Ningxia Weather & Seasons - Best Time to Visit Ningxia

 

Ningxia, an oasis in the hinterland and away from the ocean, belongs to a typical continental climate with longer cold periods and short hot periods in general. Located in the middle of Yellow River valley, Ningxia can be divided into two geographical sections according to terrain – higher southern section (a part of the Loess Plateau) and lower northern section (the Ningxia Plain). As a result, the southern section usually has a warmer climate than the northern section. The annual temperature of Ningxia is around 18°C in the daytime and 5°C at night. The hottest month is July with the highest temperature of around 32°C and the coldest month is February with the lowest temperature of around -11°C. The temperature gap is also large between day and night, which can reach up to 15°C in the summer. As one of the areas with the most abundant sunshine and solar radiation in China, Ningxia's annual sunshine hours reach up to over 3,000 hours. The precipitation is not heavy, and the rainy season is concentrated in summer.

Best Time to Visit Ningxia

Generally, you are suggested to visit Ningxia from May to October, when it is rather warm and comfortable for a trip. If sweet and juicy fruit is one of your priorities, summer is a wonderful time. For those travelers who want to explore the whole process of making wine, September is a nice month. During the National Festival (1st – 8th October), it is be a little crowded to visit Ningxia, but better than visiting China''s top destinations like Beijing, Xian, Shanghai and Guilin.

Average Ningxia Temperature by Month

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Ningxia Seasons to Go

Ningxia in Spring (March, April, May)

The temperature begins to rise when spring comes, but it is still a little cold in Ningxia. The annual temperatures are 7°C in March, 14°C in April and 19°C in May. Sand storms may also occur in the northern part of Ningxia in March and April. Visiting Ningxia in late March, you can go to various places to appreciate the peach blossoms, including Peach Blossoms Forest in Shizuishan, Baohu Park in Yinchuan, Qingtaoxia Qingxiu Garden in Wuzhong, Shapotou Xiangshanhu Garden in Zhongwei, Xumi Grottoes in Guyuan.
Dressing Tips: It is recommended to wear down jackets, sweaters, winter coats, winter boots in March and early April. From May, you can wear long skirts and sweaters, windbreakers, casual clothes, jackets, etc. Remember to put on thick layers for cold night.
☛ 5 Days Ningxia Discovery Tour from Yinchuan to Zhongwei Shapotou
Ningxia Spring Blooming Peach Flowers in Yinchuan

Yinchuan Average Temperature

  • March: 5°C
  • April: 13°C
  • May: 18°C

Zhongwei Average Temperature

  • March: 4°C
  • April: 12°C
  • May: 16°C

Guyuan Average Temperature

  • March: 5°C
  • April: 10°C
  • May: 15°C
  • Rainfall: 0mm ~ 1mm

Ningxia in Summer (June, July, August)

Summer is the peak season for traveling in Xinjiang. The average temperature in July is 20 ~ 25 °C in Northern Xinjiang, with moderate temperatures. It is hot in the basin and desert. However, in mountainous areas, scenic areas like Tianshan Mountain, Altay mountain, and Kunlun Mountain, the average temperature in July is generally less than 10 °C. You can feel the feeling of "four seasons in a day" by traveling to Tianshan Mountain once. Therefore, even if you travel to the mountains in midsummer, you must take enough clothes to avoid freezing weather. The oasis temperature in southern Xinjiang Plain is 25 ~ 27 °C, which is slightly higher than that in North China Plain (23 ~ 25 °C); The average maximum temperature from June to August is above 38 °C. The extreme maximum temperature observed once was 49.6 °C, and the extreme maximum temperature on the ground was 76.6 °C.
Dressing Tips: To protect your skin from the strong UV, sun blocks and sunhats are recommended. We also suggest you bring and linen or cotton shirts, thin T-shirts or other breathable clothes for the daytime and an extra thick layer for the early morning and night.
☛4 Days Best of Ningxia Tour with Tengger Desert Adventure
Ningxia Autumn Shuidong Cave in Summer

Yinchuan Average Temperature

  • June: 22°C
  • July: 25°C
  • August: 23°C

Zhongwei Average Temperature

    • June: 21°C
    • July: 23°C
    • August: 22°C

Guyuan Average Temperature

  • June: 19°C
  • July: 21°C
  • August: 20°C

Ningxia in Autumn (September, October, November)

Ningxia has a cool autumn with an average temperature of around 11°C. It is still quite warm in September and you can have outdoor activities in Ningxia, such as hiking, desert camping, riding, etc. The temperature drops a bit in October, and it is still a good time to visit Ningxia. For hiking enthusiasts, October and November are both good time. The recommended hiking destinations include Helan Mountain, Liupan Mountain, Xumi Mountain, Luo Mountain, etc. November has a much lower temperature and not a good travel time. It usually begins to snow in November.
Dressing Tips: Visiting Ningxia in early autumn, you can prepare long skirts and thin sweaters, windbreakers and jackets. In late October and November, it is necessary to prepare some winter coats to keep warm.
☛ 6 Days Ningxia Luxury Homestay Tour with Winery and Desert Camping
Ningxia Autumn Liupanshan National Forest Park in Autumn

Yinchuan Average Temperature

  • September: 18°C
  • October: 12°C
  • November: 3°C

Zhongwei Average Temperature

  • September: 16°C
  • October: 10°C
  • November: 3°C

Yinchuan Average Temperature

  • September: 15°C
  • October: 9°C
  • November: 2°C

Ningxia in Winter (December, January, February)

Few travelers plan to visit Ningxia in winter, because of its cold temperature, dry air and fierce winds. It snows frequently in winter and the snow accumulates easily. The snow may cover the middle and high mountains in the whole winter.
Dressing Tips: It is important to prepare enough winter coats, leather jackets, down coats, sweaters, as well as snow boots, woolen hats, gloves and scarfs.
☛ 3 Days Yinchuan History and Culture Tour
Ningxia Winter Snow-capped Park in Yinchuan

Yinchuan Average Temperature

  • December: -5°C
  • January: -6°C
  • February: -2°C

Zhongwei Average Temperature

  • December: -4°C
  • January: -7°C
  • February: -3°C

Guyuan Average Temperature

  • December: -4°C
  • January: -5°C
  • February: -3°C

How to Plan A Yinchuan Tour

How to Get to Yinchuan: It is easy to take a flight to Yinchuan from Beijing (2.5h), Shanghai (about 3h), Xian (about 1.5 h), Guangzhou (about 3 h), Shenzhen (about 3.5h), Chengdu (about 1.5 h), Chongqing (about 2h), etc.

Best Time to Visit Yinchuan: May to October is the best time to visit Yinchuan. It is cold in late autumn and winter (November ~ next February) and rather windy in early and mid-spring (March and April).

Generally, a classic Yinchuan tour takes 3 days, and you can appreciate the amazing culture of the Western Xia Dynasty as well and the featured exotic charm quite different from the major cities in China. On your arrival day, take a short visit to the landmarks in Yinchuan City, such as Haibao Pagoda, Drum Tower, China-Arab Axis, etc. Then, spend a full day admiring the rich culture and art Ningxia in the Western Xia Imperial Tombs and the Rock Painting of Helan Mountain. Of course, you won’t miss one of the top wineries where a cup of wine is offered. Before leaving, get an excellent view of Yinchuan in Ningxia Museum and visit the underground tunnels in Shuidong Cave in half a day.

☛ 3 Days Yinchuan History and Culture Tour

A Ningxia tour with itinerary only in Yinchuan is not complete. For more incredible landscapes, don't hesitate to extending your tour to Zhongwei. The top-haves include a visit to Shapotou Desert with beautiful wilderness and interesting activities and a peaceful and luxury accommodation in Suji Yellow River. For travelers in search of adventure, take a Jeep Safari through Tengger Desert. With more time, go to Guyuan to be awed at the valuable grottoes art in Xumishan Grottoes. See all Ningxia Tour Packages>

☛4 Days Best of Ningxia Tour with Tengger Desert Adventure
☛ 5 Days Ningxia Discovery Tour from Yinchuan to Zhongwei Shapotou
☛ 6 Days Ningxia Luxury Homestay Tour with Winery and Desert Camping

Zhangye Danxia Lanform Our customer Jeff from USA visited Shapotou Desert in May 2021 Zhangye Danxia Lanform Our customer Jeff from USA visited Shapotou Desert in May 2021

Recommended Ningxia Tours

Top 3 Ningxia tours chosen by most customers to explore Ningxia in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary,or tailor your own trip now with us.

Jeep Safari in Tengger Desert (vehicle for reference only)

4 Days Best of Ningxia Tour with Tengger Desert Adventure

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Homestay in Suji Yellow River (for reference only)

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