When to go to China

Month by month

Weather, crowds, prices and what is on in each month, and where in China it is good to go.

Guides for this part are coming soon.

Seasons and nature

The best time to visit overall, autumn colours, where to go in winter and the Harbin ice festival.

Best time to visit China: seasons, regions and crowds to avoidApril–May and mid-September to early November suit most of China. Region by region, plus the holiday weeks when trains and sights are packed.3 min readChina in winter: where to go December–February (2026–27)Harbin ice, Changbaishan snow, quiet Beijing, warm Sanya and sunny Yunnan: where to go Dec–Feb, what closes, Chinese New Year 2027, heating and packing.5 min readHarbin Ice Festival 2027: Dates, Tickets and How to VisitHarbin Ice Festival 2026–27: what is announced, last season's dates and ¥328 tickets, how to book with a passport, when to arrive and how to handle −25 °C.5 min read

Festivals and holidays

Public holidays to plan around, and the traditional festivals worth seeing.

Travelling in China at Chinese New Year and Golden WeekHoliday dates for 2026–27, the 40-day spring travel rush, 15-day train sales, what closes at New Year, sight caps, fireworks and crowd tips.4 min read