Beijing's climate is defined as "continental monsoon." The four seasons are distinctly recognizable. Spring and autumn is the best time to be in Beijing, particularly in the months of April, May, September and October. Autumn is considered to be the best time to visit Beijing as the skies are clear and the weather is very comfortable. The four seasons are very clear in Beijing with a temperate spring, rainy summer, clear autumn, and a cold, snowy winter. The average temperature throughout the year is 11.80. The coldest month is January with an average temperature of -4.60 and the hottest month is July at an average temperature of 26.10. Unfortunately, spring and autumn are shorter than summer and winter. Although winter is technically longer, that should not keep you from traveling to Beijing as indoor heating is widely available. Nevertheless, as the indoor/outdoor temperature difference is rather large, travelers should be prepared with warm clothing and a thick coat is recommended for the colder months of the year. In winter, off-season discounts are to be had as well.
Bilingual weather information can be obtained by dialing 121 when in Beijing.
The average precipitation in a year is 644 mm. The frost-free period is 180-days.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Temperature (Celsius) | 4.6 | 2.2 | 4.5 | 13.1 | 19.8 | 24.0 | 25.8 | 24.4 | 19.4 | 12.4 | 4.1 | 2.7 |
| Rainfall (cm) | 3.0 | 7.4 | 8.6 | 19.4 | 33.1 | 77.8 | 192.5 | 212.3 | 57.0 | 24.0 | 6.6 | 2.6 |
| Days of rainfall | 2.0 | 3.1 | 4.1 | 4.6 | 5.9 | 9.7 | 14.1 | 13.2 | 6.8 | 5.0 | 3.7 | 1.6 |
Clothing for traveling:
Autumn finds jeans and a sweater enough for you. In the warmer months of summer, T-shirts and light pants or shorts are the best choice. In winter, it is a good idea to dress in layers: long underwear and jeans, shirt, sweater and down jacket. If you want to travel to the outskirts of Beijing in the cold monthes, you can buy a thick cotton army coat and a fur hat. Rain gear is necessary if you travel during the summer months.
