Dalian Climate & Weather

Briefing

The city's climate is a monsoon-influenced humid continental climate, characterised by humid summers due to the East Asian monsoon, and cold, windy, dry winters that reflect the influence of the vast Siberian anticyclone. The city experiences a one-month seasonal lag due to its position on the Liaodong Peninsula. Average temperatures range from −3.9 °C in January to 24.1 °C in August. Annual precipitation averages 602 millimetres but is heavily concentrated in the summer months and can vary greatly from year to year. Despite the coastal location, the area receives 2740 hours of sunshine per year, or 62.5% of the possible amount.

Falling within the temperate zone, it is the warmest place in Dongbei (the northeastern part of China). Unfortunately in summer, since it is a port city, it is sometimes plagued by monsoon. Generally speaking, Dalian has four distinct seasons, with no freezing winter or sweltering summer.

The annual average temperature stays somewhere around 10 degrees C.. August is the hottest month, when the daily temperature is infrequently below 24 degrees C., with extremes as high as 35. January is the coldest month, when it averages minus 4.9 degrees C., with extremes as low as minus 24.

Climate Data Table for Dalian

Month Item	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
maximum temperature (℃)	0.0	1.1	7.8	15.6	20.6	24.8	27.3	27.7	24.2	18.7	10.1	4.1
minimum temperature (℃)	-7.0	-5.3	0.6	7.1	12.0	17.1	21.2	22.5	16.6	11.2	3.5	-3.7
Rainfall (mm)	9	6	14	25.3	47.2	83.6	140.8	155.1	65.6	29.0	24.0	12.2
Days of rainfall	0.4	0.34	0.7	1.28	1.9	2.7	6.6	5.9	2.7	1.0	0.8	0.4

Tips for Dalian Weather

Best time to visit Dalian

The best time to travel is from May onwards when the Dalian Chinese Scholar Tree Blossom Affairs and Commodity Export Fair open in the city. They run through to mid-September. These mild and comfortable months welcome huge numbers of tourists from different areas in China and the world.

Late May to middle September is the peak travel season in Dalian when scenery is most beautiful and weather most pleasant but it's a bit crowded everywhere.

What to pack

If you want to travel Dalian in spring, you need to wear jackets, sweaters, shirts and jeans to protect yourself from the last of the winter cold.

The summer period from July to early September has an average temperature of around 20 C. If you travel to Dalian in summer, bring T-shirts, shorts, skirts, sandals, sunglasses, hats and suntan oil with you. The summer is also the rainy period in Dalian, however most rain falls at night. You will still need to take an umbrella or rainwear with you in the evenings.

In late September, Dalian welcomes autumn and the cold air begins to control this area. Whilst tourist crowds retreat from the seashores, it is a perfect time for fishing as it is the migrating season for fish.

From late November, the cold north winds become stronger and dominate the city till the following February. January is the coldest month and you need to wear an overcoat, sweater, jeans, gloves and warm shoes. Winter sports such as skiing, mountain climbing, horse-racing and winter swimming have attracted many sports adventurers who wish to spend the New Year period in the city.

Try to Avoid domestic travel seasons

Try to plan your Dalian tour to avoid the peak holidays. Because they are popular with Chinese tourists, Dalian attractions become more crowded in these periods.

The most crowded seasons in China are Chinese Spring Festival (usually in late Jan or early Feb.), International Labor Day (May 01 to 03) and National Day (Oct 01-07). Spring Festival and the National Day golden week are the most crowded time for travelling.

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