Yunnan Snow Tours: How to plan a trip to enjoy snow in Yunnan?

Generally speaking, Yunnan enjoys a mild climate with pleasant weather but, due to its varied terrain with the Himalayas in the north and subtropics in the south, the weather is also diverse in different regions. Most areas of Yunnan is mild in winter and cool in summer. In Winter, some regions in Yunnan still have temperature of over 20˚C. So snow in Yunnan is relatively rare and many places in the south and west Yunnan will never see snow all the year around. Only in the north area of Yunnan such as Shangrila and Zhaotong, it will often snow in the winter.

Yunnan, while known for its tropical climate and lush landscapes, also offers some stunning snow-capped mountains and snow-filled winter destinations. If you’re eager to experience winter in Yunnan, you’ll find beautiful snow-covered spots, especially in the higher altitudes. Here’s how to plan a perfect snow tour to Yunnan.

1. Best Time to Visit for Snow in Yunnan

To catch the best snowfall, you should plan your visit between December and February, when the weather is coldest and snow is most likely to fall. The mountains at higher elevations, particularly in the northwestern and northeastern regions of Yunnan, are perfect for snow activities.

Key Areas to Explore:

• Shangri-La (香格里拉) – Known for its snow-capped peaks and Tibetan culture.

• Haba Snow Mountain (哈巴雪山) – One of the most famous snow-covered mountains, perfect for winter trekking.

• Gaoligong Mountains (高黎贡山) – Located near the Myanmar border, this area is renowned for its dense forests and snowy peaks in winter.

• Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山) – A famous mountain near Lijiang, it offers snow all year round at higher altitudes.

2. Snow Activities to Do in Yunnan

Snow Trekking & Hiking

• Haba Snow Mountain: If you love trekking, Haba offers beautiful winter hiking experiences with snow-covered meadows, frozen lakes, and stunning views of the snow-capped peaks. The Haba Snow Mountain Base Camp is accessible and offers great opportunities for snowy mountain photography and hiking.

• Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: You can take a cable car to the top and enjoy views of Yunnan’s largest glaciers and snow-covered peaks. The Yushui Glacier on the mountain is particularly beautiful.

Skiing and Snowboarding

While Yunnan is not known for extensive ski resorts like other regions of China, there are still a few places that offer snow sports:

• Shangri-La: The Shangri-La Ski Resort offers basic skiing and snowboarding facilities and is a great spot for beginners or casual snow sports enthusiasts.

• Yulong Snow Mountain (Jade Dragon Snow Mountain): While not a major ski resort, it offers snow activities and sledding experiences in winter.

Snow Photography & Scenic Views

• Shangri-La is a photographer’s paradise in winter. With its snow-capped mountains, Tibetan villages, and beautiful monasteries, it’s ideal for capturing the essence of snow in the Tibetan plateau.

• Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡) has scenic winter views where snow contrasts dramatically with the gorge’s deep valleys.

3. Choosing Accommodation for Snow Tours

Snowy Retreats and Cozy Stays

• Shangri-La offers numerous Tibetan-style guesthouses with fireplaces, ideal for cozy winter nights. You’ll find plenty of hotels with panoramic views of snow-covered peaks, offering a warm retreat after a day in the snow.

• In Lijiang, there are boutique hotels near Jade Dragon Snow Mountain with great winter amenities, including indoor heating and warm meals.

Tip: Book in Advance during peak winter months, as these areas can get quite busy due to both local tourists and international visitors looking for winter adventures.

4. What to Pack for a Snow Tour in Yunnan

Yunnan’s snow regions can be cold, so be sure to pack appropriately for winter weather:

• Warm Clothing: Layered clothing, thermal jackets, wool socks, and gloves.

• Footwear: Waterproof, insulated hiking boots if you plan on trekking in the snow.

• Sun Protection: Even in winter, the sun at higher altitudes can be harsh, so bring sunscreen and sunglasses.

• Camera: Snow-covered mountains make for great photo ops, so make sure you bring a camera with extra batteries (cold weather can drain them quickly).

5. How to Get There

Yunnan has a well-connected transport network, and snow tour destinations like Shangri-La, Lijiang, and Haba Snow Mountain are easily accessible.

• By Air: Flights to Kunming (昆明), the capital of Yunnan, are the easiest way to get to the province. From Kunming, you can take flights to Shangri-La, Lijiang, or Diqing (for Haba Snow Mountain).

• By Train: You can take trains from Kunming to Lijiang or Shangri-La. However, be mindful that the trains may not run frequently in the winter.

• By Car: Renting a car is another great option to explore the snowy regions. You can drive to Haba Snow Mountain from Shangri-La or Lijiang.

6. Local Cuisine to Try in the Snow

Winter in Yunnan is also the best time to enjoy hearty and warming dishes. Here are some local favorites:

• Yunnan Hotpot: A warming and spicy meal perfect for winter, featuring a variety of meats, vegetables, and mushrooms.

• Mushroom dishes: Yunnan is known for its wide variety of wild mushrooms, many of which are served in stews or hotpots.

• Yak meat: Particularly in Shangri-La, yak meat is a common dish, offering rich and hearty flavors perfect for cold weather.

7. Things to Keep in Mind

• Altitude Sickness: Some of Yunnan’s snow regions, like Shangri-La, are at high altitudes, so be prepared for the possibility of altitude sickness. Take it easy on the first day and drink plenty of water.

• Weather: The weather can be unpredictable, so check forecasts and prepare for changing conditions.

• Pack Lightly: While it’s essential to bring warm clothing, pack as lightly as possible to make traveling easier, especially when going on treks.

When Does it Usually Snow in Yunnan?

Winter is the time for snow anywhere in the world that has a temperate climate, so is the Yunnan. For the snowy areas of the region, the snows can start falling at November or December, and can last until February or March.

Winter in Yunnan is not all freezing cold and inhospitable, and there are areas that have warmer weather even in November and December. But for the snow scenes, it is best to travel to the northern areas of Yunnan such as Diqing Prefecture and Zhaotong, where there is more chance of seeing snow in winter.

And while there may be snowy landscapes in some areas of Yunnan, that does not mean they are inaccessible. You can see the snowy mountains in Yunnan capped with snow such as Haba Snow Mountain, Meili Snow Mountain, etc.

Where Does it Snow in Yunnan?

Diqing(Shangrila)

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is situated in the northwest of Yunnan Province, bordered on the northeast by Sichuan Province, and on the northwest by the Tibet Autonomous Region. Enjoying a typical plateau climate, Diqing may snow in October, which is encompassed by the Hengduan Mountains, and the terrain varies greatly, so the temperature difference of a day is great too. Diqing is an ideal destination for whom love climbing and hiking. As for hiking, Tiger Leaping Gorge and Yubeng Village may be tourists’ best choice. And Climbing Haba Snow Mountain is also recommended.

Zhaotong

Influenced by the low latitude and moderate elevation, Zhaotong has a plateau monsoon three-dimensional climate with cool and dry winters. Temperatures frequently drop below freezing at night in winter, though the days warm up to around 10 °C. Snow often comes to Zhaotong and most part of its area will meet heavy snow in winter such as the famous Dashanbao Nature Reserve.

Qujing

Qujing often welcome snows in winter, especially Huize county and Xuanwei county. Heavy snow doesn’t offer occur in Qujing.

Lijiang

With an altitude of 2400 meters above sea level, Lijiang enjoys a highland climate with distinct dry and rainy seasons. It has three different climatic zones, ranging from subtropical in the southeast, warm temperatures in the center, and cold temperatures in the northwest. What’s more, vertical climate in some highlands can also be seen in Lijiang. Every winter, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain will snow.

Dali

Dali is a plateau monsoon climate, the temperature from December to the next January is slightly low. Sometimes there will be light snow, but you can still climb to Cangshan Mountain and the Erhai Lake will never frozen.

Kunming

Kunming is known as the “City of Eternal Spring”. In recent years, the winter in Kunming is colder than before. Snow is not often seen in Kunming city. While in the suburb area of Luquan County, it snows on the Jiaozi Snow Mountain.

Tours to Enjoy the Snow in Yunnan

Snow Mountain Tour

There are more 150 mountain peaks in Yunnan Province. Snow Mountain Climbing is about the hiking and climbing tours to the famous mountains in Yunnan especially the Three Parallel Rivers Area. Haba Snow Mountain is the most popular mountain to climb among these mountains. Besides, climbing up a snow mountain such as Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Jiaozi Snow Mountain are worth to have a try.

Suggested Yunnan Snow Mountain Climbing Tours:
1 Day Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Hiking Tour (4642 Meters) from Wenhai Lake
2 Days Jiaozi Snow Mountain Hiking Tour
4 Days Haba Snow Mountain Climbing Adventure with Tiger Leaping Gorge Tour
5 Days Shangrila Discovery with Meili Snow Mountain Pilgrimage

Please read more about Yunnan Snow Mountain Climbing Tours.

Skiing Tour in Yunnan

Due to the warm winter weather in Yunnan, people never see much snow in their lives. As for skiing, few ski field are available in Yunnan due to the demanding on the environment. Most of the snow mountains in Yunnan are too high and steep in elevation, especially the strong wind, partial snow and changeable weather, most of which are not suitable for the construction of snow fields. However, Yunnan’s snow mountains are always popular with tourists. And now there are several ski fields in Yunnan where tourists can enjoy the thrill and happiness of skiing.

Lijiang Jade Dragon Snow Mountain ski resort in Yunnan is located at the eastern foot of Yulong Snow Mountain, which is the warmest natural alpine ski resort near the equator of the earth. Shangri-La ski resort is located in Hala Village, Nixi Township, Shangri-la, Diqing, with a total area of about 40 square kilometers. Yunnan Dahaicao Mountain International Ski Resort is located at Dahaicao Mountain Scenic area in Huize County. On February 2, 2018, Jiaozi Snow Mountain International Ski Field opened a primary snow track for trial operation.

For more information about Skiing in Yunnan.

Snow Mountains in Yunnan

Fall and winter are the best times to see snow-capped mountains and peaks. In Yunnan, most of the time, if you want to see heavy snow in Yunnan, you can visit the snow mountains. There are eight snow mountains in Yunnan, including Jiaozi Snow Mountain, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Haba Snow Mountain, Meili Snow Mountain, Bala Gezong Snow Mountain, Baima Snow Mountain, Tianbao Snow Mountain, and Shika Snow Mountain. Below we introduce part of them.

Jiaozi Snow Mountain

Jiaozi snow mountain is a seasonal snow mountain, only from November of the first year to April of the next year when the mountain is covered with pure white snow, with beautiful icefalls hanging from cliffs. Rivers are frozen. The tree branches are coated white, the grassland is hidden by the huge white carpet of snow. Animals are having a good rest in their caves. It is so tranquil and peaceful. Snow usually begins to accumulate in November, and by mid-winter, the trees and ground are often completely covered by fluffy white banks of snow. Temperatures during this time can dip well below freezing and the wind can be intense.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Mountain) is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. Looking from Lijiang Old Town in the south which is 15 kilometers (nine miles) away, the snow-covered and fog-enlaced mountain resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence the name. Spring and winter is the best season for seeing snow-covered landscape of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. During that time, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain has clear weather and dry air, the snow mountain gleams white, no matter for visiting or shooting, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the most charming at this time.

Meili Snow Mountain

Meili Snow Mountain is one of the most sacred mountains of Tibetan Buddhism. Meili Snow Mountain boasts numerous snow-clad ridges and peaks, thirteen of which are more than 6,000 meters above the sea level. The highest peak Kawagebo, which rises to 6,740 metres, has not been conquered by humans which attracts countless climbers. The golden sunrise on the dramatic snow-capped peaks of Meili Snow Mountain is a must-see for most tourists who want to admire the spectacular scenery of this mountain.

Haba Snow Mountain

Haba Snow Mountain is a mountain rising above the northwest side of Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan. It is covered by snow year-round. The upstanding main peak, together with four little peaks around it, seems to be a shining crown on a fine day in the distance. Best time to climb Haba Snow Mountain is between mid of March till end of June and mid of September till mid of December. Sometimes, they are partly hidden in clouds and mist and the crown becomes dimly visible; sometimes, they are totally lost.

Baima Snow Mountain

With the altitude of 5,430 meters, Baima Snow Mountain is covered with snow all year round. Tourists can enjoy the landscape of the snow-covered area in the winter. Seen from afar, the mountain (the most magnificent part of the Hengduan Mountain Range) is covered with white snow and presents a spectacular view to travelers. Crossing over the Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve needs to climbing two passes(Lalaka Pass and Baima Pass). With high altitude and strong wind, it is necessary to keep warm and prevent altitude sickness.

Shika Snow Mountain

Boasting its precipitous snow peaks, beautiful valleys, forests, lakes, meadows and numerous legends, it is a comprehensive scenic spots best reflecting the romantic charming of Shangri-la, which attracts many people here for hiking and adventure. In winter, the mountain is coated with snow. The white clouds, the white mountain, and surrounding white landscape with the Tibetan houses contrast superbly with the blue sky.

Please read more about the Mountains in Yunnan.