Weather: July is warm and very rainy and is the height of the rainy season. It is the rainiest month of the year. There are only four hours of sunshine a day because of rain and clouds. Rain falls about 25 days of the month, and there is about 210 mm of total rainfall in July. More rain falls in the mountains.
The average nightly low temperature is a pleasant 18 °C (64 °F), and the average daily high temperature is 28 °C (82 °F). Because the altitude of the city is 2,400 meters (7,900 feet), it feels warmer.
Clothing: During the day, shirts, jeans, shorts, and T-shirts are fine. Bring rain gear, and you might need a jacket if you go out in Lijiang at night. Take rain gear and a coat for the mountains. The weather is very changeable up there.
Altitude Sickness: Most people get tired and short of breath if they stay for a night or two, and many people take a little oxygen while walking on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Oxygen canisters cost as much as a third less in Lijiang than the mountain. Take proper precautions if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure.
Things to Do in Lijiang in July
Hike at Tiger Leaping Gorge
Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking: This valley is one of China's best hiking areas. The main trail goes by guest houses where you can relax and have meals and showers. Some guest houses are much better than others, so let us help you by our experience to stay in the better ones.
It is a natural wonder. It is one of the world's deepest gorges, and it is recognized by UNESCO as a natural heritage. The valley is about 18 kilometers long, and tall mountains tower 5,000 meters (17,000 to 18,000 feet) above on both sides of the Yangtze River. If you wish, you can visit the little ethnic villages along the way and stop for food and drinks.
Be careful about hiking in July. It rains every day, and the weather is changeable. As the saying goes, you can experience "all four seasons within the span of a single day!" So be prepared with rain gear, a coat, and good shoes with good traction. Let us guide you on a wonderful hike, or let us help you arrange one. See the hiking tour below.
Explore the Lijiang Ancient Town
Black Dragon PoolLijiang is a former trading route town of the Naxi people. They produced an interesting culture with their own architecture, their own meat and dairy cuisine, and their own writing system. Their unique writing system is the only hieroglyphic writing system still in use in the world. On rainy or stormy days, you can go to Dayan Old Town.
Visit the Black Dragon Pool: This pond is in Jade Spring Park. It is only a kilometer north of Square Street in Dayan. The park is noted for a beautiful view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain over the pond. Tourists climb the hill in the picture to see the scenery. To learn more about the Naxi, see the Dongba Museum next to the pool.
Visit the Mufu Mansion: On a rainy day, you can see the scenery from the top of Shizishan Hill in Dayan. An earthquake destroyed the ancient mansion of the Mufu clan that was here in the 1990s. This building was built in its place. You can walk to it easily from Dayan.
Touring Lijiang in July
Mufu MansionHigh Travel Month
The crowds moderate in the first two weeks of July, but then from the end of July to the middle of October, it is a high travel season. So it is best to go at the beginning of July before the hotels become very crowded and prices for rooms are higher than normal.
Due to the heavy rainfall and high tourism in July and August, it might be better to go at another time of year. If you go at this time, let us help you book your hotel room and plane/train tickets in advance.
Recommended Tour Packages
The 5-day Lijiang and Tiger Leaping Gorge Hike Tour: While taking short excursions to see the highlights of Lijiang on a guided tour, you'll acclimate. We recommend Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the Baisha Murals, but you can pick where to to go. Most people need to acclimate before the hike. Then enjoy a hike for two days with our guide through the gorge.