Weather: The grass and trees turn green in May, and flowers bloom in the parks. May is cold at night and generally warm and sunny during the days. The average nightly low temperature is 8 °C (46 °F), and the average daily high temperature is 21 °C (70 °F).
There is a temperature drop from day to night of 13 °C. It rains on 10 days of of the month for a monthly total of 40 mm or 1.6 inches. People enjoy a whopping 9 hours of sunshine a day. See the weather forecast for Harbin>>
Clothing: It is a good idea to dress in layers. Bring rain gear, a jacket or sweater, and trousers or dresses. UV radiation is high, and a sun hat might help you to avoid sunburn if you have sensitive skin.
Things to Do in Harbin in May
See the Big Cats
Harbin Siberian TigersSiberian Tiger Park: Siberian tigers are the biggest surviving species of big cat. They weigh 225 kilograms or 500 pounds. These animals along with other big cats such as pumas, lions, and Bengal tigers are in a park of about 250 acres that is just north of Sun Island across a branch of the Songhua River. They are bred there along with other species of cat.
It is thought that less than 500 of them remain in the wild in Russia. The breeding program might be a way to preserve the species. Visitors can ride in vans out in their field, walk around their fences, and even feed the animals.
Shop and Sightsee Along Central Street
Central Shopping StreetHarbin Central Market: This cobblestone street is a place to go for a walk in the clear spring weather. It is in the center of Harbin and was the old Russian and foreign area that was built in the early 20th century. There are old Russian-built buildings and many other buildings built by other ethnic groups. It is a place to shop for Russian, Chinese and international goods.
The street is more than a kilometer long or about a mile. It is lined with restaurants, stores, and malls. It is a place to try Russian food and the cuisine of other countries. The stores sell Russian goods such as furs, souvenirs, vodka, dolls, chocolate, and Russian food. Zhaolin Park and St. Sophia Cathedral are both within two blocks away and can be included in your walking tour.
Shop for Bargains at the Chinese-Russian Market
Chinese-Russian Market: Central Market Street is meant more for middle-priced shopping. To look for bargains, haggle and find a wide variety of products at low prices, you can go to 29 Jianshe Jie Street. There are five cross streets with shops and two large indoor halls with a mixture of Chinese and Russian products such as vodka, Russian dolls, Chinese jewelry and antiques.
The market was set up in 1992 as a place for Russians and Chinese to shop and trade. You can buy Russian pastries and sausages from shops along the street, and there are Russian restaurants. Be careful about fake products! Stores and restaurants are open every day from about noon till 11 pm.
Touring Harbin in May
Shoulder Travel Season
During the last few days of April and the first week or two of May, local tourism and travel picks up for the May 1 Labor Day holiday period. Then in the middle of May, Harbin tourism and travel decreases again. The middle of May is a good time to go before precipitation increases substantially in June. The spring scenery, warm weather, and low rainfall makes it a good time for outdoor activities. Prices are moderate or low for hotel rooms, flight tickets and train tickets.
It is better not to rely on the local taxis. There are relatively less taxis than in other cities. We could arrange a private driver and vehicle for your tour or your group's tour.
Arrange a Tour
Our clients often design their own tour of Harbin and other places throughout China. Tell us what you'd like to do, and we can arrange the tickets, accommodations, and travel details.
See our Harbin Package Tours for ideas.
Further Reading
Harbin Climate Information by Month
- Harbin Weather in January
- Harbin Weather in February
- Harbin Weather in March
- Harbin Weather in April
- Harbin Weather in May
- Harbin Weather in June
- Harbin Weather in July
- Harbin Weather in August
- Harbin Weather in September
- Harbin Weather in October
- Harbin Weather in November
- Harbin Weather in December
