Yunnan Weather: the Best Time/Seasons to Visit/Travel to Yunnan Area

Why Does Yunnan Have Such Weather?

Yunnan is located in the southwest border of China. It borders Guizhou and Guangxi to the east (Guilin, an international tourist city), Sichuan to the north (home to Chengdu's giant pandas), Tibet to the northwest, Myanmar to the west, and Laos and Vietnam to the south.

Shangri La, Yunnan

The climate of Yunnan Province is mainly subtropical plateau monsoon.

Northwestern  part of Yunnan, including Lijiang, Shangri-La, Meili Snow Mountain, and Nujiang River, has a cold-temperate climate. Winters are relatively long, Summers are very short, and Spring and Autumn are relatively brief.

Central and eastern part of Yunnan, including Kunming and Red Land in Dongchuan, has a temperate climate, with spring-like weather throughout the year.

Southern part of Yunnan, including Jianshui, Yuanyang, Pu'er, and Xishuangbanna, and western part of Yunnan, including Dali, Baoshan(Ruili and Tengchong), Dehong and Nujiang, belong to the low-heat river valley area. Some areas are located south of the Tropic of Cancer, entering the tropical zone. Summers are very long, winters are very short, and rainy days feel cool, resembling autumn.

The Best Time and Seasons to Visit Yunnan

Shaxi Ancient Town, Dali

When is the most suitable time to travel to Yunnan?

In general, the best time to visit Yunnan is from March to Mid-June and from September to December. Late June, July, and August are the rainy season in Yunnan and summer vacation time for Chinese students.

However, Yunnan is vast and requires different routes to plan the so-called best travel time! Therefore, please refer to the following four options for the best travel times:

Ganden Sumtsenling Monastery, Shangri La

1. The best time to visit northwestern Yunnan to Kunming Dali Lijiang and Shangri La

Kunming and Lijiang are best visited throughout the year. The best time to visit Dali is from March to May and September to November, while Shangri-La is best visited from May to June and September to October.

2. The best time to visit Southern  Yunnan to Kunming Jianshui Yuanyang Pu'er  and Xishuangbanna

Terraced Fields, Yuanyang

The best time to visit Xishuangbanna is from November to April; the best time to visit Yuanyang Terraces is from December to February because the terraces are in their water-filled season from November to April, providing clear reflections and ideal for photography, with December to February being the optimal months.

3. The best time visit Western Yunnan to Kunming Dali Baoshan Tengchong Dehong and Nujiang

Three Pagodas, Dali

The best time to travel to Tengchong is from October to March; the best time to visit Nujiang is from October to May, with autumn being the best season for hiking; the best time to visit Dehong is from March to May, but it is suitable for visiting all year round.

4. The best time trip to central and northeastern of Yunnan such as Kunming Red Land Qujing and Yuxi

The best time to visit Dongchuan Red Land is from April to May and from September to December; the best time to visit Luoping County's rapeseed flowers in Qujing is from February to April.

Red Land, Dongchuan

Now you know when to go on your favorite Yunnan route, right? If you're still unsure, please contact us, and we'll provide you with the most suitable advice and customize the perfect Yunnan travel itinerary for you!

The worst Time to Visit Yunnan

What is the worst time to travel to Yunnan?

The Busiest Holidays in China

The crowded during the National Day

The worst times to travel to Yunnan are during the following three periods: the May Day holiday (May 1st to 5th, 2024/2025), summer vacation (July and August every year), and National Day holiday (October 1st to 7th, 2024/2025). The main reasons are that there are many tourists, travel costs are much higher than usual, and many places require queuing, such as attractions and restaurants. The most unbearable aspect is the long queues for using the restroom, which can be very testing.

The Rainfall Season in Yunnan

Rainy Days in Kunming

The rainfall from late June to August is the highest of the year, and during this period, frequent rainfall often affects normal tourism activities. Some outdoor activities, such as hiking Tiger Leaping Gorge, are quite dangerous during the rainy season. Ordinary travel is acceptable.

The Climate Conditions in Different Parts of Yunnan

The average temperature in Yunnan, ranges from 19°C to 22°C in the hottest month of July, and from 6°C to 8°C in the coldest month of January. The annual temperature difference is generally only around 10°C to 12°C.

The climate in the eastern, southern, western, northern, and central parts of Yunnan varies greatly. Therefore, here is a general overview of the four seasons in Yunnan. For specific information about each part of Yunnan, please refer to the corresponding page content.

Yunnan has tropical, temperate, and cold climate types. The northwestern part of Yunnan belongs to a cold-temperate climate, with long winters and low temperatures. The eastern and central parts of Yunnan belong to a temperate climate, with spring-like weather throughout the year. The southern and southwestern parts of Yunnan belong to the low-heat river valley area, with some areas entering the tropical zone, making it hot all year round.

Yunnan Weather in Four Seasons

The Northwest Part of Yunnan, Cold Zone Climate Area

The northwest part of Yunnan includes the most popular tourist destinations such as Lijiang, Shangri-La in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Meili Snow Mountain in Deqin County, and Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture.

Lijiang

In Spring, the average temperature ranges from 5 to 17 °C with an average precipitation of 13mm. In Summer, it ranges from 13 to 23 °C with an average precipitation of 158mm. In Autumn, it ranges from 12 to 21 °C with an average precipitation of 145mm. In Winter, it ranges from 1 to 15 °C with a low precipitation of 6mm.

• Read more about Lijiang Weather »

The Central and Eastern Parts of Yunnan, Tropical Monsoon Climate

In the central and eastern parts of Yunnan, there are destinations such as Kunming, Yuxi, Dongchuan (Red Soil Land), Luoping (Rapeseed Flower), etc.

Kunming

In spring, the average temperature in Kunming ranges from 7 to 21 °C, with a precipitation of 18mm. In summer, it ranges from 16 to 24 °C, with a precipitation of 161mm. In autumn, it ranges from 14 to 22 °C, with a precipitation of 134mm. In winter, it ranges from 4 to 16 °C, with a precipitation of 21mm.

• Read more about Kunming Weather »

The western part of Yunnan, geothermal valley areas and tropical areas

The western part of Yunnan includes tourist destinations such as Dali, Baoshan, Tengchong, Dehong, and Nujiang.

Dali

In Spring, the average temperature ranges from 7 to 20 °C, with 29mm of precipitation. In Summer, it ranges from 15 to 25 °C, with 144mm of precipitation. In Autumn, it ranges from 14 to 23 °C, with 166mm of precipitation. In Winter, it ranges from 4 to 17 °C, with 22mm of precipitation.

• Read more about Dali Weather »

The Southern Pats of Yunnan, Geothermal River Valley Region and Tropical Zone

The southern parts of Yunnan includes popular tourist destinations such as Jianshui(Zhu's Family Garden, Double Dragon Bridge), Yuanuang(Terrace Fields), Pu'er(Tea), and Xishuangbanna (Jinghong).

Jinghong, the Capital of Xishuangbanna

In Spring, the average temperature in Jinghong is 15-31°C with 30mm of precipitation; in Summer, it ranges from 22-31°C with 177mm of precipitation; In Autumn sees temperatures between 21-30°C with 153mm of precipitation and Winter temperatures range from 13-25°C with 153mm of precipitation.

Travel recommendations for Yunnan by month

The Best Times to Visit Yunnan for Ethnic Festivals