Weather in Chengde

Planning a trip or a walk around Chengde? In this section, you will find the most up-to-date weather information, including detailed forecasts and useful charts, to ensure your holiday is as comfortable as possible.

The climate in Chengde can be characterized as continental, with four clearly defined seasons. This means that significant fluctuations in temperature and weather conditions are observed throughout the year. Travellers should consider these seasonal changes when planning a trip.

Winters in Chengde (from December to February) are cold and predominantly dry, with average temperatures often dropping significantly below zero, especially in January. Precipitation during this period is minimal. Summers (from June to August), on the contrary, are warm and occasionally hot, with average temperatures that are comfortable for walking and outdoor activities. July is the warmest month, as well as the month with the highest amount of rainfall and rainy days.

Spring (from March to May) and autumn (from September to November) are transitional seasons. In spring, gradual warming occurs, while in autumn, the temperature smoothly decreases, preparing the city for winter. The amount of precipitation during these periods is moderate, making spring and autumn also attractive times for visiting Chengde.

The annual temperature progression in Chengde demonstrates a significant contrast between seasons. The coldest month is January, when the average temperature drops to -7.7°C, and night-time lows can reach -13.5°C. Daytime highs in January rarely rise above -1.8°C. The hottest period falls in July, with an average temperature of 24.0°C. At this time, daytime heat can reach 28.4°C, while nights remain warm with temperatures around 19.6°C. Thus, the annual amplitude of average temperatures is more than 30 degrees, which is characteristic of a continental climate.

Summer in Chengde, covering June, July, and August, is characterized by warmth and occasional heat. Average daytime temperatures in June are around 27.7°C, rise to 28.4°C in July, and hold at 27.0°C in August. Nights in the summer months are also warm: average minimum temperatures range from 15.8°C in June to 19.6°C in July. Although summer is the warmest season, the difference between day and night temperatures remains noticeable, averaging 9-12°C. This provides some relief from the daytime heat in the evening and night hours, making being outdoors more comfortable.

Winter in Chengde, lasting from December to February, is quite harsh and frosty. Average temperatures in December and January hold at -7.1°C and -7.7°C respectively, with night frosts reaching -12.2°C in December and -13.5°C in January. Even during the day, the thermometer in these months usually does not rise above -2.0°C. February brings some softening, but the average temperature still remains negative (-4.1°C), with night-time lows around -9.8°C and daytime highs around 1.7°C. A characteristic feature of the winter period, like other seasons in Chengde, is substantial daily temperature fluctuations, where the difference between day and night readings can exceed 10-12°C, which is worth considering when choosing clothes.

Chengde has a climate with distinct precipitation seasonality, although the overall level throughout the year remains low. Winter months are distinguished by particular dryness, while summer brings the majority of the annual moisture norm. Spring and autumn serve as transitional periods with minimal precipitation.

Summer is the "wettest" season in Chengde, if one can say so given the generally low level of precipitation. July stands out as the month with the maximum amount of rainfall – about 6 mm – and the highest number of wet days, reaching an average of 16. It is followed by August, when about 5 mm of precipitation falls, and the number of wet days is approximately 13. In June, preceding the peak of summer humidity, about 2 mm of precipitation falls, but the number of days with precipitation already increases to 10. This suggests that summer precipitation, being more frequent than in other seasons, likely takes the form of light or moderate rains.

Winter in Chengde, covering the period from December to February, is characterized as an extremely dry season. In January, February, and December, the average monthly recorded precipitation is 0 mm. However, statistics note 1-2 "wet days" in each of these months. This discrepancy may indicate the presence of trace precipitation not reaching a measurable level of 1 mm, or days with high humidity or fog. Given the consistently negative average temperatures in the winter period, any significant moisture would fall as snow; however, the provided data indicates a practical absence of noticeable snowfall or rain.

Spring months (March, April, May) and autumn months (September, October, November) are transitional and are also characterized by a small amount of precipitation, usually within 1-2 mm per month. The number of days with precipitation during these periods ranges from 3 to 7, which makes spring and autumn relatively dry and comfortable for visiting Chengde, with a low probability of encountering prolonged rainfall.

When packing your suitcase for a trip to Chengde, it is important to consider significant seasonal weather fluctuations. Regardless of the time of year, comfortable walking shoes will be your best companion, as the city and its surroundings are perfect for long walks. The principle of layering clothes is also universal: it will allow you to easily adapt to temperature changes throughout the day, which is especially relevant for spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), when the weather can be changeable. In these transitional seasons, it is worth taking both light items and warmer ones, for example, a sweater or a light jacket.

If your trip falls in summer (June-August), pack light and breathable clothing made from natural fabrics such as cotton or linen. Do not forget sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, as the sun can be active. July and August are the months with the highest amount of precipitation and rainy days, so a light umbrella or a compact raincoat may prove very useful. Winter months (December-February) in Chengde are cold and predominantly dry. You will need truly warm clothes: sweaters, fleece jumpers, perhaps thermal underwear, as well as a warm winter jacket, hat, scarf, and gloves. Despite low temperatures, significant snowfall does not usually occur, so the main focus should be placed specifically on protection from the frost.