Hangzhou Climate

In terms of beauty, Hangzhou is picturesque all year round. In spring and summer, the trees turn green and the air is sweet. In winter, the snow falls on the lake creating a picture- postcard atmosphere about the city and in autumn, the temperature is pleasant and balmy and the sky a delightful color of amber.

In terms of comfort however, the heat can be unbearably intense during the summer. Fortunately, the many trees around the lake and in the hills do provide cover from the worst of the sun. The average temperature in the summer months is about 29 degrees centigrade.

Hangzhou's winters are never absolutely freezing and even in January, which is the coldest month, the average temperature is about 3 degrees centigrade. However, many places are not equipped with heating systems, making the winters much harder to bear as compared to the northern cities like Beijing. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant months and last for about two or three months each. There are often rainy showers during this period but the Lake takes on an almost mystical appearance in the fog and the respite from the heat the showers bring is often welcome.