About Yunnan
The Best Time for Traveling to Yunnan
“Season varies in a single mountain and weather differs within a short distance.” This is a vivid description of the climate in Yunnan. Characterized by a varied topography and changeable weather, Yunnan has the marked features of undistinguished seasonal changes and an obvious division of humid and dry seasons. Yunnan welcomes most of its rainfalls from May to October, during which the road traffic would be in terrible condition since most of the roads are paralyzed. It’s also the peak period for traffic accidents.
“There are four seasons in a day.” This is the feature in many areas of Yunnan. While walking on the street, you can hardly tell what the season is on account of the people’s dresses. It’s because the weather is so capable of changes that the people have no idea as to what to wear. Thus they put on all sorts of clothes. This is actually one of the eight queer features in Yunnan—you can wear the same clothes regardless of the seasonal changes.
Kunming
Kunming enjoys the reputation as “the Spring City” without being too hot in summer and too cold in winter. It is in the temperate monsoon humid climate zone.
There is a great difference in temperature during day and night in Kunming. In winter and spring, the difference can be 12-20℃. When traveling to Kunming, don’t forget to bring a sweater or a coat. Its rainy season befalls from May to October. The temperature falls once it rains. So you’d better bring a coat with you. Kunming is an ideal destination for traveling all the year round. The best time is from March to October, during which the Yunnan ethnic minorities celebrate most of their traditional festivals. This period is also the harvest season for fruits and flowers. You’ll be definitely blessed by what Yunnan has to offer.
Dali
Located in the plateau monsoon climate zone in the low latitude area, Dali has the features of undistinguished seasonal changes and a small year temperature difference with its annual average temperature of 15℃. It’s temperate all the year round without being too cold in winter and too hot in summer. The Bai people celebrate most of their traditional festivals in March and April. When visiting Dali, you can experience the strong ethnic local lifestyle. A song goes like this, “Dali showcases its exceptional beauty in March.” Thus, March is the best time for you to travel to Dali.
Lijiang
Situated in the southwest plateau monsoon climate zone, Lijiang has a lower temperature and a great difference in temperature during day and night. You can travel to Lijiang at any time of the year. The items you need to bring include: short T-shirts, sweaters, coats, sun creams and rain gears. In Lijiang, each day is fine and has something to offer.
Lying in the extensive mountains, the Lugu Lake and its surrounding areas are blessed with a comfortable climate as the surface of the lake coordinates the temperature. It’s warm in winter and cool in summer with a monthly average temperature of less than 20℃. The best time for you to go to Lugu Lake is spring and summer.
Xishuang Banna
Seated in the tropical rainforest climate zone, Xishuang Banna is warm all the year round without being too hot in summer and too cold in winter. The best time for you to go to Xishuang Banna is from October to December and from January to June.
There is a division of humid and dry seasons in Xishuang Banna. From November to December and from January to April, it welcomes its dry season and from May to October its rainy season. It boasts an annual average temperature of 21℃, therefore, it never snows. Even in January, the temperature is high during the day. A sweater is enough for you in winter.
Shangri-La
Spring and summer are the best seasons for you to travel to Shangri-La. In spring and winter, it’s mild and the flowers are blossoming in a riot of color, which will never fail to attract any visitor. The autumn in the Diqing Plateau will just leave an everlasting impression on you in the rest of your life. Around 10 days after the Mid-Autumn Festival, the plateau is dotted with the enticing autumn scenery. The sceneries in the Shudu Lake, Xiaozhong Dian and Baimang Xue are so gorgeous that you can just go there and enjoy what they have to offer.
Baoshan
Standing in the plateau of the low latitude area, Baoshan is featured by its varied topography. It’s this feature that results in the stereoscopic climate, which is vividly depicted by the saying “season varies in a single mountain and weather differs within a short distance”. There’re altogether 7 types of climate in Baoshan: the north tropical zone climate, the southern Asian tropical zone climate, the central Asian tropical zone climate, the north subtropical zone climate, the south temperate zone climate, the mid-temperate zone climate and the plateau climate. Baoshan has a small year temperature difference with an average temperature of 14-17℃. However, it has a great difference in temperature during day and night. In addition, its division of humid and dry seasons is obvious and its rainfalls are abundant. In general, the climate is quite comfortable in Baoshan.
Honghe
Most of the places in Honghe prefecture are located in the subtropical plateau monsoon climate zone with an annual average temperature of 15-22.6℃. The temperature increases as it crosses from Yuanyang to Jianshui to Mengzi to Hekou. When traveling to Honghe, you need to bring some clothes that can be worn both in a hot and cold season. Besides, a rain cape is good for you because you can put it on when it rains and lay it down on the ground for you to have a rest when you’re tired after walking. The best time for you to go to Honghe is from March to April and from September to November.
Yuxi
In Yuxi, most of the places are in the subtropical inland plateau climate zone. The valley of the Yuanjiang River in the south is seated in the tropical and southern Asian tropical climate zone. It’s like spring all the year round with an obvious division of dry and humid seasons and an annual average temperature of 15.5-23.7℃. The difference in temperature during day and night is great in here. In spring and autumn, you need to prepare a coat and in winter you should bring some winter clothes with you. The best time for you to go to Yuxi is summer and autumn.