Hot and humid in the south, cool and wet on the plateau. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are common, especially in the afternoon.
- Temperatures
- Kunming 17–24°C · Shangri-La 8–19°C · Xishuangbanna 22–31°C
- Rainfall
- 210 mm
- Daylight
- About 13.5 hours
- Crowds
- Chinese school holidays begin, bringing domestic family travel.
What to expect
July is the heart of the wet season. Rain is frequent and can be heavy, especially in the south and the mountains. The payoff is a province at its most verdant: waterfalls are full, forests are dense, and the light between storms is extraordinary. If you are a photographer, this is a month of mood rather than clarity.
Chinese school holidays begin in July, so domestic family travel increases. Popular towns like Lijiang and Dali are busier than in June. Prices rise, especially for family-friendly hotels. Book ahead.
Where to go
The tropical south is hot and wet, but the rainforest is spectacular. The northwest is green but often cloudy; high mountain views are unreliable. Shangri-La can be cool and wet, with muddy trails. Dali and Lijiang are manageable between showers.
The gorge is risky in heavy rain; check with guesthouses before hiking. If you want to avoid the worst of the weather, the central plateau and the east are slightly drier, though nowhere is truly dry. A flexible itinerary is more valuable than a fixed one.
Practical notes
Bring a proper rain shell, dry bag, and footwear with grip. Keep electronics protected. Build in buffer days for transport delays. If you are hiking, check trail conditions and avoid steep, exposed sections after heavy rain. Travel insurance should cover trip disruption.
Good for
- + Dramatic skies
- + Lush forests
- + Mushroom season
Watch out
- − Landslides and road closures are most likely now.
- − Outdoor plans can be cancelled by storms with little notice.
Places for this month
Journeys in season