Chongqing Travel Tips: When to Go, Best Season

Chongqing is located in the transition area between the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Middle-lower Yangtze Plain. It is part of the humid sub-tropical monsoon climate belt. The annual average temperature is 18

C (64

F) to 20

C (68

F) with a low temperature of 4

C (39

F) in winter and a high temperature of 40

C (104

F) in summer. Chongqing is famous for its hot summers and it is known as one of 'the three furnace cities'. The other two are Nanjing and Wuhan. Bring light clothing such as T-shirts, shorts and sandals if you come in summer. Also, remember to bring your umbrella, sunglasses, and suntan lotion to avoid the heat of the 'burning furnace'. Chongqing is also a fog city that has about 100 foggy days a year usually in spring and summer. Chongqing receives abundant rainfall, averaging about 1000 to 1400 millimeters (39 to 55 inches) annually. It has plenty of evening rain all year round but it's best to visit the city during spring, autumn and winter.

Chongqing is also a multi-cultural city, with about 23 distinct minority cultures. The total population of the minority groups is about 1.75 million. The Tujia and the Miao are the largest two minorities in Chongqing and mainly inhabit the Qianjiang Development District and the Fuling District. In addition to the traditional Chinese festivals such as the Spring Festival and the Mid-autumn Day, the Tujia and Miao people have their own unique folk festivals. Every January 3 to 15 of the lunar calendar, Tujia people hold grand activities of worship, praying and dancing. The Miao people express themselves through singing. The annual Gan Qiu Festival is a traditional festival where Miao people celebrate by singing songs. It is also the time for young people to express their love.