While the temperatures can be high in Beijing in summer, the summer vacation makes it a peak travel season in the city. Steeped in history and culture, Beijing is always the top destination for any China tour. Though the hot and humid weather, summer in Beijing will reward visitors with lush natural scenery and various summer festivals and events.
To help you enjoy a smooth and enjoyable Beijing trip in summer, we have prepared this Beijing summer travel guide covering its summer weather characteristics, packing and travel tips, recommended summer destinations, etc.
When is Summer in Beijing?
From a meteorological perspective, summer in Beijing generally begins in late May or early June and ends in mid or late September. Because from late May or early June, the daily average temperature in Beijing will remain above 22°C for five successive days and below 22°C for five successive days until mid or late September. This is the meteorological standard for determining the beginning and end of summer. According to the data in recent years, the beginning of summer in Beijing has been shifting earlier to mid-May.
Weather and Temperature in Summer in Beijing
Generally lasting from late May to September, Beijing’s summer is often characterized by intense heat, frequent rainfall, and significant temperature differences between day and night. In the plains areas, the average monthly temperature remains above 24°C in these months.
July is usually the peak of summer in Beijing and also the hottest month of the year. While June is more likely to see some extreme maximum temperatures. In general, heat weaves often occur in late June and July, and muggy weather is more dominant in mid-July and early August.
Summer is also the rainy season in Beijing, with precipitation especially concentrated in July and August. These downpours sometimes even cause urban flooding and traffic disruptions in some areas. Tourists are thus recommended to avoid outdoor activities on days with heavy rain.
During summer, the diurnal temperature range often varies between 12–14°C, and the maximum difference can even reach 16.8°C on certain days. Though the intense heat at noon and in the afternoon, the morning and evening are relatively cool.
Related readings:
Monthly Average Temperatures from June to September
| Months | June | July | August | September |
| Min. Temperature (°C) | 20.1 | 22.9 | 21.5 | 15.8 |
| Avg. Temperature (°C) | 25.9 | 27.3 | 25.5 | 20.9 |
| Max. Temperature (°C) | 33.4 | 33.5 | 32.2 | 28.4 |
What to Pack & Beijing Summer Travel Tips
- Essential items: Visa, passport, transportation tickets, and photocopies. Power bank, charger, earphones, etc.
- Hygiene and beauty products: Single-use toiletries are provided in hotels in Beijing, if you are conscious of familiar experiences, you can bring your own. Pack hand sanitizer, wipes, and make-up kits according to your needs.
- Clothes: Quick-dry shirts, short pants or skirts, lightweight sneakers. A light jacket is a must as air conditioning can be strong in indoor venues.
- Sun protection essentials: Wide-brimmed, foldable hats, umbrellas, high-SPF and waterproof sunscreen, and sun-protective clothing.
- Basic medications: Motion sickness pills, band-aids, cold medicine, allergy medicine, etc.
- Mosquito repellent: Summer tends to bring more bugs, especially in rural areas and mountainous areas.
- Avoid arranging outdoor activities around 12:00-15:00 considering the strong heat and ultraviolet rays. Waterside spots and indoor museums are great choices at noon and in the afternoon.
Places to Go & Things to Do in Beijing in Summer
Visit the Forbidden City in the Morning or Admire from Jingshan Park
Summer is not a great time to visit the Forbidden City, given the hot temperature and crowded tourists. But, as a top highlight, most people don’t want to miss it on their Beijing travel. Then, we recommended getting a morning ticket and visiting its palaces in the morning.
For people who can’t get a Forbidden City morning ticket, it is advised to visit Jingshan Park, lying directly opposite the Forbidden City’s south gate. As the highest point in Beijing, the park allows visitors to enjoy the best panoramic view of the Forbidden City with fewer crowds.
Go Camping on the Great Wall
While it is hot in the day for hiking the Great Walls, temperatures are just comfortable for a night camping on the wall. There are multiple Great Wall sections around Beijing, both restored and unrestored sections avaiable, offering camping opportunities. Just make sure to join a camping tour from a professtional and reliable travel operator, like Chinaxiantour. Get an inspiration from our 2 Days Wild Great Wall Trekking & Camping Tour. Feel free to contact us to customize your Beijing Great Wall tour.
Rent a Boat and Enjoy the Cool Waters on One of Beijing’s Lakes
Getting close to the cool waters is a top choice for many people to beat the summer heat. In Beijing, there are many lakes offering boat rental services for tourists to enjoy leisurely rides while marveling at the surrounding scenery.
Kunming Lake in the Summer Palace:
- Location: At 19 Xinjian Gongmen Road, Haidian District, in the western suburbs of Beijing
- Boats available: Large boats (for 100 people), pedal boats, electric boats, and rowboats
One of the most captivating water features in Beijing, Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace covers 3,000 acres, about three-quarters of the total area of the park. Enjoying a relaxing boat ride on its vast waters, you can feel the gentle breezes and immerse yourself in the harmonious blend of distant mountains, serene lake, and antique pagodas, pavilions, and bridges.
Houhai
- Location: Within the Shichahai Scenic Area in Xicheng District, Beijing
- Boats available: 4-person electric boat, 6-person electric boat, 4-person pedal boat, 6-person pedal boat, rowboat
A modern emblem of Beijing, Houhai draws crowds of locals and tourists with its vibrant bars, hutongs, and boat rides. Houhai’s waters connect to the Forbidden City, attracting monks to build temples and many famous historical figures and nobles to construct mansions and gardens by the lake over the centuries. Today, you can take a leisurely boat ride here to experience the charm of old Beijing and see traditional residences, historical landmarks, and vivid life along the shores.
Beihai Park
Location: 1 Wenjin St., Xicheng District, Beijing, China
Boats available: Pedal boats, electric boats, lotus boats, rowboats, tour boats, shuttle ferry
Beihai Park is centered around the expansive Beihai Lake, which covers about 3.9 square kilometers. The park is renowned for its rich historical heritage, including the White Dagoba, Nine-Dragon Wall, Iron Shadow Screen, etc. During summer, one of the most cherished activities here is to take a boat among the blooming lotus flowers and enjoy stunning views of the White Dagoba in the distance.
Visit One of Beijing’s Parks
Beijing boasts over 1000 parks, which offer lush vegetation flourishes and refreshing atmosphere in summer. Some of the top recommended parks in Beijing include:
- Jingshan Park: As mentioned above, Jingshan Park offers great panoramic views of the Forbidden City, more than that, the park was once an imperial garden in several dynasties, and is celebrated for its exquisite garden design, natural beauty, and rich historical heritage.
- Temple of Heaven Park: A vital place for emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties to perform national sacrificial ceremonies. The park is now a favorite spot to photograph iconic ancient structures and picturesque natural landscapes. Here, you can also encounter locals engaging in morning exercise and frequent calligraphy exhibitions and folk art performances while a leisure walk along its shaded pathways.
- Temple of Earth (Ditan) Park: Ditan Park was once the site for emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties to worship earth. With a history of over 500 years, the park covers an area of about 37 hectares, featuring rich ancient structures, lush greenery, and scenic views throughout the year.
Visit One of Beijing’s Museums
Beijing’s many museums offer a refreshing escape and rich opportunities for cultural and historical discoveries during the scorching summer days. The following museums in Beijing are especially recommended for people who travel to Beijing with kids:
China National Museum
- Admission: Free
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 17:30 from Tuesday to Sunday
Located on the eastern side of Tiananmen Square, the China National Museum boasts one of the largest and foremost museums in China. It offers an extensive collection of ancient artifacts, art pieces, and historical items, showcasing the long-standing history of China.
China Archaeological Museum
- Admission: Free
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 16:30 from Wednesday to Sunday (Closed on Tuesdays except for group visits)
As the first museum in China dedicated to archaeology, the China Archaeological Museum displays many invaluable archaeological discoveries, offering visitors 5,000 years of Chinese history.
China Aviation Museum
- Admission: Free
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 16:00 from Tuesday to Sunday
The China Aviation Museum is the first large-scale aviation museum in China, featuring over 300 aircraft of over 100 different models. It is especially favored by children who are interested in airplanes or model aircraft.
Capital Museum
- Admission: Free
- Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 from Tuesday to Sunday
The Capital Museum is dedicated to Beijing’s history, displaying the city’s iconic central axis, traditional culture, old-style courtyard homes, Pekin Opera relics, etc.
Cultural and Festive Highlights in Summer in Beijing
Dragon Boat Festival
An important traditional festival in China, the Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated annually on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, typically in early or mid-June. The festival features various customs, including dragon boat racing, eating zongzi, wearing scented sachets, etc. During the festival, a variety of traditional folk activities will be held at Beijing’s parks, museums, Mutianyu Great Wall, Water Great Wall, etc.
