A Month-by-Month China Travel Guide: Where to Travel in China in May
A year-round guide to discovering China’s most beautiful, culturally rich, and seasonally perfect destinations.
May is China at her most comfortable — blue skies stretch over bright green rice fields, city parks explode in color, and alpine trails are just thawing. It’s a sweet spot: before the summer heat, after the spring drizzle, and far enough from major national holidays to still feel relaxed (unless you're traveling during the May Day Golden Week, of course). Whether you’re hiking sandstone cliffs or sipping espresso in a plane-tree-lined café, May feels like the beginning of something golden.
May
Mountain Peaks, Ancient Cities & Alpine Lakes
Shanghai
Garden walks, gallery crawls, and spring city buzz
In May, Shanghai is electric — and not just from its skyline. The city basks in its best weather of the year: sunny days, cool evenings, and a full calendar of outdoor markets, rooftop events, and exhibitions. It’s a great time to explore both sides of the city — the glossy, high-rise future and the leafy, lane-lined past.
Top things to do:
Wander the French Concession for art deco buildings, indie boutiques, and cafés under flowering plane trees.
Visit Yuyuan Garden early in the morning, before tour groups arrive, when the ponds and blossoms are still.
Catch sunset views from the Bund or a ferry on the Huangpu River.
Explore West Bund’s art district or M50 Creative Park for contemporary galleries and coffee stops.
What to eat: Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), spring bamboo shoots with Jinhua ham, sautéed river shrimp, and cooling herbal jelly from street vendors.
Travel tips:
Avoid May 1–5 if you can — it’s a national holiday week and attractions will be packed.
Rent a bike to explore riverside paths or take a side trip to nearby Suzhou or Zhujiajiao water town.
Don’t miss the outdoor jazz events, film festivals, and seasonal pop-ups across the city.
Pingyao, Shanxi
Time travel behind Ming walls
Walking through Pingyao Ancient City is like stepping into a scroll painting — its thick stone walls, lantern-lined lanes, and intact Ming and Qing architecture make it one of the best-preserved historical cities in China. In May, the days are dry and clear, ideal for wandering rooftops and alleyways without the summer crowds.
Top things to do:
Walk the full loop on top of the city walls for views over tiled roofs and watchtowers.
Explore the former banks and merchant courtyards that tell stories of China’s earliest financial systems.
Visit the Rishengchang Exchange House, known as the "origin of banking in China."
At night, watch the town glow red with lantern light — it feels untouched by time.
What to eat: Pingyao beef, handmade knife-cut noodles, wotou (millet steamed buns), and vinegar-based dishes.
Travel tips:
Stay inside the old city in a courtyard inn — they’re surprisingly affordable and atmospheric.
Trains from Taiyuan or Xi’an make access easy.
May is one of the driest, clearest months here — bring a hat and comfortable shoes for walking.
Dunhuang, Gansu
Silk Road sunsets and desert serenity
Tucked between sand dunes and the remnants of the Silk Road, Dunhuang is both ancient and otherworldly. May brings warm, dry weather, ideal for exploring the desert, Buddhist grottoes, and singing sands of western China.
Top things to do:
Marvel at the Mogao Caves — over 700 grottoes with some of the world’s finest Buddhist murals.
Ride a camel through the dunes of Mingsha Mountain and hear the "singing sands."
Catch sunset over Crescent Moon Lake — a desert oasis that has captivated travelers for centuries.
Visit the Dunhuang Museum and nearby Yumen Pass for ancient trade route history.
What to eat: Lamb skewers, hand-pulled noodles, apricot flower snacks, and Silk Road-style yogurt.
Travel tips:
May is warm but not yet scorching — ideal for sunrise and sunset dune walks.
Tickets for Mogao Caves are limited daily — book online in advance.
Combine with Jiayuguan or Zhangye Danxia for a full Silk Road loop.
Doacheng Yading, Sichuan
Sacred peaks, alpine meadows, and a land of silence
Known as the “last Shangri-La,” Daocheng Yading is a Tibetan region of glacial lakes, snow-capped sacred mountains, and crystal-clear skies. In May, the trails start to reopen after winter snow, offering breathtaking views with relatively few tourists.
Top things to do:
Hike the trails around the three holy mountains: Chenrezig, Jampayang, and Chanadorje.
Visit the turquoise waters of Milk Lake and Five-Color Lake — some of the most sacred places in Tibetan Buddhism.
Explore Yading Village and Tibetan guesthouses set among spring flowers and yak pastures.
Stargaze — the high-altitude sky is shockingly clear.
What to eat: Tibetan butter tea, barley bread, yak hotpot, and tsampa (roasted barley flour with tea and sugar).
Travel tips:
Altitude here is no joke — acclimate in Daocheng (3,700m) before heading into the reserve (up to 4,700m).
May is shoulder season: some snow may remain, but trails are mostly open and crowds are low.
Bring sunblock, water, and warm clothing — conditions change quickly.
Wulong Karst, Chongqing
Caves, cliffs, and epic backdrops
Wulong Karst National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and geological wonder. In May, the lush cliffs and limestone formations come alive with greenery and waterfalls. The area is famous for its colossal sinkholes and caves — and a certain James Bond chase scene (from Transformers 4, if you’re keeping score).
Top things to do:
Explore the Three Natural Bridges — enormous stone arches carved by millennia of water.
Hike down into the Houping Giant Doline (a massive sinkhole), surrounded by rainforest.
Walk across glass bridges with views into sheer drops.
Visit Furong Cave, one of the most spectacular cave systems in Asia.
What to eat: Chongqing hotpot (with local mushrooms), pickled vegetables, and cured bacon with wild greens.
Travel tips:
Base yourself in Wulong town or take a day trip from Chongqing (about 3–4 hours).
Early May is perfect for hiking — waterfalls are flowing, but paths aren’t slippery yet.
Don’t confuse this with Zhangjiajie — both have cliffs, but Wulong is more about caves and natural arches.
Zhangjiajie, Hunan
Avatar mountains and vertigo-inducing viewpoints
This surreal stone forest of sandstone pillars, caves, and misty peaks is where James Cameron’s Avatar found its visual inspiration. And May is one of the best months to visit: waterfalls are flowing, temperatures are pleasant, and the crowds are manageable (outside the holiday week).
Top things to do:
Ride the Bailong Elevator (the world’s tallest outdoor lift) up the cliffs.
Walk the famous glass bridge over the Grand Canyon — 300 meters above the valley floor.
Hike quiet trails through Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain for foggy views and floating pillars.
Take a side trip to Tianmen Mountain and walk the cliff-hugging “Heaven’s Gate” skywalk.
What to eat: Sour fish stew, wild mountain vegetables, chili tofu, and steamed sticky rice with pork belly.
Travel tips:
Early morning or late afternoon hikes are best for photo-worthy mist and soft light.
Stay at a guesthouse near the park entrance in Wulingyuan for early access.
Bring layers — it’s warm at the base, cooler on the peaks.
May is the month when everything opens — mountain passes, wildflower trails, courtyard cafés, and riverside paths. It’s a time of fullness without frenzy, when the scenery is lush, the skies are kind, and the roads are calling. From ancient cities to dreamlike deserts, May gives you all of China’s geography in one season — and every reason to step outside.
Ready to turn these ideas into a plan? Save your top picks and start building your route. And get ready, June takes you higher still, to grasslands, salt lakes, and endless blue skies.