The summer season in China is experienced differently by different provinces. The Manchurian Plain in northeast China experiences hot and dry summers, with the July temperatures averaging between 21 and 31°C (70 and 88°F). The provincial capital at Harbin, along the banks of the Sungari River has an average of 27°C (81°F) during July and August. Across northern and central China, summertime is quite hot with almost continual rainfall. The desert regions of China's northwest and western interior get hot in summer, but they are dry. The average high temperatures vary from 20 to 33°C (68 and 91°F) in July. The Turpan Depression in northwest China, which sits150 m (-492 ft) below sea level, more than deserves the title of being the 'hottest place in China' with a maximum of around 47°C (117°F).

Summertime in eastern China means not only heat, but humidity. In both the north and south most of the rain falls during summer and plenty of rain is reached in July and August. The combination of high temperature and high humidity makes for an oppressive climate. In the Yangtze River valley area, including Shanghai, summers are long, hot and humid. The Chinese have dubbed the cities of Wuhan, Chongquing, and Nanjing as "the three furnaces." Summer in Beijing is not long, despite the heat. Although the Chinese capital's average high temperature in July is 30°C (86°F), there are a few unbearably hot days when the mercury climbs to 38°C (100°F) or even more.