Best Time to Visit Guangzhou

Cool, dry months: October to February

This is the best stretch, and the data agrees. October and November are the sunniest months, with warm days and only about a week of rain each. December is the driest month, with just 4 rainy days. By January it's properly cool. Mornings can feel chilly, so you'll want a light jacket for walking along the Pearl River at dusk.

These months suit almost any trip. You can wander Shamian Island's old colonial streets, climb Baiyun Mountain, or spend a long morning over dim sum (small steamed dishes, served with tea) in a Liwan District teahouse. If you're after sunshine for photos, October and November are your best bet.

Chinese New Year and the Canton Fair

Crowds follow the calendar more than the weather. Chinese New Year falls in late January or February, and the city goes quiet as many locals travel home. Some restaurants and shops close for several days. Before the holiday, the flower markets are the big draw. Locals buy blossoms and kumquat trees for luck, and the Spring Festival flower fairs are worth seeing if you can time it.

The Canton Fair, a huge trade show, runs in spring and autumn. It fills hotels and pushes prices up, so check its dates before you book. Early October also has China's National Day holiday, which means packed trains and sights.

March to May: warm, damp and grey

March is still fairly comfortable, but the rain picks up. By April you're getting showers on half the days. May is wetter again, with rain on 21 days and heavy, humid air. Sun is scarce all spring, about two hours a day. It's fine for museums, markets and food, like the Chen Clan Academy or the Qingping market. It's less fun for hiking.

June to September: hot and wet

June is the wettest month, with 352 mm of rain on 24 days and humidity close to 90%. July and August are the hottest, both with highs of 32°C. The heat is sticky, and storms can be sudden and heavy. Typhoon season also runs through this period, so keep your plans flexible.

The upside is fewer international visitors and often lower hotel prices. Summer school holidays do bring local families, though. If you come now, plan indoor stops like the Guangdong Museum and ride the metro between them. September gets a bit sunnier, but it's still hot and rated Poor.