Chengdu is situated in the west part of Sichuan Basin. It has a humid subtropical climate which is mainly influenced by the monsoons from Southwestern Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean. Generally, Chengdu is warm all year round with its high relative humidity. However, the four seasons are still distinct from one another. In the warmer months, the moderate rainfall refreshes the fertile land. The rainfall intensity increases in the sweltering summer and decreases in the freezing winter. Qinling Mountains stands far to the north of Chengdu, and help shield the city from cold Siberian Winds. The winter in Chengdu is shorter and warmer than those in the lower Yangtze River Valley. The climate in Chengdu could be read in summary as an early spring with moderate rainfall, a sweltering summer with high humidity, a cool autumn with gentle sunshine, and a relatively warm winter with overcast mornings.
Chengdu is the capital city of Sichuan Province. As such a huge province, the climate varies greatly in different parts of Sichuan, especially in winter and early spring. Therefore the best time to visit the very parts of Sichuan is usually not the same. Generally, it is most hospitable to travel around Sichuan from March to June, and from September to November. The fall is considered as the most beautiful season for photographers. The peak season of Sichuan tourism lasts from July to August. There will be a large number of visitors traveling in Sichuan, mainly along the Sichuan-Tibet route. It causes a relative increase of price. In addition, you should avoid the so-called golden week.
Spring------Relatively Warm with a Wide Range of Temperature
Spring usually lasts from February to April in Chengdu. The cool breeze and gentle sunshine warm up the land, but the weather changes in a large range. You should pack shirts, sweater and winter coat in your suitcase, if you plan to travel to Chengdu in Spring.
Summer------Hot and Humid with Heavy Rainfall
Chengdu is heated up in the summer from May to August. It is hot and humid, but not to the extent of “the Five Furnaces” cities, Chongqing, Wuhan, Nanjing, Shanghai and Hangzhou. All of the five furnaces are situated in middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The 24-hour daily mean temperature in July and August is about 26°C(78.8°F). It sometimes reaches 35°C(95°F). Compared with many cities in eastern China, Chengdu people rarely suffer from sustained heat during the summertime. It commonly rains in Chengdu plain all year around. The rainfall is concentrated in July and August. In a single day, the weather changes momentarily. You need to take a raincoat or umbrella in every morning when you are going out. In the mountainous area, like Daocheng Arding, the temperature ranges from 6°C to 20°C(42.8-68°F). You should prepare a thin down jacket for your trip to the west part of Sichuan.
Autumn------Cool with a sharp change of temperature
The autumn in Chengdu spans from September to November. It is widely said that the cool breeze in the fall season turns the land in Sichuan more picturesque. Both Jiuzhaigou and Daocheng Arden are like pretty young ladies showing their extreme beauty in the autumn. In October, it ranges between 15°C(59°C) and 21°C(69.8) in Chengdu. It is enough for you to wear just a shirt with a thin sweater in Chengdu. But if you are planning a tour to the western Sichuan high plateau, it is necessary to prepare thick down jackets to cope with the weather. It is colder in Daocheng Arden and Jiuzhaigou than in Chengdu. The temperature ranges from 1°C(33.8°F) to 15°C(59°F) in Daocheng Arden, and from 2°C(35.6°F) to 14°C(57.2°F) in Jiuzhaigou Valley.
Winter------Overcast with Less Sunshine and Rainfall
Compared with some other cities in the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River, the winter time in Chengdu is relatively shorter and warmer. It is from December to January. Chengdu also has the lowest annual sunshine in China. It is always cloudy and overcast in winter in Chengdu. The temperature ranges from -1°C(33.8°F) to 10°C(50°F).
Author: Tina Luo
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