Beijing's Natural Environment

2004/06/23

Beijing covers nearly 17,000 sq kms. Mountainous areas surround Beijing from the west to the northeast, occupying over 10,000 sq kms, and accounting for 62 percent of the city's landmass. The remaining, 6,400 sq km area is a level plain.

Located 39 degrees 56'N and 116 degrees 20'E, Beijing lies in a warm, temperate zone with a semi-humid climate. It has four distinctive seasons, with a short spring and autumn and a long summer and winter. Summer is hot and humid with an average temperature in July reaching 32 degrees (90F). In winter it freezes and is very cold and dry with average temperatures reaching -10 degrees (14F) in January.

The best season for travel is at the turn of summer and autumn, in September and October, when the city cools off and temperatures range from 15-20 degrees (59-68F).



	Article featured in Beijing Official Guide, BOG2004 Publication sponsored by Information Office of the Beijing Municipal Government, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Tourism