Best Time to Visit Shangrao

Spring: green, damp and moody

March to May is wet. March and April bring rain on more than half the days, and May is close to two days in three. It's mild rather than hot, so you won't mind a drizzle too much. Cloud hangs low over the hills, and that suits the tea and farm villages of northern Jiangxi.

Spring is also when Wuyuan, the countryside area to the northwest, is famous for its yellow rapeseed flowers. They usually peak in March and early April. If you want photos of white-walled villages among the fields, this is the time. Pack a proper rain jacket, since you'll be walking on wet stone paths.

Summer: hot, sticky and very wet at first

June is the wettest month, with 408 mm falling on 21 days. That's the plum rain season, when the sky stays grey for days. Floods can close roads, so keep your plans loose.

July and August dry out a little but turn properly hot, with the same highs of 32°C. Nights stay warm too. It's tough for walking around town. Mountain trips are the better bet if you must come now. Sanqingshan, a granite peak park near Yushan, is cooler up high and popular with Chinese families during school holidays. Expect crowds and higher hotel rates there from July to August.

Autumn: the sweet spot

October and November are our top months. October is the driest and sunniest of the year here, with just 8 rainy days. Days are warm, around 25°C, and evenings are cool enough for a walk along the Xin River. November is a touch cooler and a little wetter, but still pleasant.

Early October is the one busy spell. China's National Day holiday, the first week, fills trains, hotels and scenic spots. If you hate crowds, go in late October or November. September is hot and a bit humid, but it's drier than summer and much quieter.

Winter: cool, grey and quiet

December is rated Good. It's dry-ish and cool, with lows of 3°C. January and February are colder and rainier, and homes here rarely have central heating, so indoor rooms can feel chilly. Still, you'll have sights to yourself. Chinese New Year, in late January or February, shuts many small restaurants and shops for several days. Check dates before you book, since they move each year.