Best Time to Visit Baotou

Spring and early summer: the sweet spot

Winter lets go slowly here. March is still cold at night, and you'll often see frost, but days are bright and dry. By April the highs reach 18°C. May is warmer at 25°C, with low humidity and plenty of sun.

This is the best window for most trips. It suits walking around the city and day trips out to the grasslands. Try the Gegentala grassland, a few hours' drive north, or the Wudang Monastery in the hills. Gegentala is best once the grass turns green, usually late May or June. Early spring can still look brown, and dust-laden winds are common in April, so check the forecast before a long drive.

June is still Excellent in our scores, with highs around 30°C and cool nights. It's a good pick if you want green steppe and long evenings.

July and August: warm, wetter, busier

July is the hottest month, at 33°C. It's also wet by Baotou standards, with rain on about 12 days. August is nearly as rainy and a little cooler. Showers tend to be short, and they can turn dirt roads on the grassland to mud.

This is the main holiday season. Chinese school holidays run through July and August, so grassland camps and yurt stays fill with families. If you hate crowds, aim for the edges of the season. The Naadam fairs, a traditional Mongolian festival of wrestling, horse racing and archery, are usually held in summer across Inner Mongolia. Dates vary by place, so ask locally before you build a trip around one.

Travelling with kids? Summer is easy on the body, with no real heat extremes. Just keep a rain plan for afternoons.

Autumn and winter: crisp, then very cold

September is a favourite. Highs sit near 24°C, the rain is easing, and the air feels fresh. October is just as rated, with clear skies and highs of 16°C. The Yellow River wetlands near the city are pleasant for a slow walk, and the light is lovely. Early October brings China's National Day holiday, when travel is heavy and trains and hotels fill up.

November is cooler and Fair, with highs of 6°C. Then winter sets in. December and January both reach only -3°C by day and drop to around -15°C at night. January is the coldest, and the days are dry and often sunny. It's quiet, with few visitors. Come only if you're happy in deep cold, and bring a proper down coat.