Season: Summer
In short: neither too cold nor too hot, moderate rainfall
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| Tiger Leaping Gorge in September |
Temperature:
In September, Yunnan enters autumn and the temperature in most parts begins to drop but only a little. Places including
Kunming,
Lijiang, and
Dali enjoy mild weather, with the average maximum temperature from 20 - 25°C (68 - 77°F). At night, the temperature may drop below 15°C (59°F), so you are advised to wear an additional thin jacket. In high-altitude areas like
Shangri-La, the overall weather is cool, and the high temperature is no more than 20°C (60°F). However, in southern areas like
Xishuangbanna and
Honghe, you may still feel a little hot; in the midday hours, the temperature is above 30°C (86°F), not suitable for outdoor activities.
Rainfall:
Though September is still the rainy season in Yunnan, its rainfall drops to a relatively moderate level. Some cities such as Lijiang, Dali, and Xishuangbanna have an average rainfall of around 150 mm, while Kunming, Shangri-La, and Honghe have an average rainfall of around 100 mm. Except for Xishuangbanna where the average number of rainy days is 10, most cities have around 20 rainy days. Therefore, the average daily rainfall is not very much, and the rain in Yunnan is usually not continuous and long-lasting.
Sunshine & Daylight:
The daylight hours also begin to shorten this month, which is about 12 on average. With the influence of moderate rainfall, the sunshine hours are short at about 5 hours daily on average. Therefore, you are advised to better arrange your itinerary based on the weather condition.
September Weather of Popular Yunnan Travel Destinations
Kunming September Weather Averages
- Temp: 15-23°C / 59-73°F
- Humidity: 81%
- Rainfall: 119 mm in 16 days
- Sunrise: 06:50 ~ 07:01
- Sunset: 18:57 ~ 19:28
See details of Kunming Weather in September
Lijiang September Weather Averages
- Temp: 12-21°C / 54-70°F
- Humidity: 83%
- Rainfall: 161 mm in 21 days
- Sunrise: 06:59 ~ 07:11
- Sunset: 19:07 ~ 19:39
- See details of Lijiang Weather in September
Dali September Weather Averages
- Temp: 14-24°C / 57-75°F
- Humidity: 83%
- Rainfall: 268 mm in 18 days
- Sunrise: 06:59 ~ 07:11
- Sunset: 19:07 ~ 19:39
- See details of Dali Weather in September
Shangri-La September Weather Averages
- Temp: 7-16°C / 45-61°F
- Humidity: 77%
- Rainfall: 99 mm in 20 days
- Sunrise: 06:59 ~ 07:12
- Sunset: 19:07 ~ 19:41
-
Honghe September Weather Averages
- Temp: 21-30°C / 70-86°F
- Humidity: 78%
- Rainfall: 75.4 mm in 19 days
- Sunrise: 06:52 ~ 07:02
- Sunset: 19:29 ~ 19:52
Xishuangbanna September Weather Averages
- Temp: 21-31°C / 70-88°F
- Humidity: 77%
- Rainfall: 141 mm in 10 days
- Sunrise: 06:59 ~ 07:07
- Sunset: 19:05 ~ 19:33
What to Bring to Visit Yunnan in September
Clothes: Though Yunnan weather is complex and varies in different places, the following clothes can fulfill your dressing needs in most regions in September. You can prepare dresses, T-shirts, short shirts, light pants, and thick skirts for the warm daytime of Dali, Lijiang, and Kunming and the relatively hot Xishuangbanna. To prevent from feeling cold in the morning and at night and on some rainy days, you are advised to bring a thin jacket. There’s also a chance you’ll visit areas like Shangri-La, so you’d better pack a long-sleeve T-shirt, a venture jacket, as well as thicker pants like sweatpants.
Shoes: Sneakers and comfortable casual shoes are both good choices for you. But you are advised to prepare a pair of dark-colored and moisture-resistant shoes for rainy days. If you plan to go to Xishuangbanna or other hot areas, you may also need sandals.
Other items:
1. Sun protection items like sunglasses and sunscreen: Yunnan is at a high altitude and the ultraviolet rays are strong. Even in September, the UV index can reach 11.
2. Rain gear: You will encounter many showers in your 2025 Yunnan trip in September, so you should bring an umbrella or raincoat when you go out.
Why Traveling to Yunnan in September
Although Yunnan is still in the rainy season this month, it has already went through its rainiest time and the rainfall is moderate. In addition, the weather in most cities is comfortable for outdoor visiting.
Where to Go in Yunnan in September
Tourism Rate:
1. Kunming
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| Minority people in Kunming |
In September, you are advised to spend a day visiting
Stone Forest known as the “First Wonder of the World”, admiring the magnificence and magic of the billion-year-old rocks. Apart from that, you can visit Haigeng Bank, a perfect location to enjoy the views of
Dianchi Lake and the
Western Hills. The nearby
Yunnan Nationalities Village is a good destination to learn about the customs and culture of various ethnic groups in Yunnan.
Dongchuan Red Land is also a highlight this month: some of the red land is plowed and ready for planting, and others have been planted with green barley or wheat, making the land colorful and beautiful.
2. Shangri-La
In September with cool weather, hiking to
Tiger Leaping Gorge will give you a wonderful travelling experience. On the way, you can see the raging Jinsha River that passes between the beautiful
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and
Haba Snow Mountain, admire spectacular waterfalls, and meet lovely goats. During your trek, there are also cafes for you to enjoy the beautiful scenery while tasting delicious coffee for a rest. Besides, you should not miss Dukezong Ancient Town, which maintains ancient Tibetan architecture. In addition, Sifang Street and Moonlight Square of the Town hold bonfire parties every night, which are lively with local citizens and tourists dancing Tibetan dance together.
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| Dukezong Ancient Town |
3. Dali
No matter when you come to Dali,
Erhai Lake is one of the must-see attractions. The most popular way to visit Erhai Lake is by bike. Along the way, visit
Dali Ancient City, Xizhou Town, Haishe Park, Shuanglong Town, etc. Of course, among them, the most unmissable one is Dali Ancient City built in the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It attracts visitors with the traditional houses of the
Bai ethnic group, as well as ancient towers and temples. In addition, a wide variety of local specialties can be bought here.
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| Erhai Lake |
Yunnan Weather by Month
- Last updated on Nov. 27, 2024 by Demi Li -
