Yichang Weather and Climate: Best Time to Visit Yichang

Located in the west of Hubei Province and alongside the Yangtze River, Yichang is a famous gateway to Three Gorges of Yangtze River and the site of Three Gorges Dam. At Three Gorges Dam, you can know about the the largest hydroelectric power station in the world, including hydroelectric power, flood control and river navigation. Yichang is also a starting and ending point of the scenic cruises of the Yangtze River, where you can enjoy the picturesque and spectacular view of the steep cliffs and stunning landscapes on the both sides of the Yangtze River. The Xiling Gorge begins near Yichang, which is the longest and most dramatic gorge of the Three Gorges of Yangtze River.
 

Best time to visit Yichang is in spring and autumn, especially from April to June, and September to November with pleasant weather and less crowds.

Yichang Weather and Climate

The climate of Yichang belongs to the subtropical humid monsoon climate. There are abundant rain and heat. It has mild climate and four distinct seasons, among which spring and autumn are longer than the other two seasons. The average amount of water is between 992.1~1404.1 mm. Abundant rainfall is mostly in the summer. A long process of precipitation occurs in June and July. It is the hot rainy season and the annual accumulated temperature is high.
 

The annual average temperature is 13.1℃~18℃, and due to the territory of the Xiling Yangtze River Gap and Qingjiang, Xiangxi River mountain barrier, it is warm in winter in this place. The average temperature in July is 24.1℃~ 28.8℃ and the average temperature in January is 1.7℃~ 6.5℃. in addition, the extreme maximum temperature here is 41.4 ℃, minimum temperature -15.6 ℃.
 

Yichang in Spring: Mild with Flower Blossoms

Spring is mild and comfortable in Yichang, which is suitable for sightseeing and outdoor activities like visiting the Three Gorges Dam. In spring, you can enjoy the wonderful bright yellow rape flower blossoms and beautiful cherry blossoms in Yichang. Kindly reminder, you’d better avoid the crowds of domestic tourists during the Labor Day holiday of China in May. And you can also take a  Yangtze River Cruise in spring to Yichang, whose scenery is beautiful and charming.
 

Yichang welcomes its early spring in March. The temperature rises quickly, the maximum temperature can reach over 20 °C, but the low temperature is still relatively low. From March to April, you need to pay attention to late spring cold.

Shennongjia Scenic Spot – Visitors can pat a visit to this place since all the trees comes back to be green again. It is mainly consisted of three parts. One is the birthplace of the patriotic poet Quyuan who created the unique poetic form in Chinese culture. Another part is the hometown of the Wang Zhaojun, a famous figure in the Chinese history rank as the top four beauties. The last one is the Shennongjia Natural Reserve.

 

Yichang in Summer: Hot and Humid

Though summer in Yichang is humid and hot, you may have chance to witness the flood discharge in Three Gorges Dam of Yichang. If you want to see the magnificent view of flood discharge, Yichang should be your traveling list. The actual situation of the flood discharge will depend on the weather and many other elements. And July to August happen to be the school summer vacations of China, which will be crowded in many domestic attractions.
 

Generally, hot summer lasts from June to October in Yichang. The height hot summer lasts for continuous forty days, and every day is more than 40 °C. Summer has average temperature of 22.0℃ - 29.7℃，

The summer heat makes a lot of people not want to go out. If you travel to Yichang during this time, it is recommended to go to the suburbs, such as Shennong Stream, Three Visitors Cave or some indoor attractions, The Chinese Sturgeon Museum.
 

Travel to Yichang in Autumn

Autumn in Yichang is cool and comfortable with clear skies. In autumn, you can enjoy the autumn foliage in Yichang as well as the Yangtze River Cruise. In autumn, the leaves on the both sides of the Yangtze River turn yellow, orange or red, which makes the scenery more beautiful and charming.
 

Yichang welcomes its early autumn from October, and the temperature will gradually decline. The weather is dry and sometimes the temperature will unusually reach nearly 30℃.

Three Gorges Dam – you can travel to this great work, by far the largest hydroelectric project in the world. The Project calls for the construction of a concrete dam, a hydroelectric power plant and a series of locks just below the scenic Three Gorges region. It is a vital important and backbone project in harnessing and developing of the Yangtze River.

Gezhou Dam is another option for you to go. It is part of the Three Gorges Dam construction project, which is the largest hydroelectric project ever undertaken in China. s a grand project which has attracted worldwide attention, Gezhou Dam's floodgate is of great momentum when it discharges water and the bursting mighty waves and the sound of giant underwater are amazing. The environment of the floodgate is also very beautiful. It is a must-see attraction in the Yangtze River cruise.

Travel to Yichang in Winter

Yichang often quickly welcomes its winter from its autumn as long as the cold air down south while the temperature drops very powerfully. From the end of December to next February, Yichang is in its winter with the average temperature of 3℃- 12℃;

You can travel to Xiling Gorge in this season, which extends from Badong County in the west to the Nanjin Pass in Yichang in the east, about 66 km long. It is the longest of the river and is entirely within Hubei Province.

Many other scenic spots composed in Xiling Gorge, Bull's Liver and Horse Lung Gorge, Tactics Books and Sword Gorge, and Shadow Play Gorge, Huangling Temple, Sanyou Cave, Horse Bell Rock, Mt. Qingshi (Black Lion) in Shipai Town, Three Swords Peak at Nantuo.

Climate Data Table for Yichang

Here we provide some advices according to seasons:
Spring & Autumn: light jacket or windbreaker, jeans and T-shirts. Bring a sweater and waterproof coat with hat in case of rain showers.
Summer: cotton T-shirts, shorts, sandals, a hat/cap, sunglasses and suntan lotions. Rainwear in case of thunderstorms.
Winter: Sweaters, jeans, long-sleeve shirts, long underwear. Warm, wind and water-proof coat for early morning and in case of rain.
In all seasons we suggest you bring appropriate footwear; thongs for showering, formal shoes or high-heels for Dinner, good walking shoes or sturdy sneakers for going ashore.