The North Beijing Liaoning Heilongjiang Hebei Central Shanghai Jiangsu Henan Anhui Hubei The South Guangdong Hunan Guanxi Yunnan

China's colossal landmass experiences a wide variety of climatic conditions. Northern China exhibits diverse climatic changes; icy cold winters give way to blisteringly hot and humid summers with heavy rainfall. Central China experiences a similar climate to the north, although temperatures are not as extreme. Southern China is warmer, with slightly cooler temperatures along the coast. The summer months bring hot/humid weather and the possibility of typhoons in coastal areas between July and September. Winters can be cold but nowhere near the freezing temperatures found further north - a few warm layers of clothes are recommended. Carry a lightweight jumper as it can be chillingly cold inside air-conditioned buildings during hot weather. The North Beijing   Average temperature     Average rainfall   Spring April - May 10 - 24oC 26mm Summer June - August 20 - 31oC 154mm Autumn September - November 6 - 18oC 28mm Winter December - March -7 - 5oC 5mm           Beijing, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Hebei Spring pays a fleeting visit with dusty winds carrying the sands of the Gobi desert south across the area. These "yellow winds" can be unpleasant at times but as they dispel, the sky has a quality of light that is quite unique. Dusty winds still blow in summer and autumn, although not as frequently as during spring. July and August become increasingly hot, humid and wet with temperatures soaring above average. November sees the temperature start to plummet as winter begins in earnest. Winter in the north can be long and bitter with temperatures occasionally reaching a very chilly -10C. Best time to visit: Spring and autumn are pleasantly warm with very little rain and low humidity - although temperatures can drop away at night. Central Shanghai   Average temperature     Average rainfall   Spring April - May 13 - 20oC 100mm Summer June - August 24 - 32oC 152mm Autumn September - November 13 - 23oC 83mm Winter December - March 2 - 7oC 52mm           Shanghai, Jiangsu, Henan, Anhui, Hubei Summer gets very wet, hot and humid. In fact, temperatures can remain quite high from April onwards. An umbrella is a must for those frequent rain showers, although it should be noted that downpours are not solely restricted to the summer months. Winters tend to be cold but not as bleak as further north. Temperatures can fall drastically below average, so be prepared for bitterly cold weather. Best time to visit: Spring and autumn, when temperatures are bearable and humidity is low. The South Guangzhou   Average temperature     Average rainfall   Spring April - May 20 - 27oC 225mm Summer June - August 24 - 32oC 263mm Autumn September - November 20 - 28oC 42mm Winter December - March 12 - 20oC 54mm             Guangdong, Hunan, Guanxi, Yunnan Spring can be very similar to summer, however temperatures and humidity are slightly lower on average. Summer experiences the most rainfall and typhoons are likely to hit the southeast coast between July and September. Humidity becomes really oppressive at this time. Winter months can be cold but nowhere near the freezing temperatures of the north. Visitors should be prepared for temperatures to fall below the noted average. Apart from winter (which is quite dry), rainfall can be frequent at any time of the year. Lightweight clothes are vital in the summer and a mix of warm and cold weather clothes are advisable during spring and autumn. Due to higher elevation, temperatures in Sichuan and Yunnan can fall slightly below average. Usually, the climate in these areas is much milder with warm summers and cool winters. Extra layers are required throughout the year as evening temperatures can fall dramatically. Best time to visit: Spring and autumn when temperatures are at their best, although rain is still commonplace.