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Best Time for the Yunnan from Kunming to Shangri-La
Sweet spot: April, October, January — computed from NASA POWER climate normals across the route's overnight towns, balancing temperature, rainfall and daylight.
Autumn clarity: golden light on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and dry trails through Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Monsoon months — gorge hiking gets slippery and views come and go; old towns stay lively in the rain.
| Month | Temp | Rain | Daylight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -8.4–19.4°C | 14 mm | 10.5 h | ❄ |
| February | -6.8–20.8°C | 13 mm | 11.1 h | ❄ |
| March | -5.8–24.5°C | 22 mm | 11.8 h | ❄ |
| April | -0.6–26.0°C | 38 mm | 12.6 h | ❄ |
| May | 1.4–29.9°C | 73 mm | 13.3 h | ❄ |
| June | 6.1–31.0°C | 132 mm | 13.7 h | |
| July | 8.5–28.6°C | 201 mm | 13.5 h | |
| August | 7.6–28.8°C | 186 mm | 13.0 h | |
| September | 3.9–26.8°C | 120 mm | 12.1 h | ❄ |
| October | -0.1–23.5°C | 67 mm | 11.3 h | ❄ |
| November | -3.9–20.2°C | 13 mm | 10.7 h | ❄ |
| December | -8.8–18.1°C | 7 mm | 10.3 h | ❄ |