Late spring · Weather & things to do
Beijing in May
Beijing warms up: highs climb to 85°F (30°C), from 73°F in April, with lows of 56°F (14°C) and about 1.5 in (38 mm) of rain.
It scores 81/100 for comfort, 5th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 85°F (30°C)
- Avg low
- 56°F (14°C)
- Rain
- 1.5 in (38 mm)
- Humidity
- 39%
- Cloud cover
- 56%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 12 min
- Comfort score
- 81/100 · Great
What May feels like
Warm afternoons near 85°F (30°C) make long days outdoors easy.
Mornings start much cooler: lows average 56°F (14°C), about 16°C (29°F) below the afternoon high.
Low humidity, around 39%, makes the air feel crisp and dry.
Rain is moderate at about 1.5 in (38 mm) for the month.
Plan around May
May is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (April and September & October).
- Comfort slips from 93/100 in April to 81/100.
- May sits inside the Apr – May, Sep – Oct window our Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai route recommends.
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clothes85°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 56°F
- Lip balm and moisturizerdry air
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Beijing in May
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Jingshan Park
Hill park directly north of the palace with a view over its golden roofs.
Why now May scores 81/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Summer Palace
Imperial lakeside retreat with the Long Corridor and Kunming Lake.
Why now Highs near 85°F and 1.5 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Temple of Heaven
Ming-era altar complex where emperors prayed for harvests, set in a large park.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Siji Minfu
Popular Peking duck chain carving crisp duck tableside at fair prices.
Houhai Bar Street
Lakeside bars with live music along the shore of Houhai.
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~222 m to Beijing's ~53 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Beijing in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Beijing?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 81/100 against a best of 95 in April and September & October. Expect highs of 85°F (30°C) and 1.5 in (38 mm) of rain. May is inside the Apr – May, Sep – Oct window our Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai route recommends.
How hot is Beijing in May?
Average highs are 85°F (30°C) and average lows 56°F (14°C), making it the 4th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Beijing in May?
Not much: about 1.5 in (38 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 5th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 21.0 in (533 mm).
What should I pack for Beijing in May?
Bring light, breathable clothes (85°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days), a warm layer for evenings (lows near 56°F), lip balm and moisturizer (dry air) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Beijing
Routes in season in May
- Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai Apr – May, Sep – Oct
Planning Beijing in May?
Share this May plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.