Lijiang Weather in January 2026: what to expect (7.3/10)

The month in detail

What to expect in January

In January, Lijiang sees 14.0°C during the day with 8.3h of sunshine per day. Rain risk remains low (15.0% of days), leaving good room for outdoor activities. Not the best window, but acceptable if dates are constrained. April (7.7/10) is significantly better if possible.

January ranks 6 out of 12 months in Lijiang. Compared to December: 5 pts more rainy days.

This month's conditions

What it's like in January

UV index

6 · moderate

protect during midday hours

Feels like

dry air

-3°

Daylight

10.5h of daylight

Air quality

good

AQI 31

Compare

Is January the right month?

The best month in Lijiang is April (7.7/10), 0.4 pt higher than January.

See April →See all 12 months →

Context

Our verdict

Lijiang, UNESCO town in Yunnan province in south-western China: 1.3 million inhabitants at 2400m altitude at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (5596m), cradle of the Naxi culture (ethnic minority with Dongba pictographic writing = the only living pictographic writing in the world today, still used by Dongba shamans).

Read Gilles' full review →

Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

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Stay

Hotels & rentals · Lijiang

Expedia →

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Activities

Tours, tickets, experiences

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Flights

Multi-airline comparator

Kiwi →

🎟️ Activities & tours · Lijiang

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

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Affiliate link · GetYourGuide

Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a city break.

Country · China

🗣️LanguageMandarin

💶CurrencyYuan renminbi (¥)

🚗DrivingRight-hand

🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5

💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeTemperate

📈Climate trend ⓘStable

🔥Hottest monthJune · 24°C

❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 14°C

🌧️Rainiest month ⓘSeptember · 84%

🏛️ City break

📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August

☔Indoor sights ⓘYear-round

🚇Public transportGood

Explore

Other destinations in January

If January doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.

Similar climate

Nearby

MandalayMyanmar688 km

Other top picks

MadagascarMadagascar7.3

← December February →

🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map

Location

Where is Lijiang ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World

🔍 Geographic context

China

Temperate climate with a 7.7 → 4.3 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.

26.87°N · 100.23°E

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Lijiang?

April is the best month with 21.0°C highs, 7.0°C lows, 7.8h of sunshine and 33.0% rainy days. The months of April & May offer comparable conditions.

How many hours of sunshine does Lijiang get in April?

Lijiang averages 7.8 sunshine hours per day in April. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.2/10.

What is the rainiest month in Lijiang?

July is the most unfavourable month with July has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.

What are the temperatures at night in Lijiang in April?

In April, overnight lows reach 7.0°C, while afternoon highs average 21.0°C.

Is Lijiang good in winter?

In winter (December-February), Lijiang scores 7.0/10 on average — Decent period conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains April with a score of 7.2/10.

When should you avoid Lijiang?

July is the most difficult month to visit Lijiang, with July has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.

Do you need sun protection in Lijiang in January?

The average UV index reaches 6 in January in Lijiang (moderate), with about 10.5h of daylight. Protect during midday hours.