China Travel Climate and Weather in July

Northern China: Hot and Humid with Rain

Beijing & Surrounding Areas

• Temperature: 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F)
• Weather: July is Beijing’s hottest month, with high humidity and occasional thunderstorms. Rainfall increases due to the monsoon season, which can make the air feel stifling. Despite the weather, it’s a great time to visit iconic sites with fewer crowds compared to peak tourist seasons in the spring and autumn.
• Activities:
  • Forbidden City: A must-visit for history lovers, explore the largest imperial palace in the world. Be prepared for the heat with plenty of water.
  • Great Wall (Mutianyu or Jinshanling): These sections of the Wall are less crowded. The high altitude provides a slight breeze, but it’s still very hot, so start your hike early.
  • Temple of Heaven & Summer Palace: Beautiful parks and gardens to explore during the milder morning hours.
• Packing: Light, breathable fabrics such as cotton and linen, sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, comfortable walking shoes, and an umbrella or rain jacket. A portable fan will also help with the humidity.

Eastern China: Hot, Humid, and Rainy

Shanghai

• Temperature: 28°C to 33°C (82°F to 91°F)
• Weather: Shanghai experiences hot, sticky conditions, with frequent rain showers and occasional typhoons. The humidity can be oppressive, making it feel warmer than it actually is. It's the time of year when the city becomes especially vibrant with cultural events and festivals.
• Activities:
  • The Bund & Huangpu River Cruise: Get a view of Shanghai’s stunning skyline, especially the skyscrapers like the Shanghai Tower.
  • Yu Garden & Old City: A peaceful spot amidst the chaos, providing a traditional glimpse of Shanghai’s past.
  • Tianzifang: Explore Shanghai’s artsy enclave full of small boutiques, cafes, and art studios.
• Packing: Light and moisture-wicking clothes, sturdy walking shoes, sunscreen, an umbrella, and breathable rain gear. Be ready for unexpected downpours.

Hangzhou & Suzhou

• Temperature: 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F)
• Weather: Similar to Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou are very hot, humid, and rainy. However, these cities are home to some of China’s most famous natural and cultural sights, including West Lake in Hangzhou and the classical gardens in Suzhou.
• Activities:
  • West Lake (Hangzhou): Rent a bike, boat, or take a leisurely stroll around the lake. Morning and late afternoon are ideal to avoid the heat.
  • Lingering Garden (Suzhou): This UNESCO World Heritage garden is a must-see for its traditional Chinese landscaping and serene atmosphere.
  • Suzhou Silk Museum: Learn about the centuries-old art of silk production, a key part of Suzhou’s cultural heritage.
• Packing: Comfortable clothing, a lightweight rain jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses, and comfortable walking shoes for exploring the gardens.

Southern China: Very Hot and Humid

Guangzhou & Shenzhen

• Temperature: 28°C to 35°C (82°F to 95°F)
• Weather: July is extremely hot and humid with frequent rainstorms, making it feel hotter than the actual temperatures. The monsoon season brings a high chance of sudden, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, especially in the late afternoon.
• Activities:
  • Canton Tower (Guangzhou): Get panoramic views of Guangzhou from China’s second-tallest tower.
  • Shenzhen Window of the World: See replicas of famous global landmarks in this fun theme park.
  • Chimelong Safari Park (Guangzhou): Visit one of China’s largest zoos, home to giant pandas, tigers, and other wildlife.
• Packing: Lightweight clothing, an umbrella or poncho, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. Waterproof gear and quick-dry clothing are advisable.

Guilin

• Temperature: 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F)
• Weather: Rainfall is common, but the landscape around the Li River is lush and green, making it an excellent destination for nature lovers and photographers. The heat and humidity can be overwhelming, but the misty beauty of the karst mountains creates a magical atmosphere.
• Activities:
  • Li River Cruise: A cruise is the best way to enjoy the karst landscape, with mist hanging around the peaks.
  • Reed Flute Cave: Explore this colorful cave, full of stalactites and stalagmites, illuminated in neon colors.
  • Yangshuo: Visit the countryside for cycling through rural villages or take a bamboo raft down the Yulong River.
• Packing: Lightweight, breathable clothing, a rain jacket, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. A camera to capture the stunning scenery is highly recommended.

Western China: Warm and Humid

Chengdu

• Temperature: 23°C to 30°C (73°F to 86°F)
• Weather: Chengdu is relatively mild compared to the coastal cities but still experiences high humidity and occasional rain showers. The city is famous for its pandas, spicy Sichuan cuisine, and vibrant cultural life.
• Activities:
  • Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding: Get up close with China’s famous pandas. The cooler mornings are the best time for panda visits.
  • Sichuan Cuisine: Try the famous hotpot and Mapo Tofu.
  • Wuhou Shrine & Jinli Ancient Street: Explore the historical sites of this ancient city.
• Packing: Lightweight clothes for the daytime, a rain jacket, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. Don’t forget a hat to protect from the sun.

Lhasa (Tibet)

• Temperature: 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F)
• Weather: Lhasa is one of the best destinations in July, with clear skies and mild temperatures. It’s the peak tourist season, and the Tibet Autonomous Region is vibrant with pilgrims and tourists. The altitude can make evenings cooler, and travelers should be prepared for sun exposure.
• Activities:
  • Potala Palace: A symbol of Tibetan culture, the palace is a must-visit for history and culture buffs.
  • Jokhang Temple: One of the holiest sites in Tibetan Buddhism.
  • Barkhor Street: Explore the bustling market that surrounds the Jokhang Temple.
• Packing: Bring layers for varying temperatures, including a light jacket for evenings, sunscreen, sunglasses, and sturdy shoes for walking around the city and temples.

Northeastern China: Warm and Dry

Changchun and Shenyang

• Temperature: 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F)
• Weather: These northeastern cities experience mild and dry conditions in July, making it perfect for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
• Activities:
  • Shenyang Imperial Palace: Visit this palace, which is smaller but no less impressive than Beijing’s Forbidden City.
  • Changchun World Sculpture Park: A unique open-air museum featuring sculptures from all over the world.
  • Liaoning Provincial Museum: A great place to learn about the region’s history.
• Packing: Light, breathable clothes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. A light jacket may be useful in the evenings.

Best Places to Visit in China in July

• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Known for the dramatic sandstone pillars, the park has hiking trails and breathtaking scenery.
• Jiuzhaigou Valley: Famous for its vibrant lakes, waterfalls, and Tibetan villages, Jiuzhaigou is a fantastic destination for nature lovers.
• Yangshuo: Offering activities such as bamboo rafting and cycling, Yangshuo is ideal for those seeking natural beauty and outdoor adventure.
• Chengdu: A must-see for those interested in pandas and Sichuan cuisine, Chengdu also has many temples and cultural sites.

July in China provides a variety of climates, from the hot and humid cities of the east and south to the pleasant, clear skies of Tibet and the northeast. Travelers should choose their destinations based on personal preferences for temperature and activities. Regardless of the weather, packing light, breathable clothing, preparing for rain, and staying hydrated will ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip.

China Travel in July will introduce the China weather in July, what to pack for China travel in July, best places to visit in July and festivals in July. Most parts of China is scorching hot and humid in July, which is the hottest month of the year. In some places, July is also the wettest month of the year. The peak tourist season in China starts in July and lasts until October, when the most popular tourist scenic spots are usually packed with Chinese tour groups.

China Weather in July

Summer travel could be kind of difficult in China, especially if you are sensitive to heat and humidity. July is the wettest month in China, often with heavy rain. In addition, high temperatures are common throughout the country in July. If it rains for a long time, the weather will be slightly cooler.

China Weather in July By Region & What to Pack

With a vast territory, China is featuring different weather conditions in different regions.

North China in July

• Representative Cities: Beijing, Xian, Harbin, Changchun, Jinan, Shenyang, Tianjin
• Weather Feature: North China is hot and rainy in July. July and August are rainy months. Try to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. In Beijing, the average temperature in July is 22-31°C, usually with more than 10 days of rain.
• What to Pack: T-shirts, shorts and other summer clothes. Remember to bring rain gear.

East China in July

• Representative Cities: Shanghai, Huangshan, Nanjing, Hangzhou
• Weather Feature: East China is experiencing the highest temperature all year round in July, but unlike most parts of China, rainfall in east China decreases. It is a good time to visit mountains, such as Mount Huangshan, where it is cooler. In hot July, rainfall in Shanghai is much less than in June or August. Most of the rain falls in early July. The average temperature in July in Shanghai is 25-32°C. The situation is similar in other eastern cities such as Suzhou, Hangzhou and Nanjing. In mountain areas like Huangshan, the temperature will be even lower, with an average temperature of 17-22°C.
• What to Pack: Shorts, waterproof jacket, light clothing. Remember to bring rain gear.

Central China in July

• Representative Cities: Wuhan, Changsha, Nanchang, Zhangjiajie
• Weather Feature: Central China, near the Yangtze River, is the hottest in July and August, with heavy rainfall and sweltering heat. The mountains around Zhangjiajie are cool and good places to escape summer heat. The average temperature of Zhangjiajie in July is 25-34°C, with more than 10 days of rain.
• What to Pack: Shorts, T-shirt, summer clothes. Remember to bring rain gear.

South China in July

• Representative Cities: Guilin, Guangzhou, Sanya, Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen
• Weather Feature: South China is hot and wet in July, so you must be prepared for the tropical climate. Sometimes typhoons bring heavy rain to South China. The average temperature in Guilin is 26-33°C, and the rainfall in July is generally 16 days. Southern cities, such as Guangzhou and Hong Kong, have higher temperatures. Hong Kong is hot and rainy, with occasional rainstorms or tropical storms.
• What to Pack: Shorts, T-shirt, summer clothing. Remember to bring rain gear.

West China in July

• Representative Cities: Chengdu, Kunming, Lhasa, Chongqing
• Weather Feature: The tourist climate in west China is better in July. Mountains and valleys in Yunnan and Sichuan benefit from pleasant weather. The weather in July in Tibet is more comfortable than in other areas. The average temperature in July is 12-22℃ in Lhasa, 22-30℃ in Chengdu, 18-25℃ in Kunming and 15-23℃ in Lijiang.
• What to Pack: T-shirts, shirts, shorts/jeans are fine to wear. Remember to bring rain gear. If you go to Lhasa, put on more layers of clothes, bring coat and sunglasses.

China Weather and Climate in July by Cities

• Beijing
• Shanghai
• Guangzhou
• Hangzhou
• Suzhou
• Shenzhen
• Changsha
• Tianjin
• Xian
• Wuhan
• Sanya
• Kunming
• Haikou
• Guiyang
• Lhasa
• Macau
• Hong Kong
• Zhengzhou
• Zhangjiajie
• Jiuzhaigou
• Xining
• Guilin
• Dunhuang
• Chongqing
• Chengdu
• Huangshan
• Hohhot
• Yangshuo
• Xiamen
• Wuyishan
• Qingdao
• Daocheng
• Leshan
• Emeishan
• Mount Tai
• Dalian
• Urumqi
• Lanzhou
• Nanjing
• Harbin

Best Places to Visit in July

In recent years, summer in China has become hotter and hotter, especially in the east and south of China. However, in July, China still has some places to enjoy the natural scenery and participate in some important ethnic festivals. It is suggested that tourists go to some cool summer resorts, such as Tibet, Qinghai, Guizhou and Huangshan.

Tibet

July is suitable for long-distance travel in Tibet. After arriving in Lhasa, spending about 3 days in Lhasa adapting to the altitude environment, then going to Everest base camp along the 318 national highway, and then going back to Xinjiang-Tibet highway to Ngari for visitting Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarova and Guge Kingdom, and reaching Shiquanhe Town in Ngari. Passing through Ngari and Nagqu all the way to the east, to enjoy plateau lakes on Nagqu Grassland, then getting back to Lhasa via Namtso Lake. If time permits, you can also tour the Lhasa-Nyingchi-Shannan route. When travelling in Lhasa, the scenic spots that tourists often go are Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Norbulingka Palace, Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery and the like. In addition, many minority and religious festivals are held in July, including Horse Racing Festival and Tashilhunpo Thangka Festival, through which you can observe and experience Chinese ethnic culture and buddhist culture closely.

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Read More: Tibet Travel in July

Guizhou

Guizhou is a good summer resort. You can enjoy the unique charm of Huangguoshu Waterfall, which is surrounded by peaks and dense vegetation. In Guizhou, canyons, caves and stone pillars can be seen everywhere, which is a typical karst landform. Guizhou has the second largest number of ethnic minorities in the country after Yunnan Province. Tujia, Miao and many other minorities have made Guizhou an important place of ethnic culture. You can learn traditional techniques that are disappearing, such as batik and silver handicraft. Visitors can also go to Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, Zhenyuan Ancient Town and other minority villages to attend local parties and dance to folk music. In Guizhou, wearing local ethnic clothes and taking photos under green hills and waters are the most important things.

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Huangshan

Huangshan is a good place to escape the heat. This area will be crowded in July. After hiking on the mountain, you can go down the mountain to visit nearby ancient villages. It usually takes two days to visit Huangshan. Tourists can book rooms or bring tents for the night at the top of the mountain. Tourists can enter the scenic area through the north gate and the south gate, but it is better to go up through the south gate and down through the north gate to save energy. Tourists can also take the cable car up and down the mountain to save time and enjoy the scenery, because the scenic area is very large. Please note that the cable car usually closes at 5 pm. After visiting Huangshan, you can also visit some scenic spots nearby, such as Hongcun Village, Xidi Village and Tunxi Ancient Street.

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Inner Mongolia

July is the greenest and most beautiful month of Inner Mongolia grassland. Under the blue sky and white clouds, you can see the vast green pastures. Apart from the beautiful scenery, tourists can also ride horses, watch wrestling and horse racing, and have a grassland-style "mutton feast" on the grassland to experience the unique customs of herdsmen.

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Silk Road (Xi'an- Lanzhou- Dunhuang- Urumqi)

Tourists can enjoy the desolate and magnificent natural landscape along the Silk Road. In addition, many cultural relics are scattered on this ancient trade road. In Xi'an, it is recommended to visit the Wild Goose Pagoda and Terra-cotta Warriors. In Lanzhou, tourists can go to Zhongshan Bridge, Bingling Temple and Wuquanshan Park. In Dunhuang, the Mogao Grottoes and Yangguan will tell you about the prosperity of the Silk Road in the past. In Urumqi, Red Hill and Grand Bazaar cannot be missed.

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Qinghai Lake

July is the most beautiful and the best time to photograph Qinghai Lake. Thousands of acres of rape flowers are in full bloom around the lake. Together with the pure blue sky and colorful prayer flags, they are like an "oil painting". The nearby Menyuan county is a good place to enjoy the July rape flowers. Chaka Salt Lake is a salt field with a history of more than 3,000 years. There is a large amount of salt, which naturally crystallizes into a white lake. Visitors can also walk barefoot to the lake.

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Chengdu

Visiting the lovely panda in Chengdu is a good choice for both adults and children. Watching pandas at night can help you avoid the heat of the day and let you know about panda nightlife that many people don't know. You can explore the habitat of wild giant pandas in nature reserves. You can also visit Emei Mountain, which is one of the most famous summer resorts in China. There in Emei Mountain, you can experience pleasant atmosphere, natural scenery and Buddhist culture.

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Zhangjiajie

Mountain area is a good place for escaping summer heat, so Zhangjiajie is an ideal tourist destination. Zhangjiajie has beautiful mountains and clear water, and owns the first national forest park in China- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The towering mountains, clear streams and fresh air make the park a natural air conditioner and natural oxygen bar. Take the world's longest cable car to Tianmen Mountain, when you arrive at the top of the mountain, the heat dissipate. The scenery at the top of the mountain is very charming, especially under the conditions of misty rain and fog.

• 1 Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour
• 1 Day Zhangjiajie National Park Tour
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• 3 Days Zhangjiajie Avatar Tour
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Yunnan

Due to its special geographical location and dense vegetation, the weather in Yunnan is not very hot. Therefore, it gradually becomes one of the best choices for summer vacation. The best tourist cities in Yunnan are Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La. From Kunming, take a look at the spectacular Stone Forest, enjoy a relaxing trip to the Erhai Lake in Dali, go to the Lijiang Ancient Town, take a cable car to Yulong Snow Mountain, and then visit the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge. Finally, by visiting Songzanlin Temple and Pudacuo National Park, immersing youself in Shangri-La's amazing natural beauty and sacred religious atmosphere.

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Read More: Yunnan Travel in July

China Festivals and Events by Month

In July, the main festivals and events in China include Gyantze Horse Racing Festival, Naadam(July 11-15, 2020), etc.

• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• October
• November
• December

Travel Tips For China Travel in July

• July is the beginning of the summer vacation in China, lasting about two months. Students in schools are taking a holiday in July, so the number of school group tours and student tours across the country has a great increase.
• July is a good time for families to travel in China. Many customers arrange their families to travel during the children's summer vacation. They don't need to pack as much luggage as in winter, so packing is simpler and smaller. There are more things to do, from mountain climbing to outdoor boating. This is a good time to enjoy the scenery of green mountains, clear waters and vast grasslands.
• July is the peak season for Chinese residents. In view of this, it is expected that crowds and humid and rainy weather will be encountered in tourist destinations such as Beijing and Shanghai. If you plan to visit China in summer, be sure to book hotels and make an itinerary in advance.
• China holds many cultural festivals in July. Tibet is a holy place for Buddhist culture. Due to its high altitude, the temperature in summer is much lower than other regions in China. The Gyangze Horse Racing in this area attracts a large number of people. Its features are horse racing, archery, local handicraft market, Tibetan opera, traditional dance and competitive games.
• When travelling to China in July, in order to cope with summer shower and humid weather, you are suggested to prepare rain coat and umbrella, as well as summer clothing like shorts and T-shirt. In addition, comfortable and easily dry shoes are also essential.