Best Time to Visit Shenzhen

Cool and dry: October to February

This is the stretch to aim for. Days are mild, the air feels lighter, and you can walk around without soaking your shirt. December is the driest month, with only 25 mm of rain. Nights in January get cool enough for a light jacket, but it never feels cold.

It suits almost any trip. Hike Wutong Mountain in the east, stroll the Shenzhen Bay coastal path, or wander the OCT Loft art district. The beaches at Dameisha and Xichong are fine for walking and picnics, though the sea is chilly by midwinter.

Crowds build around Chinese New Year, which falls in late January or February. Many shops and restaurants shut for a few days, and the city goes oddly quiet because so many workers head home. Hong Kong day-trippers also fill the malls and Luohu border area on long weekends. The October National Day holiday, in the first week, is busy at theme parks like Window of the World and Happy Valley.

March and April: damp and warming up

March is still rated Excellent, but you'll notice the change. It's greyer, more humid, and rain falls on about ten days. By April it's 13 rainy days, and the rating drops to Fair.

This is a good time for museums, malls and the Shenzhen Museum or Design Society in Shekou. Plan outdoor hikes for the drier gaps. The Qingming holiday in early April sends locals to parks and hills, so popular trails get busy.

May to September: hot, wet and sticky

Be honest with yourself here. It's hot, humid and often stormy. June is the wettest month, with 290 mm over 24 days. Highs sit around 30°C, and nights barely cool down at 27°C. Typhoon season runs through this period, so storms can close beaches and delay flights.

The upside is lower hotel demand outside school holidays. Summer break, from July to August, brings families to Splendid China, Shenzhen Safari Park and the water parks. Go in the mornings and keep afternoons for air-conditioned spots like Coco Park or the Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum.

September is the best of this bunch, with the most sun at 5.1 hours a day. Still, it counts as Poor on our scale. If you must travel in summer, build a trip around indoor plans.

Our pick

Choose November if you want comfort and fewer holidays. Choose October if you want the sunniest, driest start to the good season.