The Li River: A Journey Through China’s Most Breathtaking Landscape
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Shangri-La Weather & Climate: Best Time to Visit
Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best time to visit Shangri-La.
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Climate overview of Shangri-La
Shangri-La, Yunnan, China, experiences significant temperature variation throughout the year. Summers bring daytime highs of 18°C (64°F) in June, while winters cool to 3°C (37°F) in January.
With around 1286 mm (51 in) of annual rain/snowfall, Shangri-La has a notably wet climate. However, this rain/snowfall is not evenly distributed, the city has a distinct dry season from November to December, with pleasant summers and cold winters. The wettest month is July.
Shangri-La Weather by Month
Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Shangri-La - and find the best time to visit.
Monthly Temperature in Shangri-La
Depending on the time of the year, temperatures range from pleasant to chilly in Shangri-La. Average daytime temperatures reach a pleasant 18°C (64°F) in June. In January, the coolest month of the year, temperatures drop to a chilly 3°C (37°F).
At night, temperatures range from around 10°C (50°F) in June to -10°C (14°F) in January.
Check out our detailed temperature page for more information.
Temperature ranges by month
Rainfall in Shangri-La
Shangri-La has a relatively rain/snowy climate with high precipitation levels, averaging 1286 mm (51 in) of rain/snowfall annually. Shangri-La can be quite wet during July, receiving approximately 249 mm (9.8 in) of precipitation over 24 rainy days.
In contrast, during the driest month (December), you will experience much drier conditions, with 19 mm (0.7 in) of precipitation spread across 4 snowy/rainy days. For more details, please visit our Shangri-La Precipitation page.
The mean monthly precipitation over the year, including rain, hail, and snow
The average number of days each month with precipitation
Humidity in Shangri-La by Month
The relative humidity is high throughout the year in Shangri-La.
The city experiences its highest humidity in August, reaching 79%. In January, the humidity drops to its lowest level at 58%. What does this mean? Read our detailed page on humidity levels for further details.
Relative humidity over the year
Best Time to Visit Shangri-La
Compared with the rest of the year, the most comfortable conditions in Shangri-La are usually found in June and October. Conditions are generally least comfortable in January, February, March, July and August.
Monthly ratings reflect general weather comfort, based on daytime temperature and rainfall. Swimming and winter conditions are highlighted separately where relevant.
Jan
cold
Feb
cold
Mar
cold
Apr
mixed
May
mixed
Jun
good
Jul
very wet
Aug
very wet
Sep
mixed
Oct
good
Nov
mixed
Dec
mixed
- Best overall: June and October
- Warmest weather: June, July, August and September
- Fewest rainy days: January and December
- Wettest months: June, July, August and September, when rainfall is highest.
- Seasonal pattern: A distinct dry season from November to December, with pleasant summers and cold winters
- Coldest conditions: January, with freezing nights around -10°C (14°F).
Frequently asked questions about the climate in Shangri-La
What is the best time to visit Shangri-La?
June and October typically offer the most optimal weather in Shangri-La. In contrast, January, February, March, July and August tend to have less optimal conditions. Shangri-La has a distinct dry season from November to December, with pleasant summers and cold winters.
What temperatures can I expect in Shangri-La?
Daytime highs range from 3°C (37°F) in January to 18°C (64°F) in June. Nighttime lows range from -10°C (14°F) to 10°C (50°F). Temperatures vary considerably through the year.
How much rain does Shangri-La get?
Annual rainfall is around 1286 mm (51 in). July is the wettest month with 249 mm (9.8 in), while December is the driest with 19 mm (0.7 in).
Shangri-La 3-Day Forecast
Shangri-La on the map
Shangri-La is highlighted - select any city to see its climate.
Popular in October
Where to go in October - average daytime high across popular destinations.
Guangzhou
30°C (86°F) Shenzhen29°C (84°F) Hangzhou25°C (77°F) Shanghai24°C (75°F) Chengdu
22°C (72°F) Xi'an21°C (70°F) Beijing
21°C (70°F) Qingdao21°C (70°F) Bucket list
Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.
The Li River: A Journey Through China’s Most Breathtaking Landscape
Go to China's Zhangjiajie National Park with the highest, the fastest, largest-loaded outdoor elevator in the world
You won't find this unique landscape anywhere else in the world. Thousands of floating mountains overgrown with trees at the top dominate this fairy tale landscape.
Go to Xinjiang in China
In Xinjiang you get to see a mix of East and Central Asia. An experience that you might want to add to your bucket list. You can travel through the province as if you are following an ancient silk route.
Mount Kailash
The best time for a Kailash tour/trekking is from mid-May to mid-October when the temperature is most pleasant. It is warm, dry and sunny in that period.