Jinan Weather in May

Warm days by the springs

May feels like spring turning warm in Jinan. Afternoons can reach 29°C, while evenings cool to around 14°C. There's plenty of daylight for a long walk, and the rain usually comes in occasional spells rather than every day.

Baotu Spring and nearby Black Tiger Spring are lovely stops in this weather. You can wander between the spring pools and shaded paths without summer's heavier heat. Daming Lake also works well for a slow lakeside stroll. Save strenuous walks around Thousand Buddha Mountain for a cooler part of the day.

May Day crowds

China's Labour Day holiday falls in May, and Jinan's popular sights can get crowded then. Baotu Spring and Daming Lake are especially busy with local visitors. Restaurants and hotels near these sights may cost more during the holiday than on ordinary May weekdays.

If you hate crowds, visit outside the Labour Day break. May is one of Jinan's best months, so it's busier than the quieter winter season, but weekdays are often more relaxed than holiday dates. Prices can rise again in June, when hotter, wetter weather begins.

Make the most of your visit

May suits a city break, spring walks and time by the water. It's less comfortable for a long, exposed hike when the afternoon sun is strong. Rain can interrupt outdoor plans, so keep a visit to Shandong Museum in reserve for a wet spell.

Travelling with kids? Try the shaded paths around Baotu Spring, where the spring water is the main attraction. Check the water level at Black Tiger Spring, too: its famous carved tiger mouths can sometimes flow less strongly. Jinan's spring water is also used in local cooking, so try a bowl of spring-water tea near the old city.