Best Time to Visit Xi’an China and Its Highlight Attractions
Many who plan a trip to Xian, an ancient capital of China and one of the most famous historic cities in the world, are concerned about Xian weather and when to go. So when is the best time of year to visit Xian China? When you should avoid traveling to Xian? And in which season/months you can tour Xian at a relatively lower expense?
The Best Time to Visit Xian
The best seasons to visit Xi’an is spring and autumn. More specifically, the best months to visit Xi’an are March to May and late September to early November. During these periods, the climate is comfortable, neither cold nor hot, with relatively little rainfall, and the average temperature usually fluctuating in the range of 20-25 ºC (68-77 °F).
| Best Month(s) | March to May, September to November |
| Best Season(s) | Spring & Autumn |
| Temperature | 15 – 28 °C (59 – 82.4 °F) |
| Clothes to Wear | Long sleeve shirts, jeans, thin sweaters, hoodies, cardigans, leather jackets, sweatpants |
| Advantages | During the best travel season in Xi’an, the weather is generally mild. Events like the Terracotta Warriors & Pomegranate Festival and the City Wall Marathon will be held. |
| Month | Travel Suitability | Season | Temperature |
| January | 2 Stars | Winter | -4 – 5 °C |
| February | 3 Stars | Winter | -1 – 9 °C |
| March | 4 Stars | Spring | 4 – 15 °C |
| April | 5 Stars | Spring | 9 – 21 °C |
| May | 4 Stars | Spring | 14 – 27 °C |
| June | 3 Stars | Summer | 19 – 32 °C |
| July | 2 Stars | Summer | 22 – 34 °C |
| August | 2 Stars | Summer | 21 – 35 °C |
| September | 5 Stars | Autumn | 16 – 26 °C |
| October | 5 Stars | Autumn | 12 – 20 °C |
| November | 3 Stars | Autumn | 2 – 12 °C |
| December | 3 Stars | Winter | -3 – 6 °C |
Best Things to Do and See in Spring and Autumn
After figuring out the best time to visit Xian, you may be also interested in what to do in these seasons.
Spring in Xian is full of vigor and vitality, boasting brilliant natural scenery of blossoms. Tourists can enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms in full bloom in Xi’an from mid-March to early April. The best places to enjoy the cherry blossoms include Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Qinglong Temple, and Tang Paradise.
Spring is also the best season to watch birds living in the wild nature.
√ Recommended tours:
With the leaves turning yellow and red, and the temperature cooling down, autumn is the best season to travel to Xi’an for ginkgo forests at the beginning of November. Moreover, you can explore all the highlight attractions of Xian at the best time.
The Best Time to Visit Xian’s Most Famous Landmarks
- The best time to visit Xian’s Muslim Quarteris the early evening, when you can experience a wonderful contrast between the day and the night.
- The best time to visit Terracotta Warriors Museumis in the morning, for 3 to 4 hours.
- The best time to visit Bell Tower and Drum Tower squarein the morning or late afternoon to avoid the tourist crowds, while enjoying a beautiful sunrise or sunset.
- The best time to visit XianCity Wall when the softest light is ideal for taking pictures. You may experience the blend of history and modernity as you stroll along the old city walls.
√ Recommended Classic Xian tours:
Time Better to Avoid Traveling in Xi’an
The period from July to August is the summer holiday for Chinese students when there will be a large number of families paying a visit to Xi’an, which makes the scenic spots crowded. Xi’an weather in the two months is mostly burning hot and humid. Hence, it is recommended that you avoid traveling to Xi’an during this time.
October is one of the best times to visit Xi’an, but you are not advised to plan a trip during China’s National Day holiday from October 1st to 7th. The roads will be clogged with traffic and the scenic areas are also over flooded with travelers. Travel costs such as accommodation during these days will be higher than those in ordinary times, and you need to book air or train tickets about a month in advance.
Peak Season & Slack Season of Xi’an
Peak Travel Season in Xi’an – March to October
The peak season in Xi’an is between March and October. The city’s warm, breezy weather is ideal for tourists to engage in a variety of outdoor activities including riding a bike on City Wall, appreciating cheery blossoms, hiking in Mount Hua, and having a night tour of Tang Paradise. That is the reason why so many tourists from all over the world choose to visit Xi’an from March to October each year.
However, there is no doubt that you will spend more on hotels, transportation, and tickets during Xian’s peak tourist season. It is advised to arrive as early as possible to avoid long queues when visiting famous attractions.
Besides, July and August in the peak season are summertime in Xi’an, with the temperature occasionally rising to 40 ºC (104 ºF). If you plan to visit Xi’an during this period, remember to bring sun protection equipment like sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun hats.
Slack Travel Season in Xi’an – Late November to February
The winter season from Late November to February is usually considered a low tourist season in Xi’an. It’s cold and dry, with the lowest temperature sometimes dropping below -4 ºC 24.8 ºF).
The period is not the best time to visit Xi’an, but it is a good choice for budget travelers due to the relatively cheap price of transportation and accommodation. In addition, the scenic areas are less crowded as people usually avoid the slack season, which offers you a chance to enjoy exploring tranquility.
Spring Festival, also known as Lunar New Year, is the grandest festival in China generally falling in February when all of the streets and alleys are decorated with colored lights and red lanterns, and you can experience the lively atmosphere of Chinese New Year with the local people.
