When to go · Harbin
Harbin in May
Mixed month. Outside the best window (Jan (ice festival), Jun–Aug (cool summer)). Across China: Warm and clear, but the 1–5 May holiday packs every sight; go after the 6th.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) / 10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 51
- Crowds
- High
- China overall
- Prices
- High
- China overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Jan (ice festival), Jun–Aug (cool summer)). Across China: Warm and clear, but the 1–5 May holiday packs every sight; go after the 6th.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
- JuneGreatInside Harbin's best window: Jan (ice festival), Jun–Aug (cool summer).
- JulyGreatInside Harbin's best window: Jan (ice festival), Jun–Aug (cool summer).
- AugustGreatInside Harbin's best window: Jan (ice festival), Jun–Aug (cool summer).
- JanuaryGreatInside Harbin's best window: Jan (ice festival), Jun–Aug (cool summer).
Weather in May
- HarbinHighs around 22 °C (72 °F), lows around 10 °C (50 °F), rain on about 51 daysHighs around 72 °F (22 °C), lows around 50 °F (10 °C), rain on about 51 days
- Northeast, China · Harbin, Changchun, Shenyangbest weather
Winters to −25 °C (−13 °F); the Harbin Ice and Snow World runs roughly late December to February.Winters to −13 °F (−25 °C); the Harbin Ice and Snow World runs roughly late December to February.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Labour Day (May Day) big impact
1–5 May · China
Five-day holiday with make-up working days around it; the Great Wall, West Lake and the Bund packed.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · China overall
- High
- Prices · China overall
- High
China overall: Warm and clear, but the 1–5 May holiday packs every sight; go after the 6th.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Harbin, side by side.
Verdict
May: Mixed
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 22 °C (72 °F)72 °F (22 °C)
Jan: -12 °C (10 °F)10 °F (-12 °C)
Night low
May: 10 °C (50 °F)50 °F (10 °C)
Jan: -22 °C (−8 °F)−8 °F (-22 °C)
Rain days
May: 51
Jan: 4 (better)
Crowds
May: High
Jan: Medium
Prices
May: High
Jan: Medium
Festivals listed
May: 1
Jan: 1
May: Outside the best window (Jan (ice festival), Jun–Aug (cool summer)). Across China: Warm and clear, but the 1–5 May holiday packs every sight; go after the 6th.
January: Inside Harbin's best window: Jan (ice festival), Jun–Aug (cool summer).
Harbin: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm layer for the evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast