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Zhangjiajie sits in northwest Hunan province at roughly 300 to 1,200 meters above sea level, where a humid subtropical climate shapes the whole trip. The city averages 15.7°C (60°F) and receives about 1,400mm of rain a year, and more than half of that falls between April and August. Fog and low cloud drift through the sandstone pillars most days, so the month you visit changes what you actually see from the viewpoints. For the complete month-by-month numbers and every practical detail, see our Zhangjiajie travel guide.
Zhangjiajie Weather by Month: Temperature and Rainfall Table
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainfall | Sunshine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9°C / 48°F | 3°C / 37°F | 50mm | 3 hours |
| February | 11°C / 52°F | 4°C / 39°F | 60mm | 3 hours |
| March | 16°C / 61°F | 8°C / 46°F | 90mm | 4 hours |
| April | 22°C / 72°F | 13°C / 55°F | 130mm | 5 hours |
| May | 26°C / 79°F | 18°C / 64°F | 180mm | 5 hours |
| June | 30°C / 86°F | 22°C / 72°F | 210mm | 5 hours |
| July | 33°C / 91°F | 25°C / 77°F | 200mm | 6 hours |
| August | 32°C / 90°F | 24°C / 75°F | 170mm | 6 hours |
| September | 28°C / 82°F | 20°C / 68°F | 110mm | 5 hours |
| October | 22°C / 72°F | 15°C / 59°F | 90mm | 4 hours |
| November | 16°C / 61°F | 9°C / 48°F | 65mm | 3 hours |
| December | 11°C / 52°F | 4°C / 39°F | 40mm | 3 hours |
Zhangjiajie Weather by Month: Winter (December to February)
Winter is the coldest and driest stretch of the year. January averages a high of 9°C (48°F) and a low of 3°C (37°F), and it is the one month with real snow, falling on about 4 to 5 days and settling up to 79mm on the peaks. Sunshine drops to around 3 hours a day, and ice can close the upper trails and the Tianmen Mountain road after cold snaps. On the plus side, January and February are the cheapest months for the park, with the 4-day National Forest Park pass dropping from CNY 240 to CNY 115, and there are almost no queues. If you are traveling on a budget in this window, the where to stay in Zhangjiajie article lists the cheapest bases in each district, and the Zhangjiajie travel tips guide covers what to pack for the cold.
Zhangjiajie Weather by Month: Spring (March to May)
Spring warms up fast, from a 16°C (61°F) high in March to 26°C (79°F) by May, but it is also when the rain ramps up from 90mm to 180mm a month. March and April are the classic misty months, where the peaks float in and out of cloud, which photographers love but which can wipe out a viewpoint for hours at a time. April and May bring full green foliage and flowers, and May sees the humidity start to build. Take a light rain jacket and check the weather app each morning before deciding which trail to do. For the seasonal breakdown, see our best time to visit Zhangjiajie guide, and the Zhangjiajie neighborhoods article explains which district gets the most fog.
Zhangjiajie Weather by Month: Summer (June to August)
Summer is hot, muggy and wet. July is the warmest month with an average of 26°C (79°F), but afternoon highs regularly hit 33°C (91°F) and occasionally 40°C (104°F). Rainfall runs 170mm to 210mm each month, mostly as afternoon thunderstorms, and humidity sits above 80 percent. The trade-off is that rain clears the haze, so the day after a storm often gives the greenest, clearest views of the pillars. Start hikes before 8am to beat the heat and the crowds, and carry water, since July and August coincide with Chinese school holidays. Most of the crowd strategy is covered in our things to do in Zhangjiajie article.
Zhangjiajie Weather by Month: Autumn (September to November)
Autumn is the pick of the year. September still reaches 28°C (82°F) but rainfall falls to 110mm, and by October the high is a comfortable 22°C (72°F) with only 90mm of rain. October and November are the driest, clearest months, with red and gold foliage on the lower slopes and the longest stretches of blue sky for the glass bridge and cable cars. This is the season most travelers target, so book hotels and park tickets ahead, and note that the Zhangjiajie events and festivals calendar peaks in September, which lines up well with the clear weather.
