May is one of the most beautiful months to explore China. The weather hits that perfect balance — warm but never overwhelming — while fresh greenery, flowers, and long daylight hours make every destination feel alive. From mountains and lakes to ancient cities and modern skylines, May gives you some of the clearest skies and most stable weather of the entire year.
Timing tip:
The best part of May begins right after the Labor Day holiday (usually May 1–5). Those first few days are extremely crowded nationwide, but once the holiday rush ends, you’ll enjoy comfortable temperatures, lighter crowds, and some of the loveliest scenery of spring.
Late May warms up slightly, and you can see more travel activity around the Dragon Boat Festival (its date shifts each year), but overall it remains a fantastic time to explore China. And unlike the October Golden Week, May keeps prices reasonable while still giving you peak-season beauty — without the peak-season stress.
Want to compare May with other months? Check our full breakdown here: Best Time to Travel to China.
Weather Overview in May (China)
| Region | Temperature | Weather Style | Travel Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| North China (Beijing, Xi’an) | 15–28°C | Dry, clear skies | Ideal for sightseeing, Great Wall hiking, long walking days |
| East China (Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou) | 18–26°C | Mild, occasional light rain | Gardens, lakes, and tea fields look vibrant; short showers refresh the air |
| South China (Guangzhou, Guilin, Hainan) | 22–30°C | Warm, humid, tropical | Perfect for beaches, river cruises, cycling, rafting |
| West China (Tibet, Yunnan, Sichuan Plateau) | Varies by altitude; cool mornings, warm days | Strong sunshine, clear skies | Excellent mountain views; great time for high-altitude travel |
| Xinjiang & Inner Mongolia | Comfortably warm | Clear, dry, long daylight | Best for deserts, grasslands, and road trips before summer heat |
Best Places to Visit in China in May
Below is your ranked list, based on weather, crowd level, scenery, family-friendliness, and travel convenience.
1. Yunnan (Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La)
Why May is perfect:
- Flowers bloom everywhere
- Clear blue skies & cool evenings
- Ideal for families, photographers, and slow-travel lovers
Best Places:
- Dali: Erhai Lake cycling, old towns, mountain views
- Lijiang: UNESCO old town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Shangri-La: Tibetan culture, Pudacuo National Park
Suggested Trip: 6–8 days
Best For: Families, seniors, couples, nature travelers.
2. Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong (Sichuan)
Why May is ideal:
- Forests turn bright green
- Lakes are crystal clear
- Weather is mild (10–22°C)
Highlights:
- Five Flower Lake
- Mirror Lake
- Nuorilang Waterfall
- Huanglong’s golden calcite pools
Suggested Trip: 3–4 days (or 5–6 days with Chengdu)
Best For: Nature lovers, families, photographers.
3. Guizhou (Huangguoshu Falls, Miao Villages)
Why go in May:
- Waterfalls at their strongest
- Villages lively with festivals
- Temperature comfortable (15–26°C)
Top Experiences:
- Huangguoshu Waterfall
- Xijiang Miao Village
- Libo Karst Forest
- Zhenyuan Ancient Town
Suggested Trip: 2-3 days (or 4-7 days for a deeper cultural and nature experience )
Best For: Culture lovers, families, slow travel.
4. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Why May is great:
- Lush green peaks
- Clear visibility
- Comfortable hiking weather
Don’t Miss:
- Tianzi Mountain
- Yuanjiajie (Avatar Mountains)
- Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
- Tianmen Mountain
Suggested Trip: 2-3 days (or 4-5 days with Furong Town / Fenghuang Ancient Town)
Best For: Adventure travelers, families with teens.
5. Tibet (Lhasa · Namtso · Everest Region)
Why May is recommended:
- Clear skies before summer rain
- Perfect views of the Himalayas
- Not too cold (5–20°C depending on region)
Highlights:
- Potala Palace
- Jokhang Temple
- Namtso Lake
- Everest Base Camp (if open; weather-dependent)
Suggested Trip: 4–6 days (or 7–10 days for the Everest region or more in-depth cultural travel)
Best For: Adventure & cultural travelers (not ideal for small kids due to altitude).
6. Xinjiang (Turpan, Kashgar, Ili Lavender Fields)
Why visit in May:
- Not yet hot (Turpan becomes 40°C+ in summer)
- Lavender fields begin blooming late May
- Wide landscapes and fewer crowds
Highlights:
- Turpan: Flaming Mountains, Jiaohe Ancient City, Karez Wells
- Kashgar: Old Town, Id Kah Mosque, Sunday Bazaar
- Ili Region: Lavender fields (late May), Nalati Grassland
- Scenic Drives: Desert highways, canyons, and vast open landscapes
Suggested Trip: 4–5 days (or 7–9 days for a broader desert + grassland + culture loop)
Best For: Road trips, photographers.
7. Hangzhou & Suzhou (Tea Season & Gardens)
Why May is special:
- Fresh Longjing tea picking
- West Lake at its most elegant
- Suzhou gardens full of spring colors
Highlights:
- Hangzhou: West Lake, Longjing Tea Village, Lingyin Temple, Bamboo Forest paths
- Suzhou: Humble Administrator’s Garden, Master of the Nets Garden, Pingjiang Road
- Nearby Water Towns: Wuzhen or Tongli (classic canals & old bridges)
Suggested Trip: 2–3 days (or 4–5 days combined with nearby water towns)
Best For: Families, couples, first-time China travelers.
8. Guilin & Yangshuo
Why go in May:
- Classic karst scenery with bright green mountains
- Great time for cycling & bamboo rafting
- Warm but not overly humid
Highlights:
- Li River Cruise: Guilin → Yangshuo classic landscapes
- Yangshuo: Countryside cycling, bamboo rafting, Yulong River
- Xingping: Iconic “20 Yuan note” viewpoint
- Longji Rice Terraces (optional extension): Early green layers, great photo spots
Suggested Trip: 2–3 days (or 4–5 days with Longji Rice Terraces)
Best For: Families, outdoor lovers, couples.
9. Beijing (Perfect Weather for Sightseeing)
Why May is ideal:
- Sunny & dry
- Great Wall views are clear
- Not too hot like June–August
Top Sites:
- Great Wall (Mutianyu/Jinshanling)
- Forbidden City
- Summer Palace
- Hutongs
Suggested Trip: 2–3 days (or 4–5 days with nearby sections like Gubei Water Town)
Best For: First-time travelers, families, culture trips.
10. Qinghai Lake · Chaka Salt Lake
Why May works:
- Clear skies, cool temperatures
- Start of the plateau’s green season
- Smaller crowds compared to July–August
Highlights:
- Qinghai Lake: Deep-blue waters, cycling paths, prairie scenery
- Chaka Salt Lake: Mirror-like reflections, wide open skies
- Qinghai Prairie: Early-season green landscapes
- Qinghai–Tibet Highway views: Snow-capped peaks and plateau horizons
Suggested Trip: 2–3 days (or 4–6 days with surrounding plateau regions or Qinghai desert areas)
Best For: Photographers, road-trip travelers.
What to Pack for China in May
- Light jacket or windbreaker — mornings and evenings can still be cool in many regions.
- T-shirts & breathable layers — perfect for warm daytime weather.
- Comfortable walking shoes — essential for sightseeing days in Beijing, Guilin, Zhangjiajie, etc.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses & a hat — UV gets stronger in late spring.
- Light raincoat or umbrella — especially for southern and eastern China where short showers occur.
- Warm layers for high-altitude regions — Tibet, Qinghai, and Sichuan plateau can be cold at night.
- Travel medication & personal essentials — allergy medicine may be useful during spring bloom.
Travel Tips for China in May
- Avoid May 1–5 (Labor Day Holiday) — trains, flights, and major attractions get extremely crowded.
- Book early for early May travel — popular cities and nature parks fill up fast.
- Check altitude safety when traveling to Tibet or high mountain areas; ascend gradually when possible.
- Expect mild rain in southern China (Guilin, Guangzhou, Hangzhou), but showers are usually brief and refreshing.
- Great month for outdoor trips — cycling in Yangshuo, hiking in Zhangjiajie, lakes in Yunnan, and family-friendly nature trips.
- Long daylight hours mean you can fit more into each day, especially in northern and western China.
FAQ
Is May a good time to visit China?
Yes — May is one of the best months of the year, offering warm weather, fresh greenery, clear skies, and ideal conditions for both city exploration and nature travel.
Where is warm in China in May?
Guilin, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Yunnan, Hainan, Fujian, and most of South China enjoy summer-like warmth.
Where is cool in May?
Tibet, Qinghai, parts of Xinjiang, and higher-altitude areas in Sichuan and Yunnan stay cool and refreshing.
Is May rainy in China?
Southern and eastern China may have light spring rain, but it usually doesn’t disrupt travel. Northern and western regions remain mostly dry.
Where should families go in May?
Beijing, Yunnan (Dali–Lijiang), Guilin & Yangshuo, Zhangjiajie, Hangzhou, and Suzhou are all excellent family-friendly choices in May.
Is May a good month for nature photography?
Absolutely. Green mountains, clear lakes, flower blooms, and long daylight create perfect photography conditions across China.
