Weather decides how a day in China starts. In the humid south an afternoon downpour sends everyone under awnings to share snacks, while in the north a cold morning has the street bundled in padded coats. One trip can hold palm trees, desert dunes and snow.
The climate runs from tropical in the far south to subarctic in the far north, with alpine highlands in the west, so plan by region and season. A Local Friend tells you when to go early, when to linger, and when a shower is the cue for a long lunch.
