What's the Weather Like in Zhangjiajie?
Zhangjiajie has no severe cold in winter (around 0°C) and no extreme heat in summer (around 30°C). The best time to visit is April and October each year, when the natural scenery is at its most beautiful and temperatures hover around 20°C. On peaks above 1,200 meters, temperatures are 3-5 degrees lower than at the foot of the mountains.
This article is compiled from the original travel notes on the "Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network" (33519.com); it is a record of trips from earlier years. Time-sensitive information such as ticket prices, schedules, and accommodation prices is subject to the latest announcements from scenic areas and transportation authorities; the itinerary ideas and attraction introductions still have reference value.
Zhangjiajie has no severe cold in winter (temperatures around zero degrees Celsius) and no extreme heat in summer (temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius). The best time to visit Zhangjiajie is April and October each year. At these times, Zhangjiajie's natural scenery is at its most beautiful, with temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius.
On mountains above 1,200 meters in elevation in Zhangjiajie, temperatures are 3-5 degrees lower than at the foot of the mountain.
It's recommended not to climb the mountain on rainy days—first, the paths are slippery; second, there will be heavy fog at the summit and you won't be able to see anything. It's best to go to the summit to enjoy the views within 1-2 hours after the rain stops. Also, don't climb the mountain when the weather is hot—first, it consumes too much energy; second, several summits have no shade, and you'll get dizzy from the sun.
Every July, Zhangjiajie may experience rain, and there may be situations where rafting on the Mengdong River is not possible (rafting on the Maoyan River and Loushui River is no problem). Tourists determined to go rafting should definitely inquire in advance.
In winter, Zhangjiajie gets snow, which adds much charm for winter tourists, but heavy snow won't close the mountain.
The Zhangjiajie Scenic Area has peak tourist seasons during the Spring Festival, Labor Day, summer vacation, and National Day. Once peak season arrives, all prices for food, accommodation, and transportation will rise by about 50% to 100%, and it's very likely you won't be able to find a place to stay. It's recommended to avoid these times as much as possible.