As one of the most popular natural travel destinations in China, Yunnan attracts many nature enthusiasts due to its rich variety of natural environments, diverse climate, and abundant biological resources. During your China tours, Yunnan will take you to witness breathtaking natural wonders.
Yunnan Province is located in the region south of 30°N latitude. As a result, the area experiences a climate without clearly defined seasons. Because of its pleasant weather, Yunnan is a popular tourist destination in any season.
Yunnan weather is mild and warm in spring. The monthly average temperature is lower than 68 F (20 C), and it's not very rainy in Yunnan. You can enjoy the pleasant weather and view beautiful scenery in spring. Include some parks, such as Green Lake Park and Dianchi Lake, to make the most of your trip.
The Yunnan climate in summer is rainy and cloudy. The monthly average temperature in Yunnan during summer is generally not very hot. During the peak season of Yunnan in summer, the monthly average temperature is 71.6 F (22 C) in areas with a sea level of 5,249 feet (1,600 meters) or lower. In some places in Yunnan, the temperature between morning and evening can be very different.
The Yunnan climate in autumn is moderate. The monthly average temperature in most of Yunnan is about 35.6 F (2 C) lower than that in spring. At this season, precipitation is reduced by more than half compared with that in summer. Generally, the rainy season is gone in October.
Yunnan doesn't get very cold in the winter. The monthly average temperature ranges from 37.4 F (3 C) to 62.6 F (17 C). The precipitation takes only 3% to 5% of all precipitation in a year. In the coldest two months, the monthly average temperature can reach around 44.6 F (7 C) in most parts of Yunnan.
Yunnan is situated in the transition area between the Hengduan Mountains and the Yungui Plateau. The place boasts snow mountains, glaciers, gorges, and plateau lakes in Yunnan. Yunnan tours will take you to explore the incredible landscapes.
Yunnan's tallest mountain (iStock)
Meili Snow Mountain is located in the southeast of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It's a continuous mountain range stretching from north to south between the Lancang River and the Nu River.
The range is composed of 13 snow-covered mountains with an altitude of over 19,685 feet (6,000 meters) above sea level. Vast grassland, snowy mountains, deep gorges, and lush forests converge into a magnificent scroll painting.
There are numerous alpine lakes and a primeval forest in Meili Snow Mountain. You can see many kinds of wild animals and plants in the primeval forest.
The best time to climb in the mountains here is from October to May of the following year. During this time, the sky is clear and you can overlook the central peak of Snow Mountain.
Dianchi Lake is situated in the southwest suburb of Kunming. It's the largest freshwater lake in Yunnan. The mountains around Dianchi Lake are layered and rugged. There is a vast expanse of water and a long, winding shore.
Stand on the shore of Dianchi Lake to enjoy the beautiful view of the sparkling water and the rugged mountains in the distance. Observe graceful egrets and other water birds on the lake. Thanks to consistently favorable water temperature and quality, Dianchi Lake is home to many species of aquatic plants and animals.
The spot where a tiger is said to have leaped across the river, thereby giving the Tiger Leaping Gorge its name. (photo: iStock)
Tiger Leaping Gorge is a long and deep canyon formed by the erosion of the Jinsha River. It is the natural separation between Yulong Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain. Stand on the viewing platform at Tiger Leaping Gorge and witness the view of the Jinsha River flowing through the gorge.
The Tiger Leaping Gorge is approximately 10 miles (17 kilometers) long and is divided into three sections. Upper Tiger Leaping is the narrowest section of the entire gorge, with a width of only about 22 yards (20 meters).
The river water at Middle Tiger Leaping drops more than 109 years (100 meters) in a stretch of less than 3 miles (5 kilometers). The terrain at Lower Tiger Leaping is relatively gentle. Here, admire the picturesque views of Haba Snow Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
The Kunming Stone Forest is famous for its distinctive karst landscape and has been named "the world's most spectacular natural wonder." Stone Forest includes stone peaks, stone pillars, stone buds, and caves. You can get different stone forest scenery in various scenic spots.
The Major Stone Forest is the most representative area of the Stone Forest Scenic Area. The stones here are tall and majestic, with various shapes.
The scenery of the Minor Stone Forest is even more gentle and beautiful. The varied shapes of the strange rocks, the lush trees, and the colorful flowers create a picturesque landscape. In addition, you can observe many marine fossils on the rock surface at the Bushao Hill area.
Yunnan's diverse topography and climate have nurtured an extremely rich biodiversity.
Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park is one of the most well-preserved and extensive tropical primeval forests in China. The vegetation coverage of the park is 98%. There are more than a thousand species of higher plants in the park. The primeval forest also includes more than 500 species of wild animals.
There is a suspension long bridge with a maximum height of 44 yards (40 meters) above the ground, winding through the treetops.
Walk on the observation bridge to overlook the tropical rainforest scenery: lush primeval forest, ancient trees, and rolling mountains in the distance. The babbling stream, ancient trees, and precious wild animals together constitute this primitive kingdom of ecology.
Asian elephant (photo: Udara Karunarathna)
Wild Elephant Valley is located in the center of the tropical rainforest, connecting the Luosuo River, a tributary of the Lancang River. The dense trees and plenty of water here create a suitable home for the elephants. Walking on the elephant viewing corridor, you may encounter more than 300 wild Asian elephants at any time.
At Elephant Science Park, you will learn about the Asian elephant conservation through the behavioral performance and feeding routines. You will also have the opportunity to view numerous rare tropical plants and beautiful rainforest scenery.
In addition, the butterfly garden is the most popular scenic spot in Wild Elephant Valley. You will see a variety of butterflies fluttering in the blooming flowers.
Due to the unique geographical location and favorable climate of Gaoligong Mountain, it has become an ideal habitat for rare and endangered flora and fauna. The Gaoligong Mountain National Nature Reserve is a super-large nature reserve of the forest and wildlife type.
Gaoligong Mountain has a forest ecosystem with complete biodiversity. The region harbors over 5,135 species of higher plants—including palms, redwoods, rhododendrons, and diverse orchids—alongside 582 species of rare wildlife, such as the Nu River golden monkey, Gaoligong takin, and golden eagle.
Planning a trip to China? A tour of Yunnan offers the perfect way to experience the charm of this natural paradise. Nature lovers will find everything from diverse landscapes to abundant wildlife, all made even more enjoyable by Yunnan's pleasant weather.
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This story is published in partnership with China Xian Tour.
The post Why Is Yunnan an Ideal Choice for Nature Lovers? appeared first on Go Backpacking.
Pleasant Weather
Yunnan Province is located in the region south of 30°N latitude. As a result, the area experiences a climate without clearly defined seasons. Because of its pleasant weather, Yunnan is a popular tourist destination in any season.
Spring (March to May)
Yunnan weather is mild and warm in spring. The monthly average temperature is lower than 68 F (20 C), and it's not very rainy in Yunnan. You can enjoy the pleasant weather and view beautiful scenery in spring. Include some parks, such as Green Lake Park and Dianchi Lake, to make the most of your trip.
Summer (June to August)
The Yunnan climate in summer is rainy and cloudy. The monthly average temperature in Yunnan during summer is generally not very hot. During the peak season of Yunnan in summer, the monthly average temperature is 71.6 F (22 C) in areas with a sea level of 5,249 feet (1,600 meters) or lower. In some places in Yunnan, the temperature between morning and evening can be very different.
Autumn (September to November)
The Yunnan climate in autumn is moderate. The monthly average temperature in most of Yunnan is about 35.6 F (2 C) lower than that in spring. At this season, precipitation is reduced by more than half compared with that in summer. Generally, the rainy season is gone in October.
Winter (December to February)
Yunnan doesn't get very cold in the winter. The monthly average temperature ranges from 37.4 F (3 C) to 62.6 F (17 C). The precipitation takes only 3% to 5% of all precipitation in a year. In the coldest two months, the monthly average temperature can reach around 44.6 F (7 C) in most parts of Yunnan.
Diverse Natural Landscapes
Yunnan is situated in the transition area between the Hengduan Mountains and the Yungui Plateau. The place boasts snow mountains, glaciers, gorges, and plateau lakes in Yunnan. Yunnan tours will take you to explore the incredible landscapes.
Meili Snow Mountain
Yunnan's tallest mountain (iStock)
Meili Snow Mountain is located in the southeast of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It's a continuous mountain range stretching from north to south between the Lancang River and the Nu River.
The range is composed of 13 snow-covered mountains with an altitude of over 19,685 feet (6,000 meters) above sea level. Vast grassland, snowy mountains, deep gorges, and lush forests converge into a magnificent scroll painting.
There are numerous alpine lakes and a primeval forest in Meili Snow Mountain. You can see many kinds of wild animals and plants in the primeval forest.
The best time to climb in the mountains here is from October to May of the following year. During this time, the sky is clear and you can overlook the central peak of Snow Mountain.
Dianchi Lake
Dianchi Lake is situated in the southwest suburb of Kunming. It's the largest freshwater lake in Yunnan. The mountains around Dianchi Lake are layered and rugged. There is a vast expanse of water and a long, winding shore.
Stand on the shore of Dianchi Lake to enjoy the beautiful view of the sparkling water and the rugged mountains in the distance. Observe graceful egrets and other water birds on the lake. Thanks to consistently favorable water temperature and quality, Dianchi Lake is home to many species of aquatic plants and animals.
Tiger Leaping Gorge
The spot where a tiger is said to have leaped across the river, thereby giving the Tiger Leaping Gorge its name. (photo: iStock)
Tiger Leaping Gorge is a long and deep canyon formed by the erosion of the Jinsha River. It is the natural separation between Yulong Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain. Stand on the viewing platform at Tiger Leaping Gorge and witness the view of the Jinsha River flowing through the gorge.
The Tiger Leaping Gorge is approximately 10 miles (17 kilometers) long and is divided into three sections. Upper Tiger Leaping is the narrowest section of the entire gorge, with a width of only about 22 yards (20 meters).
The river water at Middle Tiger Leaping drops more than 109 years (100 meters) in a stretch of less than 3 miles (5 kilometers). The terrain at Lower Tiger Leaping is relatively gentle. Here, admire the picturesque views of Haba Snow Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Stone Forest
The Kunming Stone Forest is famous for its distinctive karst landscape and has been named "the world's most spectacular natural wonder." Stone Forest includes stone peaks, stone pillars, stone buds, and caves. You can get different stone forest scenery in various scenic spots.
The Major Stone Forest is the most representative area of the Stone Forest Scenic Area. The stones here are tall and majestic, with various shapes.
The scenery of the Minor Stone Forest is even more gentle and beautiful. The varied shapes of the strange rocks, the lush trees, and the colorful flowers create a picturesque landscape. In addition, you can observe many marine fossils on the rock surface at the Bushao Hill area.
Abundant Wildlife
Yunnan's diverse topography and climate have nurtured an extremely rich biodiversity.
Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park
Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park is one of the most well-preserved and extensive tropical primeval forests in China. The vegetation coverage of the park is 98%. There are more than a thousand species of higher plants in the park. The primeval forest also includes more than 500 species of wild animals.
There is a suspension long bridge with a maximum height of 44 yards (40 meters) above the ground, winding through the treetops.
Walk on the observation bridge to overlook the tropical rainforest scenery: lush primeval forest, ancient trees, and rolling mountains in the distance. The babbling stream, ancient trees, and precious wild animals together constitute this primitive kingdom of ecology.
Wild Elephant Valley
Asian elephant (photo: Udara Karunarathna)
Wild Elephant Valley is located in the center of the tropical rainforest, connecting the Luosuo River, a tributary of the Lancang River. The dense trees and plenty of water here create a suitable home for the elephants. Walking on the elephant viewing corridor, you may encounter more than 300 wild Asian elephants at any time.
At Elephant Science Park, you will learn about the Asian elephant conservation through the behavioral performance and feeding routines. You will also have the opportunity to view numerous rare tropical plants and beautiful rainforest scenery.
In addition, the butterfly garden is the most popular scenic spot in Wild Elephant Valley. You will see a variety of butterflies fluttering in the blooming flowers.
Gaoligong Mountain Nature Reserve
Due to the unique geographical location and favorable climate of Gaoligong Mountain, it has become an ideal habitat for rare and endangered flora and fauna. The Gaoligong Mountain National Nature Reserve is a super-large nature reserve of the forest and wildlife type.
Gaoligong Mountain has a forest ecosystem with complete biodiversity. The region harbors over 5,135 species of higher plants—including palms, redwoods, rhododendrons, and diverse orchids—alongside 582 species of rare wildlife, such as the Nu River golden monkey, Gaoligong takin, and golden eagle.
Summary
Planning a trip to China? A tour of Yunnan offers the perfect way to experience the charm of this natural paradise. Nature lovers will find everything from diverse landscapes to abundant wildlife, all made even more enjoyable by Yunnan's pleasant weather.
_____
This story is published in partnership with China Xian Tour.
The post Why Is Yunnan an Ideal Choice for Nature Lovers? appeared first on Go Backpacking.