Weather: June is warm and very rainy. It is cloudier than May, and the months of June, July and August are the height of the rainy season. Depending on the weather, you might want to go on outdoor excursions or stay dry in Lijiang. The average nightly low temperature is a pleasant 17 °C (63 °F), and the average daily high temperature is 27 °C (81 °F). Because the altitude of Lijiang is 2,400 meters (7,900 feet), it feels warmer. It is so rainy that the sun only shines about five hours a day in June.
There is a temperature drop of about 10 °C (18 °F) at night. It rains about 24 days a month, and the total precipitation for the month is about 182 mm. It rains more in the mountains.
Clothing: During the day, shorts, T-shirts, shirts and jeans are fine. Bring rain gear. Take rain gear and a coat if you walk up in the mountains since weather is very changeable.
Altitude Sickness: Most people will feel short of breath and perhaps headaches if they stay for a night or two, and many people breathe a little oxygen on the mountain. Oxygen canisters there cost as much as 2/3 more than in Lijiang. Take necessary precautions if you have high blood pressure or heart or lung problems.
Things to Do in Lijiang in June
Hike at Tiger Leaping Gorge
Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking: One of China's best hiking areas is unlike remote hiking areas in North America because you can stay at guest houses. Some guest houses are much better than others, so let us help you stay in the better ones by our experience.
The valley is a natural wonder. It is one of the world's deepest gorges and has tall mountains 5,000 meters (17,000 to 18,000 feet) high towering above both sides of the roaring Yangtze River.
Be careful hiking in the summer since it rains every day and sometimes storms. As the saying goes, people can experience "all four seasons within the span of a single day!" So be prepared with rain gear and good shoes with good traction. We can guide you on a wonderful hike or help arrange one. See our gorge hiking tour below.
Explore the Lijiang Ancient Town
Lijiang Old TownLijiang Old Town: If the weather is inclement, you can stay in Lijiang that has UNESCO heritage famed sites to see. It is filled with restaurants, shops, and tourist entertainment too. There are three ancient districts: the Dayan District is in Lijiang proper, and the districts of Shuhe and Baisha are to the north.
Visit the Shuhe District: Shuhe is 7 kilometers north of Dayan and is a quieter and more authentic Naxi settlement with less crowds and commercialization. The store prices and meals are less. You can reach Shuhe by bus or taxi (20 minutes). There are great views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain there too.
Visit the Mufu Mansion: This is another covered place to go on a rainy day. There was once a mansion of the Mufu clan here, but it was destroyed in an earthquake in the 1990s. This building was built in its place for the landmark. It is in a tree covered park area on Shizishan Hill in the Dayan area.
Touring Lijiang in June
Mufu Mansion in DayanShoulder Travel Season
The heavy tourism of early May declines by the end of May, and June and early July has moderately high tourism. So pricewise, June is a good time to go. Travel is more convenient too, and the attractions are more enjoyable. The prices for plane/train tickets are relatively low as are room rates.
Recommended Tour Packages
The 5-day Enjoying Lijiang and Hiking Tiger Leaping Gorge Tour: First acclimate for two days while taking short excursions to see the local sights on a guided tour. Our itinerary includes Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the Baisha Murals, but you can pick your own places to go. Most lowland people need this time of acclimation before the hike. Then hike for two days in the valley with our guide.
The 10-day Romantic China Tour: First, we show you around on a tour of Shanghai's highlights. Then board a cruise ship and go westwards on the Yangtze River and enjoy an excursion at the Three Gorges Dam. Then go to Wu Gorge, see Fengdu Ghost City, and then see highlights in Chongqing and Lijiang.