Henan is a landlocked province in central China, on the middle Yellow River, that held the capitals of several dynasties. It is home to the Shaolin Temple, the Longmen Grottoes, the Shang dynasty Yin Ruins and Song dynasty Kaifeng, all linked by fast high-speed rail from Zhengzhou.
Henan has a continental monsoon climate with four distinct seasons: cold, dry winters, warm, dusty springs, hot and humid summers with concentrated rainfall, and cool, clear autumns. Zhengzhou and Luoyang sit on the North China Plain at roughly 100-150 m elevation, with annual rainfall of about 600-650 mm, about half of it falling in July and August. The Song Mountain, Yuntai Mountain and Taihang ranges are cooler and can be up to 8-10°C colder than the plain. Figures below are approximate long-term averages for Zhengzhou; Luoyang is within about 1°C.
Best time to visit
Best: April and October
Best Reason: April brings mild temperatures (highs about 23°C in Zhengzhou and Luoyang) and the Luoyang Peony Cultural Festival, while October delivers crisp, dry weather, clear skies and the Kaifeng Chrysanthemum Festival (mid October to late November). Both months are ideal for Shaolin Temple, Longmen Grottoes and the Kaifeng city walls.
Peak Season: 1-7 October (National Day Golden Week), the Luoyang peony peak in mid April, May Day holiday (1-5 May) and Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) travel
Avoid: Late June to August for heat, humidity and severe rainstorms; December to February for cold, dry weather and smog
Avoid Reason: July and August combine 33-35°C heat with humid conditions and intense thunderstorms; the 20 July 2021 Zhengzhou floods followed record rainfall. Winter is cold (often below freezing overnight), dry, and prone to smog episodes on the northern plain, while March-May dust can reduce air quality.
Summary: April and October (with late September to early November also good)
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
January
1°C/34°F (Zhengzhou; high 6°C, low -2°C; about 8 mm rain)
Cold and dry with occasional smog; quiet sights and low hotel prices, but Spring Festival travel can start in late January
February
4°C/39°F (Zhengzhou; high 10°C, low -1°C; about 12 mm rain)
Cold and dry, warming slightly; Spring Festival and Lantern Festival fairs in Kaifeng and Luoyang
March
10°C/50°F (Zhengzhou; high 16°C, low 5°C; about 23 mm rain)
Spring begins; blossoms open but dust storms and windy days are possible
April
17°C/63°F (Zhengzhou; high 23°C, low 11°C; about 40 mm rain)
Pleasant and green; Luoyang Peony Festival at its peak in mid April draws large crowds
May
22°C/72°F (Zhengzhou; high 29°C, low 16°C; about 55 mm rain)
Warm and comfortable, with hot spells late in the month; May Day holiday crowds early on
June
27°C/81°F (Zhengzhou; high 34°C, low 21°C; about 65 mm rain)
Hot and getting humid; wheat harvest on the plain, occasional dry hot winds
July
28°C/82°F (Zhengzhou; high 33°C, low 24°C; about 150 mm rain)
Hot, humid and the wettest month; severe thunderstorms and flash flooding possible, as in Zhengzhou on 20 July 2021
August
26°C/79°F (Zhengzhou; high 31°C, low 22°C; about 120 mm rain)
Still hot and humid with heavy rain and typhoon remnants; the summer holiday brings domestic tour groups
September
22°C/72°F (Zhengzhou; high 27°C, low 16°C; about 65 mm rain)
Cooling and clearer; a good month for outdoor sights, with rain tapering off
October
16°C/61°F (Zhengzhou; high 22°C, low 10°C; about 40 mm rain)
Dry and crisp; the Kaifeng Chrysanthemum Festival opens mid-month, and Golden Week (1-7 October) is very crowded
November
8°C/46°F (Zhengzhou; high 14°C, low 3°C; about 27 mm rain)
Cool and dry with the Kaifeng chrysanthemum show continuing and autumn colour in the mountains; smog begins as heating starts
December
2°C/36°F (Zhengzhou; high 8°C, low -1°C; about 9 mm rain)
Cold and dry with a risk of smog; few visitors and low prices
The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
Spring
Months: Mar-May
Warming quickly from around 10°C in March to 22°C in May (highs 16-29°C). Peonies bloom in Luoyang from early to late April and cherry and peach blossoms flower in March and April. Dust and sandstorms from the north can hit in March and April, and pollen and willow catkins affect allergy sufferers.
Summer
Months: Jun-Aug
Hot and humid with highs of 33-35°C in June and July (feels hotter), heavy thunderstorms and the monsoon peak in July and August. Zhengzhou saw catastrophic flooding on 20 July 2021. Mount Song and Yuntai Mountain are cooler alternatives.
Fall
Months: Sep-Nov
The best season: dry, clear and crisp, with highs of 27°C in September falling to 14°C in November. The Kaifeng Chrysanthemum Festival runs from mid October to late November, and foliage colours the Taihang and Yuntai mountains in late October and early November.
Winter
Months: Dec-Feb
Cold and dry with highs 6-10°C and lows around -2°C, occasional light snow, and air pollution episodes. Chinese New Year (late January or February) brings a short domestic travel surge and some closures.
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- High Season
- 1-7 October (Golden Week), 1-5 May, mid April (Luoyang peonies), Chinese New Year, and school summer holidays in July-August
- Shoulder Season
- Late April, May, September and late October to November
- Low Season
- December to February (excluding Spring Festival) and the hot, wet weeks of late July and August
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Luoyang Peony Cultural Festival
Luoyang's peony festival is one of China's best-known flower festivals, held at Wangcheng Park, Zhongzhou Peony Garden and other venues, with tens of thousands of blooms and cultural performances
Kaifeng Chrysanthemum Festival
Kaifeng, the official 'chrysanthemum city', displays thousands of varieties in Longting Park, Iron Pagoda Park and along the streets during the autumn festival
Shaolin Kung Fu Festival, Dengfeng
Martial arts events and demonstrations centred on Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng; dates change between editions, so check the Dengfeng or Henan tourism sites before travel
Spring Festival and Lantern Festival fairs
Temple fairs, lantern displays and fireworks in Kaifeng, Luoyang and Zhengzhou; many businesses close for several days
2021 Zhengzhou floods anniversary
Record rainfall on 20 July 2021 flooded Zhengzhou and killed hundreds across Henan; the event is remembered locally, and July rain warnings are taken seriously