Climate Zones of East Asia: From Temperate to Polar

1. Temperate Continental

Northeastern China, Siberia, Mongolia. Cold winters, warm summers, moderate precipitation; boreal forest (taiga).

2. Temperate Maritime

Coastal eastern China, Korea, Japan. Milder winters, cooler summers, abundant rainfall; temperate rainforests.

3. Subtropical Monsoon

Southern China, Taiwan, Japan, Korean Peninsula. Distinct wet/dry seasons; hot humid summers, mild dry winters.

4. Humid Subtropical

Southeastern China, southern Japanese islands. Warm, humid year‑round with no pronounced dry season; evergreen forests.

5. Highland

Tibetan Plateau, Himalayas, Japanese Alps. Cold, large temperature swings, low precipitation; alpine meadows.

6. Desert

Northwestern China (Gobi, Taklamakan). Very low rainfall, high evaporation, extreme temperature swings.

7. Polar

Arctic coast of Russia. Permafrost, long dark winters, short cool summers; tundra and ice caps.

Local variations occur due to topography, water bodies, and ocean currents.