Hangzhou Weather in May

May weather

May feels warm and damp in Hangzhou. Afternoons can get sticky, and rain falls on many days, often changing your plans. It's spring, but June is hotter and much wetter. April is cooler and a little drier.

West Lake is lovely between showers, and the longer days leave time for a boat ride or a walk along Su Causeway. Rain can make paths slippery, though, so save the steeper climb to Peak Flown From Afar for a dry spell. Cloudy skies may also soften the lake views.

What to do

Rain doesn't have to keep you indoors. Browse the shops and teahouses around Hefang Street, or visit the China National Tea Museum in Longjing village. If the weather clears, stroll through the village's tea fields. The main spring picking season is usually earlier, so don't expect every field to be full of pickers.

A handy local tip: take a West Lake boat from one of the piers near Hubin, then walk back along the shore if the rain lets up. You'll see the lake from the water without committing to a long exposed walk.

Crowds and holidays

China's Labour Day holiday brings domestic visitors to Hangzhou, especially around West Lake and Lingyin Temple. Trains, hotels and popular sights can feel packed, and prices often rise during the break. Outside the holiday, May is generally calmer and less costly than October, one of Hangzhou's busiest and most popular months.

If you hate crowds, visit West Lake on a weekday after the holiday, and explore quieter corners such as Guo's Villa. Travelling with kids? Keep an indoor option like the Zhejiang Museum in reserve for a rainy afternoon.