The best months for clear views of Meili Snow Mountain are October through December and March through April. Winter brings cold temperatures (well below freezing at night) but also the clearest skies and the famous golden sunrise spectacle at Feilai Temple. The monsoon season from June through September brings cloud and rain that can obscure the peaks for days at a time, and the road from Shangrila becomes susceptible to landslides.
Spring (April and May) is the most reliable combination of reasonable warmth and clear skies. Summer travel is possible but patience is required — travellers have waited a week for a single clear morning at Feilai Temple and considered it worthwhile. Yubeng and the high trails are best done in May or October when the passes are snow-free and the weather is most stable. Whatever the season, nights at this altitude are cold, and layers and a good sleeping bag are essential.