Datong Weather in May

Season: spring
 Average temperature: 7 - 24℃ (44.6 - 75.2℉)

The high temperature hovers around 15 - 26 degrees Celsius (59 - 78.8 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day, an ideal value for conducting outdoor sightseeing. It feels pleasantly warm when the sun shines. In cool shade, there is always a breeze. In mountainous areas like Mt. Hengshan and Yungang Grottoes, the wind blows heavily, and the perceived temperature is thus lower than in downtown parts. Strong winds rarely appear in urban areas in May.

Things are different at night. After the sun sets, the heat in the air quickly dissipates, and the temperature declines dramatically to a cold 10 - 13℃ (50 - 55.4℉). At the time around sunrise, the temperature is as low as 5 - 8℃ (41 - 46.4℉). 
It doesn’t rain much in May, with a total precipitation of 43 mm (1.7 in). About 7 days see light rain or showers, sometimes accompanied by thunderstorms or hail. They often have a short duration, so the dry air does not improve much. The humidity remains 35%, the lowest of a year. In rare cases, sleet appears in high-altitude parts, offering visitors a special experience.
 Datong receives 9 hours of sunshine per day on average in May with dominated sunny and cloudy days. The sky is always clearly blue, working as a beautiful background for historical buildings in the city. Without cloud cover, the UV index is not low, and sun protection measures are required. 

In May, the sun rises at 5:00 - 5:27 and sets at 19:21 - 19:48, providing a long daylight for sightseeing. Travelers can make a loose schedule rather than stay hurried all the time.
  During the day: A single denim shirt is proper when walking in the sun. People who dislike heat can also pack T-shirt. For the bottom, jeans and sweatpants are alternatives. Women wearing long-sleeve dresses need leggings.

 In the evening: Put on a trench coat or leather jacket to offer protection against the dropping temperature.

 In the early morning: You need to add a thin knitwear as the middle layer in the face of even lower temperatures, particularly when you depart early for mountainous destinations. Or replace the trench coat with a windbreaker directly.

 Shoes: It is recommended to wear comfortable sneakers for hiking in mountainous areas and lightweight casual shoes for downtown sightseeing.

 Accessories: Sun protection items, such as sunscreen and sunglasses, should be carried. On windy days, wear the sun hat with its string. Don’t forget to carry lipstick and moisturizing cream to deal with the dry climate of Datong in May.
 1. You are advised to avoid the holiday from May 1 to 5, 2026, because it’s a short travel peak season. If you have to, book a train/flight and hotel early in case they are sold out or you have to spend more to get one. Some attractions, like Hanging Monastery, control the flow of visitors, so you also need to make a reservation as early as possible. 

2. You will undoubtedly meet crowds at most attractions, including Yungang Grottoes, Shanhua Temple, Wooden Pagoda in Yingxian County, and Nine-Dragon Screen, so set off early on the day of your visit to avoid the flow peaks. For example, get to the entrance before 7 am.

3. Yungang Grottoes scenic area opened for night tours for the first time during the May Day holiday in 2025, providing visitors with a unique experience. Maybe the same will happen in 2026, but not for sure. You can check in advance before making a plan.
 1. In mid to late May after the May Day holiday, there is a significant decrease in tourists, when you can visit at your own pace and at a lower cost.

2. Blooming peach blossoms on Mt. Hengshan, lilac at Huayan Monastery, and almond blossoms at Shanhua Temple are all worth viewing in May.