Lijiang Climate & Weather

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Lijiang enjoys a subtropical humid climate. Just like the climate in Dali, Lijiang’s climate is also mainly defined by the low latitude and high altitude. The high altitude makes Lijiang has cooler temperatures and a clear, sunny sky, while the low latitude makes Lijiang has a hot and humid weather pattern. The annual temperature difference is small, but the temperature difference between day and night is large. The annually average temperature here is between 13°C and 20°C. The average temperature of the hottest month ranges from 18℃ to 26℃ and the average temperature of the coldest month is from 4℃ to 26℃.

Lijiang Lijiang

The four seasons of Lijiang are not clear, but there is a clear distinction between the wet season and the dry season. The wet season is from May to October with plenty of rainfalls and the dry season falls between November and April with abundant sunshine. During the dry season, the temperature difference between daytime and nigh time will be huge, about 10°C. The annually average rainfall in Lijiang is about 1000 mm. The rainfall of the rainy season accounts for more than 85% of the year, which especially concentrates in July and August. Since Lijiang is located in low latitude plateau, the solar radiation is strong all the year round. The annual sunshine duration is 2500 hours. The annual solar radiation is about 147 kilocalorie per square centimeter, which is the highest value in Yunnan area.

Spring (March – May)

In spring, Lijiang has a warm and comfortable weather. The temperature ranges from 6℃-20℃. It is sunny most of the time. It is recommended to wear long dress and long trousers. Spare sweaters are also needed. In spring, the sky is blue and the flowers are blossoming. With sufficient sunlight, it is enjoyable to travel around in Lijiang. You are recommended to climb Meili Snow Mountains and trek Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Lijiang Spring

Summer (June – August)

In summer, the temperature is from 15℃-26℃. It is cool in morning and evening, but a little bit hot at noon. It rains a lot in July and August. When it is rainy, there will be a sudden drop in temperature. Therefore, it is recommended to take rain gears and thin coats with you when you go out. The recommended clothes are T-shirts, long trousers and spare thin coats. The ultraviolet radiation is also very strong in summer. It is necessary to take sunglasses and sunscreen products. In summer, there are also many flowers blossoming on the corner of the old town, on the hillsides and on the grassland.

Lijiang Summer

Autumn (September – November)

Autumn is an ideal season to visit Lijiang. In autumn, Lijiang is with dry weather, clear sky, verdant trees and colorful blossoms. The temperature is between 10℃-23℃. One third of the time in autumn is rainy, one third of the time is sunny and one third of the time is cloudy. It is recommended to wear T-shirts and long trousers. Spare thin coats and sweaters are also required. You’d better take rain gears with you when you go out.

Lijiang Autumn

Winter (December – February)

The weather in winter is clear and warm in the day and a little bit cold at night. The temperature ranges from 0℃-12℃. For most of the time in winter, it is sunny and dry. It is comfortable joyful to sit in the garden to enjoy the sunshine. The UV radiation is also strong. You also need to take sunscreen products and sunglasses with you. Thick coats, sweaters and long trousers are recommended. Sometimes, down jackets are also needed. Winter is the off-season for travel in Lijiang. There are fewer tourists in Lijiang. When you walk on the stone road in the old town, you will feel the peaceful Lijiang only belongs to you.

Lijiang Winter

Best Time to Go

Whenever you come, Lijiang has much to offer. Different landscape will be offered according to different seasons. But the best time to visit Lijiang should be autumn when crisp fresh air, clear blue sky, blossoming flowers and verdant trees are all available.

Lashi Lake

In other seasons, there are also some other scenic spots available for you to visit. For example, in winter, you can’t enjoy the thrilling and exciting scenery of Tiger Leaping Gorge, but you can go to Meili Snow Mountains to watch the sunrise and sunset. In the middle of May, the azaleas are all in blossom. During June and July, the grassland of Lugu Lake is very beautiful. In spring and summer, Lashi Lake has many blossoming flowers and verdant grass. It is great to ride a horse following the Tea-Horse Ancient Road in Lashi Lake. Autumn is the best time to watch migratory birds in Lijiang.

Lugu Lake

No matter when you go to Lijiang, you’d better take sufficient clothes. Although it is summer, you also need to take thin coat and long trousers. In winter, you have to take thick jackets and down jackets. Due to the weather is relatively dry and the solar radiation is strong, you are recommended to take lipsticks and sunscreen products with you.