The most comfortable time of year to go to Song Jiang is between April and June, or August and October. In summer it can get very hot, but what’s even worse is that air humidity often goes up to 90 percent. Between December and March it’s quite cold and sometimes it even snows. Temperatures usually only drop slightly below zero, but the wind makes the cold almost unbearable.
On top of that, students have a two-month Spring Festival break sometime between February and March. That makes things even worse if you are one of the only students at the school. Everyone will tell you that training continues during vacations, but that’s not true. You can work out with a personal instructor, but he may not show up half of the time. And if you’re at a wushu school in China while the Chinese students are on break, you won’t even have anyone to complain to. Also check out our wushu section if you want to prepare in advance.
More: The Climate in Yun Cheng – China
Most young foreigners visit Chinese martial arts schools during their summer breaks. That’s when temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius and air humidity is around 90 percent. If those numbers don’t mean much to you, it basically feels like you’re sweating 10 liters per hour, even if you’re just walking or eating.
A lot of foreigners get sick because of the climate. I’m not sure what this condition is called in English. In Chinese it’s called “Guo Ming,” and you can buy pills for it in every pharmacy. You get a rash and small swellings that look like mosquito bites. It’s not dangerous, but you should take the pills, drink a lot of water, and be prepared for itching.
Speaking of mosquitoes, there are a lot of them between July and August. But don’t worry, I’ve never heard of anyone getting malaria or anything similar in the Yun Cheng area.
The area is quite sandy, and you will rarely see a blue sky. Pollution is very high. Sometimes there is so much fog that you can’t even see your own feet when you run in the morning. This only happens a few times per year and usually only in the woods behind the school.
Winter is very windy and cold. Not all classes train in halls with heaters. If you’re going to Yun Cheng in December, tell Li Chen that you want to train in a hall with heating.
Advice: The Climate in Yun Cheng – China
If you get “Guo Ming,” take your pills and drink a lot of water.
During the summer months it’s extremely hot and humid. Wash your clothes every day, because you will sweat like never before.
Make sure you know in advance when the Chinese students have their break. You might want to take a break as well, so you don’t get frustrated every day because your personal instructor doesn’t show up. The school doesn’t pay instructors extra for teaching foreigners during breaks. Don’t pay school fees during that time. Either take a break too or pay your instructor extra out of your own pocket.
If you’re going to Song Jiang during the winter months, ask Li Chen if you can train in a hall with heaters.
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