Guiyang Weather in February

February feels cool and damp

February is winter in Guiyang, and the weather can feel colder than the thermometer suggests. Highs reach 14°C, but cloudy skies, high humidity and little sunshine leave the air clammy. Rain falls on about seven days, so you may get a wet spell during your visit.

The mild afternoons suit a stroll around Jiaxiu Pavilion or a visit to the Guizhou Provincial Museum. Save longer outdoor trips for clearer spells. Qingyan Ancient Town is still worth seeing, but its stone lanes can be slippery after rain.

Holiday timing matters

The Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, sometimes falls in February. Its date changes each year. If it does, expect busy transport and crowded sights around the holiday, while some family-run restaurants may close. The Lantern Festival, held on the fifteenth day of the lunar year, can also fall in February.

Outside these holiday periods, February is generally quieter than spring and autumn, when Guiyang's weather is more popular with visitors. Prices can rise around Spring Festival, but the rest of the month is often a calmer, lower-season time.

If you hate crowds, avoid travelling during the Spring Festival rush and check whether the Lantern Festival falls during your stay.

Make the most of a grey day

February is drier than March, but it's cloudier and cooler than the months ahead. January is colder and wetter; March brings warmer days but more rain. If you're choosing between sightseeing and a hike, keep outdoor plans flexible and use a damp day for Guiyang's museums or a bowl of sour fish soup, a local speciality.

At Jiaxiu Pavilion, the riverside can feel especially chilly in the damp air. Visit during the warmer part of the day, then warm up nearby with a serving of spicy changwang noodles, made with pork intestine and blood curd.