CHINA'S CLIMATE AND CLOTHING

China lies mainly in the temperate and subtropical zones. Generally, its southern part (East China, South China and Southwest china) is warm, humid, and rainy; its northern part (North China, Northeast China, and northwest China) is dry and windy.

In spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) you will need a lined jacket or woolen sweater over light clothes. In summer (June to August) cool cotton garments are recommended. In winter (December to February) a light cotton-patted coat will keep you warm enough in the south; but in the north a heavy woolen coat or down parka is a must.

Later spring and late summer are often rainy especially in the southern part of China, so you would be wise to bring some rainwear with you. And of course good walking shoes are essential at any time of year.

Average Temperatures in Major Cities
BEIJING	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
Fahrenheit	28	32	40	60	75	78	80	76	68	55	40	36
Celsius	-2	0	4	15	24	25	26	24	20	13	4	2
SHANGHAI	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
Fahrenheit	40	42	50	65	72	80	82	80	75	62	50	42
Celsius	4	5	10	18	22	26	27	26	24	16	10	5
GUANGZHOU	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
Fahrenheit	58	60	69	71	80	83	83	81	78	70	60	57
Celsius	14	15	20	21	26	28	28	27	25	21	15	14
XIAN	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
Fahrenheit	32	38	50	56	72	80	78	76	60	52	40	30
Celsius	0	3	10	13	22	26	25	24	15	11	4	-1
KUNMING	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
Fahrenheit	50	52	58	65	68	68	70	67	65	62	55	50
Celsius	10	11	14	18	20	20	21	19	18	16	13	10
LHASA	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
Fahrenheit	29	34	41	46	54	60	61	60	57	48	39	32
Celsius	1	1	5	8	12	15	16	15	14	9	4	0
URUMQI	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
Fahrenheit	5	10	32	50	66	74	78	74	64	47	28	10
Celsius	-15	-12	0	10	19	23	25	23	17	8	-2	-12
GUILIN	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
Fahrenheit	47	48	56	65	74	79	83	82	78	69	59	50
Celsius	8	9	13	18	23	26	28	27	25	20	15	10