Liaoning is a province in northeast China on the Bohai and Yellow Seas, bordering North Korea along the Yalu River. It combines Shenyang's Qing-dynasty imperial heritage, Dalian's beaches and European-style squares, Dandong's view across the border, and a long Great Wall coastline at Hushan and Xingcheng. Liaoning is also the heartland of Dongbei cuisine: dumplings, barbecue, stews, and fresh Yellow Sea seafood.
Liaoning has a monsoon-influenced continental climate with a strong north-south and coast-inland split. Inland Shenyang has long, dry, very cold winters (January average -11 C, nights to -20 C) and hot humid summers (July average 25 C, with most rain in July and August). Coastal Dalian is moderated by the Yellow Sea, with milder winters (January average -3 C), cooler summers (August 25 C) and frequent sea fog in May to July. Spring is short, windy and dry; autumn is clear and comfortable and is the best season overall.
Best time to visit
Summary: Late May-June and September to mid-October are the best times, with mild weather, clear skies and fewer crowds than July-August or National Day week.
Best: Late
Avoid: January-February for cold (unless visiting for snow), 1-7 October for crowds, and July-August for rain and beach crowds
Peak Season: July-August and 1-7 October
Notes: Sea swimming is practical only in July-early September; Benxi Guanmenshan foliage peaks in the middle of October; Dalian sea fog is common from May to July.
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
January
Shenyang -11C/12F, Dalian -3C/27F
Coldest month; snow in Shenyang, ice-and-snow events, and lowest prices
February
Shenyang -7C/19F, Dalian -1C/30F
Chinese New Year period; very cold, festive markets, big domestic travel crowds
March
Shenyang 1C/34F, Dalian 4C/39F
Thaw and wind; cold seas, mud and dust, few visitors
April
Shenyang 10C/50F, Dalian 10C/50F
Warming with cherry and apricot blossom in Dalian's Lushun and Shenyang parks
May
Shenyang 18C/64F, Dalian 16C/61F
Pleasant; acacia flowers bloom in Dalian and sea fog can appear on the coast
June
Shenyang 22C/72F, Dalian 20C/68F
Warm and green; beaches open, sea still cool, occasional sea fog
July
Shenyang 25C/77F, Dalian 24C/75F
Hot and humid with heavy rain; peak beach season and Dalian International Beer Festival
August
Shenyang 24C/75F, Dalian 25C/77F
Warmest sea at about 24 C; peak crowds, occasional typhoon remnants, jellyfish
September
Shenyang 18C/64F, Dalian 21C/70F
Clear, comfortable and drier; Dalian Fashion Festival period and warm sea
October
Shenyang 10C/50F, Dalian 14C/57F
Golden foliage at Guanmenshan (Benxi); 1-7 October national holiday crowds
November
Shenyang 0C/32F, Dalian 6C/43F
Cold and grey; heating starts and air quality drops in Shenyang
December
Shenyang -8C/18F, Dalian -1C/30F
Deep winter begins; ice-and-snow attractions and hot-pot season
The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
Spring
Months: Mar-May
Cold and windy in March, warming to 10-18 C by April and May; Shenyang sees dust, and Dalian's acacia trees bloom in May. Sea water is still cold, at 5-12 C.
Summer
Months: Jun-Aug
Warm to hot and humid, with July and August highs of 28-31 C in Shenyang and 24-27 C in Dalian; the sea reaches 22-25 C for swimming, and heavy rain and typhoon remnants arrive in July and August. Peak beach and beer-festival season.
Fall
Months: Sep-Nov
September and October are dry, clear and mild at 10-22 C, with autumn foliage in Benxi and Guanmenshan in mid-October; November turns cold and heating starts around 1 November.
Winter
Months: Dec-Feb
Cold and dry in Shenyang (highs -4 to -7 C, lows to -20 C), with snow and ice; Dalian is milder at -6 to 3 C. Skiing and ice-and-snow events run in the Shenyang area. Many outdoor sites are quiet.
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- High Season
- Jul-Aug (Dalian beaches and Beer Festival), 1-7 October (National Day) and Chinese New Year week
- Shoulder Season
- May-Jun, Sep-Oct excluding the National Day week
- Low Season
- Nov-Mar (cold, quiet, lowest prices), except Chinese New Year
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Dalian Acacia Flower Festival
The city's white acacia trees bloom along Dalian's boulevards and hills, with flower fairs and city parks celebrating the seasonal bloom
Dalian International Beer Festival
A large annual beer festival with live music and food stalls, held at Xinghai Square and in the Golden Pebble Beach area (check the exact date on official notices)
Dalian International Fashion Festival
One of China's oldest fashion festivals, with runway shows, exhibitions and city events across Dalian
Benxi Guanmenshan Red Leaf Festival
Guanmenshan (关门山) turns red and orange, drawing photographers and hikers to the mountains and Benxi Water Cave region
Shenyang Ice and Snow Season
Ski resorts near Shenyang such as Qipanshan and the Beiling ice-and-snow parks open for skiing, ice sculpture and winter fun
Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)
Fireworks, temple fairs and lantern displays; many shops close for several days, transport is crowded, and hotel prices rise