Yunnan weather depends on altitude more than on the calendar. Kunming and Dali are mild, Lijiang is cooler, and Shangri-La is cold in winter. A single trip can feel like three seasons, so choose the month with the place in mind.
If you are a photographer or a family who wants sunny pictures, the useful question is which place suits which season. Here is how the four compare.
How high is each place?
Height explains the weather. Kunming stands at about 1,892 m[1]. Dali City sits at about 1,975 m[2]. Lijiang’s Old Town is at 2,400 m[3], and Shangri-La is roughly 3,160 m[4].
Each step up makes mornings cooler and the sun stronger. Our altitude sickness guide explains how to pace the climb.
What are the wet and dry seasons?
Kunming averages roughly 9 C in January and roughly 19 to 21 C in July, with a wet season from about May to October that peaks from June to August[5]. About 80 percent of Lijiang’s roughly 968 mm of yearly rain falls between June and September[6]. Shangri-La has cold but sunny winters, and most of its rain falls from June to September[7].
So the wet season runs through summer, and the dry season runs from late autumn to spring.
What does each season feel like?
| Season | What to expect | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dry and sunny, cold nights in the highlands | Clear mountain views and quiet lanes |
| Spring | Mild days, flowers, cool evenings | Families and gentle walkers |
| Summer | Green hills and rain, cooler than lowland Malaysia | Lush landscapes and fewer crowds |
| Autumn | Clear skies return, soft light | Photographers and slow travel |
Which place suits which month?
Choose the place by season:
- Winter: Kunming and Dali for mildness, Lijiang with warm layers, Shangri-La only if everyone is comfortable with cold.
- Spring and autumn: all four work, and these are the easiest months for a first trip.
- Summer: Dali and Lijiang for green scenery, with rain jackets and indoor backup plans.
For month-by-month detail, see China in April, China in June and July and China in November.
How should you pack?
Pack layers in every month. The sun is strong at altitude and the evenings are cold. Our guide to dressing for China’s weather lists the layers.
What is the next step?
Choose your month, choose two bases, and keep one buffer afternoon. Compare it with the best time to visit China or browse the seasons topic page.