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Xi'an Weather in May

Season: Spring

In short:

1. The weather of Xi’an in May is warm overall, with moderate rainfall.

2. May is one of the best months to visit Xi’an, but you are advised to exclude the crowded May Day holiday from May 1st to 5th in 2026 from your trip.

Warm Overall but Changeable Temperature

In May, most days in Xi’an have high and low temperature hovering around 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) and 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit), respectively, cozy and suitable for travel. However, sometimes it becomes as hot as summer with the highest temperature climbing up to about 35°C (95°F). In May 2025, the hottest day saw the temperature even reaching 38°C (100°F), but of course, this is only a minority of cases. Generally, the number of days with a maximum temperature of 35°C (95°F) or above does not exceed 5. Besides, sometimes the highest temperature may drop a lot to lower than 20°C (68°F), which is mainly caused by rain.

The temperature difference in a day may occasionally reach about 15°C (50 - 59°F), so always keep an eye on the weather forecast and adjust your clothes accordingly.

Sunny and Greenery May

9 Rainy Days on Average

In this transitional month from spring to summer, the rainfall of Xi’an increases a bit, to about 60 mm on average. With 9 rainy days on average, sunny and cloudy days are still the most common Xi’an weather conditions in May. Usually, the rain is light, but moderate and heavy rain may also occur, which is completely avoidable by checking the weather forecast in advance due to its low frequency.

The rainfall is not large, therefore does not have a very noticeable effect on improving the dry climate of Xi’an. On average, the humidity is 68% this month.

Long Daytime

If you are energetic and want to include as many attractions as possible in your trip to Xi’an, then May must be a great month, as the daytime reaches around 14 hours long on average. Xi’an sees around 6 hours of sunshine per day on average this month and the UV index rises to 10, so sun protection is very important during your trip, especially if you have many outdoor plans.

Averages for Xi'an Weather in May

Temperature: 20°C /68°F

High Temperature: 26°C / 79°F

Low Temperature: 14°C / 57°F

Humidity: 68%

Rainfall: 60 mm

Rainy Days: 9 days

Sunrise: 05:34 ~ 05:55

Sunset: 19:29 ~ 19:51

Air Quality in May
Average AQI:79

Is May A Good Time to Visit Xi’an?

If you are planning a trip to Xi’an in 2026, May is one of the most recommended months. This month, the temperature in Xi’an is pleasant most of the time, and you won’t feel very hot when you are outdoors. There are many sunny days and bright sunshine, which is good for taking beautiful photos. Moreover, you’ll have plenty of time to hang out, as the daytime is long enough and the sun does not set until around 19:30.

People Waiting in Lines at Terracotta Army

Crowded Terracotta Army

What to Pack when Traveling to Xi’an in May

Tops: In the cool morning and evening, you’d better put on long-sleeved T-shirts or shirts; short-sleeved ones will do for sunny daytime. On rainy days, a jacket is recommended to wear, which is also needed if you intend to climb Mt. Huashan to protect yourself from the coldness on the mountain top.

Bottoms: Thin long pants are suitable most of the time. For tours in some warm afternoons, skirts and shorts may be both OK.

Shoes: When visiting Xi’an, it is common to walk up to 10,000 steps a day if you have a full schedule. Therefore, in order to keep your feet comfortable, lightweight sneakers and hiking shoes suitable for walking are most suitable.

Other Items:

1. With strong UV rays, you need to prepare sunglasses to protect your eyes, and sunscreen and sunhats to protect your skin.

2. There is still pollen in the air, and dusty weather may happen, so it’s essential to have masks on hand.

Recommendations for Xi’an Trip in May

Travel Recommendation Rate:

In May, the temperature is favorable enough that you won’t feel hot or uncomfortable anywhere you go. With bright sunshine and lush scenery, you also won’t be disappointed by the views of any attractions.

Recommended Tours

Xi'an Mini Group Full Day Tour from $75

One Day Mt. Huashan Mini Group Tour from $119

3 Days Xi'an Private Culture Tour from $339

8 Days Small Group Tour of Beijing - Xi'an - Shanghai from $1232

This month, in addition to historical sites such as the Terracotta Army, the Shaanxi History Museum, and the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, which are spectacular in all seasons, you can also visit the nearby parks, such as City Wall Park, to enjoy the stunning natural scenery as well as see the daily leisure activities of the locals. It’s worth noting that May is one of the best months to visit Mt. Huashan, both in terms of weather and scenery.

7 Things to Do in Xi’an in Spring

Greenery Mt. Huashan in May

Travel Tips

1. As the temperature in Xi’an may fluctuate over a wide range in May, it is recommended that you check the weather forecast before you set off and pack enough clothes accordingly.

2. Because of the good climate, many tourists choose to visit Xi'an in May. Especially during the May Day Holiday usually from May 1 to 5, it can be quite crowded here. Having a Xi’an trip during this period, you may need to spend quite a bit of time queuing up at scenic spots. In addition, the price of hotels will rise significantly. So try to avoid the crowded May Day Holiday when planning your itinerary.

3. During the May Day holiday, some attractions may allow more daily visitors and extend opening hours, like the Terracotta Army. If you’ve already decided to visit Xi’an during this period, check the detailed information in advance. If you want to avoid the main crowds, arrive at the attractions as they just open or 2-3 hours before they close.

4. It should be noted that the best time to see the illuminated Bell Tower, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, and the Great Tang All Day Mall is after 20:00, since the sunset time this month is from 19:29 to 19:51.

Illuminated Bell Tower in May

7-Day Xi'an Weather Forecast

What is the temperature in Xi'an in May?

High/Low Temperatures of Xi'an in May

Air Quality of Xi'an in May

Historical Xi'an Weather in May

May	Temperature		Sunrise / Sunset	Humi- dity (%)
May	High	Low	Sunrise / Sunset	Humi- dity (%)
1	35.7°C / 96.3°F	16.3°C / 61.3°F	05:55 / 19:29	45
2	33.1°C / 91.6°F	20.2°C / 68.4°F	05:54 / 19:30	38
3	27.0°C / 80.6°F	13.7°C / 56.7°F	05:53 / 19:30	64
4	26.9°C / 80.4°F	11.9°C / 53.4°F	05:52 / 19:31	49
5	28.9°C / 84.0°F	13.1°C / 55.6°F	05:51 / 19:32	58
6	31.2°C / 88.2°F	16.0°C / 60.8°F	05:50 / 19:33	47
7	30.7°C / 87.3°F	18.5°C / 65.3°F	05:49 / 19:33	53
8	19.7°C / 67.5°F	14.9°C / 58.8°F	05:48 / 19:34	84
9	28.3°C / 82.9°F	14.4°C / 57.9°F	05:47 / 19:35	57
10	26.5°C / 79.7°F	13.7°C / 56.7°F	05:46 / 19:36	50
11	28.5°C / 83.3°F	15.5°C / 59.9°F	05:46 / 19:37	42
12	24.1°C / 75.4°F	14.1°C / 57.4°F	05:45 / 19:37	20
13	25.5°C / 77.9°F	12.7°C / 54.9°F	05:44 / 19:38	38
14	30.6°C / 87.1°F	13.2°C / 55.8°F	05:43 / 19:39	46
15	33.5°C / 92.3°F	17.5°C / 63.5°F	05:42 / 19:40	47
16	36.4°C / 97.5°F	18.2°C / 64.8°F	05:42 / 19:40	34
17	31.0°C / 87.8°F	19.7°C / 67.5°F	05:41 / 19:41	57
18	29.8°C / 85.6°F	18.9°C / 66.0°F	05:40 / 19:42	47
19	30.5°C / 86.9°F	16.7°C / 62.1°F	05:40 / 19:43	39
20	32.6°C / 90.7°F	16.5°C / 61.7°F	05:39 / 19:43	40
21	31.0°C / 87.8°F	20.1°C / 68.2°F	05:39 / 19:44	33
22	32.1°C / 90.0°F	19.5°C / 67.1°F	05:38 / 19:45	40
23	32.1°C / 90.0°F	21.1°C / 70.0°F	05:37 / 19:45	44
24	33.2°C / 91.8°F	18.8°C / 65.8°F	05:37 / 19:46	45
25	29.4°C / 84.9°F	20.1°C / 68.2°F	05:36 / 19:47	58
26	30.9°C / 87.6°F	19.6°C / 67.3°F	05:36 / 19:47	66
27	32.8°C / 91.0°F	23.0°C / 73.4°F	05:35 / 19:48	49
28	33.5°C / 92.3°F	22.2°C / 72.0°F	05:35 / 19:49	30
29	29.2°C / 84.6°F	23.1°C / 73.6°F	05:35 / 19:49	35
30	28.2°C / 82.8°F	16.7°C / 62.1°F	05:34 / 19:50	34
31	33.8°C / 92.8°F	15.8°C / 60.4°F	05:34 / 19:51	31

- Last updated on Jul. 10, 2025 by Demi Li -