Yala Kamiyama Climate

Yala Snow Mountain, located in the Sichuan Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, is one of four holy mountains in southwest China. Set at the juncture of three counties, Kangding, Danba, and Daofu, the peak of this sacred mountain lies 5,884 meters above sea level, and is often wreathed in cloud.

Yala Snow Mountain

Covered in snow all year round, the mountain is the source of the Yala River and considered to be a holy place by Tibetan Buddhists living in the area. Believed to be the home of the main god of nine gods that inhabit the mountains, Yala Snow Mountain is listed as an Ecotourism zone. Known as the Yala Snow Mountain Natural Ecotourism Zone, the area inside around the mountain is free from traffic and all the trappings of civilization.

The mountain is a part of the Mount Gongga or Daxue Mountain Range, which forms the northern part of the Hengduan Mountain Ranges, which lie between the lower Sichuan basin and the low-lying wetlands of Myanmar to the east. The height of the mountains, combined with the low-lying regions on either side, means that the westerly winds are strong across the range all year round.

Seasonal Climate and Weather Condition of Yala Mountain

The Yala Snow Mountain area has a harsh climate most of the year, with only slightly milder weather in spring and fall. It is part of the transition area from the subtropical monsoon climate to the continental plateau climate. Because of its location on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, the weather is very different from that in the rest of Sichuan.

Some of the snow to melt into the rivers.

Spring runs from March to May, and is the time when the weather just starts to warm up slightly, allowing some of the snow to melt into the rivers and lakes. The air is dry with very little rainfall, and the sky is more sunny than cloudy, with a few white clouds floating by occasionally. While the weather is warm, the mountains are still buried in snow, while the lower valleys start to return to their green color, ready for summer. Rainfall is low in March, averaging only 15-18mm, but rises slowly to an average of more than 100mm by the end of May.

The air is humid and wet in summer.

June to September is summer in the area, and time for the tropical southwest monsoon to bring the rain. Monsoon in Yala increases from the start of June to the middle of August, after which it starts to tail off, ready for the autumn season to get started with the dry period of the year. The air is humid and wet, and the heat makes the humidity much worse. Average rainfall in the summer months ranges from 120mm at the start and finish to around 200mm during the peak.

Autumn is the most beautiful season to visit Mount Yala.

Autumn, from October to November, is the peak season for tourism as it is the most beautiful season to visit Mount Yala. The hills and valleys in Yala scenic area are covered by golden yellow and rusty red, against the backdrop of white snow-covered mountain peaks, as the leaves turn and start to fall. Autumn is a good time to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and escape to somewhere serene and tranquil; somewhere the outside world never encroaches upon. Rain is minimal in autumn, with a maximum expected average rainfall for the season to reach only 20-25mm.

The mountains are once again covered in snow.

In the area around Mt. Yala, winter is a harsh time of year, with strong winds bringing in the cold weather, and the snow. The mountains are once again covered in snow, and from December to late February, the area turns a brilliant white under the blanket of snow. Majority of the roads around the outskirts of the area are also snow-clogged, and all mountain climbing and high-altitude trekking is forbidden in the area at this time. Rainfall is very minimal, and often freezes before it hits the ground.

Yala Mountain Area Monthly Temperature

Temperatures in spring range from an average of 4 degrees in March to a huge increase of around 9-10 degrees throughout May. The use of sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses, down jackets, thermal clothes, climbing shoes and anti-sweat underwear are still recommended up until around the end of May. Spring also brings out the first lush green grass and the first blossoms, and the fields and meadows are dotted with yellow and lilac blooms by the end of March.

The fields and meadows are dotted with yellow and lilac blooms.

As summer progresses, the temperatures rise constantly, day by day. The average temperature in the area during summer ranges from 13-14 degrees as it starts to around 18-19 degrees at its hottest. There have been years when the maximum temperature has been much higher, and they are normally due to the effects of El Nino on the southwest monsoon. The day/night temperature differential can also be extreme, with nighttime temperatures dropping to almost freezing, even in the height of summer. Waterproof clothes and dry, waterproof shoes are a must at this time of year, although it is a great time to get out and view some of the local sights around the valley areas of Yala, from Kangding to Zhonggu.

Enjoying beautiful view from Kangding to Zhonggu.

Temperatures in autumn start to drop, ready for the onslaught of the cold winter months, and the winds, which have been a little warmer through summer, albeit just as strong, are starting to have a biting chill to them. Average temperatures in October can still reach as high as 10 degrees, but by the end of November the temperatures have plummeted to around 1-2 degrees, with night time temperatures dropping to well below freezing. Down jackets, warm pants, and strong sturdy boots are recommended for autumn trekking.

Strong sturdy boots are recommended for autumn trekking.

Average temperatures during the daytime in Mt. Yala area in winter are around -2 degrees, tand some of the higher valleys can reach as low as -10 degrees in daytime. Nights are another matter altogether. With the strong winds causing a higher wind-chill factor than many places in Sichuan, the temperatures at night regularly drop to as low as -50 degrees on the mountainsides, and it is not a good idea to go wandering around alone at night. Thick down or mountaineering jackets, thermal underwear, thick, warm pants and warm socks with boots are the order of the day here.

Best Time to Visit Yala Scenic Area

For most mountain climbing activities, the best time is in May, when the rains have not yet got too heavy. If the late monsoon rains are not too heavy, then July to September is an ideal time to attempt the summit of Mt. Yala, although no one has yet managed to ascend this sacred peak, despite several attempts being made.

Spring is a great time to visit the area, as the blooms in the meadows and the new growth of plants and young wild animals are a beautiful sight to see. Before the rains come, you can explore the area as it breaks out of its winter shell, like a new butterfly coming forth after the cocoon, although you will not see them until around late in May. Fresh buds on the trees show the coming of the new leaves, and break up the stark view of the skeletal limbs of the deciduous forests, making them more comforting and inviting again.

The Blooms in the Meadows and the New Growth of Plants

Despite the rains, summer is still a great time to visit Yala, and there are many activities that can be done and sights to be seen, even in the rain. The area has several monasteries and temples, and the trails, although a little wet, are not really flooded, as they are relatively high up. Just be prepared to suffer a little dampness for the entire trip if you hit an especially rainy period.

Autumn is probably the best time to visit out of the whole year, as the weather is mild, the rains have gone, and the trails are overhung with red, gold, and brown leaves, ripe and ready to fall on your heads you walk through the ancient, virgin deciduous forests. Visitors to the area can expect multiple continuous days without much cloud or rain, and the clear skies give great views of the snow-capped peak of the sacred Mt. Yala.