Yes, there is a rainy season in China. There is also another fun season: typhoon season (台风 – tai feng in Mandarin). While typhoons can occur anytime from May to December, the main season in China is from July to September and the peak of the storm season is in August.
Typhoon location
Typhoons start in the Pacific Ocean or the South China Sea. They gather forces and then hit the southern and eastern coasts of China. The islands of Hong Kong and Taiwan are particularly susceptible to typhoons, as are Guangdong and Fujian provinces on the mainland. Typhoons hit the entire coast of China and can send storms inland for several hundred kilometers. Depending on the severity of the storm, this causes strong winds and large amounts of rain in a short period of time.
Traveling during typhoon season
It is still okay to plan a trip during typhoon season as you never know when or where it will hit. The effects of the storm can last a few hours or a few days. Sometimes there are typhoon warnings and nothing happens at all. Sometimes a typhoon spreads and within 24 hours you have beautiful clear weather after the storm. However, sometimes a typhoon hits and a storm lingers and hovers for the exact number of days it visits a location. So while you don’t need to worry too much about traveling during this season, you do need to be prepared.
What to do if a typhoon hits
If a typhoon hits your area, you will likely be warned by watching CNN weather at your hotel. Hotel staff will probably tell you and if you can get a local newspaper in English that’s another good way to find out about the weather.
Depending on the severity, it can still go out during a typhoon. In the first hours, if it’s just constant rain, you will be able to walk around the places (taking taxis will be difficult) and the buses will be running. As the rain continues, drainage in some places in cities can recede, causing streets, first floors, and sidewalks to flood. If you see this starting to happen, you likely want to start heading back to your hotel as the longer the time goes by, the harder (and wetter) your way home will be.
You should avoid subways, as if the severity of the storm increases, the subway tunnels can flood and you don’t want to get stuck somewhere, worse still, inside a station.
Stores, museums and restaurants will be open if the storm is not severe. If the storm is severe, things will shut down and managers will send workers home early. In this case, you will probably want to stay in your hotel room. (Don’t worry, your hotel will remain open.) Make sure to pack an extra book, a couple of movies, or whatever else you need to entertain yourself for the possibility of spending 24 hours in your hotel room without being able to leave.
What to pack for Typhoon weather
As with the rainy season, you will want rain-proof clothing and shoes. Actually, if you find yourself in a typhoon, unless you have a drysuit ready for deep sea diving, you will probably get wet. What you want is clothes that dry quickly or don’t mind getting wet (and splashing water from the street).
While you don’t want to carry rubber boots with you, shoes like Crocs aren’t a bad option because you can clean them. You can find these types of footwear everywhere in Chinese markets and street vendors, so don’t necessarily bring them, but consider buying a pair if you find yourself able to stand in six inches of water with your new sneakers. Quick-drying shirts and shorts are good to wear in this weather as it is a lightweight windbreaker. If you carry a bag, tuck in a dry T-shirt to wear if you go to a museum or one that has air conditioning so you don’t get too cold.
