Kunming Weather: Climate, Temperature & Best Time to Visit

The real spring in Kunming is from March to May, when the Red-billed Seagulls gradually fly back to Siberia and the cold wind turn into a style of cool and gentle. The vast area of Dongchuan Red Land become a vivifying world decorated with red soils, white buckwheat and potato flowers, green crop leaves, etc.

Spring in Kunming is cool, dry. The temperature in spring is about from 7℃ ~ 21℃. It may have many occasional rains in May. And there is a big temperature difference between day and night.

What to Wear in Kunming Spring

T-shirt and light jacket are enough in Kunming downtown. However, if you are going to visit the villages and scenic areas in the remote area, you are suggested to wear more layers after the night falls. Take an umbrella with you to avoid the harsh sun light and also some occasional rains.

Kunming Spring Activities

• 1. Hike up to the top of West Hill and Dragon Gate to have a panorama view of Kunming City and Dian Lake;
• 2. Feed Red-billed Seagulls at Green Lake or Dian Lake in early March;
• 3. Admire the Colorful World created by nature and locals at Dongchuan Red Land in May;
• 4. Wondering in Kunming Stone Forest, the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Karst topography with notable sets of limestone formations;
• 5. Visit one of the so many flower markets in Kunming and enjoy happy moments surrounded by flourishing flowers.
 
Hot Kunming Spring Tour:

>> 3 Days Kunming Spring City Tour

>> 5 Days Kunming Golf Tour with Spring City Highlights

Summer is the hottest season in Kunming. However, the temperature there is much more moderate when compared with most of other cities in China. The temperature in this season is about from 16℃ ~ 24℃, with a rapid jump to about 35℃ during some noon hours. When it rains, the temperature usually cools substantially. And summer in Kunming rains a lot. About 15 days of each month in summer may have rains.

What to Wear in Kunming Summer

T-shirt and medium-length light pants are recommended to wear in summer in Kunming. Wear a hat and prepare sunscreen with you all the day to avoid being hurt by harsh sunlight and strong ultraviolet radiation. If you have plans to do hiking, make sure you are wearing one pair of light and antiskid shoes.

Kunming Summer Activities

• 1. Visit Kunming Stone Forest and experience the Yi Torch Festival at Kunming Stone Forest if you happen to visit there in the mid-July or early August;
• 2. Hike up to the top of West Hill and Dragon Gate to have a panorama view of Kunming City and Dian Lake;
• 3. Admire the Colorful World created by nature and locals at Dongchuan Red Land in June;
• 4. Cool you off and make adventurous at Jiuxiang Karst Cave near Shilin (Stone Forest);
• 5. Enjoy cool hiking at Jiaozi Snow Mountain;
• 6. Visit one of the so many flower markets in Kunming and enjoy happy moments surrounded by flourishing flowers.
 
Hot Kunming Summer Tour:

>> 4 Days Kunming & Dongchuan Red Land Scenic Tour (Kunming/Dongchuan)

The weather in autumn in Kunming is almost the same with its spring, but a little bit cooler in the morning and night. The temperature vary from 14℃ to 22℃ in this season. The early autumn is usually the peak season for a Kunming tour. In November, groups of Red-billed Seagulls from Siberia will show appearance at the lakes in Kunming. And autumn comes another best period of time to visit Dongchuan Red Land. Locals are doing harvest during this period time and the largest amount of original red soil will appear, with some still hidden under the crops in yellow, green, white…

What to Wear in Kunming Autumn

T-shirts and long light jeans are appropriate for most of the days in autumn. Take a light coat with you in case it rains. Ultraviolet radiation is still strong in this season, so wear your hat or bring an umbrella with you.

Kunming Autumn Activities

• 1. See the harvest at Dongchuan Red Land and capture beautiful pictures of the most beautiful red color of this year;
• 2. Hike up to the top of West Hill and Dragon Gate to have a panorama view of Kunming City and Dian Lake;
• 3. Wondering in Kunming Stone Forest, the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Karst topography with notable sets of limestone formations;
• 4. Make an adventure at the Underground Karst Caves in Jiuxiang;
• 5. Feel the Mid-Autumn Festival atmosphere at the parks and shopping malls if you happen to visit Kunming on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month (usually in September);
• 5. Have a hiking experience at Jiaozi Snow Mountain.
 
Hot Kunming Autumn Tour:

>> 4 Days Kunming & Dongchuan Red Land Scenic Tour (Kunming/Dongchuan)

>> 5 Days Kunming Golf Tour with Spring City Highlights

Winter days is the closest time in Kunming, with average temperature less than 10℃. However, there are still many warm sunny days during this period of time. It rarely snows, but it occasionally freezes. There is a big temperature difference between day and night, so you are advised to wear more layers to adapt to the changing conditions.

What to Wear in Kunming Winter

T-shirts with long sleeves or sweater, long jeans and overcoat or jacket are the best choices to wear in winter.

Kunming Winter Activities

• 1. Feed Red-billed Seagulls and enjoy leisure walking like a local at Green Lake or Dian Lake;
• 2. Choose a sunny and warm day to hike up to the top of West Hill and Dragon Gate to have a panorama view of Kunming City and Dian Lake;
• 3. Wondering in Kunming Stone Forest, the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Karst topography with notable sets of limestone formations;
• 4. Go to Nanping Business Street or Guandu Ancient Street in Kunming downtown to savor street foods and dishes like Yunnan Rice Noodle;
• 5. Explore the snow world at Jiazo Snow Mountain;
• 6. Step into Yunnan Provincial Museum to explore the history and ethnic culture of Kunming and Yunnan;
• 7. Enjoy Chinese New Year on the streets with locals if you happen to visit Kunming at the end of January or in early to middle February.

 

Hot Kunming Winter Tour:

>> 3 Days Kunming Spring City Tour

Tourists prefer to spend 1~2 days in Kunming. Most of them will have a one-day tour to explore the attractions in Kunming downtown, like Green Lake, Yuantong Temple, West Hill and Dragon Gate Park, etc. Some also take another one day to visit Kunming Stone Forest to enjoy the massive otherworldly landscape of karst formations over 270 million years old.

>> 3 Days Kunming Spring City Tour

Photographers and nature lovers will also spend one day more to discover the Dongchuan Red Land, where they will get amazing natural and colorful terraces.

>> 4 Days Kunming & Dongchuan Red Land Tour

And if you want to savor more essences of this glamorous city, we recommend 1~3 more days to enjoying playing golf in this Spring City.

>> 5 Days Kunming Golf Tour with Spring City Highlights

Few tourists heading to Kunming for the attractions in Kunming only! The reasons attracting them to Yunnan are the world-renowned Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La. Therefore, after landing in Kunming and having a short tour there, they will extend their journey to these popular destinations. Such a Classic Yunnan Tour is really hot and needs only 8 days around.

>> 8 Days Classic Yunnan Tour (Kunming / Dali / Lijiang / Shangri-La)

If you want to add more surprises into your Yunnan tour, you are highly recommended to spend another 3 days around to Yuanyang Rice Terraces and Jianshui Ancient Town.

>> 11 Days Amazing Yunnan Tour (Kunming / Yuanyang / Jianshui / Kunming / Lijiang / Shangri-La)

Know more about How to Plan a Kunming Tour

Have plan to visit Kunming and Yunnan, but feel trouble about the transportation, hotel, tickets, best visiting time and other trip plan? Travel with us China Discovery and let our experienced travel consultants help you! We will take care of everything for you and then you can focus on the great scenery, culture, story and history of Yunnan! Our local driver and guide will accompany you all the way and tell you every insider tips and stories.

The tour can be tailor-made according to your group size, interests, physical condition, time, plan, budget and every special need. Please feel free to contact us if you need any help!