The best time to cycle in China depends almost entirely on which region you're riding. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the widest window across all destinations — clear skies, manageable temperatures, and roads free from monsoon flooding or winter snow. Tibet and Qinghai are best from May through October, constrained by permit access in early spring and dropping temperatures in October. Hainan Island (海南岛, Hǎinán Dǎo) flips the calendar entirely: its peak cycling season runs November through April, making it China's answer for winter riders. Xinjiang's (新疆, Xīnjiāng) famous Duku Highway (独库公路, Dúkù Gōnglù) is only open from June to September — the road is physically impassable outside this window.
This guide is part of Yaso Trip's complete China cycling resource, which covers every major route and region across the country. Timing questions are among the most common we receive before any booking is made, and generic "spring and autumn are best" advice leaves too much unsaid. This guide covers every major region with specific, honest monthly data — including the seasonal traps that catch first-time China cyclists off guard.
Why Timing Is More Critical in China Than Almost Anywhere Else
China's cycling terrain spans five climate zones across 9.6 million km² (3.7 million mi²). The same calendar month that makes Hainan a paradise makes the G318 Tibet Highway a mudslide zone. Getting the timing wrong doesn't just mean uncomfortable weather — it can mean closed roads, unavailable permits, or a route that doesn't exist for the season you booked.
Cyclist on Karakul Lake Muztagh Ata South Xinjiang July
Cycling the Hainan Island, Sanya November
- Permit windows control access independently of weather. Tibet requires a Tibet Travel Permit (西藏旅行许可证, Xīzàng Lǚxíng Xǔkězhèng) that is historically suspended in February–March each year. No permit means no Tibet, regardless of road conditions.
- Monsoon flooding shuts specific route sections. The G318's Bomi (波密, Bōmì) to Ranwu (然乌, Rán wū) section in Tibet has a documented pattern of July–August landslides and road closures that can add days to any itinerary.
- Some roads are physically impassable in winter. The Duku Highway closes every October and doesn't reopen until June — there is no cycling it outside that window.
- Golden Week crowds change the character of popular routes. During China's National Holiday (October 1–7), the G318 and Tibet routes see their largest domestic tourist surge of the year. Road traffic, guesthouse availability, and permit processing times all spike.
- Regional altitude creates micro-climates within seasons. Yunnan (云南, Yúnnán) in July can be bone-dry at sea-level Kunming while Shangri-La (香格里拉, Xiānggélǐlā) at 3,280 m (10,761 ft) sees daily afternoon rain for weeks.
- Spring Festival empties roads but closes services. During Chinese New Year (typically late January to mid-February), highway traffic drops dramatically — but many guesthouses, restaurants, and bike shops close or run reduced operations.
This guide gives you the month-by-month picture across China's eight major cycling regions so you can plan around all of these variables.
China Cycling Seasons at a Glance
The table below is a quick-reference summary. Each row represents one major cycling region. Detailed month-by-month analysis follows in the regional guide.
Best Time to Cycle in China by Region
Spring (March–May): The Opening Window
Spring is the primary opening window for most of China's cycling routes. As snow clears from mountain passes and temperatures climb out of single digits, riders who have been waiting out winter can finally move.
Yellow Mountain Cycling, Anhui in Spring
Cyclist riding the Fuchun River Greenway, Zhejiang in AprilMarch is a transition month with sharp regional differences. Eastern China (Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian) comes alive in March — the Hangzhou (杭州, Hángzhōu) to Huangshan (黄山, Huáng Shān) route is at its most scenic in late March and April, with tea gardens green, cherry blossoms in bloom, and temperatures between 12–18°C (54–64°F). Yunnan's lower elevations are already warm and dry. Tibet and Qinghai remain inaccessible in March — Tibet is historically closed to foreign visitors for political reasons in late February and through most of March, reopening by late March or early April.
April marks the true start of the season for most highland routes. The G318 Sichuan-Tibet Highway becomes cycleable from the Sichuan side (Chengdu to Kangding 康定 and beyond) in April, though the Tibet sections are best left to May when permit processing stabilises. Qinghai Lake (青海湖, Qīnghǎi Hú) comes into its best early-season window in April, with cold but clear mornings and light visitor numbers.
May is the single best month for Tibet cycling. The Tibet Travel Permit is flowing normally, monsoon rains haven't yet reached the G318 gorge sections, temperatures at Lhasa (拉萨, Lāsà) average 13–16°C (55–61°F), and the light — high-altitude spring light before the haze of summer — is exceptional. May is also strong for the G318's Sichuan sections, Yunnan's Shangri-La region before the rains begin, and the Silk Road corridor through Gansu (甘肃, Gānsù).
Explore the G318 in spring with Yaso Trip:
Tour Route：Chengdu-Ya'an-Kangding-Litang Monastery in Litang County, Garze-Chamdo-Nyingchi-Lhasa
25 Days
9 PlacesSummer (June–August): The Highland Window — and the Monsoon Trap
Summer is the most misunderstood season for China cycling. It is simultaneously the best window for the country's highest-altitude routes and the worst period for its mid-elevation gorge and jungle routes. Where you ride determines everything.
The Highland Window
Duku Highway Xinjiang summer cycling Tianshan June
Qinghai Lake cycling with rapeseed flowers bloomFor routes above 3,500 m (11,483 ft), summer is the season. The Duku Highway opens in early June — the official announcement comes from the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Highway Bureau each spring, with exact dates varying by snowmelt. As of 2024, the highway opened June 1 (an early opening by recent standards). By mid-June, the full 561 km (349 mi) crossing of the Tianshan range is accessible. Summer is also the best window for South Xinjiang's Pamir routes, Qinghai Lake (peak season July–August), and the northern Tibet plateau sections of the Qinghai-Tibet Highway (G109). Kanas Lake (喀纳斯湖, Kǎnàsī Hú) in northern Xinjiang is at its greenest from July through August.
Cycle the Duku Highway in its peak summer window:
Tour Route：Dushanzi Grand Canyon in Karamay-Duku Highway in Xinjiang-The Mystic Grand Canyon of Tianshan in Kuqa, Aksu
Summer on Qinghai Lake:
Tour Route：Xining-Qinghai Lake-Xining
The Monsoon Trap
For routes in the eastern Himalayan foothills — specifically the G318 between Bomi and Ranwu in Tibet's Linzhi (林芝, Línzhī) prefecture — July and August bring serious risk. The southwest monsoon drives rainfall into these deep gorge valleys, and the road through this section has a documented pattern of landslides, flooding, and temporary closures. Itineraries that look tight on paper can stretch by two to four days in a bad monsoon week. This is not a reason to avoid Tibet in summer entirely, but it is a reason to plan contingency days and work with an operator who has emergency routing experience on this section.
The 120 km (75 mi) stretch between Bomi (波密) and Ranwu (然乌) on the G318 is the route's most flood-prone section. During peak monsoon (typically late July to mid-August), road closures here can last one to several days. Yaso Trip groups carry contingency plans for this section — if you're booking a Tibet cycling tour in July or August, confirm your operator has an emergency rerouting protocol before you sign.
Eastern China and Yunnan's highlands are also wet in summer. The plum rain (梅雨, méi yǔ) reaches Zhejiang and Anhui in mid-June and typically clears by mid-July — cycling the Hangzhou–Huangshan route in this window means persistent drizzle and reduced visibility. Yunnan's Shangri-La receives 78–80% of its annual rainfall between June and October, making summer a poor window for that specific route.
Autumn (September–November): China's Best Overall Cycling Window
Autumn is the single best overall window for China cycling, and September–October specifically offers the widest simultaneous choice of routes across all regions. The monsoon retreats, highland passes are clear, temperatures drop from summer peaks to a comfortable range, and the light — particularly in October — is exceptional.
Shangri-La Pudacuo National Park meadow in Autumn
Xining to Lhasa Tibet Cycling September best seasonSeptember opens strongly. Tibet's G318 gorge sections dry out after the monsoon retreat, and the Bomi-Ranwu road typically reopens to reliable access by mid-September. The Qinghai-Tibet Highway autumn window runs from September through mid-October. Yunnan's Shangri-La comes back into its best season: the rains are done, the grasslands are golden, and the high passes remain clear. Xinjiang's Kanas region is at its most dramatic from mid-September through early October, when the Siberian larches (白桦树林, báihuà shùlín) turn gold and the crowds are lighter than July–August peak.
Ride Yunnan in autumn with Yaso Trip:
Tour Route：Tiger Leaping Gorge between Shangrila and Lijiang-Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang-Baishan City-Lijiang
October is the month most Chinese and foreign cyclists consider the peak of the autumn window — but it is split by a major disruption.
The Golden Week Consideration
China's National Holiday, known as Golden Week (黄金周, Huángjīn Zhōu), runs October 1–7 every year. During this period, the G318 Sichuan-Tibet Highway carries its largest domestic tourist volume of the year — private cars, tour coaches, and motorcycles in volumes that can gridlock the road at key sections and put genuine pressure on guesthouses along the route. Permit processing for Tibet also slows as agencies handle peak volume.
The practical advice: the best autumn cycling windows on G318 and Tibet routes are late September (after the monsoon but before Golden Week) and mid-to-late October (after Golden Week crowds clear). The first two weeks of October are genuinely crowded and best avoided on popular routes.
November begins the winter transition for highland routes but opens Hainan. By mid-November, Tibet temperatures at altitude (Tanggula Pass 唐古拉山口 at 5,231 m / 17,162 ft) are well below freezing overnight, and the riding season is effectively over. Eastern China's Zhejiang and Anhui regions have excellent cycling through November — Huangshan's autumn foliage peaks in late October to early November. The Silk Road corridor is increasingly cold in November but still manageable through mid-month.
Plan your autumn G318 ride:
Tour Route：Chengdu-Ya'an-Kangding-Litang Monastery in Litang County, Garze-Chamdo-Nyingchi-Lhasa
25 Days 9 Places View DetailExplore Eastern China in autumn:
Tour Route：Hangzhou-Thousand Islets Lake (Qiandaohu Lake) in Hangzhou-Huangshan
8 Days 5 Places View DetailWinter (December–February): Hainan and the Southern Routes
Winter narrows China's cycling map dramatically — but it doesn't close it. Hainan Island is China's definitive winter cycling destination, and southern Yunnan offers a secondary option for riders who want warm-weather alternatives to the highland freeze.
Cycling the Hainan Island in November
Xishuangbanna Tropical SceneryHainan's peak cycling season runs December through February. The island sits just above the Tropic of Cancer (北回归线, Běihuíguīxiàn), and its winter climate is reliably warm and dry — Haikou (海口, Hǎikǒu) averages 20–23°C (68–73°F) in December and January, Sanya (三亚, Sānyà) in the south averages 22–26°C (72–79°F). Rainfall is minimal. The full island circuit — approximately 830–900 km (516–559 mi) along the coastal ring road, with a shorter 310 km (193 mi) central mountain variant — is one of the most logistically straightforward cycling routes in China: well-paved ring roads, regular resupply points, and guesthouses that are accustomed to cyclists.
Hainan's coastal highways also benefit from infrastructure developed for cycling events — the island has hosted major road cycling races, and dedicated cycling lanes exist on parts of the coastal loop. November is a transition month: the typhoon season extends to mid-November, so booking November departures requires checking typhoon activity closer to the date.
Explore Hainan in winter with Yaso Trip:
Tour Route：Haikou-Fushan Coffee Culture Town in Chengmai County, Hainan-Lingao-Danzhou-Changjiang-Dongfang City-Jianfengling National Forest Park Hainan (Birding Base)-Sanya-Lingshui-Wanning-Boao Shanqin Bay Golf Course-Dongjiao Coconut Plantations in Wenchang City-Haikou
10 Days 3 Places View DetailFor the mainland, southern Yunnan's Xishuangbanna (西双版纳, Xīshuāngbǎnnà) region stays warm through winter, but dedicated cycling tours there are limited. The Silk Road lowland sections (Gansu and southern Xinjiang) are physically cycleable in mild winters but cold — morning temperatures below 5°C (41°F) are common in December and January.
Tibet, Qinghai, Xinjiang's Duku Highway, and most highland routes are firmly off-season from November through April.
Region-by-Region Guide to China Cycling Seasons
Region-by-Region China Cycling Season Overview
Tibet: May–June and September–October
Cycling G318 Sichuan to Tibet
Tibet to Everest panorama cyclingTibet cycling is governed by two constraints: the Tibet Travel Permit system and the southwest monsoon. The permit has historically been suspended for foreign visitors in late February through most of March in some years, though this pattern is not fixed policy — in 2026, Tibet remained open through March without a seasonal closure, which was a notable departure from some prior years. Permit availability and seasonal restrictions vary year to year and must be confirmed with your operator in the year of your planned travel.
The best Tibet cycling windows are May–June (pre-monsoon, warm, permit flowing, low crowds) and September–October (post-monsoon, dry, dramatic autumn light, cooler temperatures). July and August work for the Lhasa city environs and the western Tibet plateau but carry real risk on the G318 gorge sections. October is excellent but finishes quickly at altitude — by late October, overnight temperatures at Lhasa are around 2–5°C (36–41°F) and high passes will see frost.
For full context on permits, route stages, and logistics, see our complete guide to cycling in Tibet.
Explore Lhasa to Everest Base Camp with Yaso Trip:
Tour Route：Lhasa-Yamdrok Lake in Nagarzê County, Shannan-Shigatse-Mount Everest Base Camp in Tibet-Lhasa
Xinjiang: June–September (Duku) and Year-Round Variance by Sub-Region
Tianshan forest cycling Xinjiang summerCyclist on Karakul Lake Muztagh Ata South Xinjiang Xinjiang's cycling season is the most internally varied of any region in China. The Duku Highway opens in early June (exact date announced each spring by Xinjiang highway authorities — check the official announcement before planning a tight schedule) and closes by early October. Outside this window, the road crosses the Tianshan range at over 3,000 m (9,843 ft) and is buried under snow. Our Xinjiang Duku Highway cycling guide covers the route in detail.
South Xinjiang's Pamir Plateau routes are best July–September, when highland temperatures are comfortable and the roads through Tashkurgan (塔什库尔干, Tǎshíkù'ěrgān) are accessible. Northern Xinjiang's Ili Valley (伊犁河谷, Yīlí Hégǔ) has two distinct peak seasons: May–June for the famous wildflower meadows (花海, huā hǎi) and September–October for Kanas Lake's autumn colours. Lowland Xinjiang — the Turpan (吐鲁番, Tǔlǔfān) depression and Tarim Basin approaches — is best avoided in July and August when temperatures regularly exceed 40°C (104°F).
Hainan: November–April
Full coverage in the winter section above. The optimum months within this window are December–February for the most reliable weather. November carries residual typhoon risk (the season extends to mid-November). March and April are warm and dry but tourism picks up sharply with Chinese domestic visitors.
Our complete Hainan Island cycling guide covers the full ring route and coastal variants.
Hainan Island Cycling in November
Erhai Lake in Dali CyclingYunnan: March–May and September–October
Northwest Yunnan — the Shangri-La and Lijiang (丽江, Lìjiāng) corridor that anchors our primary Yunnan cycling product — sees 78–80% of its annual precipitation between June and October. The pre-monsoon spring window (March–May) and the post-monsoon autumn (September–October) are when skies clear and mountain views open. The Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡, Hǔtiào Xiá) section of the route is particularly spectacular in October. Our Shangri-La and Lijiang cycling guide covers the full route and best-time guidance for each segment.
Silk Road / Gansu: April–June and September–October
The Silk Road corridor through Gansu is one of China's most photogenic cycling routes — the Hexi Corridor (河西走廊, Héxī Zǒuláng) running west from Lanzhou (兰州, Lánzhōu) to Dunhuang (敦煌, Dūnhuáng) between desert to the south and the snow-capped Qilian Mountains (祁连山, Qílián Shān) to the north. Summer temperatures in the desert sections regularly reach 38–42°C (100–108°F) in July and August — this is not a comfortable cycling season. Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) offer temperatures in the 15–28°C (59–82°F) range with manageable wind and strong light for photography.
Cycle the Silk Road in spring or autumn:
Tour Route：Lanzhou-Wuwei-Zhangye-Jiuquan-Jiayuguan-Yumen City-Dunhuang
12 Days 8 Places View DetailSichuan and Qinghai: May–October
Cycling Ngawa Prefecture, Sichuan in Spring
Cycling Sichuan-Qinghai in summerSichuan's cycling routes split by altitude. Chengdu (成都, Chéngdū) and its environs are cycleable much of the year, with spring and autumn best. The Sichuan-Qinghai plateau routes — from Chengdu up to Xining (西宁, Xīníng) via Qinghai Lake — are best June–September for the high plateau sections and May–October overall. See our Qinghai-Tibet Highway cycling guide for the full northern Tibet entry route.
Sichuan-Qinghai Route: Chengdu (成都) to Xining (西宁)
The Sichuan-Qinghai route connects Chengdu's lowlands to the Qinghai plateau via the Tibetan grasslands of Zoige (若尔盖, Ruò'ěrgài) and the Muslim cultural hub of Xiahe (夏河, Xiàhé) before arriving at Qinghai Lake and the provincial capital Xining. All roads are paved, the elevation gain is gradual compared to the G318, and the route stays entirely outside the Tibet Autonomous Region — no Tibet Travel Permit required. Mid-July to early August brings one of the most photogenic spectacles in Chinese cycling: the rapeseed (油菜花, yóucài huā) bloom at Qinghai Lake, a sea of yellow framing the blue water against snow peaks.
Cycle Chengdu to Xining with Yaso Trip:
Tour Route：Chengdu-Hongyuan Grassland in Hongyuan County, Aba-Ruoergai Grassland in Zoige County, Aba-Langmusi Monastery in Gannan, Gansu-Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, Gannan-Xining-The Sea of Rapeseed Flowers in Menyuan County, Haibei-Qilian Mountain Grassland in Qilian County, Haibei-Qinghai Lake-Xining
14 Days 8 Places View DetailQinghai Lake (青海湖): The High-Altitude Circuit
Qinghai Lake is China's largest lake and one of the most iconic short cycling circuits in the country — a 360 km (224 mi) loop at 3,196 m (10,486 ft) altitude that can be ridden independently in five to seven days or integrated into the longer Sichuan-Qinghai or Silk Road routes. The counter-clockwise direction is strongly preferred: it keeps the prevailing westerly wind at your back for the longest exposed lakeside stretch.
Cycle Qinghai Lake with Yaso Trip:
Tour Route：Xining-Qinghai Lake-Xining
Eastern China (Zhejiang / Anhui / Fujian): March–May and October–November
Qiandaohu Cycing in spring, Zhejiang
West Lake in HangzhouEastern China is the most year-round accessible cycling region in this guide, but it has one specific window to avoid: the plum rain (梅雨, méi yǔ) season from mid-June to mid-July, when persistent drizzle and poor visibility make cycling uncomfortable. The spring window (March–May) is exceptional — April specifically is peak for Hangzhou's West Lake (西湖, Xī Hú) cherry blossoms, the Longjing (龙井, Lóngjǐng) tea harvest in the hills south of Hangzhou, and clear skies over Huangshan. Autumn (October–November) is equally strong, with Huangshan's granite peaks at their most dramatic under October foliage.
Cycle Hangzhou to Huangshan in spring or autumn:
Tour Route：Hangzhou-Thousand Islets Lake (Qiandaohu Lake) in Hangzhou-Huangshan
8 Days 5 Places View DetailSpecial Timing Considerations
Beyond regional weather, four timing factors affect China cycling across all regions:
Tibet Travel Permit processing time. The Tibet Travel Permit requires application through a licensed agency and takes a minimum of five to seven business days to process in normal conditions. During peak season (May–June and September–October), processing can extend. Apply at least three to four weeks before your intended Tibet entry date, not three to four days.
Duku Highway opening date uncertainty. The Xinjiang highway authorities announce the Duku Highway opening each spring, but the exact date depends on snowmelt. If your itinerary is built around a specific early-June date on the Duku, have a contingency plan — the road may open one to two weeks later than the prior year.
Golden Week (October 1–7) on G318 and Tibet routes. The National Holiday brings the highest domestic tourist volume of the year to China's most iconic cycling routes. If you're cycling G318 or entering Tibet in late September or early October, plan specifically around the Golden Week window — the last week of September and the second week of October are significantly more pleasant than October 1–7 itself.
Permit and visa timing for restricted regions. Several western China cycling routes — Tibet, parts of Xinjiang near border zones, and sections of G219 — require permits beyond the standard Chinese tourist visa. Permit availability, processing timelines, and occasional seasonal restrictions mean the planning window for these routes should start three to six months before departure, not three to six weeks. See our China cycling visa and permits guide for current requirements.
10 Practical Tips for Timing Your China Cycling Trip
- Book Tibet for May or late September. These two windows give you the G318 at its best with the lowest monsoon and crowd risk. May before Golden Week and late September after Golden Week are the sweet spots.
- Check the Duku Highway opening announcement each April. Follow Xinjiang tourism authority channels or ask your operator for the confirmed opening date before finalising a June Xinjiang itinerary.
- Add two contingency days for G318 July–August itineraries. If you're committed to a summer Tibet departure, build extra days specifically for the Bomi-Ranwu section.
- Arrive in Hainan by mid-November. The typhoon season formally extends to mid-November; arriving from late November is statistically safer.
- Book Yunnan spring for highland views, autumn for atmosphere. Spring (April–May) gives the clearest mountain visibility. Autumn (September–October) delivers the most dramatic colour.
- Plan Silk Road for April–May or September. July and August on the Hexi Corridor are genuinely hostile to cycling — the heat is not a discomfort, it is a physical risk.
- Avoid Eastern China in mid-June to mid-July. The plum rain window is the single most consistently frustrating period for Zhejiang and Anhui cycling.
- Build permit processing time into the schedule. For Tibet and border-zone routes, three to four weeks minimum between permit application and intended entry. During peak season, longer.
- Use Golden Week as a planner. October 1–7 is useful as an anchor: anything before or after it shifts the crowd dynamic significantly on G318 and Tibet routes.
- Spring Festival road reality. Cycling China during Spring Festival (late January to mid-February) offers empty roads but reduced services — many guesthouses close, bike shops shut, and resupply becomes difficult. Plan accordingly.
Why Plan Your China Cycling Trip Timing with Yaso Trip
Getting the timing right for a China cycling trip is one thing. Executing it — with permits processed correctly, contingency plans in place for monsoon weeks, and accommodation confirmed across routes where bookings go quickly during peak season — is another. That's where Yaso Trip functions as more than a tour operator.
Our local team monitors Tibet permit windows, Duku Highway opening announcements, and G318 road conditions throughout the season. When the monsoon closes the Bomi-Ranwu road for four days mid-itinerary, we reroute. When a Golden Week surge fills guesthouses along the route, we've already confirmed beds. When the permit processing slows in peak season, we've submitted three weeks early. For riders who want the most from China's cycling calendar without the logistics becoming the trip, our guided and supported tours are designed around exactly these seasonal realities.
For an accurate cost breakdown tailored to your group size, dates, and preferences, contact the Yaso Trip team for a custom quote.
Plan Your China Cycling Trip
China's cycling seasons are complex — but the complexity is navigable once you understand the regional logic. Spring and autumn are your widest windows. Tibet demands May or late September. Hainan inverts the calendar and rewards winter riders. Xinjiang's Duku Highway has a hard four-month window. Get the region and the month right, and you'll find some of the best cycling terrain anywhere in the world.
FAQs about the Best Time to Cycle in China
Expand All1. What is the best time to cycle in China overall?
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the best overall windows for cycling in China. These seasons offer the widest choice of accessible routes, comfortable temperatures across most regions, and lower monsoon and snow risk. If you're cycling a single region, the best time narrows based on that region's specific climate and permit situation.
2. When is the best time to cycle the G318 Sichuan-Tibet Highway?
May and September–October are the best months for G318 cycling. May offers pre-monsoon conditions, flowing permits, and moderate temperatures. Late September and October offer post-monsoon clarity and autumn light. July and August carry real monsoon flooding risk in the Bomi-Ranwu section of the route — not impossible, but riskier and requiring contingency planning.
3. Can you cycle in China in winter?
Yes — on Hainan Island. Hainan's dry season runs November through April, with peak conditions in December–February. The island offers a 700 km (435 mi) coastal circuit with tropical temperatures of 20–26°C (68–79°F). Most mainland highland routes (Tibet, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Yunnan highlands) are off-season or impassable in winter.
4. Is Tibet accessible year-round for foreign cyclists?
No. Tibet requires a Tibet Travel Permit (西藏旅行许可证) for all foreign visitors, and this permit is historically suspended in late February and through most of March each year. The best cycling windows are May–June and September–October. Summer (July–August) is possible but carries monsoon flooding risk on the G318 gorge sections.
5. How does China's Golden Week affect cycling?
Golden Week (October 1–7) is China's National Holiday and brings the largest domestic tourist volume of the year to popular cycling routes, especially G318 and Tibet. Road traffic surges, guesthouses along the route book out, and permit processing slows. The best strategy is to plan your Tibet or G318 itinerary so you're either before October 1 (late September) or after October 7 (mid-to-late October) to avoid the peak congestion.
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