Plan your Chengdu tour? Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, is located on the edge of the fertile plains of the Red Basin in Sichuan Province.
Tourist destinations like Panda Research Base, Sanxingdui, Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area, national parks, gardens and museums make it a wonderful place to visit.
Subtropical Monsoon Climate in Chengdu
Chengdu enjoys a subtropical monsoon climate characterized by an early spring, hot summer, cool autumn and warm winter. The average annual temperature for the year is 16℃.
Rainfall is common year-round but peaks in July and August. When planning a trip to Chengdu, one of the frequently asked questions is “When is the best time to visit Chengdu?”
Best Time to Visit Chengdu
Normally, the best time to visit here are March to June, or September to November. Use this travel guide to help you make a smart decision about when to visit Chengdu.
A Useful Post by JF
The post below by JF, a native from Chengdu will be of some practical use for your planning your Chengdu tour:
Winter is the WORST time to visit Chengdu. Yes, the temperature is a lot higher than places like Beijing and it doesn’t snow throughout the year either. However, the humidity there is extremely high. The winter is usually foggy and sprinkling.
Often you’ll find your quilt is damp because of the extreme humidity. Also, due to the climate reasons, there’s heavy cloud cover throughout most of the year.
Once you get into October, you won’t be able to see the sun again until next April. People with arthritis and rheumatic disorder should not go to Chengdu during the winter, because you will have a hard time there. Trust me, I’m a native from Chengdu, lived in there for 18 years, I know all about this.
Chengdu in Spring (late March to May)
Spring in Chengdu comes in early March and spring flowers are blossoming just after the Chinese New Year Festival. Spring is commonly very pleasant and best season for travelling. The temperature ranges from 15-25℃.
Chengdu in Summer (late June to August)
The summer in Chehngdu is hot and humid. July and August are the hottest months in a year. Rainfall is common year-round but peaks in July and August.
It is cool in the Qingcheng Mountain, Jiulong Gou, Jiufeng Mountain, Tiantai Mountain and Longchi Forest Park, where it is very nice to spend the summer. In early summer, hail, wind and other weather disasters often occurred, which affect agriculture activities.
Chengdu in Autumn (September to Early November)
Autumn is also the peak season for travelling to Chengdu. Autumn is cool, foggy and sometimes rainy. You are kindly advised to skip over China National Holiday in October when you plan your Chengdu Tours, since there are so many people during that time.
Chengdu in Winter (December to February Next Year)
It is a good choice to visit Xiling Snowy Mountain and Longchi Forest Park in Chengdu when winter arrives. Snow is rare but there are a few periods of frost each winter.
January is the coldest month when the average temperature is approximately 5℃. You can save some money if you travel to Chengdu in winter. To go or not to go, it all depends on your budget!
Hassle-free Chengdu & Sichuan Guided Tours
If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Chengdu and Sichuan guided tours:
Chengdu tour
Chengdu Car Rental with Driver
Create My Chengdu Trip
Jiuzhaigou Tour
Sichuan Tour
Further Readings
Top 10 Attractions in Chengdu
Best Time to Visit Chengdu
Chengdu Airport
Railway stations in Chengdu
Chengdu Taxi
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
How to visit Wuhou Shrine
How to visit Du Fu Thatched Cottage
How to visit Jinsha Site Museum
How to Visit Tomb of Wangjian
How to Visit Wangjiang Tower Park
How to Visit Qingyang Taoist Temple
How to Visit Jinli Street
How to visit Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley
How to visit Qintai Road, Qintai Street Chengdu
How to visit Shaoling Road Bar Street
How to Visit Jiuyanqiao Bar Street
The Old Teahouse in Pengzhen Town, Chengdu
Bipenggou is a fairyland in Autumn
When is the best time to visit Jiuzhaigou?
Best Places to Visit Autumn Leaves in Sichuan
Top 10 Places to Visit in Sichuan
Ruoergai Grassland, my first trip to Ruoergai Grassland
Drive from Hanzhong to Ya’an
Ya’an Night View
Most Beautiful Sky Road in China
Moxi Old Town ( Tips, Photos & Map)
Hailuogou Glacier Camp No.04 (Tips,Photos & Map)
Hailuogou Glacier Camp No.03 (Tips, Photos & Map)
Kangding (Tips, Photos & Map)
Drive from Kangding to Xinduqiao
Drive from Xinduqiao to Danba
Jiarong Tibetan Blockhouses
Jiarong Tibetan Ancient Watchtowers
Drive from Xinduqiao to Yajiang
Drive from Yajiang to Litang
Drive from Litang to Daocheng
Drive from Litang to Batang
Drive from Batang to Mangkang
Drive from Mangkang to Deqin
Kawagarbo Viewed from Feilaisi
Drive from Deqin to Shangri-la (Zhongdian)
Ganden Sumtseling Monastery Dwells Your Soul
Pudacuo is an earthly paradise
Drive from Shangri-la to Daocheng
Drive from Daocheng to Yading
Yading Brings You Inner Peace
Any questions, just drop a line.
Winter is the WORST time to visit Chengdu. Yes, the temperature is a lot higher than places like Beijing and it doesn’t snow throughout the year either. However, the humidity there is extremely high. The winter is usually foggy and sprinkling, with a temperature ranging from high 30s to high 40s. Often you’ll find your quilt is damp because of the extreme humidity. Also, due to the climate reasons, there’s heavy cloud cover throughout most of the year. Once you get into October, you won’t be able to see the sun again until next April. People with arthritis and rheumatic disorder should not go to Chengdu during the winter, because you will have a hard time there. Trust me, I’m a native from Chengdu, lived in there for 18 years, I know all about this.