. May will start to feel like early summer.
If you enjoy being outdoors, spring would be a good season to visit Xi’an. You can cycle on the City Wall, take a walk around the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda area and the old city district. There’ll be nice weather for outdoor exploration.
Xi’an Summer Weather: June to August
Xi’an gets pretty hot during the summer especially from July to August. The temperature can get as high as 35–40°C (95–104°F) with more rain as well. If you can only travel to Xi’an during the summer holidays, don’t be discouraged by the weather or crowds. Just adjust your itinerary accordingly.
I suggest visiting the City Wall early in the morning or making the Terracotta Warriors Museum your first stop of the day. When it gets hot around noon, you can visit an indoor attraction like Xi’an Museum or return to your hotel for a rest.
You can go back out around dusk. Go see the sunset at Yongning Gate, then walk to Xiangzimiao Street and Defu Alley for drinks. The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and Datang Everbright City are also great places for an evening walk. Xi’an’s summer evenings are particularly lively and fun. It’s a unique side of the city that you’ll be able to see on a summer holiday trip.
Travel tip: July and August are also the school holidays in China. I strongly recommend booking early for the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, other popular attractions, and evening performances.
Xi’an Autumn Weather: September to November
As the summer heat slowly fades away, the weather in Xi’an becomes nice for the outdoors again in the fall.
September will be much cooler, but there will still be a good amount of rainfall. October is usually the nicest month. As the temperature drops significantly in November, the city will have fewer tourists.
If you enjoy walking around the city, photography, cycling, or hiking, autumn is a great time to visit Xi’an.
Xi’an Winter Weather: December to February
Winter in Xi’an is cold and dry. There will be occasional snow, but snowfall in the city can be quite unpredictable. I do not recommend choosing your travel dates based on the possibility of snow.
If you’re really hoping to see snow in Xi’an, you can consider visiting Mount Huashan or other mountainous areas of the Qinling Mountains. You’ll find better snowy scenes in these areas with higher altitudes. The first snow of the year usually falls on the higher mountains around late November.
The biggest advantage of traveling to Xi’an in the winter is that there are fewer crowds. Popular attractions like the Terracotta Army won’t be as busy as in peak season. If you don’t mind the cold, winter could be a time to consider for your trip to Xi’an.
Discover Xi'an's Terracotta Army and ancient walls before flying north to Harbin's ice castles and Yabuli ski slopes.
Is Xi’an Humid or Dry? When Is the Rainy Season?
In general, Xi’an is not as humid as some cities in southern China.
It is pretty dry in the winter. July to August can be muggy. September is quite humid too. Make sure you bring lip balm and moisturizer if you visit in the winter. Stay moisturized and protected from the sun during the summer.
When Is the Rainy Season in Xi’an?
There’s a significant increase in rainfall from July to September. Showers or thunderstorms can be common during the summer. There may be consecutive days of rain in September. However, it doesn’t always rain for the whole day.
Many attractions like the Terracotta Army and the Xi’an Museum will not be affected by the rain. It’s best to reserve some flexibility in your itinerary for outdoor plans, especially to the City Wall and Mount Hua.
Check the local Xi’an weather 7–10 days before your trip, then check the hourly forecast on the day of your travel.
What to Wear in Xi’an in Different Seasons
Spring: March to May
It can still be a little chilly in the mornings and evenings in March. Bring a light jacket over long-sleeve shirts. Dress in layers after it starts to warm up in April and May.
Summer: June to August
Wear light and breathable summer clothes. You will be doing a lot of walking in Xi’an, so a comfortable pair of shoes will be important. A hat, sunscreen, an umbrella, and water are also recommended.
Autumn: September to November
It may still be warm during the day in September. You will need long sleeves and a jacket starting from October. The mornings and evenings of November will already be a little cold.
Winter: December to February
You will definitely need a puffer coat or heavy jacket, plus a warm base layer and trousers.
There will usually be heating in indoor areas like hotels, museums, or shopping centers. It’ll be better to dress in layers so you can adjust accordingly.
Mount Huashan may be colder than the city area, so you want to pack warmer clothes for the day trip.
Best Time for Visiting the City Wall & Mount Huashan
Xi’an City Wall
Spring and autumn are the best times to visit the City Wall. Plan your visit in the early morning or around dusk to avoid the midday heat in July and August. When it gets windy in the winter, being on top of the City Wall will feel a lot colder than just being on the street.
Mount Huashan
Spring and fall are better for being outdoors for a long period of time. Try to avoid high temperatures and the crowds during the summer. The winter cold, ice, and snow may also disrupt your travel.
The weather in the mountains may be quite different from that in the city. Make sure you check specifically for Mount Huashan weather and the status of the scenic area on the day of your travel.
How to Plan Your Xi’an Itinerary Based on the Weather
On your Xi’an trip, there’s usually no need to change your itinerary too much due to the weather. You just have to adjust your timing or the order of your visits sometimes. In the summer, try to visit outdoor attractions in the morning or around dusk. If you encounter rain or a high temperature, make indoor plans for the early afternoon.
If you have plans to see an outdoor show or performance in the evening, check its status as the day approaches. Sometimes when there is heavy rain, strong wind, or very low temperature, outdoor events may be adjusted or canceled.
Read about how to plan your Xi’an trip. You can also contact China Xian Tour and let us help you with an itinerary based on the weather, your accommodation, and ticket availability. You’ll have the flexibility to make adjustments as you go, save time on the road, and have the best Xi’an experience.
