Trekking in Sichuan in Summer: Is it the Rainy Season from June to August?

As the most popular destination for trekking in southwest China, Sichuan offers some unprecedented scenery and amazing places to visit for those with a passion for adventurous trekking. With dozens of places to choose from, there is no shortage of hiking trails in the western part of the province, and many thousands of visitors descend on the region in the summer months, to experience the wonders of the Tibetan Plateau area in western Sichuan.

Southwest China - The Most Popular Destination for Trekking

While it is the rainy season in Sichuan in July and August, it does not stop the thousands of visitors to the region from taking up the hiking trails in places like Jiuzhaigou, Siguniangshan, and Qizanggou.

What to Experience When Trekking in Sichuan in Summer

Fine Weather

In the lower altitude parts of Sichuan, the summer is hot and sultry, with little to no rain, but in the highlands on the edge of the plateau, the monsoon has already come, and the afternoons and early evenings often see heavy showers. These showers are not usually a problem for visitors, though, as they are not the torrential kind of other monsoon countries, and majority of the day is still bright and sunny. For a region with a monsoon season, it does not affect the tourism very much at all.

Summer is one of the best times to go trekking.

With plenty of bright sunshine, and very little rain, summer is one of the best times to trek in Sichuan, just remember to pack some rain gear before you leave. Temperatures may not be all that hot, normally reaching a maximum of around 17-18 degrees, which makes it comfortable for the exertions of climbing up and down valleys and mountains. However, the sun is strong and harsh, and can burn the skin despite the cool weather. Sun cream and sunglasses are a necessity at this time.

Natural Beauty

The summer in Sichuan Province is one of rare beauty and spectacular scenery. AS the rains start to fall, the grass and trees become greener and lusher in appearance, and the summer flowers blossom in the meadows. In stark contrast to the green and colors of the valleys, the mountains are still wreathed in snow or clouds, making the mountainous region one of the most stunning landscapes in the world. Summer is also the time when the migrating animals and indigent species are prolific in the valleys and plains of western Sichuan, adding to the innate beauty of the region.

Rare beauty and spectacular scenery in Sichuan.

Best Trekking Routes in Summer

As summer has its own breed of tourists, it also has its own kind of hikers. Thousands of people descend on the western area of Sichuan through the summer, having waited for the warmer weather, the slightly humid conditions, and the bright sunshine that they obviously prefer when trekking. And Sichuan has plenty to offer the summer trekker.

Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou National Park is a nature reserve in northern Sichuan, which is well-known for its multi-level waterfalls and serene, colorful lakes. Stretching across northern Sichuan, the valley offers a stunning landscape of turquoise lakes, bubbling streams, and lush forest, surrounded by tall, snow-covered mountains. Nicknamed “Jiuzhai Paradise”, even its remoteness has not stopped it from becoming a very hot hiking destination.

Jiuzhaigou National Park

The area around the Jiuzhai Valley is a distinct four-season climate, with blooming flowers in the spring, lush meadows in summer, colorful red and yellow forests in the fall, and winter snows and icy waterfalls. A great way to see this area is on a three-day trek around the valley, which also takes in the Huanglong National Park. The trek starts with Jiuzhaigou Valley on the first day, which covers only 6.5 kilometers, giving you ample time to take in the breathtaking scenery of the lakes and waterfalls, as well as getting the chance to experience some of the local culture of the Tibetan-Qiang minority group in the area.

On the second day, there is a short drive to get to Huanglong National Park, where you can walk along the wooden path beside the hundreds of terraced lakes. One of the highlights of this trip is the Five-color Lake, a series of terraced ponds that range in color from the highest to the lowest. With its beautiful scenery and virgin forests, this UNESCO site is known as a “Fairy Land on Earth”.

4 Days Chengdu Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Overland Tour

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Mount Siguniang

A very popular trekking location for Asian hikers, Mount Siguniang, or the Four maidens Mountain, is located in western Sichuan, around 200 kilometers west of Chengdu. The most popular trekking route in Mount Siguniang is the 2-night trek from Rilong to the summit of Dafeng, the lowest of the four peaks at only 5,025 meters. The Siguniangshan Scenic Area comprises of four adjacent mountain peaks, which are known as the “Four Maidens”, and are: Dafeng, Erfeng, Sanfeng, and Yaomei Feng.

Siguniangshan Scenic Area

The hike itself takes two days, with the first day spent on the challenging part of the trek to the Dafeng base camp at 4,400 meters, where you will stop for the night, before continuing in the morning on the 3-hour trek to the summit. The trek to the base camp goes through the Haizi Valley, which is famous for its alpine meadows and stunning lakes. Although the height to the summit from the base camp is only 615 meters, it is a 7-8 kilometer hike to get there, but the view from the peak is worth the climb, and you will have chance to witness the sunrise on the peak.

6 Days Mount Siguniang Dafeng and Erfeng Climbing Tour

Mount Gongga

The tallest peak in Sichuan Province, Mount Gongga is an ideal place to trek in summer. Climbing to the summit may be off-limits to novice mountaineers, but hiking around the sacred pilgrimage kora at its base is an experience best kept for summer and warmer weather. This trail is undertaken by hundreds of Tibetans every year, and starts just a short drive from the town of Kangding.

Mount Gongga - An Ideal Place to Trek in Summer

Covering a complete circuit of the mountain, the kora route includes visits to Caoke Village, Bawang Lake, Gongga Temple, Moxi Valley, and the Riwuqie Pass at 4,900 meters above sea level. There are several campsites along the route, and you can take as long or as short a time as you like, and take in the stunning mountain peak, the beautiful crystal lakes, and the herds of grazing yaks making the best of the summer pastures.

5 Days Mt.Gongga Trekking Tour

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Tips for Trekking in Summer

Suitable clothing - The temperature difference of day to night in the scenic areas is big, even if in summer it is cool in the morning and evening and hot at noon. Make sure you bring enough clothes to keep warm. Sunglasses, lip balm, and sun cream are recommended for summer hiking.
Avoid Peak Holidays - It is not a good idea to travel during the local holiday, like the International Labor Day (May 1 to 3) and the Dragon Boat Festival (the 5th day of the 5th months of the traditional Chinese calendar) for there are too many local travelers and the prices of hotels may be higher than other time.
Weather and climate - The weather in Sichuan is different in lowlands, on the plateau and in the southern area, so you need to pay attention to the climate at the various destinations of your Sichuan Tour.
Altitude - The northwestern Sichuan plateau area is high altitude, so altitude sickness is a risk. Ensure you are properly acclimatized before you start trekking, as exertion can induce heavy symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).