Guilin lies in a region with a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate, with mild Winters and long, hot, and humid Summers. The monsoon season is long, lasting from March to August, and a pronounced dry season occurs in Autumn and Winter; the total annual rainfall is 1,920 millimeters. The weather is controlled by the tropical monsoon, which generates distinct seasons, pleasant temperatures and abundant rainfall. The native people describe the climate with this proverb "Scarcely snowing in winter, perennially flowers blossoming".
Weather character of the four seasons in Guilin
Spring in Guilin is pleasant with sufficient sunny days and plentiful rainfall. In the early spring, the temperature is still low and thick coats are necessary.
Summer days are hot and humid. The temperature may peak at 36 ℃ to 38 ℃ lasting about one to two weeks. There is usually a heavy fog by mid-morning.
Autumn is dry with cool and fine weather. This season is very comfortable with clear skies and colorful scenery; a good time for photography.
Winters are cold with an average temperature of 2 ℃. Cloudy days with morning mists on rivers and lakes and rainy days with a high wind-chill are common at the time, surprisingly, it’s another great time for artists in Guilin.
Climate Data Table for Guilin
|
Month
Item
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
|
maximum
temperature
(℃)
|
11
|
12
|
16
|
22
|
27
|
30
|
32
|
32
|
30
|
25
|
20
|
15
|
|
minimum
temperature
(℃)
|
5
|
7
|
11
|
16
|
20
|
23
|
25
|
24
|
22
|
17
|
12
|
7
|
|
Rainfall (mm)
|
52.5
|
87.5
|
127.5
|
252.5
|
357.5
|
342.5
|
222.5
|
172.5
|
77.5
|
87.5
|
72.5
|
47.5
|
|
Days of rainfall
|
15.1
|
15.5
|
18.6
|
20.2
|
19.0
|
17.5
|
16.1
|
14.8
|
8.2
|
9.7
|
8.7
|
9.1
|
Tips for Guilin Weather
Best time to visit Guilin:
Guilin is suitable for travelling all year round, and Li River is beautiful in all four seasons. The best time to visit Guilin is between April and October. During this time, the area is at its most green. The most important thing to know about Guilin weather is that it can get very hot, humid, and it rains a lot! The average temperature for the year is 19.3 celcius with a July average temperature of 28.3 degrees. The average rainfall for the year is 192.6 cm per month.
Late spring from May to June is the wettest period. On rainy days, the rivers, pinnacles and the city itself are shrouded in mist, which is especially enchanting. The picturesque natural scenery will charm on a day of scattered light showers. In spring and autumn something lighter with a woollen sweater will be comfortable.
Winter is cold and moist, especially in January, but can still be very pleasant when the sun is out. It snows occasionally. Winter is the low season so Guilin is less crowded and it is cheaper to travel.
What to pack
T-shirts with skirts, shorts or slacks are the best choice for summer when the temperature can be rather high. Summer is the rainy season, especially in May and June. You could bring an umbrella with you, but good quality umbrellas are cheap locally. Comfortable footwear suitable for walking is a must all year round. It would be wise to bring a good sun-block with you, (Chinese sun-block is low SPF and contains skin-bleach).Also, some medicine to prevent heatstroke if you are from a cooler region, and insect repellant.
Tip
Local herbal tea helps travellers to become accustomed to the local weather and is almost as cheap as bottled water. (Don’t drink tap-water without boiling it first).
Trip to Li River
It will take about 5 hours to cruise Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo. As the most beautiful scenery is mostly on the second half of the trip, don’t get too excited at the very beginning of the cruise, or you may run out of memory cards for the best landscape. Generally travellers need to carefully wear sunscreen, especially on summer days because they will be drawn out on deck by the charming view. Sunhats and rainhat will need chin-strap or scarf to secure them due to the strong wind. You’ll benefit from listening to the commentary by the tour guide.
Trip to Elephant Trunk Hill
Elephant Trunk Hill is the landmark and symbol of Guilin, located inside of the Elephant Trunk Hill Park. There is a carved stairway to the top of the hill which affords a good view along the Li Jiang, or it is possible to hike around the hill and either will require about one and a half hours.
Trip to Reed Flute Cave
Please pay regard to safety and wear hiking shoes to go inside the cave because there are many stone steps and the floor inside the cave is quite wet. There are paths and steps with hand-rails, but please don’t leave the paths.
Trip to Longji Terraced Field
Travellers need to carry rain gear as the weather is unsettled on the terraced field area. It will provide a good workout if you decide to tour the whole terraced field, so you should have a good and nutritious breakfast. Furthermore, please follow the tour guide closely, otherwise, you may lose your way on the complicated tracks in the Lignin Terraced Field area.
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