Best Time to Visit Tianshui

Spring and autumn: the sweet spots

March to May is when Tianshui works best. March is cool and still fairly dry. By April you can walk around in a light jacket, and May is warm without being heavy. April is our top-scoring month, though March, May and October all rate Excellent too.

Maijishan Grottoes are the reason most people come. These are cave temples carved into a steep, rocky hill outside the city, with Buddha statues reached by narrow wooden walkways. You'll climb a lot of stairs, so mild days make a real difference. Spring also suits the old courtyard streets around Fuxi Temple in the city centre.

October is the other good window. Days are crisp and the air is clear. It is also the month before the dry cold sets in.

Summer: warm, then properly wet

June to August is hot by Tianshui's standards, but not extreme. July is the warmest month, and also the wettest. It rains on about half the days, usually in sudden showers rather than all-day drizzle. Humidity makes the afternoons feel sticky.

Is that a dealbreaker? Not really. The grottoes are still open, and rain can make the hillside look green and misty. But wet steps are slippery, so go slowly. Summer school holidays bring more Chinese domestic tour groups, so Maijishan can feel busier than in spring.

September is a trap. It rates only Fair, with the grayest skies of the year and rain on 15 days, tying July for the most wet days. October is a much better bet.

Winter: cold, quiet and dry

December and January are the driest months, with almost no rain. Nights drop below freezing, and days stay cool and fairly sunny. You'll likely have the cave temples nearly to yourself, though icy steps need care. Pack real winter shoes, not trainers.

Chinese New Year falls in late January or February, and the date moves each year. Many local restaurants close for a few days, and domestic travel peaks around it. Tianshui itself gets busy with families returning home. That's a good time to see local celebrations, but a poor time for a quiet trip.

Fuxi, the legendary ancestor of Chinese civilisation, is honoured at his temple in Tianshui. Ceremonies there are usually held in spring, but dates vary, so check locally if you want to catch one. Noodle fans should try Tianshui's local-style dishes, like hand-pulled noodles and spicy cold dishes, at any time of year.