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 The vast territory of China spans nearly 50
latitudinal degrees, and most of it is in the
temperate zone, with a small part extending south
into the tropical and subtropical zones and the
northernmost tip close to the Frigid Zone. There
are perennial icy and snowy zones in some alpine
regions. China is a world-renowned monsoon region,
where most parts are cold and dry in winter and
hot and rainy in summer.
Diverse temperature belts and arid and humid areas
have formed the country's complex climate, a complexity
that is enhanced by the country's variegated landform.
The northern part of Heilongjiang Province has
long winter but no summer, while the Hainan island
has long summer but no winter. The Huai River
valley is marked by distinct seasonal changes,
but it is spring all year round in the south Yunnan-
Guizhou Plateau. In the northwest hinterland,
the temperature changes strikingly.
Some deserts are perennially dry and rain-poor.
 Tibet
In Tibet you can easily get the impression that
all four seasons have been compressed into one
day. Temperatures which can vary from below zero
during the evening and early morning can soar
to a sizzling 38°C (100°F) at midday,
but it always feels re- markably coal in the shade.
Winter brings intense cold and fierce winds. Snowfall
is far less connnon in Tibet than the name 'Land
of Snows' implies - it's an arid place and the
sun is quick to melt off snowfalls. Rainfall is
scarcest in the north and west of Tibet. Northern
monsoons can sweep across the plains for days
on end, often whipping up dust storms, sandstorms,
snowstorms, or (only rarely) rainstorms.
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North |
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Winters ill the north fall between December
and March and are incredibly cold. North of the
Great Wall, into Inner Mongolia or Heilongjiang,
temperatures drop to 40°C and you'll see the
curious sight of sand dunes covered in snow. Sum-
mer in the north is around May to August. Spring
and autumn are the best times for visiting the
north. Daytime temperatures range from 20°C
to 30°C (68°F to 86°F) and there is
less rain. Although it can be quite hot during
the day, nights can be bitterly cold and bring
frost. |
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Central |
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In the Yangtze River valley area (including
Shanghai) summers are long, hot and humid. Wuhan,
Chongqing and Nanjing have been dubbed "the
three furnace" by the Chinese. Expect very
high temperatures any time between April and October.
Winters are short and cold, with temperatures
dipping below freezing. It can also be wet and
miserable at any time apart from summer. Spring
and autumn are ideal time to visit. |
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South |
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China's rivers amount to 220,000 km in total length.
The Yangtze and Huanghe (Yellow) are among the
world's mightiest rivers. Other renowned rivers
include the Heilongjiang, Songhuajiang, Pearl,
Liaohe, Haihe, Huaihe, Lancangjiang, Nujiang,
Yadung Zangbo, and Tarim. |
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North-West |
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It gets hot in summer, but at least it's dry.
The desert regions can be scorching in the daytime.
In winter this region is as formidably cold as the rest of northern China.
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