Best time to visit Guangdong

[lesthean]

Hello- I am hoping to visit my ancestral home in Dan Shui, Guandgong in 2012.
It will be my first time in China and I am both excited and anxious about this trip.I had thought about visiting Dan Shui in August, at the tail end of a business trip.
However, I have been told it is hot then.Heat would not be a real problem but can anyone tell me if it is typhoon season then?

Thanks, Les

[Henry]

Hi Les,

According to:http://www.travelchinaguide.com/climate/

"Monsoon

In summer, a southeast monsoon from the western Pacific Ocean and a southwest monsoon from the equatorial Indian Ocean blow onto the Chinese mainland. These monsoons are the main cause of rainfall. Starting in April and May, the summer rainy season monsoons hit the southern provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan. In June, the rains blow northward, and South China gets more rainfall with the poetic name, plum-rain weather, since this is the moment when plums mellow. North China greets its rainy season in July and August, says farewell in September; gradually in October the summer monsoons retreat from Chinese land. Eastern China experiences many climate changes, while the northwest area is a non-monsoon region."

As for me, I think April & October are good months to visit, however, you need to be aware that the first week in May (Labor Day) within China is quite a busy week and also that the first week in October is for celebrating China's National day - one of the two Golden weeks, the other is Spring Festival (Chinese New Year).


Henry

[gzgirl]

As Henry says, the monsoons (and the heat) retreat in October. All of November and most of December are usually nice weather and dry. End of January through March tend to be cool (40 to 50 F) and rainy. Since many buildings lack central heating it can be an uncomfortable time to be here. On the plus side, weeks like Golden Week may mean family members return to the villages and more folks may be available for conversation but official records will be tough to access around holiday times.

[harc3]

I went from mid April until mid May and it was great weatherwise and heatwise

[lesthean]

Thanks everyone for your help.

Les