Time for Three Gorges Tour

Time for Three Gorges Tour – Climate in Three Gorges

The Three Gorges area is located in warm and humid subtropical climate zone. The effect of gorge terrain on the climate is very obvious. Among the Three Gorges, the Wu Gorge is deep and long, twists and turns. So the gorge climate features are most typical in this area, which can be regarded as the representative of Three Gorges climate. In Three area, the annual average temperature is 18.4℃. the coldest time is January, when the average temperature is 7.1℃; while the hottest time is July, when the average temperature is 29.3℃. The annual precipitation is between 1000mm – 1400mm, which almost in July and August. In Three Gorges area, the winter is modest, summer is hot, rainfall is plenty, and four seasons are very obvious. This is almost same as Sichuan Basin and Middle-Lower Yangtze plains. As the gorges are very deep, so the duration of sunshine in the valley bottom is short. In winter, there only can see sunshine for the two or three hours in moon; while in summer, only five or six hours can see sunshine. In the gorges, the wind is very strong, and the direction is fixed, almost east wind or west wind along the gorge. The terrain of the gorge is closed, so the moisture can gather easily and form clouds and fog. So, there often have heavy rain in summer, where is one of rainstorm centers of China. In autumn, the weather is fine, while in winter, there often rain for several days. In the turn of spring and summer, the weather is changeable. "It is sunny in the morning, while it is rainy in the evening." It will bring you different scenery.

The river course in Three Gorges is narrow, and flow rate and water level is changeable. In flood period, the flow rate can reach 40,000 to 80,000 cubic meters per second. In low water period, the flow rate is 3,000 cubic meters per second, and the range of highest water level and lowest water level can reach 50 meters. During the flood period, the water level increase quickly. It may increase over ten meters in one day. The riverbed in Three Gorges is very steep. It will decrease one meter for five kilometers in average. In low water period, the average flow rate is 4 kilometers per hour, while its 11 kilometers per hour in flood period. In rapids and dangerous shoals area, the flow rate can reach 16 to 25 kilometers per hour. In summer high water period, the surging water runs out from twisting gorge, and flow far. In low water period, the river wanders among the mountains, making the river course in Three Gorges area become more dangerous and hard.

Time for Three Gorges Tour – Best Time

The May, September and December in every year are best seasons for Three Gorges tour. At the same time, the price for Three Gorge tour in these months is most expensive.

The best time to enjoy red leaves in Three Gorges is from December to January in next year. So, the Mt. Wu red leaves festival is often held in December to the end of January in next year.

The ticket of Yangtze Cruise in golden time for Three Gorges tour is in great demand. So, you are highly suggested to booking the ticket for 15 days in advance.