Songpan Weather and Climate: When is the Best Time to Visit

Songpan County, located in the northwestern Sichuan province in China, is an essential gateway to Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park at the north for its strategic location which is 200 miles from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. The history of Songpan started from Yuan Dynasty and rebuilt during Ming Dynasty because it was an important military post and economic center for horse and tea exchange of the southeastern region. It was known as the west portal of Sichuan.

Nowadays, Songpan Ancient Town has been famous for its interesting historical culture and vital location. Visitors would be surprised by the majestic ancient city gates and city walls which have been preserved for thousands of years.

Songpan Ancient Town

Due to its altitude of 2850 m, Songpan has a humid continental climate with average temperature of 14 degrees but the climate differs according to different areas and seasons.

Climate data for Songpan Country

The altitude difference of Songpan is huge. The lowest point is Xiangzikou with the altitude of 1080m and the highest in the Peak of Ming Mountain of 5588m when the latitude of the ancient town is about 2850m. Meanwhile, the difference of the landscape of Songpan is also various, leading to multiple small climates and frequent disastrous climate. For example, the region near Fujiang River has distinct 4 seasons and warm humid weather when the region of Minjiang River has long winter and cold weather. The precipitation of Songpan is not well balanced, dominating by summer time from May to August. Although the 4 seasons are not obvious but the dry season and rainy season apparently varies from each other.

The highest point in the Peak of Ming Mountain is Xuebaoding

Songpan in Spring

Starting from March, the lowest average temperature reaches -3 degrees when the highest average temperature goes to 11 degrees. The weather is still cold, but in the late March, the temperature difference narrows to about 10 degrees.

Beautiful sights in Munigou Valley

Going to April, the lowest average temperature increases to 1 degree and the highest is around 5 degrees. In May, the temperature keeps going up to 18 degrees in day time. It is recommended that wearing a shirt and bringing a thick coat or sweater along against the low temperature.

Notes:

1. In spring, there are more tourists starting planning to visit Jiuzhaigou and places around. The snow begins to melt and the weather becomes warm.

2. Near Songpan, there are Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong and Munigou opening for the tourists. The most famous route is riding a horse from Songpan to Munigou which only opens from April to November to see the best calcific waterfall of China.

3. From April, the tourists’ traffic to Jiuzhaigou starts to increase. Also it’s a good time for self-driving along Northen-Sichuan and Southern-Gansu route via Songpan for rest and going to Jiuzhaigou to see the beautiful water and lakes.

Songpan in Summer

Because of the high altitude, even in summer, the temperature of Songpan is relatively lower than in other cities in Sichuan. The highest average temperature from late May to early September remains at about 20 degrees and the lowest at 8 degrees, which makes Songpan an ideal place for escaping the heat in summer.

The leaves in Jiuzhaigou during summer are still green

However, the UV level reaches to the top in summer time within a year. Sun cream and sun hat are essential. It is suggested to wear long-sleeve shirt to cover the skin.

Sun cream is essential

Besides, the precipitation increased a lot that the average precipitation of May, June, August and September is about 100mm each month, which is 10 times more than in winter time.

There are only several ways to get to Jiuzhaigou, among which going through or passing by Songpan is a popular route for self-driving tourists going to Ruoergai grassland or back from there as well as who has enough time to explore northern Sichuan. Since the wild flowers are blossoming and the grassland is turning green in summer, it is the best time to visit the vast grassland and wetland in northern Sichuan province in summer.

Ruoergai grassland

Notes:

1. In late June, thousands of acres of lavender blossom along the way to Chuanzhusi Temple that consisting a flower sea. Starting from Chuanzhusi, tourists can easily find a car or bus to Jiuzhaigou.

2. The grass and leaves in Jiuzhaigou during this time are still green. But the lakes and waterfalls are at the best time with crystal and blue colors.

3. Because of the high precipitation, geographic disasters like land slide and rock flow happens. Always bring an umbrella and pay attention.

Songpan in Autumn

From the late September to early November, Songpan welcomes its peak time.

The highest average temperatures of these 3 months are 19, 14 and 11 degrees, and the lowest temperature is declining respectively from 6 degrees to -4 degrees. The precipitation starts to sharply decrease in autumn from 108mm to 13mm, so that the air would be drier which requires tourists wear enough moisture.

Songpan as the vital portal to Jiuzhaigou Valley is influenced by Jiuzhaigou deeply. In autumn, the colorful foliage and crystal lakes attracts millions of people from all over the world to come. Tourists’ traffic bursts out in the 1st week of October which brings lots of tourists to Songpan as well.

The colorful foliage in Songpan

Moreover, during this time, the views in Munigou, and Huanglong are accordingly majestic and charming in different styles. Tourists could spend one/two/three day riding horses to Munigou, among which the most welcomed route is a two-day route so that tourists can camp out for one night embracing the nature with a relatively warm temperature.

Riding horses to Munigou

Going to Huanglong for the golden leaves and five color lakes is popular.

Five color lakes in Huanglong National Park

Notes:

1. During the autumn, the price of transportation, accommodation and food is higher than in the slack season like winter and spring.

2. It is highly suggested to book the plane ticket and accommodation in advance especially in the National Holiday of China.

Songpan in Winter

From November, the lowest temperature goes down to lower than 0 degree, which symbolizes the coming of winter. The average temperature of Songpan in winter is about -5 degree to 11 degrees, so it is highly suggested that taking a coat, down jacket, gloves and scarf with you to prevent the cold weather. The cities with highest temperature in November are Anxian, Anyue and Bazhong.

Songpan Ancient Town in winter

In December, the lowest temperature continues flopping to -10 degree, and the highest temperature in day time is only about 8 degrees. Thick sweater, winter coat and woolen overcoat are necessary. The weather in January is like in December, and the temperature difference is about 18 degrees in these 2 months.

Zhaga waterfalls in winter

When time goes to February, temperature starts to increase. The lowest temperature goes back to -5 degree when the average temperature in day time is 8 degrees.

The winter in Songpan is 4-month long with rare rainfalls. The precipitations are about 12mm in November and February and 5mm in December and January respectively.

Notes:

1. In winter, there are less tourists going to Jiuzhaigou via Songpan. So although the temperature is low, it is also a good choice for tourists who want to feel the ancient history of China with less human traffic and better accommodation choices. The horse activities are still available in winter and Songpan would be peacefully beautiful covered by the snow.

2. The geographic disasters like land slide and rock flow are rare in Songpan in winter for the less precipitation. But tourists should always pay attention to occasionally earthquake.

3. The air in winter is dry, so don’t forget wearing moisture and sun cream.