China, with its vast and varied geography, experiences diverse climates and weather conditions in June. From the sunny, mild weather in the north to the rainy, humid days in the south, June offers something for every type of traveler. Below is an overview of what to expect across different regions of China in June, as well as tips on how to prepare for your trip.
Northern China: Warm Days and Clear Skies
Beijing and Surrounding Areas
Temperature: 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F)
Weather: June in Beijing is warm but not excessively hot. It’s an ideal time to visit the city’s iconic historical sites such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Great Wall of China, as the temperatures are moderate and there is less rainfall compared to the peak summer months.
What to Do:
- Great Wall of China: Perfect weather for hiking along the wall and enjoying spectacular views.
- Forbidden City: Explore China’s imperial history in the grand palace complex.
- Summer Palace: Enjoy a peaceful boat ride or stroll through lush gardens.
Packing Tips: Light clothing for daytime exploration, a light jacket for cooler evenings, and comfortable walking shoes.
Eastern China: Warm and Humid with Occasional Rain
Shanghai
Temperature: 23°C to 28°C (73°F to 82°F)
Weather: Shanghai is warm and humid in June, with temperatures hovering around the mid-20s°C. There is a chance of rain, so expect occasional showers throughout the month. Despite the humidity, it’s a good time to visit Shanghai’s modern skyline, historic landmarks, and vibrant nightlife.
What to Do:
- The Bund: Walk along the river to see Shanghai’s iconic skyline.
- Yu Garden: Explore the classical Chinese garden and its intricate pavilions.
- Nanjing Road: Shop along one of the world’s busiest commercial streets.
Packing Tips: Light and breathable fabrics, comfortable shoes for walking, and an umbrella or rain jacket for potential rain showers.
Southern China: Hot, Humid, and Rainy
Guangzhou and Shenzhen
Temperature: 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F)
Weather: June marks the beginning of the rainy season in southern China, so expect frequent rain showers and occasional thunderstorms. The temperatures remain high, making it hot and humid.
What to Do:
- Canton Tower (Guangzhou): Experience panoramic views of the city from this iconic structure.
- Shenzhen Window of the World: Visit miniature replicas of famous landmarks from around the world.
- Shenzhen Safari Park: Explore one of China’s largest wildlife parks.
Packing Tips: Light, breathable clothing, rain protection like an umbrella or raincoat, and waterproof shoes are essential due to the frequent rains.
Guilin
Temperature: 23°C to 30°C (73°F to 86°F)
Weather: Similar to Guangzhou and Shenzhen, Guilin experiences hot and humid weather, with occasional rain showers. Despite this, it’s a great time to see the lush karst landscape as the rain nourishes the greenery.
What to Do:
- Li River Cruise: Take a boat trip through the stunning karst peaks.
- Reed Flute Cave: Marvel at colorful stalactites and stalagmites.
- Yangshuo: Enjoy outdoor activities like cycling or bamboo rafting along the Li River.
Packing Tips: Light clothing for daytime, rain gear, comfortable shoes for outdoor activities, and sunscreen for protection from the sun.
Western China: Warm Days with Clear Skies
Chengdu
Temperature: 22°C to 29°C (72°F to 84°F)
Weather: Chengdu in June is warm and humid, with occasional rain showers. Despite the weather, the city offers a vibrant cultural experience, especially known for its famous pandas and Sichuan cuisine.
What to Do:
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding: See pandas in their natural habitat.
- Sichuan Hotpot: Try the famous spicy hotpot dishes unique to Chengdu.
- Wuhou Shrine: Learn about the history of the Three Kingdoms period.
Packing Tips: Light, breathable clothing, a light jacket for cooler evenings, and waterproof gear for the occasional rain showers.
Lhasa (Tibet)
Temperature: 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F)
Weather: June is one of the best months to visit Lhasa. The skies are clear, and temperatures are mild. The high altitude means you’ll need to be prepared for cooler nights and sunny days perfect for sightseeing.
What to Do:
- Potala Palace: Explore the majestic palace, which once housed the Dalai Lama.
- Jokhang Temple: Visit one of the holiest temples in Tibetan Buddhism.
- Barkhor Street: Experience the vibrant markets and local culture.
Packing Tips: Bring layers for varying temperatures, sunscreen, and a hat to protect from the strong sun at high altitudes.
Northeastern China: Mild and Pleasant
Changchun and Shenyang
Temperature: 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F)
Weather: The weather in northeastern China is generally mild in June, with occasional rain showers. It is perfect for outdoor activities like hiking and sightseeing, as temperatures are comfortable for exploring historical sites.
What to Do:
- Shenyang Imperial Palace: Visit this historical site for a glimpse into China’s imperial past.
- Changchun World Sculpture Park: See sculptures from around the world.
- Liaoning Provincial Museum: Explore the rich cultural history of the region.
Packing Tips: Light clothing for daytime, comfortable walking shoes, and a light jacket for evening chill.
Best Time to Travel to China in June
June is an excellent time to visit many parts of China, offering moderate temperatures and good conditions for exploring the country’s natural beauty, historical landmarks, and cultural attractions. The start of the summer season provides longer daylight hours, though it’s essential to consider the specific climate conditions of the region you’re visiting.
Recommended Destinations:
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Famous for its towering sandstone pillars and lush greenery, it’s perfect for hiking and nature lovers.
Jiuzhaigou Valley: Known for its colorful lakes and waterfalls, this UNESCO World Heritage site offers stunning scenery.
Yangshuo: Famous for its picturesque karst landscape, perfect for cycling and outdoor adventures.
Lijiang Old Town: A UNESCO World Heritage site with cobblestone streets and traditional architecture, offering panoramic views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
June offers a variety of climates across China, making it a great time to explore the country’s diverse regions. Whether you’re hiking in Zhangjiajie, enjoying cultural landmarks in Lhasa, or savoring Sichuan cuisine in Chengdu, the weather is generally favorable for travel. However, it’s important to pack appropriately for the region you’ll be visiting, particularly to accommodate varying temperatures, humidity, and rain. With careful planning, June can be a perfect month for your trip to China.
China Travel in June will introduce China weather in June, what to pack for China travel in June, best places to visit in June and festivals in June. June is the beginning of summer in China. Although the temperature and humidity in June are slightly lower than those in July or August, June is also one of the wettest months of the year in China. If you are very sensitive to heat and humidity, China in June may not be suitable for you. Perhaps you can consider waiting until autumn to travel, or travelling to west and north China like Tibet and Beijing.
China Weather in June
June is the beginning of real summer weather in China. Most parts of the country are beginning to enter summer, and the temperature is generally high. June is also the beginning of the rainy season in China. Sometimes there will be heavy rain, thunderstorms and floods in central and south China. There are occasional typhoons in coastal areas. The southeast is in the peak of the summer rainy season. Moisture increases heat and makes people feel sultry. The weather in cities in north China such as Beijing and Harbin is slightly drier than that in the central region, relatively mild and comfortable, while the humidity in the central region really starts to increase in June. The weather in south China is especially hot and humid in June.
China Weather in June By Region & What to Pack
The People’s Republic of China is a vast country with different weather conditions in different regions.
North China in June
- Representative Cities: Beijing, Xian, Harbin, Changchun, Jinan, Shenyang, Tianjin
- Weather Feature: North China is not much affected by the mild rainy season, with short showers during the day or at night. In Beijing, the average temperature is 18-30°C, usually with about 12 days of rain. The weather in Beijing is pleasant in June with thunderstorms in the afternoon. The weather condition in Xi 'an is similar to that in Beijing.
- What to Pack: Bring light clothing, like light jacket, shorts and T-shirt. Remember to bring rain gear.
East China in June
- Representative Cities: Shanghai, Huangshan, Nanjing, Hangzhou
- Weather Feature: In June, there is more rainfall in east China with higher temperature, but it is not as hot as in July and August. The average temperature of Shanghai in June is 20-28°C, with about 22 days of rainfall. Most of the rain in Shanghai falls in the second half of the month. The situation in Suzhou and Hangzhou is similar to that in Shanghai.
- What to Pack: Shorts, T-shirt and other summer clothes are needed. Prepare a jacket for the evenings, and remember to bring rain gear.
Central China in June
- Representative Cities: Wuhan, Changsha, Nanchang, Zhangjiajie
- Weather Feature: June is one of the wettest months in the Yangtze River Basin. High temperature and humidity means that this area is sweltering. The average temperature in Changsha and Wuhan in June is about 22-30°C. However, places with higher altitudes, such as the mountains near Zhangjiajie, are cooler and suitable for avoiding summer heat.
- What to Pack: Shorts, T-shirt and other light clothes are adequate. Remember to bring rain gear.
South China in June
- Representative Cities: Guilin, Guangzhou, Sanya, Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen
- Weather Feature: Cities in south China have more rainfall than other regions. Take Guilin as an example, the average temperature is 25-31°C, with an average of 16 days of rainfall. Hong Kong and Guangzhou are very hot, with more rainstorms and tropical storms than Guilin. You can enjoy these south cities before a large number of tourists arrive in July.
- What to Pack: Shorts, T-shirt and other light clothes are adequate. Due to strong humidity, you can bring quick-dry clothes. Remember to bring rain gear.
West China in June
- Representative Cities: Chengdu, Kunming, Lhasa, Chongqing
- Weather Feature: Generally speaking, west China has less rainfall. Whether the weather is cold or warm depends on the altitude. Tourism in mountains and valleys benefits from pleasant weather. The average temperature in June is 11-23°C in Lhasa, 20-28°C in Chengdu, 18-26°C in Kunming and 16-25°C in Lijiang. June is the beginning of a mild monsoon, July and August have more rainfall and tourists.
- What to Pack: If you go to high altitude areas such as Tibet and Shangri-La, you need to wear light pants/jeans, with sweaters/light jackets, hats and other anti-ultraviolet equipment, and bring rain gear. You also need to bring a warm coat. In places with higher temperatures such as Chengdu and Kunming, summer clothes such as T-shirts and shorts are sufficient.
Best Places to Visit in June
The weather in China became hotter in June. However, in some northern areas or plateau areas, it is mild enough, and suitable for travel. June is a beautiful time to visit places famous for flowers and nature, such as Hangzhou, Yunnan, Huangshan and Guilin. Schools have classes in early June, so you can still avoid the summer vacation travel season, when many major tourist destinations are crowded.
Beijing
June is still a good time to visit the Great Wall in Beijing. Compared with the peak of summer vacation, the city is less crowded in June. The mountains are decorated with blooming flowers, and leaves turn dark green. For Chinese tourists, pilgrimage to the Great Wall is essential. The Great Wall is a dragon that twists and turns along the northern border, crossing deserts, grasslands and mountains. When hiking in June, you should get enough water, wear ventilated sport shoes, and protect yourself from strong sunlight.
- 1 Day Beijing City Group Tour with Tian’an Men Square, Forbidden City and Mutianyu Great Wall
- 2 Days Beijing Highlights Tour with Beijing Roast Duck and Kong Fu Show
- 3 Days Beijing Highlights Tour
- 4 Days Best Beijing City Tour
- 5 Beijing City Tour
- 4 Days Great Walls Hiking and Camping Tour: Huanghuacheng, Xishuiyu, Jiankou, Mutianyu, Gubeikou, and Jinshanling Great Wall
- 5 Days Great Walls Hiking and Camping Tour: Huanghuacheng, Xishuiyu, Jiankou, Mutianyu, Gubeikou, Jinshanling, and Simatai Great Wall
- 7 Days Beijing Great Wall Hiking Tour
- 8 Days Beijing Great Wall Hiking Tour
- 8 Days Beijing-Xian-Shanghai Small Group Tour
- 8 Days Beijing-Xian-Shanghai Tour by Speed Train
Xi'an
Xi'an is one of the best tourist destinations in China in June. The soldiers and horses unearthed from Terracotta Warriors are unique. It is interesting to ride a bicycle on the Ancient City Wall. Visit the Muslim quarter to taste local snacks, watch a wonderful musical fountain performance in the north square of the Dayan pagoda, or visit the Tang Paradise, all of which will make your Xi'an nightlife colorful and unforgettable.
Hangzhou
Different from other seasons, West Lake, a must-see attraction in Hangzhou, is covered with water lilies, lotus flowers and green lotus leaves. June is not the hottest month in Hangzhou. Because of the rain, June is cooler than July and August, it is more comfortable to cruise on the West Lake. Besides the West Lake, you can also go to Lingyin Temple, Pagoda of Six Harmonies, Xixi National Wetland Park, Meijiawu Tea Plantation, etc.
Guilin
Guilin is hot with heavy rain in June, but with an umbrella, you can still enjoy your time on the scenic spots and Lijiang River. Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is as popular as Yangtze River cruise. Li River is like a green ribbon, interwoven among mountains, ancient towns and folk villages. After arriving in Yangshuo, you can enjoy the country scenery by bike. If you want to get close to the water, it is highly recommended to drift on the Yulong River. In addition, Guilin's landscape tour would not be complete without going to Longji Rice Terraces, where you can experience the rich and colorful minority cultures and enjoy the amazing sunrise and sunset.
Chengdu
The temperature in Chengdu is suitable both during the day and at night. Chengdu is the hometown of famous spicy hot pot and giant panda. Watching and hugging giant pandas at close range is a unique experience and a highlight of many Chinese tours. Eating hot pot and other snacks in Chengdu is a must. Besides this city, you can also visit some scenic spots around Chengdu, such as Leshan Giant Buddha, Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, etc.
Visit Jiuzhaigou National Park, where there are blue lakes, waterfalls, green forests, snow-capped mountains, and you will have opportunity to get in touch with Tibetans and Qiang people. It will be an amazing and pleasant journey. Huanglong National Scenic Reserve is famous for its colorful waters, hot springs and snowy mountains, and is also worth exploring.
June is the most attractive season in Xinjiang. At the foot of Tianshan Mountain in Huocheng of Ili, a large area of purple and blue lavender flowers are in full bloom. You can explore the charming lake or visit the Jiaohe Ancient Town. Kanas is characterized by lakes, rivers, glaciers, forests and grasslands. You can also taste Xinjiang food, including roasted mutton shashlik, Nang Cake and roasted whole sheep.
June is the peak tourist season in Tibet. Almost all scenic spots in Tibet are opened. In June, Tibet is less visited, but the scenery is good and the weather is awesome.
- Shannan and Nyingchi in the southeast of Tibet is characterized by varied topography, mainly river valley and dense vegetation. June is a good time to visit mountains and rivers in Tibet.
- Lhasa and Shigatse in central Tibet are very comfortable in June. People will not feel hot when visiting monasteries, palaces and other attractions with high flow of people. Even if you spend a long time outdoors, you will not feel too sunburnt. Namtso Lake and Mount Everest are popular among tourists.
- In Ngari and Nagqu with higher elevation, the weather in June can be described as warm, the feeling of early spring, slightly cold, and the time when wildlife activities increase. The probability of seeing wild animals is greater.
Note: Mount Everest means high altitude and is prone to altitude reaction, so move slowly and do not do strenuous exercise. In addition, due to strong ultraviolet rays and huge temperature difference between day and night, tourists must keep warm and prepare suncream and other sunscreen products.
Keep Reading
Yunnan
Yunnan is one of the most suitable places to visit in June in China. Lugu Lake and Erhai Lake are favorable places to enjoy the lake scenery. In addition, you can also visit nearby villages to learn about local traditions and customs. Or you can step into the Lijiang Old Town or Dali Ancient Town, hike in Tiger Leaping Gorge and Niru Village to feel the nature. Tiger Leaping Gorge is famous for its ruggedness and majesty, and is very popular with enthusiastic hikers.
Yunnan Classic Tours
Yunnan Hiking Tours
Read More: How to Plan Yunnan Hiking Tour
China Festivals and Events by Month
The traditional Chinese festival called the Dragon Boat Festival usually falls in June. There will be dragon boat racing and special rice dumplings to enjoy.
Note: Although Dragon Boat Festival is a public holiday in China, people do not travel far and wide like Spring Festival and National Day. You don't have to worry too much about crowded people and stagnant public transportation. During the Dragon Boat Festival, there are many activities all over China.