The month in detail
What to expect in May
Spring marks the start of the good season in Chongqing. Temperatures rise (79°F) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. Expect rain on 35% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if September (7.8/10) remains theoretically better.
May ranks 2 out of 12 months in Chongqing. Compared to April: +5°F daytime.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
6 · moderate
protect during midday hours
Feels like
muggy at times
18°
Daylight
13.5h of daylight
Air quality
poor
AQI 74
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in Chongqing is September (7.8/10), 0.2 pt higher than May.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Chongqing
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
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Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Chongqing
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a city break.
Country · China
🗣️LanguageMandarin
💶CurrencyYuan renminbi (¥)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate
📈Climate trend ⓘ+2.57°F/decade
🔥Hottest monthAugust · 93°F
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 52°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘApril · 35%
🏛️ City break
📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August
☔Indoor sights ⓘYear-round
🚇Public transportGood
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Chongqing ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
ChinaTemperate climate with a 7.8 → 4.1 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
29.56°N · 106.55°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Chongqing?
September is the best month with 82°F highs, 72°F lows, 3.4h of sunshine and 32.0% rainy days. The months of September & June offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Chongqing get in September?
Chongqing averages 3.4 sunshine hours per day in September. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.4/10.
What is the rainiest month in Chongqing?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Chongqing in September?
In September, overnight lows reach 72°F, while afternoon highs average 82°F.
Is Chongqing good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Chongqing scores 4.0/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains September with a score of 7.4/10.
When should you avoid Chongqing?
January is the most difficult month to visit Chongqing, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Do you need sun protection in Chongqing in May?
The average UV index reaches 6 in May in Chongqing (moderate), with about 13.5h of daylight. Protect during midday hours.