Best Time to Visit Guilin & Yangshuo

Quick Verdict

April-May and September-October are the best months. Pleasant temperatures, minimal rain, and the landscape is at its most photogenic. Avoid the first week of October (Golden Week) — extreme crowds and prices.

Temperature & Rainfall by Month

Month	Avg High	Avg Low	Rain (mm)	Rain Days	Crowds
Jan	12°C / 54°F	5°C / 41°F	53	13	Very low
Feb	13°C / 55°F	7°C / 45°F	71	14	CNY spike
Mar	17°C / 63°F	11°C / 52°F	109	18	Low
Apr	23°C / 73°F	16°C / 61°F	188	18	Moderate
May	27°C / 81°F	20°C / 68°F	275	17	Labor Day spike
Jun	30°C / 86°F	23°C / 73°F	334	18	Moderate
Jul	33°C / 91°F	25°C / 77°F	206	16	Low (fewer Westerners)
Aug	33°C / 91°F	24°C / 75°F	167	14	Moderate
Sep	30°C / 86°F	21°C / 70°F	72	10	Moderate
Oct	25°C / 77°F	16°C / 61°F	81	10	Golden Week: extreme
Nov	19°C / 66°F	11°C / 52°F	71	11	Low
Dec	14°C / 57°F	5°C / 41°F	42	9	Very low

Season by Season

Spring (March-May)

The best season. Temperatures range from 15-25 degrees C. March can be rainy, but by April the weather settles. The countryside is lush green, wildflowers bloom, and the Li River water levels are ideal for cruises. May has perfect weather but slightly more domestic tourists around the Labor Day holiday (first week of May).

Summer (June-August)

Hot and humid — temperatures regularly hit 32-35 degrees C. Afternoon thunderstorms are common but usually pass quickly. The landscape is at its greenest. Fewer Western tourists (summer is domestic travel season), so some hotels offer lower rates. If you can handle the heat, summer can be rewarding — the mist rising off the karst peaks after rain is spectacular.

Autumn (September-November)

The second-best season. September and October bring cooler temperatures (18-28 degrees C) and clear skies — the best light for photography. But avoid October 1-7: Golden Week is China's national holiday. Hotels triple in price, attractions are packed, and the Li River cruise sells out days ahead. November is quieter and still pleasant, though evenings get cool.

Winter (December-February)

Cold and misty — temperatures drop to 5-12 degrees C. Fewer tourists mean lower prices and empty viewpoints. The misty winter landscape has its own beauty (classic Chinese ink painting vibes), but you'll need warm clothes and should expect some rainy days. Hotels in Yangshuo can be chilly — check that your accommodation has proper heating.

Month-by-Month Summary

Jan Cold, misty, quiet

Feb Still cold, Chinese New Year crowds (dates vary)

Mar Warming up, some rain, flowers begin

Apr Best month. Warm, green, moderate crowds

May Excellent. Avoid Labor Day week

Jun Hot, humid, afternoon storms, lush green

Jul Hottest month. Fewer Western tourists

Aug Hot, humid. Budget-friendly period

Sep Excellent. Cooling, clear skies, great light

Oct Perfect weather, but AVOID week 1

Nov Cooler, quieter, still pleasant

Dec Cold, misty, empty viewpoints

Chinese Holidays to Avoid

Chinese holiday periods dramatically affect prices, crowds, and availability. Plan around these unless you specifically want to experience a festival:

Chinese New Year (late Jan–mid Feb): The biggest holiday. Everything is packed, domestic flights triple in price, and some small restaurants close for a week. The upside: lantern festivals and fireworks displays in Guilin city are spectacular.
Labor Day (May 1–5): A 5-day spike in domestic tourism. Yangshuo gets busy but it's manageable — book hotels early.
Golden Week (Oct 1–7): The worst time to visit. Hotels cost 3x normal, Li River cruise tickets sell out days in advance, and every viewpoint is shoulder-to-shoulder. Avoid unless you have no other option.