Rain and typhoons will not ruin a China trip if you plan for them. They shift your plan by a day, and the usual damage is a delayed flight or a wet afternoon. Choose the region by the season, keep one spare day, and the rest is easy.
When is typhoon season?
China’s main typhoon season is July to September, though typhoons can occur from May to December[1]. That overlaps with the Malaysian mid-year school break, so families travelling on that break meet it.
Which coasts are exposed?
Hainan, Guangdong (including Guangzhou and Shenzhen), coastal Guangxi and Fujian are rated high risk for typhoons[2]. Shanghai, Hangzhou and coastal Jiangsu are rated medium risk, mainly from flooding[3].
If your route includes these places in season, keep a flexible plan. Read the weather notices every day and be ready to move a day.
What about the rainy season inland?
Rain follows the summer across much of the country. Beijing’s rain falls mostly in summer, with July the wettest month and winters very dry[4]. About 80 percent of Lijiang’s yearly rain falls from June to September[5], and Kunming’s wet season runs from about May to October[6].
In Yunnan the rain feels showery and the air is cool, so it is rarely a reason to cancel. Read Yunnan weather month by month for detail.
How do you build buffer days?
Use one simple rule: put a spare day before any fixed commitment.
- Keep a spare night before a long-haul flight home.
- Buy changeable train tickets on coastal legs.
- Leave one day without bookings in each coastal city.
- Carry a rain jacket and a waterproof phone pouch.
Check your route with the pace checker, and compare rail and air in the rail versus flight tool.
What should couples and comfort-first travellers choose?
Prefer inland cities with indoor attractions and short transfers. Slow, comfortable days work better than ambitious ones. See China in June and July and China in August and September for each window.
What is the next step?
Match your school break or leave to the region, and then browse the seasons topic page for more month-by-month planning. Our school holiday guide starts from the dates you cannot move.