June in Hangzhou means one thing above all else. Méiyǔ (梅雨), the plum rain season. The city receives an average of 341mm of rainfall across roughly 19 days, more than double July's 196mm and about 12 times December's 29mm. Temperatures reach around 29°C (85°F) during the day and settle near 22°C (72°F) at night, which would feel pleasant in a drier climate. At 83% humidity, it does not. The air lands heavy on your skin the moment you step outside, and the rain arrives in waves. Sometimes a light grey drizzle that lasts all morning over West Lake. Sometimes a 30-minute downpour that floods gutters around Wushan Square and sends everyone under shop awnings along Hefang Street.
That said, June has its own character if you're willing to work with the weather. Dragon Boat Festival (端午节, Duanwu Jie) is a 3-day national holiday that typically falls in mid-June, and the traditional races at Xixi National Wetland Park draw spectators from across Zhejiang province. Yangmei bayberries, the small reddish-purple fruit that defines early summer in eastern China, hit peak ripeness in the hills around Yuhang district. The first lotus flowers open at Qu Yuan Garden (曲院风荷) on West Lake's northwest shore, a sight that Chinese painters have rendered for roughly a thousand years.
The méiyǔ suppresses casual tourism. Hotel rates along Nanshan Lu and in the Shangcheng district tend to run 20-30% below October's Golden Week peaks. Lingyin Temple, which sees queues of 45 minutes or more in autumn, is walkable in under 10 during June. You'll share the Su Causeway with a fraction of the usual foot traffic. Most first-time visitors should probably come in October, March, or April instead. But if you're a return visitor, a food-focused traveler, or someone who finds rain-soaked Chinese landscapes genuinely appealing, June delivers lower prices, thinner crowds, and seasonal food unavailable the rest of the year.
Why visit in June
- Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu) is a 3-day public holiday in mid-June with traditional boat races at Xixi Wetland Park and cultural events across the city
- Yangmei bayberries reach peak ripeness in Yuhang and Xiaoshan districts, sold at roadside stalls and local markets for roughly 15-30 RMB per jin (500g)
- Early lotus blooms appear at Qu Yuan Garden (曲院风荷) along West Lake's northwest shore, marking the start of a season that runs through August
- Hotel rates across Shangcheng and the West Lake shoreline typically drop 20-30% below October and April peak pricing
- Major attractions like Lingyin Temple, Leifeng Pagoda, and the Su Causeway see noticeably thinner crowds than during Golden Week or spring peak
Worth knowing
- Méiyǔ (plum rain) dumps 341mm across 19 days, making June the wettest month by a wide margin and leaving few fully dry days for outdoor sightseeing
- Humidity averages 83%, which makes even 29°C feel substantially worse and leaves clothing damp for hours
- West Lake views are often softened or obscured by persistent low cloud and haze, limiting visibility from Leifeng Pagoda and boat tours
- Every outdoor plan needs a rain contingency, and paths around Feilai Feng and the tea villages become slippery on wet stone steps
Best for
Think twice if
June is the heart of méiyǔ (plum rain) season in Hangzhou. Rain falls on roughly 19 of the 30 days, often as extended drizzle interrupted by short, intense downpours. The sky stays overcast for stretches of 3-5 consecutive days. Temperatures feel moderate on paper but the 83% humidity creates a sticky, heavy atmosphere that makes walking tiring. Clear breaks do happen, typically lasting half a day, and they reveal some of the greenest hillsides you'll see all year around Longjing Village and the Xixi Wetland edges. Mornings tend to be slightly drier than afternoons. Night temperatures rarely drop below 20°C (68°F), so evenings along Nanshan Lu stay warm enough for outdoor dining under covered terraces.
Seasonal caution
- Méiyǔ downpours can produce flash flooding in low-lying streets near the Grand Canal in Gongshu district and older parts of Shangcheng. Avoid underpasses and sunken walkways during heavy rain.
- Sustained 83% humidity at 29°C (85°F) creates a feels-like temperature closer to 35°C (95°F). Extended walking around West Lake or uphill to Lingyin Temple raises heat exhaustion risk. Carry water and take breaks in air-conditioned spaces.
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) sees frequent flight delays during méiyǔ weather systems. Build buffer time into connections and check departure status before heading to the airport.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 11 | 1 | 51 |
| Feb | 12 | 3 | 100 |
| Mar | 18 | 8 | 116 |
| Apr | 23 | 13 | 121 |
| May | 27 | 17 | 162 |
| Jun | 29 | 22 | 341 |
| Jul | 34 | 26 | 196 |
| Aug | 35 | 26 | 182 |
| Sep | 30 | 23 | 149 |
| Oct | 24 | 16 | 65 |
| Nov | 19 | 10 | 71 |
| Dec | 12 | 3 | 29 |
Headline events
Dragon Boat Festival (端午节 Duanwu Jie)
Mid-June (varies by lunar calendar, 5th day of the 5th lunar month)
China's 3-day national holiday commemorating the poet Qu Yuan, celebrated in Hangzhou with traditional dragon boat races at Xixi National Wetland Park and along sections of the Grand Canal. The Xixi races (西溪龙舟文化节) are the city's signature event, with narrow wooden boats threading the wetland's waterways while spectators line the banks. Zongzi (sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves) appears everywhere, from street vendors near Hefang Street to high-end restaurants in Shangcheng. The holiday shifts with the lunar calendar but typically falls in the first half of June.
Best things to do in June
Watch dragon boat races at Xixi National Wetland Park
culturalThe Xixi Dragon Boat Cultural Festival (西溪龙舟文化节) brings narrow wooden racing boats into the wetland's winding waterways. Teams from villages across Zhejiang compete in heats that run from morning through afternoon. Spectators crowd the wooden boardwalks and bridges. The setting, low reeds and willow trees with mist hanging over the water, feels more intimate than river-based races in other cities.
Dragon Boat Festival falls in mid-June, and the Xixi races are Hangzhou's signature Duanwu event.Booking tipNo tickets needed for spectating, but arrive before 9 AM to secure a spot on the boardwalks near the main racing channel. The wetland park's regular admission (80 RMB) still applies.
Pick yangmei bayberries in the Yuhang hills
foodOrchards in the hills northwest of central Hangzhou, particularly around Yuhang district, open for picking during the 3-week yangmei season. You walk between low trees and pick directly into baskets. The fruit stains everything it touches a deep reddish-purple. Most orchards charge an entry fee (typically 50-80 RMB) that includes a basket to fill and take home.
Yangmei ripen only in June. By early July the season is over. This is the only month for fresh-picked fruit.Booking tipWeekday mornings have the best fruit. Weekend orchards get picked over quickly. No reservation usually needed on weekdays.
View early lotus blooms at Qu Yuan Garden (曲院风荷)
natureThe lotus ponds at Qu Yuan Garden on West Lake's northwest shore begin blooming in late June. The flowers are pink and white, rising above broad flat leaves that collect rainwater in their centers. The garden's name literally translates to 'lotus breeze in the twisting courtyard.' Morning visits in light rain produce the misty, ink-wash-painting atmosphere that has defined West Lake aesthetics for centuries.
Late June marks the first lotus blooms. The display builds through July and peaks in August, but June offers the first flowers with thinner crowds.Booking tipFree entry. Arrive before 7 AM for the quietest viewing and best morning mist.
Explore the China National Tea Museum (中国茶叶博物馆)
culturalLocated in the hills near Longjing Village, this museum covers 3,000 years of Chinese tea history across indoor galleries. Exhibits include original tea sets from the Song Dynasty and demonstrations of traditional processing methods. The surrounding tea terraces, even in rain, are worth a 20-minute walk. The museum is one of Hangzhou's best rain-proof activities.
June's second-flush Longjing harvest coincides with your visit, and méiyǔ rain makes indoor cultural sites more valuable than in drier months.Booking tipFree admission. Open 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Longjing campus (龙井馆区) is the larger of the two sites.
Walk the Grand Canal from Gongchen Bridge in Gongshu district
sightseeingThe southern section of the UNESCO-listed Grand Canal passes through Hangzhou's Gongshu district. Gongchen Bridge (拱宸桥), a triple-arched stone bridge built in 1631, anchors a stretch of covered walkways, canal-side teahouses, and small museums including the China Knife and Scissors Museum and the China Fan Museum. The covered paths make this one of the few long walks in Hangzhou that works well in rain.
Covered walkways along the canal offer a genuinely enjoyable walk during méiyǔ, when open-air lakeside paths are waterlogged.Booking tipThe canal museums charge no admission. Allow 2-3 hours for the full walk from Gongchen Bridge south to Wulin Gate.
Visit Lingyin Temple and Feilai Feng grottoes
culturalLingyin Temple (灵隐寺) is one of China's largest Buddhist temples, founded in 328 AD. The Feilai Feng limestone grottoes opposite the temple entrance contain over 300 Buddhist rock carvings dating from the 10th to 14th centuries. Rain darkens the stone and brings out detail in the carvings that's harder to see in flat sunlight. The temple grounds smell of wet pine, incense, and damp earth after a downpour.
June's reduced crowds mean shorter queues at the temple entrance and more space at the grottoes. The rain-soaked setting adds a contemplative atmosphere that autumn's tour groups diminish.Booking tipCombined ticket (Feilai Feng + Lingyin Temple) costs 75 RMB. Go early on a weekday for near-solitude.
Boat ride through Xixi Wetland's reed marshes
natureThe electric boats at Xixi National Wetland Park thread narrow channels between reed beds, persimmon groves, and water villages. In June, the reeds are at full summer height and the mist sits low over the water. The effect is like gliding through a traditional Chinese scroll painting. Egrets and kingfishers are common along quieter channels.
Méiyǔ mist and rain create the moody, classical Chinese landscape aesthetic that the wetland is famous for. Autumn is crowded and sharp-edged by comparison.Booking tipThe electric boat tour (included in the 140 RMB combo ticket) runs about 60 minutes. Morning departures before 10 AM get smaller boats and fewer passengers.
Evening walk along Nanshan Lu
food and drinkNanshan Lu runs along the southeast shore of West Lake, lined with plane trees, bar terraces, and restaurant patios. On clear June evenings, the lake reflects the lights of Leifeng Pagoda across the water. The street comes alive after 7 PM when the day's heat fades and the humidity drops a few points. Several venues serve yangmei cocktails during the 3-week berry season.
Warm June evenings (around 22°C) and seasonal yangmei cocktails make the Nanshan Lu lakeside stretch particularly good this month. Winter evenings are too cold for outdoor seating.Booking tipNo bookings needed for casual bars. For sit-down restaurants with lake views, reserve a day ahead on weekends.
What to eat in June
In season: fruit
Yangmei (杨梅) bayberries
The small, deep-red fruit that defines Hangzhou's early summer. Yuhang and Xianju (仙居) yangmei are considered the best varieties in Zhejiang. Peak ripeness lasts about 3 weeks in June. The fruit bruises within hours of picking, so the freshest come from local markets, not supermarkets. Sweet-tart flavor, slightly resinous. Expect to pay 15-40 RMB per jin depending on variety and vendor proximity to tourist areas.
Pipa (枇杷) loquat
Late-season loquats from Tangqi town (塘栖), about 30km north of central Hangzhou, appear in early June. Tangqi has grown loquats for over 1,400 years. The fruit is softer and sweeter at the tail end of its season, with a honey-like quality that fades by mid-month. Sold at the Tangqi Old Town morning market.
On menus now
Longjing Xiaren (龙井虾仁)
Hangzhou's signature dish pairs river shrimp with Longjing tea leaves. June marks the second flush of Longjing tea, so the leaves are slightly more robust than the delicate pre-Qingming April harvest. The shrimp should be translucent, barely cooked, with a faint vegetal note from the tea. Available at most Hangbang cuisine (杭帮菜) restaurants in the Shangcheng area.
What to drink
Yangmei wine (杨梅酒)
Fresh yangmei bayberries steeped in baijiu or rice wine with rock sugar. June is the only month when restaurants and bars make it with same-day-picked fruit. The resulting drink is sweet, slightly tart, and potent. Many teahouses along the Grand Canal near Gongchen Bridge serve house-made versions by the glass.
In markets
Fresh lotus seeds (鲜莲子)
Early-harvest lotus seeds from the first pods at West Lake appear in late June. Eaten raw, they're pale green, slightly bitter at the center, and crunchy. Street vendors near Qu Yuan Garden and along the Bai Causeway sell them still in the pod. They taste nothing like the dried version used in desserts the rest of the year.
Festival food
Zongzi (粽子)
Bamboo-leaf-wrapped sticky rice parcels filled with pork, salted egg yolk, or red bean paste, tied with string and boiled or steamed. Hangzhou sits in the Jiaxing zongzi tradition, which favors savory fillings with fatty pork and soy-braised meat. Sold at every street corner during Dragon Boat Festival week, and at specialty shops like those along Hefang Street year-round, though June's versions tend to be made fresh in larger batches.
Regular events in June
Xixi Dragon Boat Cultural Festival (西溪龙舟文化节)Free
Annual dragon boat racing event held within Xixi National Wetland Park during the Duanwu holiday. Village teams race narrow boats through the wetland channels. Includes folk performances, zongzi-making demonstrations, and traditional ceremonies at the Shentan Kou dock area.
During Dragon Boat Festival holiday (mid-June, varies by lunar calendar)West Lake lotus season openingFree
The lotus ponds at Qu Yuan Garden (曲院风荷) and along portions of the Bai Causeway begin their annual bloom in late June. Not a formal festival, but the parks authority typically adds informational signage and extended viewing hours. Photography groups gather at dawn.
Late June through AugustTangqi Loquat Festival (塘栖枇杷节)Free
Annual celebration of the loquat harvest in Tangqi town, about 30km north of central Hangzhou along the Grand Canal. Includes orchard visits, fruit markets at heavily discounted prices, and folk performances in the old town. The festival runs for roughly 2 weeks in early June as the harvest winds down.
Early June (typically first 2 weeks)Best places this June
Xixi National Wetland Park (西溪国家湿地公园)
parkChina's first national wetland park covers 11.5 square kilometers of reed marshes, ponds, and scattered water villages. In June's méiyǔ mist, the wetland looks like a Song Dynasty landscape painting come to life. The Dragon Boat Festival races happen here, and the covered walkways along the eastern boardwalk section work in steady rain. Persimmon trees line many paths, though the fruit won't ripen until October.
Xihu District (西湖区), western HangzhouQu Yuan Garden (曲院风荷)
gardenOne of the Ten Scenes of West Lake, this garden on the northwest shore is defined by its lotus ponds. Late June sees the first pink and white blooms rising from broad leaves that collect raindrops in their cupped centers. The garden is quieter than the nearby Su Causeway and feels more enclosed, with stone bridges and willows framing the pond views. Named for the wine distillery (曲院) that once stood here during the Southern Song Dynasty.
Xihu District, northwest shore of West LakeGongchen Bridge and Grand Canal (拱宸桥, 京杭大运河)
historic siteThe triple-arched stone bridge, built in 1631 during the Ming Dynasty, marks where the Grand Canal enters Hangzhou proper. The canal-side promenade in Gongshu district has covered sections and small free museums. Teahouses under the bridge serve Longjing by the cup. In rain, the reflections of traditional buildings in the canal water double the visual depth of the scene.
Gongshu District (拱墅区)Lingyin Temple (灵隐寺) and Feilai Feng
templeFounded in 328 AD, this is one of the ten major Zen Buddhist temples in China. The complex sits against the forested hillside of Feilai Feng (Peak That Flew From Afar), which holds more than 300 stone Buddhist carvings from the Five Dynasties through Yuan period (10th-14th centuries). The wet stone surfaces in June reveal carved details that dry conditions flatten. The forest around the temple entrance smells of camphor and pine after rain.
Xihu District, western hillsHefang Street (河坊街) and Wushan Square
market streetThe covered portions of this historic pedestrian street near Wushan Hill provide rainy-day browsing through traditional medicine shops, silk stores, and Hangzhou snack vendors. The Huqingyu Tang traditional pharmacy (胡庆余堂), founded in 1874, sits midway along the street. During Dragon Boat Festival week, vendors set up zongzi stalls at the Wushan Square end. The street gets tourist-heavy, but the food options at the side alleys are more interesting than the main drag.
Shangcheng District (上城区)Leifeng Pagoda (雷峰塔)
pagodaThe rebuilt pagoda on the south shore of West Lake has indoor observation floors with glass walls, making it one of the few elevated West Lake viewpoints that works in rain. The original collapsed in 1924 and the current structure dates to 2002, built over the excavated Song Dynasty foundation visible through glass floors at the base. On a rainy June day, the view north across the lake toward Baochu Pagoda on Baoshi Hill has a diffused, silvery quality.
Xihu District, south shore of West LakeChina National Tea Museum (中国茶叶博物馆)
museumThe Longjing campus of the museum sits in the hills southwest of West Lake, surrounded by working tea terraces. The indoor galleries trace Chinese tea culture across 3,000 years, with original ceramics from the Song and Ming dynasties. The museum is free and climate-controlled. The walk from the entrance through the terraces takes about 20 minutes and is beautiful in drizzle, when the tea rows turn a deep, saturated green.
Xihu District, Longjing areaMeijiawu Tea Village (梅家坞)
villageA working tea village about 5km west of the main Longjing Village tourist area. Meijiawu sees fewer tour buses and more local tea traders. The village's teahouses serve fresh Longjing by the pot (typically 40-80 RMB) alongside simple Hangzhou dishes. In June, the second-flush leaves are being processed, and some teahouses let visitors watch the hand-firing process in their workshops.
Xihu District, western hills
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Insider tips
The China National Tea Museum near Longjing Village charges no admission and offers tea-tasting sessions. On a rainy June day it's one of the best indoor options in the city, and the surrounding tea terraces look their deepest green in drizzle.
Yangmei from Xianju county (仙居杨梅) are widely considered the best variety in Zhejiang. Look for them at neighborhood fruit markets rather than tourist-area vendors near Hefang Street, where the same fruit costs 50-80% more.
The covered walkway along the Grand Canal near Gongchen Bridge in Gongshu district is one of the few genuinely pleasant long walks you can do in full rain. Teahouses under and near the bridge serve Longjing by the cup for 15-30 RMB.
Qu Yuan Garden lotus viewing works best before 7 AM, both for thinner crowds and for the morning mist that sits on the pond surface. By 9 AM in June, tour groups arrive and the mist has burned off.
If flying out of Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) in June, check departure status 3-4 hours before your flight. Méiyǔ weather systems cause frequent delays, and the airport's Metro Line 1 connection takes 50-60 minutes from the West Lake area.
Avoid these mistakes
- Scheduling a full day of outdoor West Lake activities with no indoor alternatives. In June, at least half your sightseeing plans should work in rain. Lingyin Temple, the tea museum, Leifeng Pagoda's indoor floors, and the Grand Canal's covered walkways are reliable backups.
- Packing only one pair of shoes. Footwear gets soaked daily during méiyǔ and takes overnight to dry in 83% humidity. A second pair, even cheap sandals bought locally, saves days of walking in damp shoes.
- Visiting Longjing Village in June expecting the spring harvest atmosphere. The famous pre-Qingming (明前) picking season ends in early April. June's second flush produces good tea, but the village is quieter and the frantic harvest energy is long gone. Meijiawu Tea Village, 5km further west, offers a more honest off-season experience.
- Skipping Xixi Wetland Park because it seems pointless in rain. The wetland in méiyǔ mist is arguably the most photogenic version of Hangzhou. The reed channels, low cloud, and empty boardwalks produce the classical Chinese landscape aesthetic that dry October weather cannot replicate.
Practical tips for June
Book hotels along Metro Line 1 near West Lake stations (Longxiangqiao or Fengqi Lu) for covered access to the transit system when downpours hit. The Hangzhou Metro (12 lines as of late 2025) connects most major sites and keeps you dry between them. During the 3-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday, book accommodation near West Lake at least 2 weeks ahead, as domestic tourists fill the Shangcheng and Nanshan Lu corridor quickly. Restaurants along Nanshan Lu and in the Shangcheng area hold standard hours (typically 11 AM to 9 PM for lunch-dinner service), but outdoor lakeside seating is often closed or covered during méiyǔ weeks. Cash is rarely needed in Hangzhou. WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate, and international visitors can now link foreign credit cards to Alipay via the Tour Pass feature. Dress code is informal across the city except at a few higher-end hotel restaurants near the lake. Tipping is not customary and can cause confusion. For day trips to the Yuhang yangmei orchards or Tangqi loquat market, ride-hailing apps (Didi) are more reliable than trying to negotiate with taxi drivers who may not know the specific orchard locations.
FAQ
Is June a good time to visit Hangzhou?
Honestly, June is one of the weaker months for a Hangzhou visit. The méiyǔ (plum rain) season brings 341mm of rainfall across about 19 days, more than any other month. Humidity sits at 83%, which makes even moderate 29°C (85°F) temperatures feel oppressive. West Lake, the city's main draw, spends much of June under grey cloud. That said, if you time your visit around Dragon Boat Festival or come specifically for yangmei season and early lotus blooms, June has rewards that no other month offers. First-time visitors are better served by October (clear skies, autumn foliage, 24°C highs) or April (spring, cherry blossoms around West Lake, comfortable temperatures).
What is méiyǔ (plum rain) and how bad is it really?
Méiyǔ (梅雨, literally 'plum rain') is the East Asian rainy season caused by the collision of warm tropical air masses with cooler northern air along the Yangtze River basin. It typically hits Hangzhou from mid-June through early July. The name comes from the bayberry (yangmei) and Japanese apricot (mei) fruits that ripen during this period. In practical terms, expect rain on roughly 2 out of every 3 days, ranging from all-day drizzle to intense 30-minute downpours. Fully dry days are rare. The rain itself is manageable with proper gear, but the accompanying humidity (83%) is the harder part. Everything feels damp. Clothes take twice as long to dry. Leather goods can develop mold in hotel rooms without air conditioning.
Is Hangzhou crowded during June?
Moderate. June sees noticeably fewer tourists than the October Golden Week, the April-May spring season, or the July-August school holiday period. The méiyǔ weather deters casual visitors. The exception is the 3-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday, when domestic tourism spikes. During that window, Xixi Wetland Park, Hefang Street, and the West Lake causeways fill up. Outside that holiday, you'll find shorter queues at Lingyin Temple (10 minutes versus 45+ in October) and breathing room on the Su Causeway. Hotel availability is generally not a problem except during the Duanwu holiday itself.
What should I eat in Hangzhou in June?
Yangmei bayberries are the headline. These small, deep-red fruits ripen only in June and bruise within hours of picking, so the freshest ones come from local neighborhood markets in Yuhang or Xiaoshan districts rather than tourist shops. Zongzi (sticky rice in bamboo leaves) appears everywhere during Dragon Boat Festival week. Longjing Xiaren, the signature Hangzhou dish of river shrimp with Longjing tea leaves, is available year-round but pairs with the slightly more robust second-flush tea in June. Tangqi loquats from the Grand Canal town 30km north are in their final days of ripeness in early June. Yangmei wine (bayberries steeped in baijiu) is served fresh-made at teahouses and bars along the Grand Canal near Gongchen Bridge.
Can I still enjoy West Lake when it's raining?
Yes, with adjusted expectations. West Lake in rain has a particular beauty that the Chinese literally have a term for. The Song Dynasty poet Su Shi wrote that the lake was 'as beautiful in rain as the legendary beauty Xizi.' The mist, grey water, and soft outlines of the causeways and pagodas create the classical landscape aesthetic you see in Chinese ink paintings. Leifeng Pagoda's indoor observation floors give you lake views through glass. Qu Yuan Garden's lotus viewing works in drizzle. The Bai Causeway has enough tree cover for light rain. But sustained heavy downpours will send you indoors, and boat tours on the lake are less pleasant when you can't see Baochu Pagoda through the cloud. Have 2-3 indoor alternatives ready for each outdoor plan.
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