Scientists believe that the Chinese civilization is one of the oldest on the planet and its age can be estimated at five thousand years. The vast territory of the country, where there is a great variety of cultural, historical, archaeological and natural attractions - a good reason to get poisoned in the PRC on a trip. People also go to the Celestial Empire for a beach holiday, because the resorts on the island of Hainan are considered one of the best in Asia. There is no single answer to the question of when is the best time to relax in China. It all depends on which region of the country and for what purposes you plan to visit.
Let's take a look at the map
The People's Republic of China stretches from south to north and from west to east for more than 5,000 kilometers. The relief of the country is very diverse, as is the weather. On the territory of the Celestial Empire there are subtropics and zones of a sharply continental climate, deserts and semi-deserts. The weather is influenced by the winds of monsoons and mountain ranges, the proximity of the ocean and the presence of vast desert areas.
Temperature values differ dramatically depending on the season and region:
The northern provinces lie in a temperate climate zone and thermometers show here up to -20 ° С in winter and + 22 ° С in summer. In the spring, sandstorms often rage in the northern provinces, which bring yellow dust from the deserts of Mongolia.
The southern regions of mainland China often suffer from typhoons and floods, and mercury columns there are kept at + 28 ° C in summer. In winter, the temperature rarely drops below + 10 ° C.
Hainan Island, where the best beach resorts are concentrated, lies in the subequatorial climate zone. The average annual air temperature here is + 24 ° С, water - + 26 ° С. In summer, the heat can reach + 35 ° С. There are more than three hundred sunny days on the beaches of Hainan a year.
The weather in Beijing forms a humid continental climate. The capital of China is characterized by hot summers with high air humidity and windy and cold winters. Average temperatures reach + 26 ° C and -5 ° C, respectively.
In mainland China, it is better to rest when late spring comes, or in the first half of autumn - in the season of the least precipitation, moderate temperatures and not too high for a person's comfortable air humidity limits.
You can safely fly to Hainan Island on vacation at any time of the year. The coldest months are winter, but even in January, thermometers rarely drop below + 25 ° С.
Beach vacation and its features
The main beach resorts in the Middle Kingdom are concentrated on the island of Hainan, which is often called eastern Hawaii. Washed by the waters of the South China Sea, Hainan boasts a unique nature, pleasant weather and ideal tourist infrastructure, providing a comfortable stay for absolutely anyone who has arrived on vacation.
For a flawless vacation, book tickets for the period from April to the first days of summer or from mid-October to December. In June-October, rains occur on the island, which are short-term, but very heavy. In addition to high humidity, the summer period is dangerous with strong winds and even typhoons.
The first half of autumn is a popular vacation time for the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire, and therefore on the Hainan beaches, even an apple cannot fall, so as not to fall into a Chinese sunbathing. If you are not overly dreaming of a holiday in such a close neighborhood, wait until November starts.
The multifaceted capital
A tourist who flew on vacation to the Middle Kingdom lives not by the beach alone. Travelers tend to put as many checkmarks as possible in the list of visited attractions and prefer to start from the capital.
The most comfortable weather for walks and excursions in Beijing comes at the end of summer. The traditional smog, which interferes with breathing on hot days, is disappearing, the thermometers drop to + 25 ° C in mid-September, and the wind becomes fresher and cooler.
In winter, frosts often occur in the city, reaching 15 ° С in January-February. Most of the winter there is no snow in the city, and in the strong icy wind, you will feel too uncomfortable.
Early spring is a period of sandstorms, when dust from the Mongolian deserts reaches the capital of the PRC and creates serious problems for the eyes and respiratory organs.
At any time of the year, you should put sunglasses in your suitcase, clothes that will create layering in case the air temperature changes depending on the time of day, a hat that protects from the winds, nourishing face cream and lip balm.
The most famous wall in the world
A considerable part of the time planned to visit the capital of the Celestial Empire, tourists spend on a trip to the Great Wall of China. Five of the most interesting and prepared for the reception of visitors sites of the famous building are located one and a half or two hours from Beijing. When is the best time to have a rest in China so that a walk along the wall will be remembered? There are several recommendations from the travel agencies of the People's Republic of China:
In winter, it is usually too cold in areas where sections of the wall are open to the public. The air temperature can drop below zero, a piercing wind blows. You will need warm underwear, a down jacket, a hat and gloves. But in the period from December to February, you can take a photo almost without other tourists in the frame.
Spring is the best time to travel to the Great Wall of China. Mercury columns reach + 10 ° С - + 22 ° С, the wind is warm, the surrounding landscapes are becoming much greener and prettier, but the number of those wishing to see the miracle of the architectural genius of the ancient Chinese is increasing somewhat.
Summer is the most unfavorable period for excursions. Millions of Chinese rush to the wall, the weather becomes too hot - up to + 30 ° C and higher on the thermometers - and the hot wind and active sun provoke heat strokes and dehydration.
The wall is beautiful in autumn, when the number of local residents who came for the excursion slightly decreases, the heat subsides and the air temperature drops to + 18 ° C and below, and the visibility improves, and you can even see remote sections of the ancient structure stretching for many kilometers around.
If you want to take the best photos of the attraction, avoid the crowds, or walk the wall all alone, head there the night before, spend the night at a nearby hotel, and take an early morning walk with sunrise.
Colorful calendar
The Chinese New Year is an event that annually attracts a huge number of those who want to fully touch the oriental exoticism to the Celestial Empire. It usually comes at the end of winter or early spring, and in order to choose the best time to buy a tour, you will have to check the Eastern calendar.
Whether to consider the New Year in Chinese the best time to travel to the Middle Kingdom is a moot point. Fans of oriental exoticism will undoubtedly appreciate the full scope of the celebrations, but do not forget that the weather at this time in most of northern and central China is quite cold, the crowds of people on the streets are huge, and therefore you will have to be especially careful when preparing for the trip. Think carefully about what to take with you from your clothes, take care of your own safety measures and find the best way to store money and valuables. Book hotels and plane tickets well in advance.
Don't forget that holidays in China are a great excuse for travel for locals too. On the Eastern New Year or Tree Planting Day and Qingming, symbolizing the arrival of spring, millions of Chinese people travel and fly to visit their parents, visit attractions and take part in cultural events. It is very difficult to find a suitable hotel room during the Dragon Boat Festival in early summer and on the Mid-Autumn Festival that falls in the second half of September.
Useful observations
If you want to relax comfortably on the beaches of Hainan and not overpay for hotel and services, avoid coming here when the country celebrates Chinese New Year. At this time, hotels and beaches are overcrowded, prices for everything skyrocket, on the beaches there is a crush, and in restaurants there is a real battle for seats at the table.
The absence of strong currents and warm water in the sea allows divers to fly to Hainan in any season. Storms are quite rare here, but sometimes strong waves happen, thanks to the southerly winds. Not a very favorable period for diving in the South China Sea off the coast of Hainan - late spring and summer. This is the best time to relax in China if you love surfing.
