Kunming, known as the “City of Eternal Spring,” enjoys a mild subtropical highland climate with little seasonal temperature variation. Winters are short, dry, and sunny, while summers are pleasantly cool but rainy. Thanks to its high elevation, Kunming rarely experiences extreme heat or cold, making it a comfortable destination year-round for outdoor exploration and cultural discovery.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Kunming’s climate is shaped by its location at nearly 1,900 metres on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The city experiences two main seasons: a pronounced rainy season from May to October and a dry season from November to April. Temperatures are moderate year-round, with average highs ranging from 15–25°C in winter (December–February) to 23–27°C in summer (June–August). Summer days are warm but rarely hot, and nights remain cool, while winters are crisp but mild, with daytime highs typically above 15°C and nighttime lows around 3–6°C. Snowfall is very rare, though occasional cold snaps can bring brief frosts or even a dusting of snow.
Kunming receives 1,000–1,500 mm of rain annually, with about 85% falling during the rainy season. July is the wettest month, with frequent but brief afternoon showers and lush greenery throughout the city. Despite the rain, sunshine is abundant – Kunming averages about 2,200 hours of sunshine per year, especially during the dry season when skies are clear and days are bright. Winds are generally light to moderate (10–18 km/h), and humidity ranges from 50–80%, peaking in summer. The city’s climate supports year-round blooms, clean air, and vibrant outdoor life, making it a favourite for both residents and travellers.
| Average climate data for Kunming, China | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | -2 | -1 | 4 | 10 | 17 | 20 | 26 | 26 | 20 | 10 | 2 | -3 | 26 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -10 | -10 | -5 | -1 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 0 | -5 | -10 | -10 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 32 | 24 | 44 | 31 | 50 | 39 | 21 | 12 | 28 | 26 | 32 | 34 | 374 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 7 | 6 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 113 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 244 | 172 | 243 | 46 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 21 | 161 | 246 | 1,207 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 18 | 16 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 17 | 90 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 93 | 93 | 86 | 73 | 63 | 61 | 50 | 49 | 61 | 73 | 84 | 92 | 73 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 8 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 3 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 59 | 57 | 52 | 40 | 31 | 31 | 17 | 14 | 23 | 37 | 50 | 55 | 39 |
| Average UV index | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
The best time to visit Kunming is during spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November), when temperatures are mild (18–24°C), rainfall is low, and skies are clear. These seasons are perfect for outdoor activities, sightseeing, and enjoying the city’s famous gardens and cultural festivals.
The least favourable time to visit is during the peak of the rainy season (July–August), when daily showers, higher humidity, and occasional storms can disrupt outdoor plans. However, even in summer, mornings are usually pleasant and the city remains cooler than much of China.
Kunming has a mild subtropical highland climate with little seasonal variation. Summers are cool and rainy, while winters are short, dry, and sunny. Temperatures rarely exceed 27°C or fall below 3°C, making it comfortable all year.
Kunming’s rainy season lasts from May to October, with July and August being the wettest months. Expect frequent afternoon showers, lush greenery, and cooler temperatures during this period.
Snow is extremely rare in Kunming due to its mild winter temperatures. If it does occur, it is usually light and melts quickly, with no persistent snow cover in the city.
Pack layers for large day-night temperature swings, sun cream, and a hat for sunny days. Bring a rain jacket and waterproof shoes if visiting during the rainy season, and a warm jacket for winter mornings and evenings.
Yes, Kunming’s mild climate and abundant sunshine make it ideal for outdoor activities year-round. Spring and autumn are especially good for hiking, sightseeing, and exploring the city’s parks and gardens.
Kunming enjoys about 2,200 hours of sunshine annually. The dry season (November–April) is especially sunny, while even during the rainy season, showers are often followed by clear skies.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (26.3 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is December (-2.9 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 10.8 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (9.7 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is December (-10.4 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is -0.6 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is May (50.2 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is August (12 mm). Over the whole year there are 373.6 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is May (13.8 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is August (5.7 days). Over the whole year there are 112.6 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is December (246.1 mm). The months with the least snowfall are June, July and August (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,206.9 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (18.3 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are June and July (0 days). Over the whole year there are 89.7 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is January (92.8 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is August (49.4 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 73.1 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is April (7.2 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is January (5.9 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 6.6 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is January (58.6 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (14.5 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 38.9 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 16 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 8 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is August (Average sunshine: 12 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 3.1 h). Over the whole year there are 7.6 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is July (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 2.8.
