What is the Weather in Beijing Really Like // The Truth Revealed

Weather in Beijing 🌨 The Complete Picture

So what is the weather in Beijing like, really? Time to paint the full picture for you.

Beijing (sometimes romanized as Peking), the country’s capital and seat of the government, often gets a bad rap for weather.

Curiously, we think this really depends on where you hail from.

If you grew up from some northern provinces of Canada, for example, you will quite possibly love Beijing’s weather.

That said, if you come from the gloriously sunny parts of southern Italy, then the Beijing weather might be a bit of a shock for you, especially in Winter…!

Each to their own

The capital of the People’s Republic of China, is the home of the Forbidden City, the unique and famous hutongs and, of course, Beijing duck – kăo yā, 烤鸭.

One of its main sights is the Great Wall of China, so as you can imagine, the city attracts a lot of tourists. Therefore the question…

“What is the weather like in Beijing” – is one we get asked a lot!

Weather in Beijing – Climate

Weather in Beijing – Best Time to Visit

Weather in Beijing – Spring

Weather in Beijing – Summer

Weather in Beijing – Autumn

Weather in Beijing – Winter

If Beijing, the world’s third most populous city, is your base for exploring China, you’re in luck.

From here you can easily travel almost anywhere you want as the city is extremely well-connected to other parts of the country, and with two international airports, easy to connect to other countries.

Do keep in mind you can also spend plenty of time exploring this cultural and political capital of the country!

An important part of this exploration is, of course, the climate.

With its dry and cold winters and wet and hot summers, it can be a bit má fan 麻烦 (good word for you to learn there – it means troublesome) if you’re unprepared.

We still of course recommend you spend as much time as you can in Beijing, and if you know where to look, definitely won’t be bored!

No matter its climate, it is an amazing city – during the summer you can spend lazy afternoons on the rooftops of hutong cafes and bars drinking beer or coffee and in Fall or Spring, you can explore the winding hutongs, or hike to the top of Jingshan Park – 景山的公园 jǐngshān gōngyuán – for a picturesque view of the Forbidden City and surrounding foliage!

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Weather in Beijing – The Climate

Beijing is located in northern China; it is surrounded by Hebei province, 3 hours to the southeast is Bohai sea and just 5 hours to the northwest is Inner Mongolia.

It has a monsoon-influenced, humid and continental climate.

The climate is characterized by hot, humid summers because of the East Asian monsoons and cold, windy and dry winters due to the influence of the Siberian anticyclone.

During spring you will sometimes experience sandstorms blowing from the Gobi Desert.

Due to this the Beijing Weather Modification Office sometimes artificially induces rainfall in order to relieve the consequences of the dust storms.

Beijing has four distinct seasons – 季节 jìjié:

• Short and windy spring
• Hot and humid summer
• Cool and pleasant autumn
• Cold and dry winter

The months of July and August are the hottest (and the period when lots of people try to head out of Beijing) with the highest temperature around 37 degrees Celsius, while January is the coldest month with the lowest temperature at around -15 Celsius.

Due to the fact that winters are so dry, it seldom snows in Beijing, but when it does – it’s magical. You can bet to see everyone taking pictures of the beautiful snowfall.

The Best Time to Visit Beijing

Beijing’s weather in September is arguably at its best and most beautiful.

The August heat of Beijing has subsided, but it is still warm and the nights are refreshingly cool. You can take long walks and really enjoy the city.

But, of course, May, October or November are also good times to visit.

In truth, any time you go you will be able to experience a unique aspect of the city.

Some months will just happen to be more comfortable than others, especially depending on where you are from and what weather you are used to.

One thing to consider is what you plan to do. Will you be hiking/walking a lot?

If so, avoid the hot summer months from June-August, and remember to try and book outside of peak/holiday season. This could be the difference between a (relatively) quiet Great Wall, and an exceptionally crowded one.

Weather in Beijing – Spring (April – May)

What kind of clothes do you need for spring in Beijing?

We recommend long-sleeved shirts or T-shirts with light jackets and maybe a sweater or two for layering (just to be on the safe side).

The weather in early Spring can be quite variable, We’ve even seen a light snow/rainstorm in mid-April!

Therefore, the key word is layers. The climate may be warm, but there are big temperature differences between night and day, so be prepared for it to cool down.

There is also the chance of a sandstorm – 沙尘暴 shāchénbào – or massive wind – 刮风 guā fēng – in springtime.

Check the local weather when you arrive and be sure to not plan any outdoor activities on a day with high air pollution or winds of 40km/hour or more.

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Weather in Beijing – Summer (June – August)

Summers in Beijing are extremely hot and can have lots of rain – dàyǔ 大雨.

Daytime temperatures easily reaching the high 30s celsius.

If you travel to Beijing during the summer, we would advise light clothes, while surprisingly a long sleeve shirt can be helpful protection against the sun.

You will definitely see people carrying sun umbrellas -太阳伞 tàiyáng sǎn – and truth be told, it’s a great way to make your own shade to guard against the sun.

Because the sun is very strong, be sure to apply and re-apply sunscreen all the time! A hat is also a very good idea.

Pay attention to the forecast, bring a light raincoat and umbrella.

Anything you forget to bring you can pick up easily from a local vendor, so don’t worry too much! And be sure to enjoy your time in Beijing.

Weather in Beijing – Autumn (September – October)

Autumn – 春天 chūntiān – is short and beautiful, lasting from mid-September to the end of October.

The temperatures are mild and there is lots of sunshine.

Truly the best Beijing weather.

Use this time to go for a hike at the Great Wall, visit the Fragrant Hills or Lama Temple.

Pack long-sleeved shirts, tights and a light jacket, because the temperature can fall a bit during the night.

So although autumn sadly only lasts for around 6 weeks, make the most of it, get outdoors, explore and enjoy some really excellent Beijing weather!

It’s also about to get cold…

VERY COLD!

Weather in Beijing – Winter (November – March)

A cold, and dry winter (冬天 dōngtiān) that lasts from early November until the end of early March.

The average daytime temperature may be below zero and occasionally windy.

For people who enjoy the cold, as long as you are bundled up nicely, it can be a lovely time to explore the city and find a warm mulled wine and enjoy the decorative lights.

The winter air is quite dry and most homes will need a humidifier.

If you have sensitive or dry skin I recommend you bring moisturizer or shea butter, to protect your skin and drink lots of warm liquids to keep from drying out.

So which 季节 jìjié would be your favourite season to visit?

Personally we love autumn and winter, but the joy of seeing spring in bloom is quite lovely. Feel free to share your comments below!

Weather in Beijing – FAQ’s

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