Best Time to Visit Nanhai

Cool and dry: October to February

This is the season to come. Skies are clearer, and October to December gets the most sun of the year. December is the driest month, with rain on only four days. Days are mild and pleasant for walking.

Nights in December and January are the coolest, with lows around 9 to 10°C. That feels chilly in a place with no heating in most buildings, so you'll want a jacket in the evening. Nanhai sits in Foshan, so it's easy to pair with a day in Guangzhou by metro or intercity train. Walking around Foshan's Ancestral Temple in Chancheng is far nicer now than in the summer.

Travelling with kids? Look at the school breaks. Chinese New Year falls in late January or February, and trains and roads fill up fast. Many local shops close for a few days, but the flower markets are lively beforehand. If you hate crowds, avoid the week around the holiday.

Warming up: March and April

March is still Good, but it turns grey and damp. Rain falls on 11 days, and you'll see little sun. April is when things slide. Rain falls on 15 days and the air gets heavy.

These months suit you if you want a quieter trip and don't mind a drizzly afternoon. Plan indoor stops like the Lingnan-style temples, teahouses and Foshan's ceramics sites. Dim sum is a good rainy-day plan anywhere in the Pearl River Delta.

Hot and wet: May to September

Be honest with yourself about this stretch. June is the wettest month, with 352 mm and rain on 24 days. Humidity reaches 88%, so afternoons feel sticky and clothes don't dry. July and August are the hottest, both with highs of 32°C.

Storms can be heavy, and typhoon season runs through late summer into early autumn. Check forecasts before any outdoor plan. The upside is lower demand for hotels outside Chinese school holidays, which run through July and August. Local families travel then, so popular sights can still be busy.

The dragon boat season falls in the early summer rainy period. Dragon boat racing is a big tradition across Guangdong, and it's worth watching if you can handle a wet day. Rain is part of it.

Best pick

Come in late October or November if you want the best balance. It's warm enough for the day, cool in the evening, and the rain has mostly stopped. December suits you best if you want the driest weather and don't mind cooler nights.