The month in detail
What to expect in May
Spring marks the start of the good season in Kunming. Temperatures rise (79°F) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. Expect rain on 27% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if April (8.6/10) remains theoretically better.
May ranks 3 out of 12 months in Kunming. Compared to April: +2°F daytime, 10 pts more rainy days, −1.4h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
8 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
comfortable
11°
Daylight
13.2h of daylight
Air quality
fair
AQI 46
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in Kunming is April (8.6/10), 0.4 pt higher than May.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Kunming
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
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Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Kunming
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
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 monthMay · 79°F
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 59°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘJuly · 58%
🏛️ City break
📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August
☔Indoor sights ⓘYear-round
🚇Public transportGood
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Kunming ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
ChinaTemperate climate with a 8.6 → 7.2 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
25.05°N · 102.71°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Kunming?
April is the best month with 77°F highs, 54°F lows, 8.4h of sunshine and 17.0% rainy days. The months of April & March offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Kunming get in April?
Kunming averages 8.4 sunshine hours per day in April. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.1/10.
What is the rainiest month in Kunming?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Kunming in April?
In April, overnight lows reach 54°F, while afternoon highs average 77°F.
Is Kunming good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Kunming scores 7.1/10 on average — Acceptable conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains April with a score of 8.1/10.
When should you avoid Kunming?
January is the most difficult month to visit Kunming, with January 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 Kunming in May?
The average UV index reaches 8 in May in Kunming (high), with about 13.2h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.