Kunming Weather: Climate, Temperature & Best Time to Visit

Having a low-altitude mountain plateau monsoon climate, Kunming has a moderate spring-like climate with never too hot in summer or too cold in winter, so Kunming is also called “Spring City”. The annual average temperature in Kunming is about 15 ℃. The hottest month usually comes in July, with an average temperature for about 19.7 ℃ in this month. While the average temperature in January, the coldest month in Kunming, is still at a pleasant 7.5 ℃.

Best Time to Visit Kunming

In general, the Weather in Kunming, especially in Kunming downtown, is always pleasant enough for you to travel around. Even its rainy days are never so bad to stop you of getting out and planning your city tours, making Kunming a year round destination to be visited. While the best time for a Kunming tour is considered be from March to November. However, usually only in every November to early-March of next year will you be welcomed by Red-billed Seagulls from Siberia.

The best time to visit Dongchuan Red Land in the remote area of Kunming is a little bit special. Tourists have their own ideas of best visiting time. Some prefer the spring scenery with more natural soil views, some likes the summer landscapes with lush crops, some love the harvest season autumn, and other may enjoy the winter time with slight snow more. Normally, the hottest chosen best months are from May to June and September to December.

Best Kunming Tours:

>> 3 Days Kunming Spring City Tour

>> 6 Days Best of Yunnan Tour

Average Kunming Temperature by Month

Month	Max Temp.	Min Temp.
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Kunming Seasons to Go

Since Kunming weather is pleasant as in spring throughout the year, many people hold the view that Kunming has only two seasons - long spring and short winter. However, we would still like to separate the year in Kunming into four seasons, because there are different flowers and crops to see and activities to do in each season.

Kunming Spring (March, April and May)

The real spring in Kunming is from March to May, when the Red-billed Seagulls gradually fly back to Siberia and the cold wind turn into a style of cool and gentle. The vast area of Dongchuan Red Land become a vivifying world decorated with red soils, white buckwheat and potato flowers, green crop leaves, etc.

Spring in Kunming is cool, dry. The temperature in spring is about from 7℃ ~ 21℃. It may have many occasional rains in May. And there is a big temperature difference between day and night.

What to Wear in Kunming Spring

T-shirt and light jacket are enough in Kunming downtown. However, if you are going to visit the villages and scenic areas in the remote area, you are suggested to wear more layers after the night falls. Take an umbrella with you to avoid the harsh sun light and also some occasional rains.

Kunming Spring Activities

1. Hike up to the top of West Hill and Dragon Gate to have a panorama view of Kunming City and Dian Lake;
2. Feed Red-billed Seagulls at Green Lake or Dian Lake in early March;
3. Admire the Colorful World created by nature and locals at Dongchuan Red Land in May;
4. Wondering in Kunming Stone Forest, the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Karst topography with notable sets of limestone formations;
5. Visit one of the so many flower markets in Kunming and enjoy happy moments surrounded by flourishing flowers.

Hot Kunming Spring Tour:

>> 3 Days Kunming Spring City Tour

>> 5 Days Kunming Golf Tour with Spring City Highlights

Kunming Stone Forest

Dragon Gate at Western Hills

Kunming Weather in March

Temperature: 13°C / 55°F
High Temperature: 21°C / 70°F
Low Temperature: 6°C / 43°F
Humidity: 58%
Rainfall: 20 mm
Rainy Days: 6 days
Sunrise: 07:02 ~ 07:32
Sunset: 19:12 ~ 19:26

Kunming Weather in April

Temperature: 17°C / 663°F
High Temperature: 24°C /75°F
Low Temperature: 15°C / 59°F
Humidity: 59%
Rainfall: 24 mm
Rainy Days: 7 days
Sunrise: 06:34 ~ 07:01
Sunset: 19:26 ~ 19:39

Kunming Weather in May

Temperature: 19°C / 66°F
High Temperature: 24°C /75°F
Low Temperature: 14deg;C / 57°F
Humidity: 68%
Rainfall: 97 mm
Rainy Days: 12 days
Sunrise: 06:19 ~ 06:33
Sunset: 19:40 ~ 19:55

Kunming Summer (June, July and August)

Summer is the hottest season in Kunming. However, the temperature there is much more moderate when compared with most of other cities in China. The temperature in this season is about from 16℃ ~ 24℃, with a rapid jump to about 35℃ during some noon hours. When it rains, the temperature usually cools substantially. And summer in Kunming rains a lot. About 15 days of each month in summer may have rains.

What to Wear in Kunming Summer

T-shirt and medium-length light pants are recommended to wear in summer in Kunming. Wear a hat and prepare sunscreen with you all the day to avoid being hurt by harsh sunlight and strong ultraviolet radiation. If you have plans to do hiking, make sure you are wearing one pair of light and antiskid shoes.

Kunming Summer Activities

1. Visit Kunming Stone Forest and experience the Yi Torch Festival at Kunming Stone Forest if you happen to visit there in the mid-July or early August;
2. Hike up to the top of West Hill and Dragon Gate to have a panorama view of Kunming City and Dian Lake;
3. Admire the Colorful World created by nature and locals at Dongchuan Red Land in June;
4. Cool you off and make adventurous at Jiuxiang Karst Cave near Shilin (Stone Forest);
5. Enjoy cool hiking at Jiaozi Snow Mountain;
6. Visit one of the so many flower markets in Kunming and enjoy happy moments surrounded by flourishing flowers.

Hot Kunming Summer Tour:

>> 4 Days Kunming & Dongchuan Red Land Scenic Tour (Kunming/Dongchuan)

Eternal Mushroom of Stone Forest

Dongchuan Red Land in Summer

Kunming Weather in June

Temperature: 20°C / 68°F

High Temperature: 24°C / 75°F

Low Temperature: 17°C / 63°F

Humidity: 78%

Rainfall: 181 mm

Rainy Days: 17 days

Sunrise: 06:18 ~ 06:22

Sunset: 19:55 ~ 20:03

Kunming Weather in July

Temperature: 20°C / 68°F

High Temperature: 24°C / 75°F

Low Temperature: 17°C / 63°F

Humidity: 83%

Rainfall: 202 mm

Rainy Days: 21 days

Sunrise: 06:23 ~ 06:36

Sunset: 19:55 ~ 20:03

Kunming Weather in August

Temperature: 19°C / 66°F

High Temperature: 24°C / 75°F

Low Temperature: 16°C / 61°F

Humidity: 82%

Rainfall: 204 mm

Rainy Days: 19 days

Sunrise: 06:137 ~ 06:50

Sunset: 19:29 ~ 19:54

Kunming Autumn (September, October and November)

The weather in autumn in Kunming is almost the same with its spring, but a little bit cooler in the morning and night. The temperature vary from 14℃ to 22℃ in this season. The early autumn is usually the peak season for a Kunming tour. In November, groups of Red-billed Seagulls from Siberia will show appearance at the lakes in Kunming. And autumn comes another best period of time to visit Dongchuan Red Land. Locals are doing harvest during this period time and the largest amount of original red soil will appear, with some still hidden under the crops in yellow, green, white…

What to Wear in Kunming Autumn

T-shirts and long light jeans are appropriate for most of the days in autumn. Take a light coat with you in case it rains. Ultraviolet radiation is still strong in this season, so wear your hat or bring an umbrella with you.

Kunming Autumn Activities

1. See the harvest at Dongchuan Red Land and capture beautiful pictures of the most beautiful red color of this year;
2. Hike up to the top of West Hill and Dragon Gate to have a panorama view of Kunming City and Dian Lake;
3. Wondering in Kunming Stone Forest, the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Karst topography with notable sets of limestone formations;
4. Make an adventure at the Underground Karst Caves in Jiuxiang;
5. Feel the Mid-Autumn Festival atmosphere at the parks and shopping malls if you happen to visit Kunming on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month (usually in September);
5. Have a hiking experience at Jiaozi Snow Mountain.

Hot Kunming Autumn Tour:

>> 4 Days Kunming & Dongchuan Red Land Scenic Tour (Kunming/Dongchuan)

>> 5 Days Kunming Golf Tour with Spring City Highlights

Dongchuan Red Land

Jiuxiang Karst Cave

Kunming Weather in September

Temperature: 18°C / 64°F

High Temperature: 23°C / 73°F

Low Temperature: 15°C / 59°F

Humidity: 81%

Rainfall: 119 mm

Rainy Days: 16 days

Sunrise: 06:50 ~ 07:01

Sunset: 18:57 ~ 19:28

Kunming Weather in October

Temperature: 15°C / 59°F

High Temperature: 20°C / 68°F

Low Temperature: 12°C / 54°F

Humidity: 79%

Rainfall: 79 mm

Rainy Days: 13 days

Sunrise: 07:01 ~ 07:16

Sunset: 18:29 ~ 18:56

Kunming Weather in November

Temperature: 12°C / 54°F

High Temperature: 17°C / 63°F

Low Temperature: 7°C / 45°F

Humidity: 77%

Rainfall: 42 mm

Rainy Days: 7 days

Sunrise: 07:17 ~ 07:37

Sunset: 18:19 ~ 18:28

Kunming Winter (December, January and February)

Winter days is the closest time in Kunming, with average temperature less than 10℃. However, there are still many warm sunny days during this period of time. It rarely snows, but it occasionally freezes. There is a big temperature difference between day and night, so you are advised to wear more layers to adapt to the changing conditions.

What to Wear in Kunming Winter

T-shirts with long sleeves or sweater, long jeans and overcoat or jacket are the best choices to wear in winter.

Kunming Winter Activities

1. Feed Red-billed Seagulls and enjoy leisure walking like a local at Green Lake or Dian Lake;
2. Choose a sunny and warm day to hike up to the top of West Hill and Dragon Gate to have a panorama view of Kunming City and Dian Lake;
3. Wondering in Kunming Stone Forest, the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Karst topography with notable sets of limestone formations;
4. Go to Nanping Business Street or Guandu Ancient Street in Kunming downtown to savor street foods and dishes like Yunnan Rice Noodle;
5. Explore the snow world at Jiazo Snow Mountain;
6. Step into Yunnan Provincial Museum to explore the history and ethnic culture of Kunming and Yunnan;
7. Enjoy Chinese New Year on the streets with locals if you happen to visit Kunming at the end of January or in early to middle February.

Hot Kunming Winter Tour:

>> 3 Days Kunming Spring City Tour

Red-billed Seagulls at Green Lake

Panorama view from Dragon Gate

Kunming Weather in December

Temperature: 8°C / 46°F

High Temperature: 15°C / 59°F

Low Temperature: 3°C / 37°F

Humidity: 73%

Rainfall: 12 mm

Rainy Days: 4 days

Sunrise: 07:38 ~ 07:54

Sunset: 18:19 ~ 18:30

Kunming Weather in January

Temperature: 8°C /46°F

High Temperature: 15°C / 59°F

Low Temperature: 2°C / 36°F

Humidity: 68%

Rainfall: 16 mm

Rainy Days: 4 days

Sunrise: 07:53 ~ 07:56

Sunset: 18:31 ~ 18:53

Kunming Weather in February

Temperature: 10°C /50°F

High Temperature: 17°C /635°F

Low Temperature: 4°C / 39°F

Humidity: 63%

Rainfall: 16 mm

Rainy Days: 5 days

Sunrise: 07:34 ~ 07:52

Sunset: 18:53 ~ 19:10

Average Temperature and Rainy Days of Kunming

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg. High Temp (°C)	15	17	21	24	24	24	24	24	23	20	17	5
Avg. Low Temp (°C)	2	4	6	15	14	17	17	16	15	12	7	3
Avg. Rainy Days	4	5	6	7	12	17	21	19	16	13	7	4

How to Plan a Kunming Tour

Tourists prefer to spend 1~2 days in Kunming. Most of them will have a one-day tour to explore the attractions in Kunming downtown, like Green Lake, Yuantong Temple, West Hill and Dragon Gate Park, etc. Some also take another one day to visit Kunming Stone Forest to enjoy the massive otherworldly landscape of karst formations over 270 million years old.

>> 3 Days Kunming Spring City Tour

Photographers and nature lovers will also spend one day more to discover the Dongchuan Red Land, where they will get amazing natural and colorful terraces.

>> 4 Days Kunming & Dongchuan Red Land Tour

And if you want to savor more essences of this glamorous city, we recommend 1~3 more days to enjoying playing golf in this Spring City.

>> 5 Days Kunming Golf Tour with Spring City Highlights

Few tourists heading to Kunming for the attractions in Kunming only! The reasons attracting them to Yunnan are the world-renowned Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La. Therefore, after landing in Kunming and having a short tour there, they will extend their journey to these popular destinations. Such a Classic Yunnan Tour is really hot and needs only 8 days around.

>> 8 Days Classic Yunnan Tour (Kunming / Dali / Lijiang / Shangri-La)

If you want to add more surprises into your Yunnan tour, you are highly recommended to spend another 3 days around to Yuanyang Rice Terraces and Jianshui Ancient Town.

>> 11 Days Amazing Yunnan Tour (Kunming / Yuanyang / Jianshui / Kunming / Lijiang / Shangri-La)

Know more about How to Plan a Kunming Tour

Kunming Stone Forest

Lijiang Old Town

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