Xining Weather in May

May days in Xining

May feels like spring in Xining: afternoons are mild, while mornings and evenings can be chilly. The high reaches 22°C, but the low is 6°C, so the day can change quickly. Rain falls on 11 days, and clouds often soften the sunshine.

It's a good month for exploring the city on foot, including around Dongguan Mosque and the old streets nearby. You'll have long daylight hours, but showers can interrupt an outdoor day. Save a flexible plan for wetter spells, and don't count on clear views from a hilltop.

What to do

May works well for visiting Ta'er Monastery, also called Kumbum, in nearby Huangzhong. Its halls and courtyards make a rewarding outing even when the sky is cloudy. The weather also suits wandering Xining's markets and trying local hand-pulled noodles.

If you're hoping for a dry hiking holiday, May isn't ideal: rain is more frequent than in April. June is wetter still, so May can be a useful middle ground for sightseeing without peak summer warmth.

Travelling with kids? Keep a rainy-day stop in the city, such as Qinghai Provincial Museum, in mind.

Crowds and local tips

China's May Day holiday brings more domestic visitors, especially around the holiday itself. Expect busier trains, sights and hotels, with prices often higher than in quieter parts of the month. Outside that period, May is generally calmer than the summer high season.

For Ta'er Monastery, take a local bus or taxi from Xining and allow time for the uphill approach. The area sits high above sea level, so walk slowly through the monastery's courtyards, especially if you've just arrived in Xining. At dinner, try yak meat or a bowl of local mutton soup to warm up after a cool evening.