Guangzhou Weather in May

 Season: Summer 
Guangzhou’s weather in May shows the traces of summer, with warmer and warmer temperatures. May is also the peak rainy period, featured by frequent and heavy downpours. But they usually last shorter than half an hour. However, by the end of the month, the rain becomes heavier and lasts longer. It makes the air highly humid, leading to quite muggy and sticky feelings. If you are planning a trip to Guangzhou in May, it’s best to avoid the May Day Holiday, falling in early May. 
 Due to Guangzhou's low latitude, the city welcomes summer in May, earlier than northern cities. The daytime highs usually range from 23 to 30°C (73-86°F). By the end of the month, the weather would feel much hotter, and the highest temperature can reach 37°C (99°F). What’s more, as a coastal city, Guangzhou is well-known for high humidity, making the perceived temperature at least 8°C higher than the actual weather. Therefore, it’s best to avoid going out during midday hours. If you can’t stand the heat, White Cloud Mountain is a good place to escape the heat, with large areas of shade. 

When the sky turns totally dark, the temperature cools a bit, with nighttime lows of 19-24 degrees Celsius (66-75 degrees Fahrenheit). But when the sun just sets, at around 19:00, it still feels muggy, with temperature generally staying around 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit). 
 With the convergence of cold and warm air masses, May falls within Guangzhou’s rainy season, with frequent and heavy rainfall. The average monthly precipitation reaches 284 mm over 18 rainy days. The rain usually only lasts around 20-30 minutes, and can help cool temperatures down a bit. 

However, entering late May, the city usually welcomes a peak in rainfall, with large amounts of precipitation and lasting for a long time. But don’t worry. The rain generally falls from late at night through the early morning. Therefore, your daily travel plans won’t be interrupted significantly. Even so, visitors are advised to arrange some indoor attractions or museums as backup options in case heavy downpours interrupt outdoor plans.
 Guangzhou’s climate in May is pretty wet, with an average humidity level reaching 84%. Coupled with high temperatures, visitors walking on the street may feel muggy and sticky, just like in the sauna room. After rain, the real-time humidity figure can approach saturation, so it’s best to prepare extra layers in your suitcase to change into. 
 Sunrise Time: 5:44-5:57 
Sunset Time: 19:09-19:16
Daylight Hours: 13H12M-13H32M

Guangzhou in May has quite long daytime periods, giving visitors more time to explore the city at a relaxed pace. Even if rain temporarily interrupts sightseeing, the long daylight hours still leave enough time to continue exploring once the weather improves. Plus, after sunset, visitors can enjoy attractions such as the Pearl River waterfront, the illuminated Canton Tower or Guangzhou's lively food streets without feeling rushed. 

May is dominated by rainy or gray days. The amount of actual sunshine is often much lower than the length of the day. On sunny days, however, strong ultraviolet radiation should not be ignored. The peak UV index can reach 11 and even higher, making sun-protective measures essential. 
  Upper clothing: Lightweight and breathable clothing, such as T-shirts in linen or cotton material, polo shirts and lightweight blouses, is ideal for May. Since indoor spaces often use strong air conditioning, packing a thin jacket is also recommended. 

 Bottom clothing: Shorts, skirts and lightweight trousers are all suitable for the daytime outfit. It’s best to choose quick-drying fabrics, as the weather is highly humid and it’s possible to get caught in a sudden rain shower. 

 Footwear: It’s ok to wear comfortable walking shoes or sandals with good grip. 

 Accessories: 
1. A small portable fan can be useful when you queue in popular attractions. 
2. It’s a must to carry a compact umbrella or lightweight raincoat. 
3. Sunglasses, sunscreen and a sun hat are helpful to protect against strong UV radiation.May is one of the best months to appreciate phoenix flowers, also the city flower of Guangzhou. The bright red blossoms usually reach their peak around mid-May, and they are full of streets, parks and historical attractions. Chen’s Grand Ancestral Hall is one of the most recommended spots, combining Lingnan-style architecture and blooming phoenix trees. A special tip: for the best viewing and photography experience, it’s best to visit the place in the early morning or in the late afternoon, when the sunlight is softer and crowds are thinner. 
 Despite the rainy season, short showers can offer a different experience when visiting certain attractions. Chimelong Safari Park is an excellent choice for visitors. On days with light rain, the cooler temperatures may make outdoor exploration more comfortable, and some animals may become more active compared with hot and sunny afternoons. Apart from that, even if visitors encounter heavy downpours, the park provides indoor exhibition areas and covered facilities where they can take shelter while continuing their visit. 
 The May Day holiday is one of the busiest travel seasons in China, so is Guangzhou. From May 1 to May 5, the city usually sees a significant increase in visitors, which can lead to crowded attractions, higher hotel prices, and more expensive transportation. If possible, visiting the city after the holiday is a better option.

 
Top 10 Things to Do in Guangzhou

May	Temperature		Sunrise / Sunset	Humi- dity (%)
	High	Low
1	32.3°C / 90.1°F	26.3°C / 79.3°F	05:54 / 18:55	84
2	34°C / 93.2°F	25.6°C / 78.1°F	05:53 / 18:55	82
3	27.8°C / 82°F	23.3°C / 73.9°F	05:53 / 18:55	94
4	33.8°C / 92.8°F	23.5°C / 74.3°F	05:52 / 18:56	84
5	30.5°C / 86.9°F	23.2°C / 73.8°F	05:51 / 18:56	87
6	30.5°C / 86.9°F	23.6°C / 74.5°F	05:51 / 18:57	89
7	31.5°C / 88.7°F	23.5°C / 74.3°F	05:50 / 18:57	86
8	34.1°C / 93.4°F	25.2°C / 77.4°F	05:50 / 18:58	80
9	35.2°C / 95.4°F	25.2°C / 77.4°F	05:49 / 18:58	75
10	35.1°C / 95.2°F	25.7°C / 78.3°F	05:48 / 18:59	76
11	28.3°C / 82.9°F	24.9°C / 76.8°F	05:48 / 18:59	89
12	31.1°C / 88°F	23.3°C / 73.9°F	05:47 / 19:00	81
13	29.6°C / 85.3°F	23.5°C / 74.3°F	05:47 / 19:00	92
14	33.1°C / 91.6°F	24°C / 75.2°F	05:47 / 19:01	82
15	33.1°C / 91.6°F	24.1°C / 75.4°F	05:46 / 19:01	78
16	32.1°C / 89.8°F	23.1°C / 73.6°F	05:46 / 19:02	83
17	31.9°C / 89.4°F	24.5°C / 76.1°F	05:45 / 19:02	86
18	28°C / 82.4°F	23.8°C / 74.8°F	05:45 / 19:02	96
19	30.8°C / 87.4°F	23.5°C / 74.3°F	05:44 / 19:03	91
20	33.2°C / 91.8°F	23.7°C / 74.7°F	05:44 / 19:03	86
21	29.1°C / 84.4°F	24.3°C / 75.7°F	05:44 / 19:04	86
22	29.5°C / 85.1°F	22.3°C / 72.1°F	05:43 / 19:04	71
23	31.5°C / 88.7°F	21.1°C / 70°F	05:43 / 19:05	72
24	32.4°C / 90.3°F	21.2°C / 70.2°F	05:43 / 19:05	69
25	33°C / 91.4°F	22.9°C / 73.2°F	05:43 / 19:06	80
26	30.8°C / 87.4°F	24.5°C / 76.1°F	05:42 / 19:06	83
27	31°C / 87.8°F	24.6°C / 76.3°F	05:42 / 19:07	88
28	29.2°C / 84.6°F	24.9°C / 76.8°F	05:42 / 19:07	94
29	29.7°C / 85.5°F	24.2°C / 75.6°F	05:42 / 19:08	82
30	31.5°C / 88.7°F	23.4°C / 74.1°F	05:41 / 19:08	86
31	30.1°C / 86.2°F	23.3°C / 73.9°F	05:41 / 19:09	84