Shangri-La Weather in May
Season: Spring
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| Prayer Wheel |
In May, the average temperature in Shangri-La is 4-16°C (39-61°F), which is a bit lower than most areas in China. But you will not feel very cold but cool, especially during the daytime when the temperature can reach 15-20°C (59-68°F). However, you still need to wear more at night.
This month, Shangri-La enters the rainy season and the weather is a bit changeable, but the good thing is that the total rainfall remains at a relatively moderate level of about 50 mm on average. Daylight hours are over 13 hours long, but due to many rainy days, the average sunshine hours are not long and at about 6 hours daily.
Not very low temperature, not much rainfall, as well as vast green grasslands make May one of the best months to visit Shangri-La. This month, it will be busier with more tourists, so you’d better plan ahead and make the relevant bookings in advance, especially if your travel time coincides with the May Day holiday from May 1 to 5, 2025.
See more about Yunnan Weather in May.
Averages for Shangri-La Weather in May
High Temperature: 16°C (61°F)
Low Temperature: 4°C (39°F)
Precipitation: 53 mm in 14 days
Humidity: 66%
Sunrise: 06:24 ~ 07:40
Sunset: 19:55 ~ 20:12
Daylight Hours: 13.14 ~ 13.47 h
Sunshine Hours: 6 h
Packing Advice for Shangri-La Trip in May
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Clothes: On sunny days, thick jeans or sweatpants are good choices. If you are afraid of coldness, you may need to put on long johns, especially if you go out at night. As for the upper part, you can wear long-sleeve shirts as the base, knitwear, hoodies, or thick shirts as the second layer, and trench coats or baseball jackets as the final layer in the daytime, but thicker jackets as the final layers at night. On rainy days, you are advised to wear thicker jackets whether in the daytime or at night. Shoes: Because the weather of Shangri-La in May is not so cold or humid, the only thing you need to consider when choosing shoes is if they are comfortable. Therefore, you are recommended to pack sneakers or hiking shoes. Accessories: Hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are necessities for a trip to Shangri-La, where you will experience strong UV rays. Besides, you’d better bring an umbrella to cope with the changeable climate of Shangri-La in May.Top Things to Do in Shangri-La in May
Travel Recommendation Rate: 
1. Admire Alpine Meadow in Potatso National Park
May is a nice and suitable month to hike in the vast Potatso National Park. During the first hiking section, you will walk on roads surrounded by babbling brooks, verdant forests, and azaleas in full bloom. Then, after arriving at Shudu Lake, you can choose to hike, take a boat, or bike to the next spot. Certainly, different ways will show you different views of the lake. Finally, when hiking along the sparkling Bitahai Lake, you can feed the squirrels and see the yaks and horses grazing on the grasslands.
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| Spring Scenery of Potatso National Park |
2. Experience Tibetan Culture in Dukezong Ancient Town
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| Tibetan Restaurant in Dukezong Ancient Town |
As one of the largest Tibetan residential complexes in China, Dukezong Ancient Town is a great place to experience Tibetan culture. Walking in the Town with typical Tibetan-style buildings, you will see many rental stores for Tibetan clothing, choose one you like to take some unique photos. There are also many authentic Tibetan foods, among which yak hot pot, yogurt, and butter tea should not be missed. In addition, in the evening, you can go to Sifang Street to watch Tibetan dances, which also welcome tourists to join in; or go to Guishan Park to admire the largest Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheel in the world that sparkles in the light.
3. Attend the Horse Race Festival
On the last day of May in 2025, Shangri-La will hold the Horse Race Festival. It is a grand folk festival in Shangri-La, which usually lasts for 3 days and is very lively. Apart from local teams, there will also be teams from other places in China such as Tibet and Gansu to participate in. During the festival, you can see wonderful horse races, enjoy performances, stroll around the food street and bazaar selling cultural and creative products, and experience horse riding. If you are interested, it is recommended to check the specific schedule and venues in advance.
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| Horse Race Festival of Shangri-La |
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- Last updated on Dec. 23, 2024 by Demi Li -