Best time to go to Beijing

The weather is one of the aspects to take into account during your visit to Beijing, one of the most interesting cities in the world. The best time to visit the Chinese capital will depend on the travel plan you have in mind.

Travelling with children is not the same as travelling on a budget, nor is it the same if you want to visit the city when there are few tourists or if you prefer to visit during the most important events of the year. In this article I will tell you everything you need to know depending on the time of year you travel.

Regardless of the more specific variables, March to May is the best time to discover the Chinese capital, as the weather is pleasant, rainfall is infrequent and you can discover some of Beijing's best attractions with fewer tourists. It is also a very economical time of year. Ideal for enjoying Beijing's most popular activities such as the tour of the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.

• Winter, which in China ends in March, is quite cold and can comfortably reach temperatures below freezing, making it the least recommended time for your trip.
• As spring approaches, the weather improves substantially, reaching average temperatures of 13°C, allowing you to enjoy most of Beijing's attractions in a pleasant way.
• If you wait until summer, temperatures will improve, reaching highs above 30°C, although the heat can be sweltering and it's also the busiest time of year for tourists, so you'll have to wait in long queues for most activities and it's also not an economical time for the best tours of the Chinese capital.
• Another ideal time for a trip to Beijing is during autumn, which runs from September to December, although it can be combined with Christmas, which is a peak tourist season.

The best time of year to visit the city with children will depend on your personal preferences and the interests of your little ones, but generally speaking, it is during spring, from March to May, and during autumn, from September to November. Both are ideal times to book a tour of the Summer Palace, Lama Temple and Panda Garden or visit the Beijing Zoo, which is one of the most interesting things to do as a family.

• During spring, temperatures are pleasant and there is less rainfall compared to summer and winter's snowfall, making it an ideal time to visit the city's sights without worrying about the sweltering heat. Also, during this time, the capital is full of flowers and there are events such as the Beijing International Garden Festival, which can be interesting for children.
• In autumn, meanwhile, temperatures are still bearable and there are fewer tourists compared to summer, making it a good time to visit tourist sites without having to deal with crowds. In addition, in October, there is the China National Holiday Festival, which is a great opportunity to experience the culture and daily life of the locals and an alternative way to enjoy the best museums in Beijing.

In conclusion, spring and autumn are the best times of the year to visit Beijing with children, as they offer pleasant temperatures, less rainfall and fewer tourists, making it easier to enjoy the sights and activities the city has to offer, with access to cheaper prices than the summer, which is considered the city's high season.

If you're looking for the cheapest time to visit Beijing, it's probably best to travel during the winter months, from December to February. During this time, prices for hotels and tourist attractions tend to be lower due to lower tourist demand and colder temperatures.

Be aware that the weather in Beijing in winter can be very extreme, with temperatures dropping below freezing, so make sure you pack appropriate clothing for the weather. You should also consider that during the winter months snowfall can be frequent, which could disrupt some of your plans, such as visiting the Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square, all of which are outdoor excursions.

However, if you decide to travel in winter anyway, there are some great things to do in Beijing, such as booking tickets to an acrobatic show or going skiing at some of the city's most popular resorts, including Nanshan Ski Village, Huaibei Ski Resort and Badaling Ski Resort. You can also wander around the Chinese capital's best temples.

Beijing is a city that has a lot to offer in terms of culture, history and tourist attractions. However, due to its popularity, it can be difficult to find times when it is not crowded with tourists.

• November to March: If you want to avoid the crowds, the best time to visit is during the off-season, November to March, which are the least crowded months of the year due to the extreme cold and snowfall.
• July and August: Although these months are considered part of the high season, many tourists avoid visiting Beijing during this period due to the high temperatures and humidity. Therefore, if you can handle the warm weather, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the city without having to deal with the crowds.
• During the week: Many tourists visit the city on weekends, so if you are flexible, you will find fewer tourists on weekdays. Also, many of the attractions are open every day, so you won't miss out on anything. This is the best time to book a bus transfer to the Great Wall of China or take tours on the sightseeing buses.
• Chinese public holidays: National Day or Chinese New Year can attract a lot of tourism and prices will be higher.

There are several times to visit Beijing and discover its traditions:

• Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year. This festival is celebrated in January or February every year, depending on the calendar, and is one of the most important festivities in China. Beijing is filled with colourful decorations and traditional activities such as dragon and lion parades, lion dances and fireworks displays. You can also enjoy a variety of traditional Chinese dishes, which are included if you book a tuk tuk food tour.
• Mid-Autumn Festival, which is held in September or October each year, again depending on the local calendar. This festival focuses on the full moon and is an occasion to gather with family and friends to appreciate the beauty of the moon. You can enjoy delicious moon cakes and participate in traditional activities, such as dragon and lion dancing. The celebration can also coincide with National Day, which is celebrated on 1 October every year and has its epicentre at Tiananmen Square.

Keep in mind that during these dates the city receives a large number of tourists, especially for internal transfers, and that prices may increase substantially. In addition, the opening hours of museums, theatres and some local restaurants and bars may be altered, as it is a public holiday for many locals.

In general, the best time to visit Beijing and enjoy the sights is during the autumn season from September to November, when the Chinese capital offers pleasant weather and cool, comfortable temperatures. In addition, the city is filled with colourful autumn leaves that create spectacular scenery in parks such as Jingshan Park and the Temple of Heaven.

Autumn is dry so you can count on clear skies to enjoy the panoramic views from the Bell Tower or the Olympic Tower in the Beijing Olympic Village. It's also a good time to book a trip to the Great Wall and the Ming Tombs, as the weather is cool, offering good conditions for long walks. And at this time of year, Beijing has less pollution and fog, which improves air quality and allows for better visibility of the monuments and scenery.

Bear in mind that there are also fewer tourists in autumn compared to summer, which means fewer queues and more space to enjoy attractions and activities - no small feat in a city that tends to be packed with tourists for much of the year.

The weather is very changeable in Beijing. Even so, here are the main features:

• The obvious answer is to desist from visiting Beijing during the winter if you are one of those who shy away from cold temperatures, rain and heavy coats.
• In summer, temperatures can reach a high of 35°C with average highs of 22°C, but be aware that the climate is very humid during the summer, so rainfall is frequent. This may alter your plans for some attractions, especially outdoor attractions such as the Forbidden City and hutong tours.
• During spring, in addition to pleasant temperatures, you can see cherry blossoms in Yuyuantan Park and beautiful scenery at the Summer Palace. This is the ideal time to discover Beijing by night.
• In autumn, you can also temporarily escape the cold and the weather is dry, if a little unsettled. However, it is a good time for you to photograph the golden and red trees, which create a spectacular sight.

Also, keep in mind that in both spring and autumn, hotel and airfare prices are generally lower than in the peak summer season, when fares tend to skyrocket due to the large number of tourists flocking to the city.

The answer will depend on your travel plan and the purpose of your Beijing tour. The Chinese capital offers something for everyone, so if you're looking for a quiet tour with good weather and cheap prices, you should travel in autumn or spring, i.e. between March and May and between September and November.

If you want typical experiences, such as Chinese New Year, National Day or the Autumn Festival, you should travel on specific dates, but be aware that airfares, accommodation and excursions will be less expensive. The city will also be crowded with tourists, but you can still have an interesting experience and enjoy some of the best things to see and do in Beijing.

Apart from that, the least tempting time to travel to Beijing is during the winter, when temperatures can easily reach -10°C and record lows of -40°C. This is a major drawback to any kind of tourism, as most of the attractions are outdoors except for a few things like acrobatic shows, which can be indoors, or ski resorts, although you should be aware that it's not cheap tourism.