Best Time to Visit Qingyang

Four seasons, and a cold, dry winter

Qingyang sits high on the Loess Plateau, so the seasons are clear. Winter runs from December to February. It's cold and dry, with nights around -10°C in January and very little rain. Roads and villages are quiet, but the yellow hills look bare and the cave dwellings are chilly.

Spring is short and changeable. March is still cold at night, but April feels fresh and mild. Summer is warm rather than hot, and it brings most of the year's rain. Autumn is calm and clear, and it's easy on the legs.

April to June: the easy window

If you want comfortable sightseeing, aim for April to June. Days go from mild to properly warm, and the rain stays light until late in the period. June is the wettest of the three, but showers are usually short.

This is a good time to visit the Qingyang cave dwellings (yaodong, the earth-walled homes dug into the hillsides) and walk around the loess villages. It's also a good time to see the Zhouzu Mausoleum area and the nearby grasslands. You can spend long afternoons outside without sweating through your shirt.

Qingyang is also known for its folk crafts, especially embroidered sachets and paper cuts. Dragon Boat Festival usually falls in late May or June. Local sachets are part of the tradition then, so it's a nice time to look for them.

July and August: green but wet

July and August are the warmest months, with highs of 29°C and 27°C. They're also the wettest. July gets 128 mm of rain over 12 days, and August isn't far behind.

Expect heavy downpours, muddy tracks and slow country roads. The upside is that the hills turn green and the evenings are pleasantly warm. Chinese school holidays run through these months, so popular sights see more domestic families. Qingyang is still far quieter than the big Gansu draws.

September and October: a second sweet spot

September is still rainy, with 99 mm, and it's the cloudiest month. Don't expect big blue skies. But the heat has gone, and by October it's drier, crisp and clear. Early October brings the National Day holiday, when China travels in huge numbers. Book trains and rooms well ahead if you come then.

Winter and early spring

November to March suits you only if you like empty places and don't mind the cold. Lunar New Year, usually in late January or February, is the main festive time. Many local families celebrate then, and some small restaurants close for the holiday. January and December are the hardest months to enjoy. Pack for freezing nights.