Changsha Weather

Changsha, located in the south-central part of China, has a subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. Affected by monsoons and terrain, the weather of Changsha features long summer and winter respectively for about four and three months long. As for spring and autumn, each of them lasts for two months and a half.

Orange Isle in Changsha

 There are obvious temperature variations between different seasons, and the temperature is variable in spring, quite high in summer, moderate in autumn, and not so low in winter. The hottest month is July, with the highest temperature being even above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), in which people feel intolerable heat. The lowest temperature of about -1°C (30°F) appears in December and January, and the weather of Changsha is basically not so cold in winter.
 In the entire year, Changsha mainly gets its precipitation in spring and summer. Consecutive rainy days are frequent in spring, and the city experiences its plum rain season in summer. These two situations may lead to bad visibility and even bad travel experience. While in autumn and winter, precipitation is relatively low, and extreme precipitation situations are rare. In winter, the city may have snow days, but the probability of heavy snow is low.
 The day with the longest daytime for about 14 hours and 10 minutes long falls on around June 22. The shortest daytime has a length of about 10 hours and 10 minutes, and comes on around December 22. If you have put viewing sunrise / sunset into your itinerary, it’s suggested to arrive at the viewing area about 30 minutes earlier than the specific sunrise / sunset time.
 In consideration of weather conditions and comfort during the tour, rainless days in spring and autumn are the best times to visit Changsha. The temperature in these two seasons is generally moderate, making the climate of Changsha pleasant for sightseeing. To get better travel experience, you’d better choose those rainless days so that you can visit various scenic spots more conveniently.
 

 The weather of Changsha in spring is marked by changeable temperature and a relatively high amount of precipitation. In general, the weather gets agreeably warm, and the average temperature rises from 10 to 22°C (50 to 72°F). But it’s noteworthy that there are relatively large temperature variations in a day and between days, and you need to be prepared for these. As for precipitation, it can rain slightly for consecutive days.
 Clothes: A knitted sweater and a trench coat are recommended tops, and for bottoms, wear thermal pants and long casual pants.
Shoes: Breathable flats / sneakers suitable for a long walk.
Requisites: To deal with precipitation during the journey, an umbrella is necessary.
 The pleasantly warm weather of Changsha in spring is ideal for outdoor activities, and flower views are the most impressive in this season. For example, you can visit the Orange Isle to admire the statue of young Mao Zedong and also climb the Yuelu Mountain to view beautiful azaleas and peonies.

Ancient Town in Changsha's Spring

 In summer, Changsha suffers from constant heat and abundant rainfall, and people generally feel uncomfortable if they stay outdoors for too long. The weather is sweltering, and the highest temperature can reach 40°C (104°F). Besides, the high humidity over 78% makes it even more humid in this season. From around mid-June to mid-July, the city is in its plum rain season marked by continuous rainy days, resulting in much inconvenience to people’s tours.
 Clothes: Short-sleeved shirts, a sun-protective jacket, shorts, and dresses.
Shoes: Light and breathable flats / sneakers, or you can wear sandals to deal with the humid weather.
Requisites: An all-weather umbrella, and also sun-protective items such as a sun hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunblock.
 To get a relatively good tour in Changsha in humid summer, it’s suggested to skip the plum rain season, enjoy sightseeing in cooler periods like dawn, dusk, and night, and also arrange more indoor activities. Visiting Orange Isle between 7:00 and 9:00, taking a cruise ship and enjoying night view of Changsha, and going to Hunan Provincial Museum are all recommended. With moderate temperature and low precipitation, the climate of Changsha in autumn brings people a sense of pleasant coolness, perfect for travelling around the city. The average high temperature ranges from 29 to 18°C (84 to 64°F), so even in late autumn, the weather is still agreeable. In addition, more than two thirds of each month this season is covered by sunny and cloudy days, on which you can fully enjoy your Changsha tour.
 Clothes: Thermal underwear, a hoodie, long johns, and jeans.
Shoes: Breathable flats or sneakers.
Requisites: Sun-protective items and raingear.
 In autumn, the most unmissable view is the foliage on the Yuelu Mountain. In the bright sunshine, the vibrant red leaves and the quaint Aiwan Pavilion set off each other well. The season is also suitable to have a night tour, in which you can stroll along the Xiangjiang River and also taste local snacks like stinky tofu at the Sail-raising Night Fair.

Night View of Changsha in Autumn

 With the average temperature between about 5 to 8°C (41 to 46°F), the weather of Changsha is not so frigid in winter. Although the temperature typically doesn’t drop below 0°C (32°F), the high humidity caused by a large area of waters and not-so-even terrain makes people feel uncomfortably damp. Plus, snow and freezing rain can bring some inconvenience to your tour.
 Clothes: Thermal underwear, a sweater, and a down / cotton jacket as your tops; and thermal leggings and jeans as your bottoms.
Shoes: Non-slippery sneakers / boots.
Requisites: If you can't even tolerate the slightest bit of cold, warm accessories including a woolen hat, a scarf, and gloves help a lot.
 Indoor attractions with heating equipment are better places to go. For those archaeology enthusiasts, Mawangdui Han Tombs, Hunan Provincial Museum, and Changsha Museum are all worth a visit. You can also admire flowers in this season, as plum blossoms on the Orange Isle are in full bloom.

Huangxing Road in Changsha's Winter