Leshan Weather in July

Leshan’s weather in July is not perfect for traveling around. It feels hot and muggy, especially during midday hours. July is the peak rainy month, seeing intense and frequent rainfall, which would pose many geological disasters in the mountain area. Apart from the unpleasant weather, July is a busy travel month, with packed tourist attractions and skyrocketing travel costs.

July is one of the hottest months in Leshan. The daytime highs hover between 28 and 35°C (82-95°F), and the extreme highest temperature even reaches 40°C (104°F). It’s normal to experience several hot days in a row, with daytime highs exceeding 35°C (95°F). Furthermore, the humid air makes the perceived temperature even higher and triggers the muggy feelings. In the early morning, visitors may feel a bit cool and damp, with lows of 22-26°C (72-79°F). 

When it rains heavily, the weather cools a bit, with daytime highs dropping to 24-29 degrees Celsius (75-84 degrees Fahrenheit). But after the rain, the temperature rebounds quickly, making you feel more oppressive. 

Mount Emei, benefiting from its high altitude, enjoys significantly cooler temperatures. The low-altitude area feels slightly cooler than downtown, but still muggy. The top of the mountain experiences the highest temperature of 15-18 degrees Celsius (59-64 degrees Fahrenheit), about 10-15 degrees Celsius (18-27 degrees Fahrenheit) lower than the foot of the mountain, very cool. 
 Leshan in July experiences the peak rainy season, with an average monthly precipitation of 285 mm from 22 rainy days. The rain is usually characterized by high intensity and frequent short-duration severe storms, and is often accompanied by thunder, lightning, and strong winds. In extreme cases, hourly rainfall can reach 40-70 mm, easily leading to urban flooding and rapid rises in river levels. The good thing is the rain often doesn’t last long. Plus, the rain is more concentrated and heavier at Mount Emei and tends to fall at midnight, which may trigger flash floods and other geological disasters. 

It’s worth noting that the period from mid-to late July is a period with the heaviest rainfall and the most critical phase for flood control. This is a time of high incidence of flash floods, landslides, and mudslides in mountainous areas. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to check the weather alerts before heading out. 

Besides, due to frequent heavy downpours, the river levels rise, and the river becomes murky. Sometimes, the boat tour of the Leshan Giant Buddha can be canceled. 
 Caused by the large amount of rainfall in June, Leshan experiences pretty humid weather, with an average humidity level of 75%. Actual daytime humidity typically ranges from 85% to 95%, and it often approaches saturation - especially after rain or in the early morning; in the afternoon, it briefly drops to 70%-80%. On Mount Emei and along the riverbanks, there is frequent fog in the early morning, which intensifies the humid feeling. 
 Sunrise Time: 6:00-6:23
Sunset Time: 20:04-20:11

In July, Leshan experiences limited sunshine periods, about 5-6 hours per day. Mount Emei receives much shorter sunshine hours due to frequently foggy weather and a lot of rainfall, with an average of 2-3 sunshine hours per day. Plus, the mountainside is shaded by lush trees, which further block out the sunlight. This actually makes Mount Emei a perfect spot to escape the scorching sunlight, given that the UV rays in Leshan downtown can be considered “strong” or “pretty strong”, with a UV index of 8-11 during sunny periods. 

Leshan in July enjoys considerably long daylight hours, as many as 14 hours. Despite that, the weather is stiflingly hot, and the sun is blinding at midday, so the actual time suitable for sightseeing is limited. 

Here’s a special tip for sunrise catch: you are supposed to reach Leidongping at around 2:30 latest, giving enough time to reach the Golden Summit. Also, there are hotels in Leidongping, and many visitors choose to stay overnight there to conserve their energy. 
  Clothes: 
During the daytime, visitors can wear breathable T-shirts paired with shorts or skirts. We recommend thin pants if you plan to visit the mountain areas to prevent mosquito stings. It’s ok to wear dresses for girls to take impressive photos. In the early morning, and at Mount Emei, a light jacket or a sun-protective jacket is necessary to keep comfortable and resist strong UV rays. If you plan to reach the summit of Mount Emei, it’s essential to pack a waterproof windbreaker, a thin base layer and a pair of hiking pants, as climbing is pretty challenging, especially during the rainy season. 

 Footwear: 
Considering the frequent rainy weather, steps and trails can be slippery. Therefore, it’s essential to wear a pair of non-slip sneakers. 

 Accessories:
1. Always remember to take a raincoat or an umbrella with you. 
2. You are advised to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat for sunny moments. 
3. Mosquitoes are active in the hot and humid weather, so don’t forget to pack mosquito repellent.  
 1. July is a peak travel season, as it coincides with China’s summer holiday. The tickets for popular attractions, especially for Mount Emei, can be booked out very quickly; there are extremely long lines in front of the cable car; hotel rooms and flight tickets would soar significantly. 
2. The weather on Mount Emei is changeable. Climate conditions at the base, mid-slope and summit can vary drastically at the same time. For your reference, as long as the rain isn’t too heavy, there are no weather warnings, and you’re well-prepared, reaching the summit of Mount Emei won’t be a problem. Actually, there are fewer tourists on rainy days, helping you stay away from long queues. If there’s heavy fog during the hike, don’t worry a lot, either. With a bit of luck, it will clear up by the time you reach the Golden Summit, making the view even more breathtaking. Of course, it’s not advised to climb the mountain when it rains heavily. Facilities like the cable car may be closed and the mountain path can be very slippery. 
3. When you first reach the summit of Mount Emei, you might not feel cold, but if you spend a long time taking photos or admiring the scenery, you’ll likely get chilly, making a light down jacket necessary. If you don’t want to take too many items, coats are available for rent at the summit, and raincoats and rain boots are also sold there, though they are a bit pricey. 
4. As mentioned before, Leshan in July is extremely busy. For example, the queue time for the Nine-Turns Plank Road, one of the most popular spots at the Leshan Giant Buddha, can be over two hours long; on sunny days, waiting in line for an hour for the Mount Emei cable car is a regular occurrence. If you want to avoid the main crowds, it’s best to start your day early, like arriving at Leidongping before 8:00.