Updated Dunhuang Weather and Climate: Best Time to Visit Dunhuang

Dunhuang City is located in the northwest of Gansu Province, Northwestern China, facing Gobi in the north, deserts in the west, Mingsha Mountain in the south and Sanwei Mountain in the east. Lying in inland area, north-south high, interior low, with an average altitude of 1,139 meters, Dunhuang in has a typical temperate arid climate, mainly features in a dry climate, low rainfall, high evaporation, huge temperature difference between day and night, spring is warm and windy,summer is very hot and dry, autumn is cool but winter is extremely frozen. The annual sunshine hour in Dunhuang is about 3,247 hours, and the average precipitation is 42 mm low. As for temperature, the annual average temperature of Dunhuang is around 9.9℃, the highest temperature goes to 41.7℃ and the lowest falls to -30.5℃.

Best Time to Visit Dunhuang

Every year, late spring to middle Autumn (months from May to October) are the two best seasons to visit Dunhuang, because the weather is relatively comfortable for travel and natural scenery is the best during the two periods. Spring may have many sand storms and winter could be very cold, heavy snows even block some roads.

Warm Tips: Better avoid the crowd During peak season (May ~ October) of Dunhuang, such as the China’s May Day and National Day Holidays, summer holiday. (Find most popular Dunhuang Tours here!)

Average Dunhuang Temperature by Month

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Dunhuang Seasons to Go

Dunhuang Weather and Climate in Spring (March to May)

Because of the cold weather and most gray scenery, spring is one of the tourist off-season in Dunhuang. Actually, temperature in Dunhuang rises steadily. Warm days begin and flowers, trees silently bring beautiful colors to refresh the sleeping land. Air is becoming warmer and warmer, still a little bit cold and sandstorms may happen sometimes.

What to Wear

Below are Dunhuang Spring temperature history of 2019 for your reference:

March: the highest temperature is 22℃, the lowest temperature is 6 ℃ below zero

April: the highest temperature is 31℃, the lowest temperature is 1 ℃ below zero

May: the highest temperature is 33℃, the lowest temperature is 3 ℃

The average temperature in Spring is about -4℃ to 10℃. Temperature varies widely from day to night. It’s strongly suggested to wear warm clothes, like thin sweater with thick coat in daytime and thicker clothing at night. Comfortable sports shoes, hats, scarfs, gloves, sunglasses are always needed.

Seasonal Activities

Surely, you can visit Mogao Caves and nearly all tourist attractions in Dunhuang, and enjoy camel riding, beautiful spring scenery of green willows, apricot blossom in Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake. (Tips: Overnight camping normally available from late April.)

★ Recommended Dunhuang Tours:
>>2 Days Dunhuang Short Stay Tour
>>3 Days Best Dunhuang Culture and Scenery Tour

Dunhuang Weather and Climate - Best Time to Visit Dunhuang

Crescent Lake in Mid-Spring

Mingsha Mountain in Early March

Mogao Caves in Early March

Dunhuang Weather in March

High Temperature: 12.7°C/ 54.86°F
Low Temperature: -3.2°C / 26.24°F
Humidity: 35%
Rainfall: 2.1mm
Rainy Days: 1.2 days
Sunrise: 06:15 ~ 05:27
Sunset: 17:32 ~ 18:04

Dunhuang Weather in April

High Temperature: 21.2°C /70.16°F
Low Temperature: 4.1°C / 39.38°F
Humidity: 31%
Rainfall: 2.4 mm
Rainy Days: 1.3 days
Sunrise: 05:25 ~ 04:42
Sunset: 18:06 ~ 18:34

Dunhuang Weather in May

High Temperature: 27°C / 80.6°F
Low Temperature: 9.6°C / 49.28°F
Humidity: 33%
Rainfall: 2.4 mm
Rainy Days: 1.3 days
Sunrise: 04:41 ~ 04:14
Sunset: 18:36 ~ 19:03

Dunhuang Weather and Climate in Summer (June to August)

Summer months from June to August is one of the peak seasons for a Dunhuang Tour. It’s getting hotter and hotter, and also rains the most of the year. You will feel hot during day and cool in the evening. Air is very dry and the sunshine is strong, but the sky is quite clear and beautiful without sandstorms. (Note: Because students summer vacation, it will be surprisingly crowded in most scenic spots in Dunhuang. July and August are the hottest months in a year.)

What to Wear

Below Temperature history of 2019 for your reference:

June: the highest temperature is 31℃, the lowest temperature is 21 ℃

July: the highest temperature is 33℃, the lowest temperature is 23 ℃

August: the highest temperature is 35℃, the lowest temperature is 23℃

Better wear T-shirt, thin, long-sleeved coat and trousers, shoes that breathe. Prepare hat, sunglasses, sunblock, lip balm. Drink enough water and eat lightly.

Seasonal Activities

You can visit Mogao Caves and all tourist attractions in Dunhuang in summer. Prepare the crowds and long waiting time under hot and strong sunshine. Summer is the most favored season to experience camping, camel riding, sand sliding, desert hiking and other interesting sports in Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake scenic area. It's highly recommended to watch a night "Silk Road" show at night.

★ Recommended Dunhuang Tours:
>> 3 Days Dunhuang Highlights Tour with Camping Experience
>> 4 Days Classic Dunhuang Tour (optional camping)

Mingsha Mountain in Mid-August

Camel Riding in Mingshashan

Summer Camping in Mingsha Mountain

Dunhuang Weather in June

High Temperature: 30.9°C / 87.62°F

Low Temperature: 13.9°C / 57.02°F

Humidity: 42%

Rainfall: 8 mm

Rainy Days: 3.7 days

Sunrise: 04:14 ~ 04:11

Sunset: 19:04 ~ 19:14

Dunhuang Weather in July

High Temperature: 32.7°C / 90.86°F

Low Temperature: 16.4°C / 61.52°F

Humidity: 45%

Rainfall: 15.2 mm

Rainy Days: 4.8 days

Sunrise: 04:15 ~ 04:38

Sunset: 19:14 ~ 18:57

Dunhuang Weather in August

High Temperature: 31.7°C / 89.06°F

Low Temperature: 14.6°C / 58.28°F

Humidity: 45%

Rainfall: 6.3 mm

Rainy Days: 2.6 days

Sunrise: 04:39 ~ 05:07

Sunset: 18:56 ~ 18:15

Dunhuang Weather and Climate in Autumn (September to November)

The first two months, September to October in Autumn is the second golden season to travel to Dunhuang. Hot summer days has past and cool fall comes. It’s very crisp and dry, sky is thoroughly clean, weather is pleasant cool, typical perfect autumn weather. You have great chance to enjoy blue sky decorating the golden euphrates poplars and vast desert. In the end of Autumn, the weather turns chilly and off season starts afterward.

What to Wear

Below Temperature history of 2019 for your reference:

September: the highest temperature is 29℃, the lowest temperature is 15 ℃

October: the highest temperature is 19℃, the lowest temperature is 6 ℃

November: the highest temperature is 9℃, the lowest temperature is -2℃

It’s a little cold in the morning and evening, but quite warm during noon time. So you’re advised to wear warm jacket, coat, dress in layers, prepare the temperature difference. Other items you need to take include comfortable shoes, hat, sunglasses, scarf, mask, sunscreen cream, long-sleeved sweater and coats.

Seasonal Activities

It’s perfect to visit Mogao Caves, Mingsha Moutain & Crescent lake, Yardang National Geopark and else scenic spots in and around Dunhuang in Autumn. Besides sightseeing, tasting local food, diverse seasonal fruit, watching a Dunhuang show, joining in interesting desert activities like camel riding, desert camping are recommended to enrich your Dunhuang holiday.

★ Recommended Dunhuang Tours:
>> 2 Days Dunhuang Short Stay Tour
>> 3 Days Memorable Dunhuang Tour of Art and History

Mingshashan in National Holiday

Yangguan Pass in November

Dunhuang Silk Road Night Show

Dunhuang Weather in September

High Temperature: 26.8°C / 80.24°F

Low Temperature: 8.5°C / 47.3°F

Humidity: 45%

Rainfall: 1.5 mm

Rainy Days: 0.9 days

Sunrise: 05:08 ~ 05:36

Sunset: 18:56 ~ 18:15

Dunhuang Weather in October

High Temperature: 18.8°C / 65.84°FF

Low Temperature: 0.6°C / 33.08°F

Humidity: 45%

Rainfall: 0.8 mm

Rainy Days: 0.5 days

Sunrise: 05:37 ~ 06:09

Sunset: 17:24 ~ 16:40

Dunhuang Weather in November

High Temperature: 8.4°C / 47.12°F

Low Temperature: -5.5°C / 22.1°F

Humidity: 51%

Rainfall: 1.3 mm

Rainy Days: 1.1 days

Sunrise: 06:10 ~ 06:42

Sunset: 16:39 ~ 16:16

Dunhuang Weather and Climate in Winter (December to February Next Year)

Cold winter is the quietest period of Dunhuang, and there are the least tourists everywhere. From late November and early December, night temperature will fall below zero and snow normally falls with wind and continues to February in the following year. It’s really amazing to view the dry desert snowing and dressing white coat overnight. During winter, the sunrise in Dunhuang is later than other seasons, about 9am, then warm sunshine beats back the chill and lasts to 4pm. Temperature at night drops down quickly, even goes to 10 degree below zero. Sandstorms seldom visit Dunhuang in winter. Air remains dry and frozen. In the middle of Winter, most areas will be covered by snows, especially the natural attractions. (Note: January is the coldest month in a year.)

What to Wear

Below Temperature history of 2018 for your reference:

December: the highest temperature is 2℃, the lowest temperature is -7 ℃

January: the highest temperature is 1℃, the lowest temperature is -8 ℃

February: the highest temperature is 7℃, the lowest temperature is -5℃

Average daytime temperature is only a few degree and at night it plunges to minus 10 degrees. Keeping warm is the priority. Wear and bring thermal underwear, thick goose-down jacket, heavy coat, warm boots, hat, scarf, gloves, lip balm, sunblock, etc.

Seasonal Activities

Travelling to Dunhuang in winter, you can enjoy lots of advantages, including less crowd environment, lower price of scenic spots tickets, accommodation beautiful snowy sceneryand even more caves opened in Mogao Caves. Because days get shorter in winter, your outdoor activities need to be well arranged during the daytime. It’s recommended to spend more time visiting indoor historical site in a peaceful environment. Camel riding is still available, but camping and hiking is not offered. Feel cold? Eat the hot local food to heat up.

★ Recommended Dunhuang Tours:
>> 1 Day Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes Mingshashan Tour
>> 2 Days Dunhuang Short Stay Tour

Crescent Lake in February

Mingsha Mountain in February

Yardang National Geopark in Winter

Dunhuang Weather in December

High Temperature: 0.6°C / 33.08°F

Low Temperature: -12°C / 10.4°F

Humidity: 55%

Rainfall: 0.8 mm

Rainy Days: 1.3 days

Sunrise: 06:43 ~ 07:03

Sunset: 16:16 ~ 16:25

Dunhuang Weather in January

High Temperature: -0.8°C / 30.56°F

Low Temperature: -14.6°C / 5.72°F

Humidity: 52%

Rainfall: 0.8mm

Rainy Days: 1.5 days

Sunrise: 07:03~06:51

Sunset: 16:26~16:58

Dunhuang Weather in February

High Temperature: 4.9°C / 40.82°F

Low Temperature: -10.5°C / 13.1°F

Humidity: 40%

Rainfall: 0.8mm

Rainy Days: 0.9 days

Sunrise: 06:50~06:16

Sunset: 16:59~17:31

More Dunhuang Weather and Climate Data Maps

Average Monthly Dunhuang Temperature

Average Monthly Dunhuang Humidity

Average Monthly Dunhuang Rainfall Days

Average Dunhuang Precipitation

How to Plan Your Dunhuang Tour

Known as one of the important gateway on ancient “Silk Road”, Dunhuang has magnificent cultural and historical sites and stunning natural landscape. They have unique charm and beauty in each season, surely May to October is the best time for the preferred choice. As for length of holiday, 2 to 3 days are most suitable to see major highlights. Dunhuang day tour or longer in-depth discovery is also doable based on your itinerary.

Mogao Grottoes with precious Buddhist sculptures and murals is the top must-see in Dunhuang. Meanwhile, the magic oasis, Crescent Lake with Mingsha Mountain shows you impressive desert views and entertainments. If time permits, go westward to enjoy exotic Yardang landform and ancient ruins, like Yangguan Pass, Yumen Pass and over 2,000 years’ old Great Wall of Han Dynasty.

★ Top-Recommended Dunhuang Tours:

>>2 Days Dunhuang Short Stay Tour

>> 3 Days Dunhuang Highlights Tour with Camping Experience

Things to Do in Dunhuang

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Useful Dunhuang Travel Guide

Guide for Dunhuang Mogao Caves

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Recommended Dunhuang Tours

Top 3 Dunhuang tours chosen by most customers to explore Dunhuang in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary,or tailor your own trip now with us.

: 3 Days Best Dunhuang Culture and Scenery Tour
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: 2 Days Dunhuang Short Stay Tour (Classic Itinerary, Money-saving, Flexible)
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: 3 Days Dunhuang HighlightsTour with Desert Camping Experience
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