Best Time to Visit Bao'an

Cool and dry: October to February

This is the season to come. Days are mild and the air feels lighter. October is the sunniest month, with about 5.7 hours a day. By December it's the driest too, with only four rainy days. January is the coolest month, and you'll want a light jacket in the evening, not a coat.

Bao'an is part of Shenzhen, so this is the time to walk outdoors. Try the long waterfront near Shenzhen Bay, or the old fishing streets of Xixiang. Hiking is easier too, and you won't be soaked in sweat by lunchtime. If you like seafood, the cooler months suit long dinners of steamed fish and oysters.

Spring haze: March and April

March is still rated Excellent, but the weather turns. Rain shows up on 10 days, and the air feels damp. Skies are often grey, so don't expect bright photos. April is only Fair. Warm, muggy days make walking tiring, and showers come often.

Spring still works for city breaks. Indoor spots like the Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport area hotels and big malls give you easy places to dodge a shower. Chinese New Year usually falls in late January or February. Many migrant workers head home, so parts of the city go quiet. Some small restaurants close for a week or more. Shops in busy areas may open again slowly.

Hot and wet: May to September

Be honest with yourself here. It's hot, sticky and rainy. June is the wettest month, with 301 mm over 23 days, and it's also the gloomiest, with just 2.5 hours of sun a day. Nights stay warm, with lows near 28°C in July and August.

Summer is also typhoon season on this coast. Storms can close ferries and flights at short notice, so keep your plans loose. Travelling with kids? Aim for indoor days, as many local families do, and save outdoor trips for the gaps between showers.

The upside is low season. Hotels can be easier to book and the weather suits anyone who doesn't mind rain. The Dragon Boat Festival, in June in most years, brings dragon boat races and zongzi, sticky rice parcels wrapped in leaves. Mid-Autumn Festival in September or early October brings mooncakes and family dinners. Both can mean busier trains and roads for a few days.