Best Time to Visit Yunnan

Yunnan is abbreviated as Dian. It can be divided into Central Dian, Western Dian, Southern Dian, and Eastern Dian by regions. Kunming, which is well-known to everyone, is in Central Dian. Shangri-La, Dali, and Lijiang are in Northern Dian. Xishuangbanna is in Southern Dian. Qujing is in Eastern Dian.

The best time to visit Yunnan is spring, autumn, and winter. In spring, you can go to Kunming and Qujing to enjoy the spring scenery.

In winter, you can escape the cold in Xishuangbanna. Autumn is a good time to visit Shangri-La to see the sun shining on the mountains. Summer is the rainy season in Yunnan, so it's not highly recommended for traveling.

Best Time to Visit Central Yunnan

Kunming

Best Time to Visit: From December to May

Popular Attractions: Cuihu Park, Dianchi Lake

Kunming is called the Spring City because its temperature is warm like spring all year round, with no extreme cold in winter and no intense heat in summer. This city is a perfect first stop for your Yunnan trip. You can take a train from Kunming South Railway Station to the most popular nearby cities, such as Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La.

Spring (March to May) is when flowers bloom, and the weather warms up. Take a walk or just sit and relax at Cuihu Park. You can breathe in fresh air and experience Kunming's relaxed lifestyle. Near Shuiyue Xuan in the park center, the flowers are especially vibrant. The red flowers reflect on the lake, and willow trees surround the shore, creating a beautiful scene.

The red soil in Dongchuan, about 180 kilometers away from Kunming, is like a color palette accidentally spilled by God. In the same season, it has different charming colors. In March, the red soil is covered with snow, with the red soil and white snow contrasting each other. By May, the red soil is dotted with golden wheat, green highland barley, and lush potato seedlings, with distinct colors.

When sunlight hits the red soil at sunrise or sunset, its colors become incredibly rich and beautiful, making for amazing photo opportunities. For stunning sunset views and great sunset photos, Luoxia Gully is the best spot, just go between 16:30 and 18:00. If you want to capture sunrise, head to Damakan or Jinxiu Garden; arriving after 7:00 works well.

In winter (December to February), many seagulls from Siberia fly to Dianchi Lake to spend the winter. The sky is filled with seagulls, adding a lot of white to the blue waters of Dianchi Lake. If you want to feed the seagulls, it's best to go between 8:00 and 10:00, when they've just woken up and are hungry.

Best Time to Visit Western Yunnan

Lijing

Best Time to Visit: From September to February

Popular Attractions: Lijiang Ancient Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

It takes just 4 hours by train from Kunming to Lijiang. The altitude is about 2,400 meters. You won't get altitude sickness as long as you don't climb Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. If you plan to go up the mountain, it's best to take the cable car to save a lot of time and energy.

Don't run or walk fast on the snowy mountain; stop and rest if you find it hard to breathe. If you need an oxygen tank, it's better to buy one in the city area in advance, as it's more affordable there.

From November each year to February of the next year, it's the easiest time to see the sunshine-kissed golden peaks and snow on the mountains at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Legend has it that those who can catch a glimpse of the sunshine-kissed golden peaks will have great luck for the whole year.

Black Dragon Pool is the best spot to view this phenomenon, where you can almost take in the full view of the snow mountain. The best viewing time is from 7:30 to 8:00 in the morning.

Lijiang Ancient Town is a great destination in any season. The town only comes alive at night when it gets dark, with shops lining the streets selling clothes, accessories, and delicious food. Even if you're just strolling around casually, you'll be drawn in by these exquisite items and may end up wanting to buy something.

If you prefer a quieter experience, you can wake up in the morning and take a walk through the ancient town, enjoying the morning sunlight. At that time, there are few people around, and it's peaceful.

Dali

Best Time to Visit: From September to February

Popular Attractions: Erhai, Dali Ancient Town

Dali is a city built alongside Erhai Lake. Although Erhai Lake isn't a real sea, its scenery is even more beautiful than that of the sea. When the weather is good, the lake water is as blue as the sky.

There is a circular highway around Erhai Lake, with a total length of 140 kilometers. If you want to cycle all the way around, including time for meals and rest, it will take 1 to 2 days. This is quite challenging and impractical for most people.

The best section for cycling is the West Erhai Circular Road. The road surface is flat, and the scenic spots are all concentrated here. Along the way, you can see vast fields, seas of flowers, and Bai ethnic villages.

The best time for cycling is spring (March to May) or autumn (June to November). During this period, there is plenty of sunshine and high visibility, allowing you to fully enjoy the beautiful scenery of Erhai Lake.

You can rent a bicycle here for just CNY10 to CNY15 for a whole day, but you have to return it to the rental place. If you're not very physically fit, it's best not to cycle for more than 2 hours. If you want to save effort, you can also choose to take a cruise ship or a car to tour Erhai Lake.

Dali Ancient Town is located to the southwest of Erhai Lake. It's a place where you can eat, drink, play, and have fun all in one. The two busiest streets in the ancient town are Fuxing Road, which runs north-south, and Foreigners' Street, which runs east-west.

If you don't know where to start exploring, you might as well enter the ancient town through the South Gate and walk along Fuxing Road, the central axis of the town. You can see representative attractions such as Wuhua Tower, the Bedsheet Factory, ethnic-style restaurants, and farmers' markets.

After exploring, exit through the Cangshan Gate. There are the most bus routes here, making it convenient to get to the railway station, Xizhou, and Caicun.

Shangri-La

Best Time to Visit: From June to February

Popular Attractions: Meili Snow Mountain, Songzanlin Monastery, Hutiao Gorge, Pudacuo National Forest Park

Shangri-La is known as the place closest to heaven. Because it's next to Tibet, Tibetan culture is very popular. Shangri-La is on a plateau with an average altitude of 3,459 meters. You may experience some altitude sickness when you go there, and the severity varies from person to person. But it's normal, so don't worry too much. Just keep a calm mind.

To the north of Shangri-La stands Meili Snow Mountain, called the King of Snow Mountains. Its main peak, Kawagebo Peak, is pyramid-shaped. It's the highest point in Shangri-La and also the highest in the whole of Yunnan. So far, no one has successfully reached the summit.

From October to December each year, when the weather is clear, it's the best time to see the sunrise illuminating the golden mountain. The best viewing spot is the Feilai Temple Observation Deck, and the best time to watch is around 7:30 to 8:30.

Songzanlin Monastery in central Shangri-La is called the Little Potala Palace. It's the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit.

If you just want to take photos, you don't need to buy a ticket. You can capture the whole monastery's reflection in the water at Lamu Yangtso Lake in front of the temple.

When climbing the 147 steps leading to the main hall, go slowly, or you may get altitude sickness. Once inside the monastery, follow Tibetan etiquette. Turn the prayer wheels clockwise, wear long pants, and don't step on the thresholds.

Tiger Leaping Gorge in southern Shangri-La is between Haba Snow Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. During the rainy season (June to August) each year, the water flows fast. It's one of the deepest canyons in China, divided into Upper Hutiao, Middle Hutiao, and Lower Hutiao.

Upper Hutiao is the most exciting part, with a special observation deck and well-maintained plank roads, making it safe for visitors of all ages. If you want to sightsee at Hutiao Gorge, summer is fine. If you want to hike, spring or autumn is better.

Pudacuo National Forest Park is also a great place for hiking. The open attractions now include Shudu Lake, Bita Sea, and Youyou Trail. The entire journey is approximately 10 kilometers, mostly flat, with man-made plank roads, making it relatively easy. If you're too tired to continue, you can take the scenic area's sightseeing bus back to the gate. Spring and autumn are the best times for hiking.

Best Time to Visit Eastern Yunnan

Luoping County

Best Time to Visit: From mid-February to mid-March

Popular Attraction: Rape Flower Field

From mid-February to mid-March each year is the prime time to visit Luoping County to see rape flowers. There are two places in this county where you can enjoy rapeseed flower views: Jinji Village and Niujie Village.

In Jinji Village, the sea of rape flowers is set against rolling hills and lively villages. From 7:00 to 8:00, when the first sunlight bathes the flower field, standing on the viewing platforms at Lingyi Temple or Dahei Mountain, you'll see clouds drifting by. It's like a fairyland.

In Niujie Village, the rape flowers grow in terraced fields. The circular ridges resemble the spiral patterns of snails, hence the name Snail Field.

I recommend visiting Jinji Village. You can take a direct bus from the county to the scenic area. There are plank roads built in the area, so you can walk among the flowers and take great photos.

Best Time to Visit Southern Yunnan

Yuanyang County

Best Time to Visit: From December to February

Popular Attractions: Yuanyang Rice Terraces

In Honghe Autonomous Prefecture, the irrigation period for the Yuanyang Rice Terraces is from November of one year to April of the next year. From December to January of the following year, only a small portion of the terraces has water.

As January and February approach the Spring Festival, trains and buses get crowded. March is the best time for viewing. By then, the Spring Festival holiday will be over, and there won't be too many people in the scenic area.

The terraces filled with water are like giant mirrors. On sunny days, they reflect the blue sky, and from a distance, the terraces seem to be covered with a blue cloth. For such a view, the best spot is Aichun, and the best time to go is 9:00. If you want to see the terraces bathed in golden hues at sunset, head to Laohuzui. The ideal time to go there is 17:30.

Xishuangbannan

Best Time to Visit: November to April

Popular Attractions: Tropical Rainforest Nature Reserve, Wild Elephant Valley

Xishuangbanna is located in the tropical zone, making it a perfect destination to escape the cold. Once you arrive, you can visit the Tropical Botanical Garden to experience the rich biodiversity. The garden is divided into an eastern and a western section. The eastern part is ideal for hiking, while the western part is great for sightseeing.

At Wild Elephant Valley, while walking along the elephant observation boardwalk, you have a chance to spot elephant families bathing and playing by the river. The likelihood is higher from February to April and from November to around the Spring Festival. If you want to get up close with the elephants, you can buy food at the Elephant Cafeteria and feed them.

Best Time to Visit Yunnan to Enjoy the Festival

Yunnan is a province where many ethnic minorities live together, and festivals are celebrated almost all year round. Among them, the Water-Splashing Festival and the Torch Festival are the most famous. If you want to experience the celebratory atmosphere of ethnic minorities, it's best to arrive at the event location 2 days before the festival starts.

The Water-Splashing Festival, held from April 13th to 15th each year, is the New Year for the Dai ethnic group and is mainly celebrated in Xishuangbanna. During the festival, people splash water on each other to wash away the misfortunes of the past year, and this special way of celebration also carries mutual blessings.

You'd better prepare a couple of extra sets of summer clothes for changing, as almost no one can avoid getting their clothes wet during this festival.

The Torch Festival of the Yi ethnic group falls on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month each year and is mainly held in Chuxiong. During the festival, people sing and dance around bonfires, believing that the flames can drive away evil and bring a good harvest. In addition, competitive events such as bullfighting and wrestling are held to make the festival even more lively.

Worst Time to Visit Yunnan

If the scenic spots you want to see are most spectacular only during the rainy season (June to August), such as Tiger Leaping Gorge, then you can travel to Yunnan. But at other times, it's not highly recommended to visit other attractions in Yunnan.

In addition, you'd better avoid China's public holidays, like Labor Day, National Day, and the Spring Festival. Labor Day and National Day are known as Golden Weeks and are peak travel times. During these periods, hotel and airfare prices will be much higher than usual.

The Spring Festival is the well-known Chinese New Year. Some attractions may be temporarily closed during this time, and you might make a wasted trip if you go then, although hotels and restaurants will still operate normally.

Weather in Yunnan

Yunnan is in the southwest of China. It spans three temperature zones from south to north: subtropical, temperate, and frigid zones. So, even in the same season, temperatures can vary among different cities in Yunnan.

Weather in Spring: March to May

In central Yunnan, such as Kunming, it's cool in the morning and evening, but warm at noon. There's a big temperature difference between day and night. You need to wear a short-sleeved shirt and take a thin jacket with you.

In northern Yunnan, cities like Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La are still very cold now. You should wear a hoodie and put on a down jacket.

At this time, in southern Yunnan, places like Xishuangbanna are warm and humid. You can just wear short-sleeved shirts.