Yunnan Weather & Seasons | Yunnan Best Time to Visit

Normally, Spring is from March to May, which is one of the best time to visit Yunnan. The temperature is from 8˚C - 20˚C and changes largely from day to night, so you should take sweater, light coat to keep warm.

Spring Things to Do

Kunming as the spring city can be top destination to go and visit the Stone Forest and join the local folk by visiting the Green Lake and experience the leisure life.

During Spring, the white buckwheat flowers and potato flowers covering the whole Dongchuan Red Land change this area into red, white and green, which is amazing under the blue sky. Also, Dali Ancient City shows fantastic look in Spring with refreshing vigorous sightseeing, azure sky, soft clouds, multiple flowers, warm orange sunshine…, so you will surely feel life is really wonderful. Visit Lijiang in spring, you may still have a chance to appreciate the magnificent snow-covered Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Spring is also the best seasons to hike to the Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Yunnan Ethnic Festivals in Spring

Sanduo Festival (Lugu Lake) held on every lunar February 8th is one of the most vital festivals of Naxi minority.

Third Month Fair (Dali Old Town) during every lunar March 15th – March 21st is one of the best times to appreciate Bai people’s artistic talent.

Water-Splashing Festival (Xishuangbanna) held during mid-April every year, on the around 3 days, all the young and elder, male and female bath and dress up to join the Buddhist ceremony in the temple.

Recommended Best Yunnan Tour in Spring:

>> 6 Days Yunnan Essence Tour (Kunming / Dali / Lijiang)

>> 10 Days Beautiful Yunnan Tour with Dongchuan Red Land (Kunming / Dali / Lijiang / Shangri-La / Dongchuan Red Land)

From June to late September is the Summer time when the temperature reaches highest over 30 ˚C among the year, but not stiflingly hot with so much rain in this season. Tourists should better take sunscreen, umbrella and dresses or long-sleeve shirt.

Summer Things to Do

There are kinds of places for you to avoid the summer heat, such as visit the Lashi Lake and Lugu Lake if you visit Lijiang. Visit Lugu Lake in spring, you can enjoy the pleasant and cool weather with gentle breezes blowing, mist floating in the midair after rainy, azalea in pink and white blossom in the mountain…Or join the local ethnic festivals hold in Kunming or other cities in Yunnan, such as Raosanling in Dali, Horse Racing Festival in Shangri-La, Kuzhazha Festival in Yuanyang and . If you go to Lijiang Old Town during this season, you will feel her especially romantic flavor, because rain makes the old city more appealing with much Chinese antique feel, and more, the night view of many lights under the sparkling stars is of more charm.

Yunnan Ethnic Festivals in Summer

Raosanling (Dali) held on every late Lunar April is one of the important festivals of Bai minority. During the 3-4 days, Bai people would dress up in their unique costumes to walk along the three temples, singing and dancing, worshipping for the King of the past Dali Kingdom, good harvest, peace of the world.

Horse Racing Festival (Shangri-La) is held from lunar May 5th. On the three days, Shangri-La is changed more charming with vigorous spring blossoms. People prepare hearty picnics, horsemen give their best performance in the competitions and shows for your new appreciate.

Torch Festival (Chuxiong, Kunming, Shaxi Ancient Town) which is the grandest traditional festival of Yi people and celebrated from lunar June 24th or 25th, for about 3 days. They hold ceremonious sacrifice activities, worshipping for the heaven, fire, ancestors, praying for a prosperous life and good harvest of the coming year.

Ku Zha Zha Festival (Yuanyang Rice Terraces), celebrated in lunar June, Hani people worship the “mushroom houses” and farm tools, and make a local swing, etc. to celebrate a great harvest in advance.

Recommended Best Yunnan Tour in Summer:

>> 6 Days Best of Yunnan Tour (Lijiang / Shangri-La / Kunming)

>> 7 Days Yunnan Paradise Tour to Lijiang, Shangri-La & Lugu Lake (Lijiang / Shangri-La / Lugu Lake)

Autumn is one of the peak seasons for Yunnan travel, not only for the weather is becoming cool, but also to appreciate the golden nature. The average temperature in daytime is around 20 ˚C so you can wear some casual clothing is suitable.

Autumn Things to Do

Autumn is the best season to visit Shangri-La, after the summer of rainfall, all colors are becoming more brighter. Don’t miss the colorful wonderland in Pudacuo National Park, since it is covered with various kinds of blossoms. It is also a good season to do outdoor activities, you can plan a hiking tour to Yubeng Village and enjoy the magnificent beauty of Meli Snow Mountain. If you are afraid of high altitude sickness but want to have an exciting adventure, Tiger Leaping Gorges would be a perfect choice for you. If you go to Lijiang during autumn, don’t miss the turquoise lakes in Blue Moon Valley. The fairyland for photographers - Dongchuan Red Land is a must-go place in autumn, enjoy the colorful palettes with different plants coming out in shapes of red land, you can’t help but marvel at the uncanny workmanship of nature.

Yunnan Ethnic Festivals in Autumn

The Tenth Month Festival (Yuanyang Rice Terraces) is the most important to Hani people. Held in the lunar October, the festival lasts for about 13 days. Since it is vital as the Chinese Lunar New Year, local ethnic people prepare multiple tasteful cuisines, put on brand new clothes, worship for the heaven, earth and ancestors, give presents to friends and relatives, and enjoy the beaming festival with family members.

Recommended Best Yunnan Tour in Autumn:

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

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

Winter in Yunnan is not too cold and some regions still have temperature of over 20˚C. To well-prepared, you should bring some warm coat, light jacket and take sunglass as well.

Winter Things to Do

For the low latitude, there is no cold winter in the southern part of Yunnan, two destinations can’t be miss in winter are Yuanyang and Xishuangbanna. If you love photography, Yuanyang Rice Terrace is never missed out after been irrigated during the January and February. With nice weather, you can catch the wonderful scene when the pellucid water surface makes a reverberating reflection in the early morning mixed with thin fog before the sun rising, which is definitely worth visiting. Winter is the best season to visit Xishaungbanna - the tropical kingdom in China. A tour to Xishuangbanna, tourists can escape the chilly winter and enjoy tropical rain forests, diverse plants and wild animals, Theravada Buddhist complex and ethnic customs of Dai minority. Luoping spring comes early every year with very comfortable weather. Visit Luoping in February, you can immerse in thousand square meters Rapeseed Flowers is blooming flourishingly in the whole county.

Moreover, winter is a great season to visit the snowy places, like Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang, Meili Snow Mountain in Shangri-La, Cangshan Mountain in Dali, when you will enjoy the really breathtaking scenery of the silver snow world on the peak.

Featured Activities & Festivals in Winter

Gaozhuang Starlight night market (Xishaungbanna) is a shining visiting card of Xishuangbanna. Ignited with diverse colorful lights and neon along the streets and river, this night stroll place is really attractive for you to take a leisure stroll to see various local snacks, fruits, specialties, ethnic costumes, handicrafts, etc.

Rice Terraces Hiking (Yuanyang), hiking among the rice paddies is the best way to throw yourselves into the beautiful scenery. We recommend you the classic route between Pugao Laozhai and Azheke.

Luoping International Canola Flower Culture Festival (Luoping), every year from the late January to the early April, thousand square meters Rapeseed Flowers is blooming flourishingly in the whole county of Luoping. To capture the best scenery, you’d better come at the end of February to the early March.

Recommended Best Yunnan Tour in Winter:

>> 5 Days Kunming Xishuangbanna Contrast Scenery & Culture Tour

>> 4 Days Kunming Luoping Canola Flowers Tour

The weather in Yunnan province varies in different regions and cities. You may plan your tour according to highlights of each season. Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang are the hottest tour destinations in Yunnan and are suitable for travel all year around, most people would plan a 5-6 days tour to explore these places.

Recommended Yunnan Classic Tour Package:

▶ 6 Days Yunnan Essence Tour (Kunming / Dali / Lijiang)

For tourists who has more days can continue their trip to the Lost Paradise - “Shangri-La”, enjoy the plateau scenery in Pudacuo National Park, admire the No.1 holy snow mountain in China - Meili Snow Mountain, learn more about local Tibetan lifestyle and pay a visit to Garden Sumtsaling Monastery.

Recommended Yunnan Shangri-La Tour Package:

▶ 6 Days Best of Yunnan Tour (Lijiang / Shangri-La / Kunming)

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

If you want to cover all the highlights of Yunnan, arrange 10 days or longer will be great for the in-depth exploration. Highlight your trip by visiting photography paradises - Yuanyang and Dongchuan. Or if you want to enjoy tropical scenery, head south to the tropical kingdom Xishuangbanna or dreamlike land Puzhehei.

Recommended In-Depth Yunnan Tour Package:

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

▶ Read More about How to Plan a Yunnan Tour