AI-generatedXining at a glance
- Best time
- Apr – Jul
- Warmest month
- Jul · 26°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,540 h
- Rain a year
- 495 mm
- Climate
- Continental
- Time zone
- UTC+8
- Elevation
- 2,275 m
Climate in Xining
Xining has mild to warm summers and cold winters with occasional snow. July is the warmest month with average highs of 26 °C, while January is the coolest at 3 °C. With around 2,540 hours of sunshine a year, Xining is sunny; April is the sunniest month with 7.8 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Xining
The best time to visit Xining is from April to July. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from May to July and in October. Rain is frequent from August to September; the wettest month is August with 93 mm.
Xining through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Xining in spring
Mar – May
Good
- 12–21 °C by day
- 7.6 h of sun a day
- 21 rainy days in all
Xining in summer
Jun – Aug
Good
- 24–26 °C by day
- 7.3 h of sun a day
- 36 rainy days in all
Xining in autumn
Sep – Nov
Good
- 10–21 °C by day
- 6.4 h of sun a day
- 28 rainy days in all
Xining in winter
Dec – Feb
Fair
- 3–7 °C by day
- 6.5 h of sun a day
- 4 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No sea nearby
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
May – Jul, Oct
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Aug – Sep
Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days
Snow
Mar – Apr, Nov
Snow on 2 or more days
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Xining for you.
Your best months: May – June
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Weather in October
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Good
Best time to visit: April – July
Good forSightseeing & walks
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 4°
- Midday, 13:00: about 15°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 15°
- Evening, 20:00: about 10°
- Night, 23:00: about 7°
07:1918:38
Cold evenings: bring a warm jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 07:03–07:54 · evening 18:03–18:54
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:53–07:03 · evening 18:54–19:04
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
October in Xining compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs fall from about 18° at the start of the month to 13° at the end. The days get 1.1 h shorter.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 18° | 13° |
| Night-time low | 5° | −2° |
| Daylight | 11.9 h | 10.8 h |
What is the weather like in Xining in October?
In October, Xining is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 2 °C. The sun shines for around 6.5 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 45 mm in total. Snow falls on about 2 days. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Xining.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 19 min07:19 – 18:38
- UV index
- 6 · highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 9 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 53 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Snow days
- 2 days1 cm or more of fresh snowAll months
- Time zone
- UTC+8offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %77 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %58 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %58 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.
What to pack in October
- Sunscreen
- A jumper for the evenings
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Compare two months in Xining
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
April has the better holiday weather in Xining: score 89 against 68. In April, days are 2 °C warmer than in October. April has 3 fewer rainy days. The sun shines an hour longer a day in April.
| Month | October | April |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 68 | 89better |
| Daytime high | 16° | 18° |
| Night-time low | 2° | 3° |
| Sunshine | 6.5 h | 7.8 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 10 | 7better |
| Rainfall | 45 mm | 33 mmbetter |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Xining month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
41January3° · 6.3 h
In January, Xining is cold: daytime highs average 3 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−13 °C). Expect around 6.3 hours of sunshine a day. It hardly ever rains. All in all, January is a so-so month for a holiday in Xining.
Xining in January44February7° · 7.1 h
In February, Xining is cold: daytime highs average 7 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−9 °C). The sun shines for around 7.1 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. Snow falls on about 2 days. All in all, February is a so-so month for a holiday in Xining.
Xining in February64March12° · 7.2 h
In March, Xining is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−3 °C). The sun shines for around 7.2 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 5 days bring 15 mm in total. Snow falls on about 3 days. All in all, March is a good month for a holiday in Xining.
Xining in March89April18° · 7.8 h
In April, Xining is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. The sun shines for around 7.8 hours a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 33 mm. Snow falls on about 3 days. All in all, April is an excellent month for a holiday in Xining.
Xining in April84May21° · 7.8 h
In May, Xining is warm: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sun shines for around 7.8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 54 mm in total. All in all, May is an excellent month for a holiday in Xining.
Xining in May80June24° · 7.7 h
In June, Xining is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sun shines for around 7.7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 67 mm in total. All in all, June is an excellent month for a holiday in Xining.
Xining in June78July26° · 7.2 h
In July, Xining is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sun shines for around 7.2 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 77 mm in total. On about 5 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Xining.
Xining in July73August25° · 7.0 h
In August, Xining is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sun shines for around 7.0 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 93 mm in total. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in Xining.
Xining in August66September21° · 6.0 h
In September, Xining is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. Expect around 6.0 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 92 mm. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in Xining.
Xining in September68October16° · 6.5 h
In October, Xining is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 2 °C. The sun shines for around 6.5 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 45 mm in total. Snow falls on about 2 days. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Xining.
Xining in October51November10° · 6.7 h
In November, Xining is cold: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−5 °C). The sun shines for around 6.7 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 3 days bring 10 mm in total. Snow falls on about 2 days. All in all, November is a so-so month for a holiday in Xining.
Xining in November41December5° · 6.2 h
In December, Xining is cold: daytime highs average 5 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−11 °C). Expect around 6.2 hours of sunshine a day. It hardly ever rains. All in all, December is a so-so month for a holiday in Xining.
Xining in DecemberClimate in detail
Year & climate table
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Xining
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Frost below 0°
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
ColdOctober: nights around 2°. The room should be heated.
The coolest nights are in January (−13°), the warmest in July (13°). Nights fall below 8 °C on average from October to May, so the room should be heated.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 41 | 3° | −13° | 6.3 h | 1 | 3 |
| FebruaryFeb | 44 | 7° | −9° | 7.1 h | 2 | 5 |
| MarchMar | 64 | 12° | −3° | 7.2 h | 5 | 15 |
| AprilApr | 89 | 18° | 3° | 7.8 h | 7 | 33 |
| MayMay | 84 | 21° | 7° | 7.8 h | 9 | 54 |
| JuneJun | 80 | 24° | 10° | 7.7 h | 11 | 67 |
| JulyJul | 78 | 26° | 13° | 7.2 h | 12 | 77 |
| AugustAug | 73 | 25° | 12° | 7.0 h | 13 | 93 |
| SeptemberSep | 66 | 21° | 9° | 6.0 h | 15 | 92 |
| OctoberOct | 68 | 16° | 2° | 6.5 h | 10 | 45 |
| NovemberNov | 51 | 10° | −5° | 6.7 h | 3 | 10 |
| DecemberDec | 41 | 5° | −11° | 6.2 h | 1 | 2 |
Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
36.63° N, 101.76° E · 2,275 m · Asia/Shanghai
Sunshine
Sunshine hours in Xining
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 6.5 of 11.3 hours of daylight in Xining, 58 % of the daylight hours.
Sunshine hours: measured at the weather station 4 km away, averages 1991–2020 (WMO climate normals). Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
Rain
Rain in Xining: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Xining has about 10 rainy days with 45 mm of rain in total.
UV index
UV index in Xining
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 6 · highSeek shade around midday; sunscreen SPF 30+, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 12).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 25 min
- Fair skin
- about 30 min
- Light brown skin
- about 40 min
- Olive skin
- about 55 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen the time, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Wind & clouds
Wind and clouds in Xining
How breezy and how cloudy Xining is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Xining typically peaks at 9 km/h during the day: Beaufort 2, light breeze or less.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 53 % of the sky over Xining: variable cloud, with about 6.5 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat & humidity
Heat and humidity in Xining
How often the day gets hot in Xining (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, Xining has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 16 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Snow
Snow in Xining
Snow is possible in Xining, but no month makes it likely: the chance of seeing snow during a week's stay, the days with fresh snow and how much falls. Tap a month to select it.
Snow calendar
- hardly any
- possible
- likely
- very likely
In October, Xining has about 2 days with at least 1 cm of fresh snow, 7 cm in total. The chance of seeing snow during a week's stay is 22 out of 100: possible.
Snow days bring at least 1 cm of fresh snow. Fresh snow comes from ERA5 snowfall (1996–2025) at the height of the place, not on the slopes above it; the snow chance also weighs whether the snow settles. An estimate from climate averages, not a snow report.
Planning a trip to Xining
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Xining in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Xining has its best school-holiday weather during May half-term (score 83) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 41).
- 82
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Excellent
- 16 °C by day
- 7.6 h of sun a day
- 6 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Snow
- 83
May half-term
May – Jun
ExcellentBest holidays
- 22 °C by day
- 7.8 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 75
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Good
- 26 °C by day
- 7.1 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 68
October half-term
Oct
Good
- 16 °C by day
- 6.5 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 41
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Fair
- 4 °C by day
- 6.3 h of sun a day
- 1 rainy day a month
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 9 h 45 min
- Distance
- 7,650 km
- Time zone
- UTC+8
- Jet lag
- About 7 days (7 h east)
Rule of thumb for flying east: for a few days before, go to bed and get up a little earlier, and get plenty of morning light at your destination.
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Good to know: China
- Currency
- Chinese Yuan (CNY)
- Language
- Chinese
- Sockets
- Type A, C, I · 220 V
- Traffic
- Drives on the right
- Dialling code
- +86
UK plugs need a travel adapter
Sources: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0). Please check details before you travel.
Compare & alternatives
Compare with another place
Xining compared
Put Xining side by side with another destination.
Xining vs Lanzhou
In October Lanzhou has the better holiday weather (score 86 vs 68). During the day Lanzhou is 2 °C warmer than Xining.
| in October | Xining | Lanzhou |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 68 | 86 |
| Daytime high | 16° | 18° |
| Sunshine | 7 h | 7 h |
| Rainy days | 10 | 7 |
| Best time | Apr – Jul | Apr – May, Sep – Oct |
Through the year
Best places in the country
China in October: the best places
In October, Xining ranks 22 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Dunhuang20°95
- 2Zhangye17°94
- 3Yinchuan18°93
- 4Jiuquan16°89
- 5Golmud14°89
- 6Pingyao19°89
- 7Lanzhou18°86
- 8Baotou16°86
- 22XiningThis page16°68
Places nearby
Near Xining
Other destinations close by.
Places with a similar climate
Places with a climate like Xining
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Xining's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Xining
When is the best time to visit Xining?
The best time to visit Xining is from April to July. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
What is the warmest month in Xining?
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 26 °C and nights around 13 °C. January is the coolest month at 3 °C.
When does it rain most in Xining?
Rain is frequent from August to September; the wettest month is August with 93 mm. The driest month is December with 2 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Xining get?
Xining gets around 2,540 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is April with 7.8 hours a day; in September there are 6.0 hours a day.
What time zone is Xining in?
Xining is on UTC+8 all year.
How long is the flight from London to Xining?
A nonstop flight from London to Xining takes about 9 h 45 min, for a straight-line distance of about 7,650 km.
Which school holidays are best for Xining?
Xining has its best school-holiday weather during May half-term (score 83) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 41). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 82, May half-term 83, summer holidays 75, October half-term 68, Christmas holidays 41.