When should I visit Beijing, China, for the best experience?

Summer is hot and wet; winter is dry and cold. The Temple of Heaven park and internal monuments have different seasonal hours. Early October public holidays can bring heavy crowds.

Beijing is hot and humid in summer, cold and dry in winter, and more comfortable for prolonged walking during April–May and September–October. City government guidance places the Summer Palace's autumn foliage around late October to mid-November and ginkgo colors at Temple of Heaven around late October to early November. Temple of Heaven park grounds list 6:00 a.m. entry April–October and 6:30 a.m. entry November–March, while inner monuments have shorter hours and may require separate tickets. Spring dust can occur and early October's National Day holiday brings heavy domestic crowds.

Yellow ginkgo leaves, red palace walls and broad ceremonial avenues define Beijing's autumn scenery.

Entry to a park does not guarantee entry to every enclosed historic monument inside it; confirm the separate ticket and schedule.

• 1. Explore Temple of Heaven early.
• 2. Walk an old neighborhood or central landmark in afternoon.
• 3. Reserve a different day for a Great Wall section.

Festival crowds, Monday museum closures, spring dust and summer heat can change the most sensible schedule. National entry rules sit above all of that: a visa must be obtained before arriving, the passport has to be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of arrival with a minimum of 2 blank pages, arrivals have to register within 24 hours at a hotel or residence, no more than 20,000 renminbi may be brought in or taken out, and the country's advisory stands at Level 2, exercise increased caution.

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