China in May 2025: Weather, Top Places, Festivals & More

This will be an impressive journey to enjoy fabulous amazement in different regions of China. May brings China unstoppable vitality, from urban bustling to rural serenity, from splendid farmer-created landscapes to nature-endowed scenery. Here are many choices of places that have outspoken features to offer during your China tour in May.

China's Weather in May

In general, China draws to a transition from spring to summer in May, with temperatures rising in most places from 14 to 25 degrees centigrade. There are a number of sunny days and a few days of rainfall. However, the weather varies depending on the region.

Northern China

In northern regions like Beijing and Xi'an, you can experience dry and moderate weather on most sunny days. The temperature ranges from 14 to 26. While it could be cool at night, it is pleasantly suitable for outdoor hiking and flower viewing in the daytime.

Beijing Summer Palace

Southern China

The southern part of places like Guangdong and Fujian may experience a long period of rainy days, called Meiyu in Chinese. Some cities, like Guangzhou and Hong Kong, are quite warm and damp. Anyway, it usually rains early in the morning and at night, so don't worry so much about your May travels being affected.

Western China

In the west, there is a significant difference in temperature between day and night during May. The daytime enjoys warmer weather (15 to 25) and pleasant sunshine, while the temperature can decline to 10 at night. Cities like Lhasa, Gansu, and Urumqi have plenty of sunshine to bathe in.

Eastern China

This regional part experiences less rainfall and humidity than the south, with an average temperature ranging from 16 to 23. Cities such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Jiangsu offer pleasantly warm weather and moderate sunshine, which is ideal for city walks during the day.

Yu Garden, Shanghai

The Best Places to Travel in May

Shangri-La

Shangri-La, an unspoiled paradise of rustic landscapes and native flavor. It is at the boundary between spring and summer in May when the flora grows at its peak. When traveling in May, you may meet an ocean of fascinating blossoms of over 160 kinds. The snow-capped mountains, including Meili Snow Mountain and Baima Snow Mountain, that haven't fully melted, are a splendid sight to feast your imagination. You can explore some of the Tibetan villages, taking a taste of a traditional Tibetan ceremony of blessing at Songzanlin Monastery.

Songzanlin Monastery

Guilin

May offers tourists a delightfully warm temperature in Guilin ranging from 20°C to 27°C, blessed with picturesque sights and fresh scenery. Travel to Guilin in May is suitable to experience bamboo kayaking along the Yulong River or Li River to appreciate the lush green karst limestone and emerald water. You can hike along terrace fields in Longji Rice Terraces and Longji, and take a fabulous picture of layers of idyllically beautiful mirrors. The mild weather allows you to bicycle on the pastoral roads of Yangshuo, giving you a chance to make acquaintances with rustic villagers.

Longji Rice Terraces

Chengdu

Chengdu tends to be warmer, with average temperatures ranging from 15°C to 23°C in May, actively timing for giant pandas at the Giant Panda Base, popular for going out. Mount Emei is an excellent spot to photograph the glorious blooming of rhododendrons and other seasonal flowers. You may not miss the Golden Summit, Wannian Temple, and some worth-visited attractions in the blossom-decorated mountain. A May traveling would be superb relaxation to experience Chengdu's slow lifestyle, take a sip of covered tea, and play mahjong together with locals in the afternoon.

Giant Panda in Chengdu

What to Do in May

Flower Viewing

May is a golden time to admire the great variety of blossoms in different parts of China. Head to Olympic Forest Park and Beihai Park in Beijing to capture the blooming of climbing roses and China roses. In Chengdu, you can feast on pear and peach blossoms in bloom along the street and shoot a showy sea of rape flowers and azaleas. Also, Luoyang is a good destination to enjoy a wide variety of peony blossoms. Or you can visit the Ili River Valley in Xinjiang. There is a heaven filled with wildflowers during the month.

A Bicycle Trip Atop the Xi'an City Wall

Xi'an just gets warmer in the month of May, making it a pleasant city for outdoor activities. It wouldn't be a complete visit without an archaeological bicycle ride atop the City Wall early in the morning. You will take a 13.7-kilometer-long ride on top of China's most preserved wall. The well-decorated watch towers and mighty city gates are impressive enough to treat your eyes. You can find Ming dynasty-era elements in every old brick, making your ride full of history and quaintness. There are just various Xi'an delicacies like Liangpi, Rougamo, and Saozi noodles waiting for you after bicycling.

A Bicycle Trip Atop the Xi'an City Wall

Yangtze River Cruise

As one of the peak seasons to cruise on the Yangtze River, a delightful cruise experience will be a highlight of your May trip. Enjoy moderate weather and stable flight schedules, the rising temperature and warm sunshine give you a clear natural view of verdant hills flamed with red leaves and peach flowers in bloom. You will pass through the Three Gorges Dam, some primitive and cultural villages, and other famous scenic sites between Chongqing and Yichang.

Skywalking Over the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon

May brings Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon pleasant, cool weather on the karst cliff. Apart from viewing the canoe on the river, you can also take a glimpse on a skywalk over the Glass Bridge. In May, the soft sunlight after a brief rainfall makes the canyon a fairyland, which offers you incredible landscapes of lush green mountains afloat in a swathe of clouds. You can walk to see a picture-perfect stream and waterfall bubbling down to the valley 400 meters below the bridge.

Zhangjiajie

Basking in the Xiangshi Festival in Wuzhen Water Town

This ancient town brings not only striking spring scenery in the Jiangnan area with white bricks and dark green tiles but also a traditional distinctive custom called "Xiangshi," or Incense Fair. You can see local performers in folk costumes, stage old dramas, and play native vaudevilles like shadow puppetry and flower-drum opera. At night, you can play with local people with a lantern in hand, crossing over a hundred small bridges. During the festival, you have great chances to enjoy many forms of Wuzhen's sports and activities.

Events & Festivals

Great Wall Marathon

The 2024 Great Wall Marathon falls on May 18th, at Huangyaguan in Tianjin city. It is a quite tricky but absolutely surprise-filled race along the Great Wall of 26.2 miles. You can take in a magnificent view of the Great Wall coiled on lush mountains and winding rivers along the course, enjoy the picturesque countryside landscape, and get a glimpse into the locals living in the old Beijing village. Don't be surprised at the great enthusiasm and cheers of the local villagers. So, why not try to challenge yourself?

The Luoyang Peony Festival

Listed in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Peony Culture Festival of Luoyang is always a prominent focus in Henan in late spring. During this time, you can view a great variety of peony blossoms in various gardens and parks. There are different viewing spots to choose from, like Mudan Park and Xiyuan Park, whether you're after entertainment or quietness. Besides, the festival will offer a series of brilliant performances, including singing, dancing, and visualization of classical Chinese poetry, which features both virtual and cultural elements of Luoyang.

Midi Music Festival

The Midi Music Festival should be one of the most dynamic rock events in China in May. It is held in Fujian between May 2nd and 4th. This musical event features over 50 rock bands and other performers from both here and abroad. You can enjoy various styles of music, like rock, ballads, jazz, and pop. Besides the music part, an art fair provides a range of local handicrafts, like Dawuyi postcards and Midi dolls, for the audience to shop. Camping is popular near the stage, and there are many options for snacks to savor.

Crowds & Costs

May is a moderately high tourist month because of the warmer weather. The first week of May is another high tourist season after the Spring Festival. Due to the 1-week holiday of Labor Day, scenic sights in most cities, especially Chengdu, Kunming, and Xi'an, can be packed with domestic tourists. Air ticket prices may increase by nearly 100%, and hotel rates may increase by over 50%.

There are still many locals for sightseeing, but it is less crowded and costs of transportation and hotel are getting reasonable compared to the peak season between July and August.

China Travel Tips in May

Leave the First Week to Avoid the Crowds

During the Labor Day holiday, some known tourist attractions would be quite crowded, with probably higher accommodation fees. So try to avoid a visit to those popular destinations during the Labor Day holiday, or you can choose some unlikely places.

Take Some Spare Clothes

In western and northern China, there is a significant difference in temperature between day and night. You should wear some long-sleeved shirts for the cold at night. It is advisable to prepare rain gear and take some spare dry clothes in case of wet weather if you plan to stay in cities of southern China.

Travel to China in May With Odynovo

A trip to China in May should be listed in your to-do bucket. Colorful flashes of picturesque sites never fail to impress and fulfill your expectations. If you're planning a trip to China, please contact us. When traveling with Odynovo, you can enjoy every highlight of the journey. Or if you want to learn more information about travel in China in another month, visit our website. We're looking forward to a remarkable trip with you!