When to Visit Guangzhou: Weather, Typhoons, Busy Weeks

Which months are best for Guangzhou?

November to February. The climate normals for 1991 to 2020 show highs of 19°C to 25°C and 33 to 56 mm of rain in these months. March is warmer and wetter, and from April the heat and rain build.

Source: WMO Climatological Standard Normals 1991 to 2020, Guangzhou station 59287, submitted by China. Rainy days are days with at least 1 mm of rain. The verdicts are our judgement from these numbers.

In autumn, local people climb Baiyun Mountain around the Double Ninth festival (重阳节); the scenic area can set special fares and hours for those days.

A traveller on r/guangzhou gave the top-voted reply to a post about a poor trip in July 2026: “For one, never go in the summer.” Another wrote that “it’s grey and raining” after seeing sunny videos. The data support both comments.

When is typhoon season?

June to October, with a peak from July to September. The Hong Kong Observatory says tropical cyclones usually affect Hong Kong between June and October, peaking between July and September. Its statement is about Hong Kong, not Guangzhou, but the two share the Pearl River Delta coast. We found no Guangzhou-specific official statement.

If you travel in this window, buy flexible tickets and keep a rain plan. Museums and malls work as indoor options, as the things to do guide shows.

When will it be crowded?

Golden Weeks and Canton Fair phases push crowds and prices up. The 2026 dates:

• Labour Day: May 1 to 5, 2026.
• National Day: October 1 to 7, 2026.
• Autumn Canton Fair (140th session): October 15 to November 4, 2026, in three phases.
• Spring Canton Fair (141st session): expected from mid-April 2027, dates to be confirmed. See Canton Fair spring 2027 dates.

A traveller on r/guangzhou wrote in September 2026 that hotel prices “double/triple from the 3rd week of October onwards”, and that people said to avoid going before October 7. These are traveller reports, not price data. We had no 2027 holiday notice at the time of writing. The State Council usually publishes the next year’s schedule late in the year, so check it before you book.

On the metro, travellers call Line 3 the “death line” for its crowds. Read where to stay in Guangzhou to pick a hotel near the lines you will use.

What about mosquitoes and illness?

Bring repellent. Travellers on r/guangzhou complain of mosquitoes, and one asked in August 2025 whether to cancel plans because of chikungunya. China CDC’s weekly reporting covers the 2025 outbreak, which centred on Foshan in Guangdong. We cannot tell you the current status. Check your government’s travel health advice and official updates before you fly, and see a doctor if you feel ill. Our guide to hospitals in Guangzhou explains how care works.

How should I plan by season?

• November to February: best for walking, parks and day trips. Pack a light jacket for evenings, because lows fall to 11°C in December and January.
• March to May: bring rain gear. Book hotels early in April for the fair.
• June to September: only if you must. Plan indoor days, drink water and expect storms.
• October: dry weather, but see the crowd dates above.

If your reason for coming is the fair, plan around its phases and read the Canton Fair first-timer guide. If you are unsure the trip is worth it at all, read is Guangzhou worth visiting.