Beijing Weather in May

Season: Spring
In short: pleasant temperature for traveling around, sunny most of the time, a bit windy
 

Temperature

Normally, at the beginning of the month, the daytime is warm with the temperature of around 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit), and nights can be slightly cooler, with the temperature of around 15℃ (59℉). From the middle of the month on, the temperature usually ranges from 20℃ (68℉) to around 30℃ (86℉), and you will feel warm even at night. Note that the weather is a bit changeable and the temperature may drop on some rainy days, so it is advisable to further check the weather forecast when it approaches your travel date.
 

Precipitation/ Wind

In May, Beijing’s rainfall increases, but not by much. On average, there might be 6 days with some drizzle, and clear and sunny days are still the majority. The humidity also increases, but you may still feel a bit dry. Besides, there are usually a few windy days during this month and flying dust may occur occasionally. 

It should be noted that there may be strong convective weather in the second half month, often accompanied by short-term heavy precipitation, thunderstorms, wind, or hail. Still, it is recommended to pay attention to the weather conditions in advance.
Sunny May with Strong UV Rays
Sunny May with Strong UV Rays
 

Daylight Hours/ Sunshine Hours

The daylight increases to an average of 14 hours, lasting from around 05:00 to about 19:00. Accordingly, the sun shines for about 9 hours per day, the longest level of the year. So, why not get up earlier to visit the attractions during your Beijing trip in May 2026? This will allow you to visit more places as well as effectively help you avoid the crowds. One thing that is not very conducive to traveling is that the UV rays become strong. 

Averages for Beijing Weather in May

Temperature: 20°C / 68°F
High Temperature: 26°C / 79°F
Low Temperature: 14°C / 57°F
Humidity: 53%
Rainfall: 34 mm
Rainy Days: 6 days
Sunrise: 04:48 ~ 05:15
Sunset: 19:09 ~ 19:37
Air Quality in May
Average AQI:63
Beijing Air Quality in May

What to Bring for Beijing Trip in May

Beijing Clothes in May
 Clothes: Generally speaking, long-sleeved T-shirts or shirts plus long jeans are recommended outfits for the daytime in the early month, while T-shirts or short shirts plus shorts or thin long pants will be enough for the daytime in the late month. On this basis, you are advised to bring a thin jacket to cope with the early morning and evening with lower temperatures. 

 Shoes: Considering the warm weather of Beijing and the fact that you are likely to walk a lot during your visit, it is recommended that you bring comfortable, lightweight, and breathable sneakers or walking shoes.

 Others: Willow catkins are fluttering in the air in early May in Beijing, so wear a mask if you are allergic to pollen. It is still relatively dry, so bring water bottles and drink plenty of water, and use lotions or oils to moisten the skin. Besides, the sunshine is intense this month, so bring suntan lotion and sunglasses with you. 

Fantastic Scenery in Beijing in May

Travel Recommendation Rate:

The Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall, and other such historical landscapes are worth seeing at any time of year. But there’s no doubt that the bright sunshine and blue sky of May provide high visibility and make these old buildings more brilliant. For sites like the Summer Palace and the Old Summer Palace, which have both cultural and natural beauty, spring with lush green trees and a variety of flowers in full bloom must be one of the best times to visit them. In addition, in May, when the climate of Beijing is cozy, places such as the Hutongs, Houhai Bar Street, and the 798 Art District are more lively than in cold winter and hot summer. 

 See also 6 Places to Visit in Beijing in May
Badaling Great Wall in May
Badaling Great Wall in May
 
If you don’t know how to organize your trip, there are some well-organized tours to choose from:

FAQs 

1. Is May a Good Month to Visit Beijing?

Yes, May is a recommended month to travel to Beijing. In May, Beijing is neither cold nor hot, and the sky is clear most of the time, perfect for going outdoors for sightseeing. In addition, some flowers are still in bloom and trees are green this month, making the city even more attractive. The only thing you should pay attention to is the occasional wind and flying dust.
 
For those who don’t like crowds or want a budget-friendly trip, early May is not a good time because of the increasing tourists.
 

2. Is Beijing crowded in May? If it is crowded, how can I try to avoid the crowds?

Early May is the May Day holiday in China, when all travel destinations will be full of tourists, not to mention the most famous ones like Beijing. During this period, you will find that all attractions are crowded and the prices of hotels drastically rise. The rest of the days in May are not as crowded as these days, but there are still quite a lot of tourists, especially on Saturdays and Sundays, due to the good weather this month.
Crowded Forbidden City
Crowded Forbidden City

If you have decided to visit Beijing this month and don’t want to wait in line for a long time at attractions, it is recommended that: (1) try to arrange your traveling time within the less-crowded weekdays; (2) book a hotel near the city center and with convenient public transportation around, thus you can arrive at your target attractions early enough to avoid the main tourist flows.
 

7-Day Beijing Weather Forecast

CityWeather

 

What is the temperature in Beijing in May?

High/Low Temperatures of Beijing in May
Temperatures Graph of Beijing in May
Air Quality of Beijing in May
Beijing AQI Graph in May

Historical Beijing Weather in May


 
May Temperature Sunrise / Sunset Humi-
dity
(%)
High  Low 
1 27.3°C / 81.1°F 15.1°C / 59.2°F 05:15 / 19:09 18
2 27°C / 80.6°F 10.4°C / 50.7°F 05:14 / 19:10 19
3 25°C / 77°F 14.5°C / 58.1°F 05:13 / 19:11 14
4 21°C / 69.8°F 14.7°C / 58.5°F 05:11 / 19:12 53
5 24°C / 75.2°F 13°C / 55.4°F 05:10 / 19:13 45
6 26.4°C / 79.5°F 9.7°C / 49.5°F 05:09 / 19:14 24
7 27.3°C / 81.1°F 14.3°C / 57.7°F 05:08 / 19:15 29
8 22.6°C / 72.7°F 12.4°C / 54.3°F 05:07 / 19:16 64
9 25.6°C / 78.1°F 11.9°C / 53.4°F 05:06 / 19:17 56
10 25.4°C / 77.7°F 14.4°C / 57.9°F 05:05 / 19:18 46
11 27.5°C / 81.5°F 13°C / 55.4°F 05:03 / 19:19 49
12 24.2°C / 75.6°F 16°C / 60.8°F 05:02 / 19:20 13
13 26.9°C / 80.4°F 17.7°C / 63.9°F 05:01 / 19:21 13
14 29.9°C / 85.8°F 16.8°C / 62.2°F 05:01 / 19:22 16
15 27.4°C / 81.3°F 16°C / 60.8°F 05:00 / 19:23 21
16 28.7°C / 83.7°F 11.1°C / 52°F 04:59 / 19:24 29
17 26.6°C / 80°F 16.2°C / 61.2°F 04:58 / 19:25 48
18 28.4°C / 83.1°F 18.1°C / 64.6°F 04:57 / 19:26 53
19 25.1°C / 77.2°F 16.7°C / 62.1°F 04:56 / 19:27 31
20 20.8°C / 69.4°F 16.8°C / 62.2°F 04:55 / 19:28 27
21 26.1°C / 79°F 11.5°C / 52.7°F 04:54 / 19:28 21
22 30.2°C / 86.4°F 12.6°C / 54.7°F 04:54 / 19:29 29
23 28.1°C /82.6°F 14°C / 57.2°F 04:53 / 19:30 42
24 27.1°C / 80.8°F 16.9°C / 62.4°F 04:52 / 19:31 45
25 28°C / 82.4°F 17.6°C / 63.7°F 04:52 / 19:32 43
26 28°C / 82.4°F 17.6°C / 63.7°F 04:51 / 19:33 51
27 28.6°C / 83.5°F 14.6°C / 58.3°F 04:50 / 19:33 63
28 32°C / 89.6°F 19.2°C / 66.6°F 04:50 / 19:34 55
29 28.8°C / 83.8°F 21.8°C / 71.2°F 04:49 / 19:35 61
30 30.3°C / 86.5°F 20.1°C / 68.2°F 04:49 / 19:36 55
31 29.3°C / 84.7°F 22.4°C / 72.3°F 04:48 / 19:37 23
- Last updated on May. 26, 2025 by Demi Li -