When to go: the short answer
There is no single best date. The climate table below points to April, May, September and October as the mildest windows for walking around the temple, the pagoda forest and the mountain paths. That is an editorial reading of old city data, not a forecast and not an official recommendation. Holidays matter as much as weather: Chinese public holidays fill the area with domestic visitors.
Summer is hot and has the heaviest rain, with July the wettest month. Winter is cold and dry, with average lows below freezing from December to February. The temple can be visited in every season, but check the current opening hours and any path closures before you go.
Climate by month
Monthly averages for Zhengzhou, the nearest city with published data.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5.6 °C (42 °F) | -4.6 °C (24 °F) | 9 mm |
| February | 7.8 °C (46 °F) | -2.5 °C (28 °F) | 14 mm |
| March | 14.2 °C (58 °F) | 2.6 °C (37 °F) | 25 mm |
| April | 21.3 °C (70 °F) | 9.1 °C (48 °F) | 48 mm |
| May | 27.4 °C (81 °F) | 14.6 °C (58 °F) | 52 mm |
| June | 32.0 °C (90 °F) | 19.8 °C (68 °F) | 61 mm |
| July | 32.1 °C (90 °F) | 22.8 °C (73 °F) | 147 mm |
| August | 30.8 °C (87 °F) | 21.7 °C (71 °F) | 117 mm |
| September | 26.3 °C (79 °F) | 16.0 °C (61 °F) | 90 mm |
| October | 21.3 °C (70 °F) | 9.9 °C (50 °F) | 47 mm |
| November | 14.0 °C (57 °F) | 3.1 °C (38 °F) | 26 mm |
| December | 7.6 °C (46 °F) | -2.8 °C (27 °F) | 9 mm |
How to read the table: the figures come from the World Meteorological Organization's weather service, supplied by the China Meteorological Administration. They are monthly means of daily highs and lows and total rainfall. The data set dates from 2002 and does not state a standard 30-year period. It describes Zhengzhou, not Dengfeng and not the mountain paths, which can differ a lot from the city. Use it for orientation only.
Our picks: a temple ticket you can reserve
A standard temple ticket with QR entry and a reservation service, handy to book ahead for the holiday weeks.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Shaolin tours from Zhengzhou and Luoyang
Day trips to the temple, the pagoda forest and Dengfeng, with live prices and availability.
Season by season
What each season means on site.
Spring (March to May)
March is still cold in the morning, with an average low of 2.6 °C (37 °F). April and May warm up to highs of 21 to 27 °C (70 to 81 °F) with moderate rain. This is a comfortable range for the long walks around the pagoda forest and on Mount Song. Labor Day (1 to 5 May in 2026) brings crowds.
Summer (June to August)
Highs reach 31 to 32 °C (about 88 to 90 °F), nights stay warm, and July and August bring 147 mm and 117 mm of rain. Plan the outdoor parts early, keep the day flexible and carry rain gear. Heavy rain can close sights and paths at short notice, so confirm access for cable cars and mountain routes on the day.
Fall (September to November)
September is still warm and wet at 90 mm. October and November are drier and cooler. The slopes around the pagoda forest turn to fall colors, as the photo at the top shows. The National Day holiday (1 to 7 October in 2026) and the Mid-Autumn Festival (25 to 27 September in 2026) make the first half of fall busy.
Winter (December to February)
Average highs stay below 8 °C (46 °F) and lows drop to -4.6 °C (24 °F) in January. Rain is low, at 9 to 14 mm a month. The Spring Festival holiday (15 to 23 February in 2026) brings domestic visitors. Dress in layers and check whether mountain paths and cable cars are running.
Holidays, crowds and opening hours
The factors that change a visit more than the weather.
Public holidays 2026
The State Council lists Spring Festival (15 to 23 February), Labor Day (1 to 5 May), Mid-Autumn Festival (25 to 27 September) and National Day (1 to 7 October). Dates shift every year, so check the calendar for your travel year. Do not assume the longer holiday blocks of 2025 repeat.
Crowds
For the May 2026 holiday, the local government reported more visitors and income and added temporary shuttle and parking arrangements. Wait times and daily numbers at Shaolin are not published. On a holiday, arrive early. Free holiday shuttles were a temporary measure, not a year-round rule.
Opening hours
Sources disagree. One travel guide lists 06:30 to 18:00 from March to September and 07:00 to 17:30 from October to February. A booking platform lists 08:00 to 17:00 all year with last entry at 16:30. Check the current hours before you go, and plan to be inside early in any case. See tickets and prices.
Longmen Grottoes
The grottoes near Luoyang have their own seasonal hours: 08:00 to 18:00 from 1 March to 31 October and 08:00 to 17:00 from 1 November to the end of February. They are a separate day, see the Longmen Grottoes page.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where the dates fit.
Best time to visit Shaolin: frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Shaolin Temple?
On climate numbers alone, April, May, September and October are the mildest months and not yet the wettest. That is an editorial reading, not an official recommendation. Avoid Chinese public holidays if you dislike crowds.
Is Shaolin Temple open in winter?
Yes, it can be visited in every season. Winter is cold, with average lows below freezing from December to February. Check opening hours and the status of mountain paths and cable cars first.
Is summer a bad time to go?
It is hot and wet rather than bad. July has the most rain, so go early in the day, keep the schedule loose and confirm that paths and cable cars are open.
How crowded is Shaolin on Chinese holidays?
Holidays bring more domestic visitors, and the local government added temporary shuttle and parking arrangements for the May 2026 holiday. No official queue times are published. Arrive early.
Can I use the Zhengzhou weather for the mountain?
Only as a rough guide. The table is for the city, and the data set dates from 2002. Mountain paths can differ a lot, so check a current forecast for Dengfeng before you hike.