Best Time to Visit Putian

Autumn and early winter: the sweet spot

October to December is when Putian works best. October is the driest stretch of the year, with rain on only six days, and it still has the most sun of the good months. Days feel warm, not sticky. November and December are cooler and softer, ideal for walking.

This is the season for Meizhou Island, the home island of Mazu, the sea goddess. Mazu's birthday falls on the 23rd day of the third lunar month, which is spring, but the temples are lively all year. Walk the coast, climb up to the island's ancestral temple, and eat fresh seafood and Putian-style lo mee (braised noodles) without wilting. December is the coldest end of the "Excellent" run. Evenings are cool enough for a jacket, but you won't need anything heavy.

Winter and early spring: cool, grey and quiet

January and February are mild by northern standards, but they're damp and cloudy. You'll get few sunny hours, so don't count on bright beach photos. It's a good time for temples, museums and long tea-and-noodle lunches. Chinese New Year usually lands in late January or February, and that's when things change. Families return home, local temples fill with incense and crowds, and some small restaurants close for a few days.

March is wetter, with rain on about two days out of three. Pack an umbrella and keep your plans flexible. It's still pleasant, just gloomier.

Late spring to summer: wet, then hot

April warms up, but the rain keeps coming. May and June are the wettest and muggiest months. June is the worst, with 252 mm of rain and rain on 20 days. Hiking on Jiulian Mountain gets slippery, and the views can vanish into cloud.

July and August are hot, with highs of 32°C in both months. July is drier than its neighbours and noticeably sunnier, so it's the best of a tough season if you must travel in summer. Beaches such as Xiangshan Bay on the Meizhou coast are busiest when school's out, so expect more domestic visitors. August brings more rain again, and typhoon season runs into September, so keep an eye on forecasts before ferry trips.

Which month for which trip?

For temples and walking, aim for October or November. For a quiet, cheap break, January works if you don't mind grey skies. If you hate crowds, avoid the Chinese New Year week and the summer school holidays. Want beach time? Try July, and be ready for heat.