Sichuan Weather Guide - Best Time Visit

Weather in Eastern Sichuan’s Lowlands

The eastern basin area is warmer than the higher elevations, but often cloudy or foggy. To give you an example of how cloudy the basin area is, Chengdu lies in the basin area and people compare Chengdu's weather to that of London and say that it is even cloudier.
main tourist cities include Chengdu, Leshan, Ya’an, Guangyuan, Zigong, Yibin, Mianyang, Deyang, etc. It mainly experiences a subtropical monsoon climate with long, warm to hot, humid summers and short, mild to cool, dry and cloudy winters, with China's lowest sunshine totals.

This area has a subtropical monsoon climate. It is fairly cold in the winter, dry in the spring, hot in the summer, and rainy in the autumn. The average daytime temperature in January is 5-8°C (41-46°F). The average daily temperature in July is 25-29°C (77-84°F). There are 250 to 300 cloudy and rainy days a year in the plain.
The average temperature in Chengdu in January is about 6°C (43°F), and in July it is about 25°C (77°F). In Chengdu, the rainy season extends from May through September, and the dry season extends from October through April.

Weather in Western Sichuan’s High Plateau

The high plateau in the west is typical of high plateaus: there is a long winter, a cold summer, but lots of sunshine. The temperature drops during the night. In contrast to the basin, parts of the plateau may bask in 2,500 hours of sunshine a year. Ganzi Township is nicknamed "the small sunshine city".
The climate is alpine and even arctic in the highest peaks. The Huanglong Scenic and Historical Interest Area has a glacier. The high mountains southwest of Chengdu are good places to go in the summer. Huanglong is a beautiful place to visit in the summer.

Weather in Southern Sichuan’s Mountains

The climate in the high mountain region in the south of course depends on the altitude. The valley of the Jinsha River (Yangtze) has a subtropical climate. In the valleys, the dry season and the rainy season are obvious. May to September is the wet season, and October to April is the dry season.

Most of the cities in Sichuan are located in the Sichuan Basin, which is in the eastern lowlands. This area has a relatively pleasant climate for touring all year round. The best times to visit the area are spring and autumn. For some cities in the western high plateau, such as Kangding, Ganzi, and Daocheng, summer is also one of the best times to visit.
We'll give you information about the features and recommended places to visit for each season below. You can choose according to your preferences. The best time to visit depends largely on what you want to see and which part you want to go to.

Spring (March to Early May)

Temperature: It ranges from 8–24°C (46–75°F) in Chengdu, from 0–8°C (32–46°F) on Mount Emei, and from 9–18°C (48–64°F) in Jiuzhaigou.
Good to know: It is still fairly cold in early March. The temperature differences are big in the cities in the eastern lowlands and there will be some rain. In Western Sichuan and the mountainous areas, it is still winter.
Items to prepare: Take long-sleeved clothes and a thin jacket with you. In Western Sichuan and the mountainous areas, you need to take a down jacket with you.

Recommend the best tourist destinations in Sichuan

Giant Pandas:
The lovely pandas are active in spring which is also the mating season for them. The male pandas like climbing trees, howling, crawling and fighting each other to attract female pandas’ eye. It is recommended to arrive early in the morning around 08:00 AM to catch the best time to observe the pandas eating and playing outdoors.

Mount Emei:
April is the best time to see the blossom of azaleas carpet covering Emei Mountain. To appreciate the charming view of azaleas during April and May, you can go to Shaluoping near Leidongping; for Late May to June, Wanfoding is a good place to enjoy such blossoms.

Jinchuan Pear Flower Festival:
Every year from the middle of March to early April, the pear flowers are blossom in the vast valley of Jianchuan County in Aba. It is a good choice to cover Jiaju Tibetant Village in Danba County to appreciate the beautiful pear flowers.

Summer (Late May to September)

Summer in Sichuan is hot no matter in Sichuan Basin or in West Sichuan Plateau. Do you want to escape from the heat and find a cool place to stay when visit Sichuan? Mount Qingcheng and Shunnan Bamboo Forest are the cool place to go.

Recommend the best tourist destinations in Sichuan

Mount Emei:
It is one of the most well-known summer destinations in China with inspiring natural scenery and a Buddhist culture.

Mount Qingcheng:
Covered with evergreen forest all the year round, Mount Qingcheng is reputed as the most tranquil mountain in China. Immersing yourselves in Mount Qingcheng either front mountain or back mountain in summer is an awesome cool way to escape from the heat. Most travelers pay visit to front mountain of Mount Qingcheng for there are numerous Taoist temples and caves to seek for the mysterious Taoism.

Shunan Bamboo Forest:
The 120-square kilometer Shunan Bamboo Forest is the largest bamboo forest in China and called Natural Oxygen Bar with bamboo, limpid lake, winding path as well as numerous streams and waterfalls. In summer, the young bamboos are extremely green and create a comfortably cool atmosphere. It is about 330km from Chengdu with 5 hours’ transfer.
Liangshan Torch Festival:
In the late of July or early August, the Torch Festival is held in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture. It usually lasts for 3 days and Yi people gather together to watch bull flight, sheep fighting, cock fighting, horse racing and they sing and dance together, etc.

Autumn (October to November) — Best Weather

When September comes, the world in Sichuan is gradually becoming a golden world with yellow and red leaves. At this time, Jiuzhaigou Valley and Huanglong Valley, Miyaluo Scenic Resort and Daocheng Yading Scenic Area are such places to go.
Temperature: It ranges from 10–21°C (50–70°F) in Chengdu, from 0–10°C (32–50°F) on Mount Emei, and from 10–18°C (50–64°F) in Jiuzhaigou.
Good to know: In autumn, the climate is drier with more sunshine. After October, the weather turns cold and the temperature changes significantly in one day.
Items to prepare: T-shirts with a coat are suitable in October. Thicker sweaters and jackets are needed in November.

Recommend the best tourist destinations in Sichuan

Jiuzhaigou Valley
Someone says Jiuzhaigou can be visited all year round while autumn is the best time to go with comfortable and pleasant weather. It is dressed up into a colorful world by the many kinds of trees and flowers of different colors. Walking and photography are the common activities for travelers to do at this time.

Huanglong Valley
When the autumn comes, Huanglong National Park is like a natural painting with gorgeous Five-color Ponds unfolding and changing trees surrounded. It is recommended to take cable car up and explore all the scenery by walking down.

Daocheng Yading Scenic Area
It is reputed as the Soul of Shangri-La and the Last Pure Land in Our Blue Planet for the pure and picturesque natural landscape. In autumn, besides having a look at the Three Religious Lord Snow Mountains – Chenresig, Jambeyang and Chanadorje, you should cover Luorong Pasture, Milk Lake, Five-color Lake, Pearl Lake, Haizi Mountain, Red Grassland for more color experience.

Winter (December to February)

If you want to see the snow-capped world, you should go out of Chengdu. The nearest place is Xiling Snow Mountain where you can take skiing activities. The other places include Mount Emei, Jiuzhaigou, Mounigou and so on.
Temperature: It ranges from 2–10°C (36–50°F) in Chengdu, from -6–7°C (21–45°F) on Mount Emei, and 0–9°C (32–48°F) in Jiuzhaigou.
Good to know: Winter is usually cold, damp, and gray, and there is seldom any snow although there is occasional sleet. Winter is in the low travel season. It is cost-efficient for traveling and a good season to experience the Spring Festival.
Items to prepare: Take sweaters and a down jacket with you.

Recommend the best tourist destinations in Sichuan

Xiling Snow Mountain
Our Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu wrote “Snow accumulated through thousands years on the west snow mountain could be viewed within a glance from my window” and hence it got the name “Xiling”. Xiling Snow Mountain is a great place both to get close to the purest natural beauty and to experience the excitement of skiing sports with over 20 activities in ski field. Beyond doubt, Xiling Snow Mountain is really a treasure to explore her charm in winter.

Mount Emei Ski Resort:
These are the best two ski resorts in Chengdu.

Jinli Ancient Street:
In the cold winter, hot and delicious snacks are necessary, especially in Chengdu, which is known as a “food paradise”. A variety of local delicacies can be found in this street, such as dumplings, wontons, and stuffed Sichuan pancakes.