Beijing Municipality in January

April through May and September through October give you Beijing at its best. Spring brings clear skies and comfortable temperatures around 15-20°C. The city shakes off winter's grip and locals emerge for outdoor dining in hutong courtyards. Fall might be even better — crisp air, golden leaves in Beihai Park, and that perfect jacket weather for walking the Great Wall. Summer is hot, humid, and crowded. Temperatures hit 35°C and the pollution gets trapped by the humidity. But summer also means longer days and outdoor night markets in full swing. Winter drops to -10°C and brings occasional snow that makes the Forbidden City look magical. Just bundle up and expect shorter daylight hours. Here's the reality check: air quality varies wildly year-round. Download an air quality app and plan indoor activities for high pollution days. The government sometimes seeds clouds before major events, giving you surprisingly clear skies.