Yangshuo Weather

Features a subtropical monsoon climate, Yangshuo hardly experiences very cold times, but sees rich rainfall and high humidity nearly all year round.

Xianggong Mountain on Warm and Clear Days

 Overall, Yangshuo experiences not very significant temperature variation throughout the year. It has no extreme lows even in winter. Specifically, spring from March to May and autumn from September to November are warm, sometimes even a bit hot; summer from June to August is muggy - combined effect of high temperature and high humidity; and winter from December to February is only slightly cold rather than bitterly chilly, with sunny days even offering some warm moments.
 January is the month of the lowest temperature in Yangshuo, but it doesn’t actually feel particularly cold. Most sunny days see the temperature hovering around 10-15 degrees Celsius (50-59 degrees Fahrenheit). On rainy days, it may drop to about 5-10℃ (41-50°F). Even on the coldest days, the low rarely falls below freezing.
 July and August in Yangshuo mark the hottest period of the year. During this time, daily highs typically hover around 30-35°C (86-95°F), occasionally soaring to approximately 38°C (100°F). Together with high humidity, you will feel sweltering nearly every day. At night, the temperature drops slightly, settling around 25°C (77°F).
 Yangshuo receives relatively high precipitation, averaging 1,640mm annually. This rainfall is unevenly distributed: it is concentrated primarily between March and August, accounting for approximately 70% of the annual total. The months with the heaviest rainfall are May and June, when the monthly total reaches around 300 mm on average. Besides, during this period, Yangshuo often experiences heavy rain or torrential downpours. As a result, the waters of the Li River and Yulong River often turn yellow, and water levels rise significantly.
 Yangshuo rarely sees snow. Even in winter, precipitation is mostly in the form of rain. When snow does fall, it’s usually mixed with rain. Spring and summer are the most humid times in Yangshuo, when the average humidity is around 80%. Even in December, the driest month of Yangshuo, the average humidity can reach 69%. In other words, no matter when you travel to Yangshuo, you will find the air is wet. Under such a humidity condition, you are prone to feeling muggy in summer and getting lower apparent temperature in winter.  Yangshuo does not receive abundant sunshine throughout the year. Generally, winter and spring see the shortest periods of sunshine, averaging only 2 to 4 hours per day. July and August during summer offer the longest sunshine hours, averaging around 7 hours daily.
 The best months to visit Yangshuo are September to November. During this period, the temperature is generally pleasant, the rainfall is low, and the sunshine hours are long. These months also offer captivating scenery, including lush green mountains and crystal-clear waters. Except for the National Day holiday, Yangshuo remains uncrowded during this period. You can peacefully relax on a bamboo raft and take in the views, and book satisfying accommodations at very reasonable rates.

Yangshuo View in September

See also: Best Time to Visit Guilin.

  The temperature of Yangshuo in spring is cozy and warm overall, at about 15-30°C (59-86°F), though there may be several a bit cold days in March and stuffy days in May. You should note that Yangshuo enters the rainy season at this time, when the city experiences about 20 rainy days per month on average. As a result, you may not see the sun very often during your stay. Besides, the air is quite humid, and even the beddings in hotels are damp. In May, heavy rains show up a little more frequently, after which the waters of the Li River and Yulong River may turn muddy and yellow.

Li River on Rainy Days with Mist

What to Pack: short- and long-sleeved shirts, hoodies, trench coats, sweatpants, waterproof and non-slip sneakers, and umbrellas

Travel Recommendations & Tips: During this season, the scenery on sunny days goes without saying, but what’s truly worth mentioning is that on days with light rain, the landscape is misty, unique and attractive. So, remember, never let the drizzle stop you from outdoor visiting. With comfortable temperature and full river waters, experiencing bamboo rafting is also recommended. However, be sure to check the weather forecast beforehand to avoid heavy rainy days. After heavy rain, water levels may rise, potentially suspending rafting. 
 Summer also belongs to the rainy season in Yangshuo, with quite frequent showers. It should be noted that June may face some heavy or even torrential rainfalls. However, since the rain usually doesn’t last long, the sunshine hours are long at 5-7 during this season. This is also the hottest period throughout the year, when the daily high temperature is around 35°C (95°F). Together with the high humidity caused by high rainfall, the weather of Yangshuo is muggy and a bit unfavorable for traveling around. What makes things worse is the strong UV rays with a UV index of 11+ during sunny periods.

Yellow Water of Yangshuo after Heavy Rain

Hot Summer with Intense Sunshine

 What to Pack: breathable T-shirts, tank tops, sun-protection jackets, shorts, thin long pants, dresses, water shoes, umbrellas, mosquito repellent spray, sunglasses, and sunscreen

Travel Recommendations & Tips: Since July and August coincide with China’s summer vacation, when Yangshuo is full of students and their parents, you are advised to avoid visiting Yangshuo during this period, especially if you don’t like crowds or want to have a budget-friendly trip. For those who only have time in these months, you need to make a reservation for accommodations in advance. Besides, you are highly recommended to stay at hotels, cafes, or restaurants, or to visit cooler attractions like the Lotus Cave during the hottest noon with intense sunshine. 
 The climate of Yangshuo in autumn is comfortable and favorable for traveling: the temperature is decreasing, from a bit hot of around 25-35°C (77-95°F) to warm of 15-25°C (59-77°F) overall, though occasional temperature drops or increases may occur; the rainfall is low, and the city only experiences some light showers, which hardly influence your outdoor activities; the humidity is also not as high as the previous months, though the air is still a bit wet.

Warm and Cozy Autumn

What to Pack: short- and long-sleeved T-shirts, thin jackets, trench coats, jeans, sneakers, umbrellas

Travel Recommendations & Tips: The climate is a little changeable in autumn, so you are recommended to check the weather forecast regularly. On one hand, you can thus arrange activities like watching the sunrise at Xiangong Mountain or experiencing bamboo rafting on Yulong River - which may not be good choices on rainy days - on sunny days. On the other hand, it allows you to adjust your clothing appropriately based on temperature conditions. 
 This is the time when Yangshuo has the lowest rainfall throughout the year, but even at that time, Yangshuo sees a bit of frequent light rain and a humidity of around 70%. Winter in Yangshuo is not very cold, but the apparent temperature will not make you feel very comfortable: Generally speaking, the daytime is cool at 10-20°C (50-68°F) and the nighttime is a bit cold at 5-10°C (41-50°F) on most days. As mentioned above, the humidity is still relatively high, so you will feel clammy sometimes. There is also a possibility that the city experiences several cold days with the temperature of only 0-5°C (32-41°F), when you feel even colder and damper, though such days are only a few. Both daylight and sunshine hours are short in this season.

Cold Rainy Days in Winter

What to Pack: hoodies, sweaters, 3-in-1 jackets, down jackets, sweatpants, long johns, thick hiking boots, umbrellas

Travel Recommendations & Tips: During this period, the temperature difference between day and night is quite significant, so be sure to dress warmly when going out at night. Additionally, since daylight hours are very short, you need to plan your itinerary carefully to ensure you can visit all the attractions you wish to see during your stay. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, it’s best to stay one or more days.