Chengdu is the city in south-western China. It is the center of Sichuan Province. Chengdu is situated on western edge of vast plain of the Sichuan Basin at elevation of 500 m (1640 ft). The city has humid subtropical climate. Qinling mountain range protects the city from cold air masses, so local winters are milder than in some other southern localities.

Summers are humid and hot, but not as hot as in Shanghai of Guangzhou. Temperatures below freezing and snow are extraordinary. Summer is the rainiest season, but overall amount of precipitation is relatively moderate. In general climate of Chengdu is comfortable for living and agriculture; therefore it is comfortable for visiting too.

Seasons

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Chengdu

Spring is time of gradual warming in Chengdu. March is rather chilly with its range of daily temperatures between 8 °C (46 °F) and 16 °C (61 °F), though it is rather dry. In April approach of rainy season becomes apparent, but temperatures grow two. Afternoons of second spring month are usually as warm as 21 °C (70 °F) and evenings are cooler with around 13 °C (55 °F).

May is nominal beginning of rainy season. Chengdu receives up to 90 mm (3.5”) of precipitation through this month. Daily temperature reaches marks of 17 °C (62 °F) and 26 °C (79 °F) at night and day respectively. So spring weather in Chengdu improves with progression of the season, but it is pretty shifty.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Min average t°: +8 °C (47 °F) Sundial in the day: 7.5 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 17 mm (3.9")

April Max average t°: +21.5 °C (71 °F) Min average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 53 mm (2.1")

May Max average t°: +25.5 °C (78 °F) Min average t°: +17 °C (63 °F) Sundial in the day: 8.5 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 77 mm (3.0")

Spring Holidays

March 8 – International Women’s Day.
March 12 – Arbor Day.

April 4 (5 in a leap year) – Tomb Sweeping Festival.
April 5 – Dujiangyan Water Releasing Festival.

May 1st – Labor Day.

Summer in Chengdu

Summer in Chengdu is rainy. More than half of annual amount of precipitation falls during this season. Monthly amount of rainfall is 100 mm (4”) for June and 230 m (9”) for each of following months. Daytime temperature hivers between 28 °C (82 °F) and 30 °C (86 °F) while nights has more pleasant temperature of 20-22 °C (68-71 °F). There are lots of rain and warmth in summer.

Mountains in neighborhood of the city will provide shelter from afternoon heat and rains. In addition summer is the time of peak activity of giant pandas. Summer is good enough for visit, especially if frequent showers and high air humidity aren’t concerning.

Climate of the Summer Months

June Max average t°: +27.5 °C (82 °F) Min average t°: +20 °C (68 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 110 mm (4.3")

July Max average t°: +29.5 °C (85 °F) Min average t°: +22 °C (72 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 17 days Precipitation: 302 mm (11.9")

August Max average t°: +29.5 °C (85 °F) Min average t°: +21 °C (71 °F) Sundial in the day: 8.5 hours Rainy days: 13 days Precipitation: 209 mm (8.2")

Summer Holidays

June 1 – Children’s Day.
July (or October) – International Food & Tour Festival of China.
July 11 – National Maritime Day.

7th of 7th lunar month – Double Seven Festival.
15th day of 7th lunar month – Ghost Festival.

August 1 – Army Day.

Autumn in Chengdu

In general autumn is a great time to visit Chengdu. September is warm and still pretty rainy with its 130 mm (5”) of precipitation and 18-25 °C (64-77 °F) of daily range of temperature. In October rains come to neigh comparing to September and temperature shifts to lower range of 14-20 °C (57-68 °F). November is even drier and cooler with its average of 9-16 °C (48-61 °F).

In general autumn weather in Chengdu is bit shifty. Cooler and colder days are following each other in rather unpredictable way, but nature if the region is gorgeous despite any “surprises” of weather, so first half of autumn is the best time to visit the city.

Climate of the Autumn Months

September Max average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Min average t°: +18 °C (65 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 117 mm (4.6")

October Max average t°: +20 °C (68 °F) Min average t°: +14 °C (58 °F) Sundial in the day: 5.5 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 51 mm (2.0")

November Max average t°: +15 °C (50 °F) Min average t°: +9 °C (49 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 23 mm (0.9")

Autumn Holidays

September 30 – Victory over Japan Day.
15th day of 8th lunar month – Mid-Autumn festival.
October 1-3 – National Day.

Winter in Chengdu

Chengdu is cloudy in general and especially cloudy in winter. Air is chilly, but there are few rains, but relative air humidity is pretty high. Snow or actual freeze are exceptionally rare. Daytime temperature hovers between 9 °C (48 °F) and 11 °C (52 °F) throughout the season. Nights are usually as cool as 4 °C (39 °F) and in January temperature may drop to 2 °C (35 °F) or even couple degrees below freezing. With appropriate layering winter vacation in Chengdu will be entertaining and comfortable. Winds and temperatures there are mild, rains are rare and clouds are creating special mood.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +10 °C (51 °F) Min average t°: +4 °C (40 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 10 mm (0.4")

January Max average t°: +9 °C (48 °F) Min average t°: +3 °C (37 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 7 mm (0.3")

February Max average t°: +11 °C (52 °F) Min average t°: +4 °C (40 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 7 mm (0.3")

Winter Holidays

1st day of 1st lunar month – Spring Festival (Chinesse New Year).
2nd-15th days of first lunar month – Huanglongxi Fire Dragon Festival.
15th day of 2nd lunar month (and around it) – Chengdu Flower Festival.
2nd lunar month – Plum Blossom Festival.
19th day of 2nd lunar month – Guanyin's Birthday.

2 week after Chinese New Year – Tazishan Lantern Festival.
January-March (Qinling Snow Mountain Ski Resort) – South China Snow and Ice Festival.

*Some observances, public holidays and other events are being held according to Chinese Lunar Calendar. Respective dates in Gregorian calendar are vary from year to year.