Best time to visit Qingdao
The best time to visit Qingdao is September–October, judged on twenty years of weather records and the events worth going for.
Qingdao, Shandong, China
°C
mm
- Average daily high and low
- Precipitation
- Good month
- Best month
- Made good or best by an event
| Month | Average daily high | Average daily low | Precipitation | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3.7 °C / 39 °F | 0.3 °C / 33 °F | 10 mm / 0.4 in | neither best nor good |
| February | 4.1 °C / 39 °F | 1.1 °C / 34 °F | 17 mm / 0.7 in | neither best nor good |
| March | 7.4 °C / 45 °F | 4.8 °C / 41 °F | 30 mm / 1.2 in | neither best nor good |
| April | 11.5 °C / 53 °F | 9.3 °C / 49 °F | 39 mm / 1.5 in | neither best nor good |
| May | 16.5 °C / 62 °F | 14.5 °C / 58 °F | 61 mm / 2.4 in | good month |
| June | 20.8 °C / 69 °F | 19.4 °C / 67 °F | 76 mm / 3 in | good month |
| July | 25.3 °C / 78 °F | 23.9 °C / 75 °F | 178 mm / 7 in | neither best nor good |
| August | 27.1 °C / 81 °F | 25.4 °C / 78 °F | 167 mm / 6.6 in | neither best nor good |
| September | 24.1 °C / 75 °F | 22 °C / 72 °F | 103 mm / 4 in | best month |
| October | 19.3 °C / 67 °F | 16.7 °C / 62 °F | 47 mm / 1.9 in | best month |
| November | 13.3 °C / 56 °F | 10 °C / 50 °F | 34 mm / 1.3 in | good month |
| December | 6.4 °C / 44 °F | 2.9 °C / 37 °F | 17 mm / 0.7 in | neither best nor good |
Good and best months depend on more than temperature, rain and events. How they are chosen
Each activity on this page has its own good and best months, rated on twenty years of daily weather records. Which measures count, and how much, depends on the activity: humidity for exploring outdoors, wind for the beach, hiking and skiing, snow for skiing alone. Between them, the activities are rated on:
- Daytime highs
- Night-time lows
- How warm it feels
- Humidity
- How much of the day is sunny
- Hours of daylight
- Monthly rainfall
- How many days it rains
- Days of heavy rain
- Wind
- Snowfall and days with snow
- Major events, such as festivals
The chart shows the good and best months for exploring outdoors.
The event icon marks a month that an event lifts to good or best, such as a festival or a natural spectacle. Choose “Weather only” in the toolbar to rate the months on weather alone.
Best months by activity
Exploring outdoors
Mild days and nights, mostly dry and bright. The default for 'when should I go'.
- JJanuary: neither
- FFebruary: neither
- MMarch: neither
- AApril: neither
- MMay: good
- JJune: good
- JJuly: neither
- AAugust: neither
- SSeptember: best
- OOctober: best
- NNovember: good
- DDecember: neither
- Best
- September–October
- Good
- May–June, November
Qingdao's exploring weather peaks in the mild, dry autumn of September-October, is good but muggy in May-June and cool in November, and is worst in the freezing, windy winter (December-March) and in the hot, humid, rain-soaked July-August.
Why these months
May · good
In its favour: feels like (high) 15.6 °C / 60 °F, precipitation 61 mm / 2.4 in, share of daylight that is sunny 76%, average daily high 16.5 °C / 62 °F, wet days 5.8 days, days with heavy rain 2 days, average daily low 14.5 °C / 58 °F.
Against: relative humidity 82%.
Also on: Wild azalea blossoms at Dazhu Mountain, Zhanshan Temple lunar 4th-month gathering.
June · good
In its favour: feels like (high) 22.6 °C / 73 °F, average daily high 20.8 °C / 69 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 74%, precipitation 76 mm / 3 in, wet days 6.2 days, days with heavy rain 2.4 days, average daily low 19.4 °C / 67 °F.
Against: relative humidity 90%.
September · best
In its favour: feels like (high) 25.7 °C / 78 °F, average daily high 24.1 °C / 75 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 75%, wet days 6.8 days, precipitation 103 mm / 4 in, average daily low 22 °C / 72 °F.
Against: days with heavy rain 3 days, relative humidity 74%.
October · best
In its favour: feels like (high) 18 °C / 64 °F, average daily high 19.3 °C / 67 °F, precipitation 47 mm / 1.9 in, share of daylight that is sunny 79%, wet days 5 days, days with heavy rain 1.3 days, average daily low 16.7 °C / 62 °F, relative humidity 66%.
Watch out for: National Day Golden Week travel rush.
November · good
In its favour: precipitation 34 mm / 1.3 in, share of daylight that is sunny 76%, wet days 4.6 days, days with heavy rain 1.1 days, average daily low 10 °C / 50 °F, relative humidity 65%.
Against: feels like (high) 9.7 °C / 49 °F, average daily high 13.3 °C / 56 °F, wind (daily max) 30 km/h / 19 mph.
Beach and swimming
Hot, dry and sunny. Penalises the monsoon hard.
- JJanuary: neither
- FFebruary: neither
- MMarch: neither
- AApril: neither
- MMay: neither
- JJune: neither
- JJuly: good
- AAugust: best
- SSeptember: good
- OOctober: neither
- NNovember: neither
- DDecember: neither
- Best
- August
- Good
- July, September
The sea and air only warm up enough for a proper beach trip from July to September, peaking in August when both sea (28.5C) and air are near ideal despite frequent showers; the rest of the year the sea is too cold to swim in.
Why these months
July · good
In its favour: average daily high 25.3 °C / 78 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 67%, feels like (high) 29.4 °C / 85 °F, average daily low 23.9 °C / 75 °F, wind (daily max) 24 km/h / 15 mph.
Against: days with heavy rain 5.2 days, wet days 10.5 days, precipitation 178 mm / 7 in.
August · best
In its favour: average daily high 27.1 °C / 81 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 71%, feels like (high) 31.6 °C / 89 °F, average daily low 25.4 °C / 78 °F, wind (daily max) 23 km/h / 15 mph.
Against: wet days 11.6 days, days with heavy rain 4.6 days, precipitation 167 mm / 6.6 in.
Also on: Qingdao International Beer Festival.
September · good
In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 75%, feels like (high) 25.7 °C / 78 °F, wet days 6.8 days, average daily low 22 °C / 72 °F, wind (daily max) 23 km/h / 15 mph.
Against: average daily high 24.1 °C / 75 °F, days with heavy rain 3 days, precipitation 103 mm / 4 in.
Hiking and trekking
Cool enough to climb in, dry enough to enjoy, long enough days.
- JJanuary: neither
- FFebruary: neither
- MMarch: neither
- AApril: good
- MMay: best
- JJune: best
- JJuly: neither
- AAugust: neither
- SSeptember: good
- OOctober: best
- NNovember: good
- DDecember: neither
- Best
- May–June, October
- Good
- April, September, November
Qingdao hikes best in the cool, dry, sunny shoulder months of May-June and again in October, with April, September and November still good; deep winter (December-March) is too cold and windy, and mid-summer (July-August) turns warm, humid and rain-soaked for the trails.
Why these months
April · good
In its favour: average daily high 11.5 °C / 53 °F, precipitation 39 mm / 1.5 in, wet days 5 days, days with heavy rain 1.1 days, average daily low 9.3 °C / 49 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 77%, daylight per day 13.1 h.
Against: wind (daily max) 29 km/h / 18 mph, feels like (high) 9 °C / 48 °F.
Also on: Wild azalea blossoms at Dazhu Mountain.
May · best
In its favour: average daily high 16.5 °C / 62 °F, precipitation 61 mm / 2.4 in, wet days 5.8 days, feels like (high) 15.6 °C / 60 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 76%, daylight per day 14.1 h, average daily low 14.5 °C / 58 °F, wind (daily max) 27 km/h / 17 mph.
Against: days with heavy rain 2 days.
Also on: Wild azalea blossoms at Dazhu Mountain, Zhanshan Temple lunar 4th-month gathering.
June · best
In its favour: average daily high 20.8 °C / 69 °F, precipitation 76 mm / 3 in, wet days 6.2 days, share of daylight that is sunny 74%, daylight per day 14.6 h, feels like (high) 22.6 °C / 73 °F, wind (daily max) 24 km/h / 15 mph.
Against: days with heavy rain 2.4 days, average daily low 19.4 °C / 67 °F.
September · good
In its favour: average daily high 24.1 °C / 75 °F, wet days 6.8 days, precipitation 103 mm / 4 in, share of daylight that is sunny 75%, daylight per day 12.4 h, wind (daily max) 23 km/h / 15 mph, feels like (high) 25.7 °C / 78 °F.
Against: days with heavy rain 3 days, average daily low 22 °C / 72 °F.
October · best
In its favour: average daily high 19.3 °C / 67 °F, precipitation 47 mm / 1.9 in, wet days 5 days, days with heavy rain 1.3 days, feels like (high) 18 °C / 64 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 79%, daylight per day 11.3 h, average daily low 16.7 °C / 62 °F, wind (daily max) 27 km/h / 17 mph.
Watch out for: National Day Golden Week travel rush.
November · good
In its favour: average daily high 13.3 °C / 56 °F, precipitation 34 mm / 1.3 in, wet days 4.6 days, days with heavy rain 1.1 days, average daily low 10 °C / 50 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 76%, daylight per day 10.3 h.
Against: wind (daily max) 30 km/h / 19 mph, feels like (high) 9.7 °C / 49 °F, sunshine per day 7.8 h.
An activity is listed only where it applies: skiing at ski destinations, beach and swimming at beach destinations. The nearest ski area is 金山岭滑雪场, 581 km away.
Weather averages
Monthly averages over twenty years, 2006–2025. Highs, lows and precipitation are in the chart at the top.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feels like (high) | -1.2 °C | -0.4 °C | 3.7 °C | 9 °C | 15.6 °C | 22.6 °C | 29.4 °C | 31.6 °C | 25.7 °C | 18 °C | 9.7 °C | 1.4 °C |
| Days with heavy rain | 0.1 days | 0.3 days | 0.9 days | 1.1 days | 2 days | 2.4 days | 5.2 days | 4.6 days | 3 days | 1.3 days | 1.1 days | 0.5 days |
| Time rain usually falls | 2 am | 11 pm | 7 am | 6 am | 11 am | 7 am | 7 am | 6 am | 1 am | 2 am | 7 am | 9 am |
| Sunshine per day | 8.3 h | 8.5 h | 9.8 h | 10.1 h | 10.7 h | 10.8 h | 9.6 h | 9.6 h | 9.3 h | 8.9 h | 7.8 h | 7.8 h |
| Relative humidity | 66% | 70% | 74% | 78% | 82% | 90% | 90% | 84% | 74% | 66% | 65% | 63% |
Sea temperature
Averaged over a shorter period (2022–2025) than the twenty-year averages above.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea temperature 2022–2025 | 5.7 °C | 4.3 °C | 6.4 °C | 10.8 °C | 15.4 °C | 20.8 °C | 25.4 °C | 28.5 °C | 26.6 °C | 22.1 °C | 16.6 °C | 9.9 °C |
| Sea temperature (daily max) 2022–2025 | 5.8 °C | 4.4 °C | 6.7 °C | 11.1 °C | 15.8 °C | 21.2 °C | 25.9 °C | 28.8 °C | 26.9 °C | 22.3 °C | 16.8 °C | 10.1 °C |
- Very cold 10 °C or less
- Cold 10 to 15 °C
- Cool 15 to 20 °C
- Comfortable 20 to 25 °C
- Warm 25 to 28 °C
- Very warm over 28 °C
The words describe how the water feels to swim in. They are ours, not an official standard.
Air quality
Averaged over a shorter period (2022–2025) than the twenty-year averages above, and not counted towards good or best months.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air pollution (PM2.5) 2022–2025 | 42.2 µg/m³ | 39.6 µg/m³ | 46.3 µg/m³ | 40.8 µg/m³ | 38.2 µg/m³ | 36.1 µg/m³ | 29.4 µg/m³ | 31.3 µg/m³ | 24.1 µg/m³ | 26.8 µg/m³ | 32 µg/m³ | 34.6 µg/m³ |
| Air pollution (PM2.5, daily peak) 2022–2025 | 73.1 µg/m³ | 64.5 µg/m³ | 74.8 µg/m³ | 68 µg/m³ | 64.8 µg/m³ | 61.1 µg/m³ | 44.4 µg/m³ | 51.6 µg/m³ | 37.4 µg/m³ | 40.8 µg/m³ | 51.6 µg/m³ | 57.4 µg/m³ |
- Good 15 µg/m³ or less
- Fair 15 to 25 µg/m³
- Moderate 25 to 37.5 µg/m³
- Poor 37.5 to 50 µg/m³
- Very poor 50 to 75 µg/m³
- Extremely poor over 75 µg/m³
Each figure is compared with the World Health Organization's guideline for a day's air, 15 µg/m³ or less, and with its interim targets above that. The words are ours: the WHO does not name its steps. The figures are modelled monthly averages, so single days can be well above them. The daily peak is the average of each day's highest hour, shaded on the same scale.
Events and seasons
What the weather records cannot show. A major event can lift a month to good or best. The warnings are there to help you plan, and never count against a month.
Reasons to go
- Wild azalea blossoms at Dazhu Mountain
March, April and May
- Zhanshan Temple lunar 4th-month gathering
May, dates vary from year to year
- Qingdao International Beer Festival
21–31 August
Worth knowing before you go
- Chinese New Year Golden Week travel rush
January and February, dates vary from year to year
- National Day Golden Week travel rush
1–7 October