Compared to most places in China, Yunnan is warmer in winter and cooler in summer. In general, October to April is the best time to travel to Yunnan.
However, the best time for you to visit Yunnan depends on your interests and what you hope to experience. Check out our best times advice and see which one suits you most.
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The Best Times to Visit Yunnan for Good Weather
Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Yunnan for good weather.
Spring (March to May) enjoys pleasant weather, especially if you prefer milder temperatures and enjoy witnessing the region's natural beauty in bloom. Daytime temperatures typically range from 15 to 25°C (59–77°F).
During the autumn months, from September to November, you can expect pleasant and comfortable weather with clear skies. It is also the best season for outdoor activities. Daytime temperatures are about the same as temperatures in spring.
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Fantastic tour guide - Alice Liu @ Dali!
Alice Dali is an amazing tour guide. With her bubbly personality and knowledge, we understand rich culture of Dali and we have enjoyed our trip in Dali very much.We highly recommend Alice and China High nightlights. more
Sep 2024, Vee Tan
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Dali Yunnan with China Highlight - Alice Liu
This is our first trip to Dali at Yunnan using China Highlights and we are very blessed to have Alice Liu Dali as our guide. She is very committed & went beyond miles to meet our requirements. She is knowledgeable & is hardworking. A big thumbs up for her. more
Sep 2024, Shirley
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Alice Dali is Our best tour guide in Dali Yunnan
Alice Liu ,Dali, is a fantastic tour guide. She has provided excellent service and gone extra miles to meet our needs. Alice speaks fluent English and she has a bubbly personality that makes our trips so much fun. more
Sep 2024, Wilson N
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The Best Times to Visit Yunnan for Family Travel
Undoubtedly, spring and autumn are the best seasons for families of all ages. Your family could enjoy a wide range of activities, from cultural experiences to outdoor adventures.
If you're traveling with school-age children, summertime might be a suitable time. Although summer is the rainy season, your family could still enjoy some outdoor adventures, such as hiking, cycling, and exploring nature.
Northern and central cities, such as Dali, Kunming, and Lijiang, receive less rainfall than southern ones.
If your family is looking for a unique Christmas and New Year celebration, winter could also be a good time. Yunnan experiences relatively mild winters (December to February) compared to many other parts of China.
Lowland areas, such as Kunming, Dali, and Xishuangbanna, have pleasant daytime temperatures, typically ranging from 10–20°C (50–68°F).
If you are planning a family trip to Yunnan, see more on How to Plan a Family Trip to Yunnan, or feel free to contact us if you need professional advice and itinerary planning.
The Best Times to Visit Yunnan for Ethnic Festivals
If you want to experience the exotic Yunnan ethnic customs, April is recommended.
In April, you could experience the Water Splashing Festival in Xishuangbanna. People gather in the streets and on the riverbanks to douse each other with water as a symbol of cleansing and good luck. You would also witness colorful parades featuring traditional Dai clothing, music, and dance.
The San Yue Jie ethnic festival in Dali would also be held in the third lunar month (usually in April). You would have the opportunity to enjoy traditional cultural performances and explore bustling markets featuring a wide array of handicrafts, artworks, and local delicacies.
Yunnan enjoys rich and colorful ethnic cultures and traditions. If you are particularly interested in this, we could arrange some experiences for you in the itinerary according to your interests. Just contact us.
The Worst Time to Visit Yunnan
Yunnan does not have a worst time for sightseeing. Because Yunnan is located on a high plateau at a low latitude, this leads to excellent spring-like weather throughout the four seasons. There is no scorching heat or severe cold. Whenever you visit, you could enjoy its seasonal weather advantages and activities.
But if you dislike heavy rainfall and want to avoid wet weather, then the rainy season (June to August) might be the worst time for you to visit Yunnan.
Many areas, especially in the south (such as Xishuangbanna), experience frequent and sometimes torrential rain. Kunming, Dali, and Shangri-La would be better choices. Flexible arrangements need to be made to cope with occasional rain.
When it doesn't rain, you could still do many outdoor activities, such as hiking and cycling. When it rains, you could also have many rich indoor cultural experiences, such as dyeing a handkerchief in the traditional Bai way at a family tie-dyeing workshop.
We would create a hassle-free trip based on your travel time and requirements. Feel free to contact us.
Yunnan Travel Guide by Month
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
Yunnan in January
- Average daily temperature range: 3–17°C (37–63°F)
- Average rainy days: 3
- Average cloudy days: 11
- Average sunny days: 17
January brings crisp, cool weather to Yunnan. Xishuangbanna is a good place to escape the cold winter.
Lijiang, Dali, and Kunming also have mild and sunny weather. It is suitable to enjoy various outdoor activities.
There are also relatively few visitors to Yunnan in January.
Recommended China Tours in Yunnan
We are ready to solve the problems of planning a complex trip in an unfamiliar region for you, helping to save you time and effort while ensuring that your travel needs and desires are met. Just contact us to customize your trip.
All of our tours, including those recommended below, can be adjusted/customized based on your requirements: