Lushui Travel Guide

City City in Yunnan, China

Upstream from the Nu River, Lushui hooks visitors with mountain roads, Lisu and other ethnic minority villages and the Gaoligong foothills. Travelers come for layered gorges, trekking into subtropical forest and encounters with cross-border trade toward Myanmar.

Costs

Budget traveler: $25-55/day

Modest guesthouses and local eateries make travel affordable; transport costs can rise for remote sites.

Safety

Generally safe with some travel hazards

Safe for visitors; mountainous roads require careful driving.

Best Time

March-May and September-November

Shoulder seasons give clear skies and good hiking conditions.

In This Guide

Why Visit
Best Things to Do
Bucket List
Best Time to Visit
How to Get There
How to Get Around
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Local Time

5:37 AM

GMT+8

Weather

67°F

Heavy Rain

Population

197,000

Infrastructure & Convenience

Limited intercity connections, basic tourist services, minimal English outside hotels.

Popularity

Attracts hikers and nature-focused travelers; not a mainstream mass-tourism hub.

Known For

Nujiang (Salween) valley scenery, Gaoligong Mountains, ethnic minority cultures, mountain passes, border trade, hiking, river views, biodiversity

Lushui is a gateway to the Gaoligong Mountains and nearby UNESCO-listed biodiversity areas.

Why Visit Lushui? #

Lushui serves as a gateway to the Gaoligong Mountains and the Nu River gorge, attracting travelers who want dramatic mountain scenery and rich biodiversity. Ethnic Lisu and Deang villages, terraced slopes and remote river valleys give plenty of opportunities for trekking and cultural encounters. Nature enthusiasts come for birdlife, wild forests and the sense of being at the edge of China’s less-traveled southwest.

Best Things to Do in Lushui

All Attractions ›

Nujiang

Deep river gorge region in southwest China with biodiversity

Area

Lushui Bucket List

Don't Miss

Nujiang River scenic viewpoints - Steep river valley views showing dramatic cliffs and fast-flowing Nujiang waters.
Lushui (Liuku) Old Town - Small market town with ethnic Naxi and Lisu culture, local markets and tea shops.
Nujiang Grand Canyon trails - Hiking routes along the canyon offering remote scenery and ethnic village encounters.

Hidden Gems

Lisu villages near Pianma - Visit small Lisu villages for home-cooked meals and traditional handicrafts.
Tea-Horse Road remnants - Ruins and paths from the old Tea-Horse Road tracing historic trade routes.
Thermal springs outside Lushui - Thermal pools near the county offer relaxing soaks after mountain treks.

Day Trips

Gongshan town and Nabang border area - Highland town gateway to Gaoligongshan and border trade with Myanmar.
Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve - Biodiverse reserve with cloud forests, rare wildlife, and mountain hiking opportunities.

Best Time to Visit Lushui #

Lushui is nicest in spring and autumn when skies clear and trails are pleasant; summers are warm and rainy, winters bring fog and cool temperatures. Aim for late spring or early autumn for best visibility.

Winter

November - February · 5-15°C (41-59°F)

Chilly and often foggy in valleys; fewer tourists, crisp air, and limited visibility at scenic overlooks, especially in the mornings.

Spring

March - May · 12-22°C (54-72°F)

Flowers and new leaves brighten trails; warming temperatures and manageable rains make trekking and river views especially rewarding in spring.

Summer (Monsoon)

June - September · 20-30°C (68-86°F)

Warm, wet monsoon brings dramatic waterfalls and lush green scenery but expect heavy rain, slippery trails and interrupted transport frequently.

Best Time to Visit Lushui #

Climate

Lushui's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) - Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) climate with warm summers (peaking in June) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1614 mm/year), wettest in July with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit

NovemberDecemberJanuary

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

29°

Warmest Month

-6°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 19°C and lows of 6°C. Light rainfall.

79 Very Good

Comfort

13°

Feels Like Cool

13°C

Temperature

6° – 19°

71%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

20 mm

Rainfall

1.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.2

UV Index

High

10.6h daylight

February

February is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

8° – 21°

69%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

55 mm

Rainfall

1.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.5

UV Index

Very High

11.2h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

18°

Feels Like Mild

18°C

Temperature

12° – 25°

66%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

80 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

11.9h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

15° – 27°

68%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

86 mm

Rainfall

1.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

12.6h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (120 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

69 Good

Comfort

24°

Feels Like Mild

24°C

Temperature

18° – 29°

72%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

120 mm

Rainfall

1.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

13.3h daylight

June

June is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. Heavy rain (306 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

25°

Feels Like Warm

25°C

Temperature

21° – 28°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

306 mm

Rainfall

1.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

13.6h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (319 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

25°

Feels Like Warm

25°C

Temperature

21° – 28°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

319 mm

Rainfall

1.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

13.4h daylight

August

August is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. Heavy rain (260 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

25°

Feels Like Warm

25°C

Temperature

21° – 28°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

260 mm

Rainfall

1.0 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

12.9h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (185 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

24°

Feels Like Mild

24°C

Temperature

20° – 28°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

185 mm

Rainfall

0.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

12.2h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

17° – 26°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

124 mm

Rainfall

0.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.5

UV Index

Very High

11.4h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm).

87 Excellent

Comfort

17°

Feels Like Cool

17°C

Temperature

11° – 23°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

41 mm

Rainfall

0.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.3

UV Index

High

10.8h daylight

December

December is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 7°C. The driest month with just 18 mm and mostly sunny skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

7° – 20°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

18 mm

Rainfall

0.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.1

UV Index

High

10.4h daylight

How to Get to Lushui

By Air

By Train & Bus

Where to Stay in Lushui #

Budget

Lushui town centre - $10-40/night

Lushui (Nujiang) has small, practical hotels serving travelers exploring the valley. Budget guesthouses and family-run hotels are the norm.

Local guesthouses (Trip.com) - Basic hostels and inns listed online
Small hotels in Lushui (Booking) - Budget rooms in town area

Mid-Range

Town centre / riverside - $40-90/night

Mid-range hotels in Lushui provide cleaner rooms and more services; they're practical bases for trekking and visiting nearby minority villages.

Mid-range Lushui hotels (Booking) - Better comfort and heat in colder months
Regional hotels & inns (Trip.com) - Options with private bathrooms and breakfasts

Luxury

Regional hub / larger city transfer - $90+/night

Nujiang is remote; luxury hotel options in Lushui are scarce. Travelers seeking upscale accommodation typically stay in larger Yunnan cities and transfer in.