Chongqing Climate & Weather

Chongqing is located on the Yangtze River, in the transition area between the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Middle-lower Yangtze Plain. Due to its geographic position and heavy industrial development, Chongqing is known for its fog and suffers from very heavy air pollution. Foggy weather is most prevalent during Spring and Winter days, which bestow this city with the "Fog Capital" title. The air quality in the warmer months as well as the winter can be challenging to people with respiratory problems due to massive amounts of smog. Chongqing has been ranked by the World Bank as one of the most polluted cities in the world.

 

Chongqing has a four-season humid subtropical climate, with monsoonal influences that typify much of East Asia. Chongqing receives abundant rainfall, averaging about 1000 to 1400 mm (39 to 55 inches) annually. It has plenty of evening rain all year round but it's best to visit the city during Spring, Autumn and Winter.

Four seasons in Chongqing

* Spring is foggy  

* Summer is hot and very wet

* Autumn is hot and rainy

* Winter is mild and damp

 

The annual average temperature is 18 C to 20 C with a low temperature of 4 C in winter and a high temperature of 40 C in Summer. Chongqing is famous for its hot Summer weather and the city is known as one of 'the three furnace cities'. The other two are Nanjing and Wuhan.

 

Best time to visit Chongqing:

The hottest months are also the rainiest months. In Summer, the rain, humidity and high temperatures make the city uncomfortable. Travel during Winter is probably too cold and bleak.

 

Chongqing’s Spring is cold and foggy. In January, the average temperature is 7.2 °C.  Don’t leave windows open when you go out or you may find your room wet from condensation when you return.

 

The Summers are among the hottest and most humid in China, with an average August temperature of 28.0 °C and highs of 33 to 34 °C in the city centre. Bring light clothing such as T-shirts, shorts and sandals if you come in Summer; and remember to bring an umbrella, sunglasses, and sunscreen lotion to avoid the heat of the “burning furnace”.

 

In Autumn, the temperature remains high and rainy days continue well into the season. When it is sunny it will be very hot and you’ll need protection from the direct sunlight, so your umbrella will be your friend for most of Autumn.

 

Winter is somewhat mild, but damp and overcast. December will be cold in Chongqing, with the temperature at about 5~8C. You should wear warm clothes, such as down jacket and woollen sweater. You may need to take an umbrella with you because Chongqing's weather is changeable due to being surrounded by many mountains and rivers. In addition, winter is the driest season in Chongqing. If you are on a business trip, be careful to get up early, for traffic-jams are common.   

 

Try to plan your Chongqing tour to avoid the peak holidays. Because they are popular with Chinese tourists, Chongqing attractions become more crowded in these periods.

 

The most crowded seasons in China are Chinese Spring Festival (usually in late Jan or early Feb.), International Labor Day (May 01 to 03) and National Day (Oct 01-07). Spring Festival and the National Day golden week are the most crowded time for travelling.