Some historical weather records of China in the governmental archives are discussed. The records in the pre-Qing period (before 1636) am briefly summarized and their use for the reconstruction of past climate is assessed. The more-elaborate weather records of the Qing dynasty, the Clear and Rain Records and the Inches of Rain and Snow, are examined in more detail. Abstract Some historical weather records of China in the governmental archives are discussed. The records in the pre-Qing period (before 1636) am briefly summarized and their use for the reconstruction of past climate is assessed. The more-elaborate weather records of the Qing dynasty, the Clear and Rain Records and the Inches of Rain and Snow, are examined in more detail.