Beijing Issues First Orange Rainstorm Alert of 2026 — 180+ Tourist Attractions Closed (July 2026)
Beijing activated its first orange rainstorm alert of the 2026 flood season on July 9, closing over 180 tourist attractions including the Summer Palace, Fragrant Hills Park, and Mutianyu Great Wall. Reopening dates TBD — check before visiting.
Key takeaway
Beijing issued its first orange rainstorm alert of 2026 on July 9, triggering a Level-II emergency response. Over 180 tourist attractions closed, including the Summer Palace, Fragrant Hills Park, Beijing Zoo, and Mutianyu Great Wall (closed July 12). Reopening dates remain unconfirmed and depend on weather conditions. Travelers should check attraction websites before visiting and have backup indoor itineraries ready.
Full report
What Changed
On July 9, 2026 at 1:30 PM local time, the Beijing Meteorological Observatory issued an orange rainstorm alert — the city's first orange-level warning since the onset of the 2026 flood season. According to Xinhua News Agency, the Beijing flood control office simultaneously activated a Level-II flood control emergency response, the second-highest tier in Beijing's four-level system.
By July 10, 2026, the impact had escalated significantly. Per the Global Times, Beijing's flood control and drought relief headquarters confirmed that 180 tourist attractions had been closed citywide, along with the suspension of operations at 176 tent camping sites. Major landmarks including the Summer Palace, Fragrant Hills Park, and Beijing Zoo announced temporary closures, with authorities stating sites would "reopen depending on weather conditions" (ECNS).
The National Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters activated a Level-IV national flood emergency response covering both Beijing and neighboring Tianjin, signaling that the heavy rainfall posed risks beyond the capital.
On July 11, 2026, the Mutianyu Great Wall scenic area — one of the most popular Great Wall sections for foreign visitors — issued a separate closure notice for July 12, 2026, citing a red rainstorm warning. The official website stated "reopening time TBD" and offered refunds for pre-booked tickets (Mutianyu Great Wall Official).
This rainstorm event is separate from Super Typhoon Bavi, which made landfall in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces (southeastern China) around July 10-11. Beijing's rainstorm is driven by the East Asian summer monsoon system affecting northern China, a common July weather pattern.
What to do next
- Check your attraction's official website or WeChat account before departing — closures are announced per-site, not citywide. 2. Contact your hotel concierge for daily flood control updates and reopening confirmations. 3. Prepare a backup indoor itinerary (National Museum, 798 Art District, Sanlitun). 4. Monitor the China Meteorological Administration at cma.gov.cn for alert level changes. 5. Request refunds for pre-booked Mutianyu tickets through your booking platform.
What may vary
Reopening timing is weather-dependent with no fixed timeline. Individual attractions make independent closure/reopening decisions — mountain parks like Fragrant Hills may stay closed longer due to landslide risk. Mutianyu Great Wall operates its own weather monitoring and may remain closed even after the citywide alert is lifted if local conditions are unsafe.
FAQ
Is the Forbidden City closed due to the Beijing rainstorm?
As of July 13, 2026, the Palace Museum (Forbidden City) has not been listed among the 180+ closed attractions. However, its status can change if Beijing escalates to a red alert. Always check intl.dpm.org.cn on the morning of your visit.
Will my Great Wall tour be refunded if Mutianyu is closed?
Yes. The Mutianyu Great Wall official website explicitly states that refunds are available for pre-booked tickets. Third-party platforms like Trip.com and Klook also offer weather-related cancellation policies.
How long do Beijing summer rainstorms typically last?
Beijing's July rainstorms typically last 1-3 days per event, but the monsoon pattern can bring multiple rain bands over 1-2 weeks. Monitor the China Meteorological Administration for alert level changes.