Yunnan generally has a mild climate with pleasant and fair weather because of the province's location on south-facing mountain slopes, affected by both the Pacific and Indian oceans. Although the harvesting period is long, there is little arable land.

In January the average temperatures ranges from 8°C to 17°C; July averages vary from 21°C to 27°C. Average annual rainfall ranges from 600 mm to 2,300 mm, with over half the rain occurring between June and August. The plateau region has moderate temperatures. The western canyon region is hot and humid in the valley, but freezing winds effects the mountaintops.