China Typhoon Season: What Travelers Need to Know

Typhoons affect coastal China from May through November, with peak activity July-September. If you're traveling to southern or eastern coastal areas, here's what to know.

When Is Typhoon Season?

Timeline

Period	Activity Level
May-June	Early season, occasional storms
July-September	Peak season (most typhoons)
October-November	Late season, declining
December-April	Very rare

Peak month: August

Annual Frequency

China's coast sees 6-10 significant typhoons annually, with 2-4 typically making landfall.

Which Areas Are Affected?

High Risk

South China coast:

• Guangdong Province (including Shenzhen, Guangzhou)
• Hainan Island
• Hong Kong
• Macau
• Fujian Province (including Xiamen)

Moderate Risk

East China coast:

• Zhejiang Province (including Hangzhou)
• Shanghai
• Jiangsu Province
• Taiwan (not PRC but affects region)

Low Risk

Northern and inland areas:

• Beijing
• Xi'an
• Chengdu
• Kunming
• Most of interior China

Typhoons rarely reach these areas with significant strength.

What to Expect

Before a Typhoon

Warning systems:

• China Meteorological Administration issues alerts
• Blue/Yellow/Orange/Red warning levels
• Hotels and transportation companies monitor
• News coverage increases

Signs:

• Flight cancellations or delays
• Train service warnings
• Increased rain and wind
• Warnings in hotel/public areas

During a Typhoon

What happens:

• Heavy rain (potential flooding)
• Strong winds (can damage structures)
• Storm surge in coastal areas
• Power outages possible
• Transportation shutdown

Impact Duration

• Typically 1-3 days of severe weather
• Additional days for recovery
• Services resume gradually

Impact on Travel

Flights

Expect:

• Cancellations before and during typhoon
• Delays after
• Rebooking needed

What to do:

• Check flight status regularly
• Contact airline early
• Have backup plans
• Consider travel insurance

Trains

High-speed rail:

• May be suspended during severe storms
• Usually resumes quickly after

Local transport:

• Metro may reduce service
• Buses may stop
• Ferries definitely cancelled

Attractions

• Outdoor attractions close
• Some indoor sites remain open
• Check before heading out
• Don't ignore closures

Safety Guidelines

If a Typhoon Is Coming

1. Stay informed: Monitor local news, hotel announcements
2. Stay indoors: Don't go sightseeing
3. Stock up: Water, snacks, phone charged
4. Away from windows: Flying debris is dangerous
5. Follow instructions: Heed official warnings

What NOT to Do

• Go to the beach to watch
• Drive unnecessarily
• Walk in flooded streets
• Ignore evacuation orders
• Assume it will miss you

After the Typhoon

• Wait for all-clear announcement
• Watch for flooding/debris
• Check transportation status
• Expect some delays resuming normal service

Planning Around Typhoon Season

Lower Risk Approach

Visit coastal areas:

• May-June (early season, fewer storms)
• October-November (late season)
• Avoid July-September if flexible

If You Must Travel Peak Season

• Get travel insurance (weather coverage)
• Build flexibility into itinerary
• Have backup indoor activities
• Monitor forecasts before departure
• Accept potential disruption

Typhoon-Proof Destinations

Interior China is unaffected:

• Beijing (though can get storms)
• Xi'an
• Chengdu
• Yunnan Province
• Gansu (Silk Road)
• Tibet

These areas don't see typhoons.

Weather Monitoring

Resources

English-language:

• Weather.com (international)
• AccuWeather
• Windy.com
• Hong Kong Observatory (detailed for region)

Chinese:

• China Meteorological Administration
• Local news apps

Warning Levels

Color	Meaning
Blue	Typhoon may affect area
Yellow	Significant impact expected
Orange	Severe impact imminent
Red	Extreme conditions, shelter immediately

The Reality

It's Usually Fine

• Most trips unaffected by typhoons
• Weather forecasting gives advance warning
• Cities handle storms regularly
• Recovery is usually quick

But Be Prepared

• Build 1-2 buffer days into coastal trips
• Don't book non-refundable everything
• Have contingency plans
• Accept weather as part of travel

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Planning coastal China travel? The China Survival Kit includes weather resources, regional guides, and travel planning tools.