Beijing: Strategies: When to Go: When To Go To Beijing

When To Go To Beijing

Situtated in the north of the country, Beijing suffers bitterly cold winters, with especially brutal winds. The prettiest time of year to visit is spring, when the lilac trees are in bloom, or fall, when the trees gradually change their foliage. Beijing is at its spic-and-span best on October 1, National Day, when hundreds of plants and flowers appear in and around the major landmarks such as the Forbidden City. In March and April, storms can sweep in unexpectedly from the Gobi Desert, blanketing the city in layers of sand; at any time of year, pollution from the factories, trucks and automobiles can form a choking haze. On balance, late autumn is the best time to visit; midsummer can be extremely hot, but Beijing does not suffer the stifling humidity of more southerly cities.