Ask a QuestionDunhuang is with dry climate, less rainfall, large evaporation, large temperature difference between day and night and long sunshine time. Four distinct seasons, warm and windy spring, hot summer, cool autumn and cold winter.
Dunhuang is continental climate, with annual average temperature of 9.3℃. Dunhuang is a place with four distinctive seasons and large temperature difference between day and night.
In spring, the weather in Dunhuang turn warm with average temperature of 15-25℃. And it is cold at night in spring in Dunhuang. Spring in Dunhuang is neither too hot nor too cold, which is suitable for sightseeing and outdoor activities. However, please pay attention to the occasional sandstorms in spring. To avoid the sandstorms, you’d better check the weather in advance.
In spring, the plants around the Crescent Spring turn green, which are full of vigor. And the flowers also bloom, which add the colors and beauty for the picturesque Crescent Spring.
With mild temperatures and fewer crowds, spring is ideal to visit Dunhuang though some desert areas are still cold at nights. You can check the weather of Dunhuang in advance to know about the temperature there.
With fewer crowds, spring is a good time to explore the Buddhist culture in Mogao Caves. Wandering on the Yangguan Pass and Yumen Pass is also a good alternative in Dunhuang in spring. And spring is also the time of flowers blooming around the desert edges and the Crescent Spring. At the Singing Sand Dunes, there are plenty things you can experience, such as riding a camel, climbing the sand dunes, sand skiing, enjoying the sunrise or sunset, taking the vehicles on the desert, etc. And if you meet the windy or dusty days, you can choose the indoor activities like visiting the Dunhuang Museum and Mogao Caves.
The temperature of Dunhuang at day is always over 35℃, and the temperature of desert is hotter. But the temperature at night will be under 20℃. Kindly reminder, July and August is the summer vacation of schools in China, and Dunhuang is full of domestic tourists at this time. Also, the weather is really hot and dry in Dunhuang in summer, especially for July and August.
In summer, it is recommended that you visit the Mingsha Mountain in the early morning, afternoon or evening to avoid the heat in summer. Or you can choose indoor attractions like Dunhuang Museum.
Though it is very hot during the day in Dunhuang in summer(over 35℃/95℉), all the scenic areas are fully open in Dunhuang with long daylight hours. Please note that there will be many many tourists in Dunhuang in summer(July to August) at the Mogao Caves and Crescent Lake.
In summer, you can also explore the Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Spring in early morning or evening. You can also enjoy the stunning sunrise or sunset at the Mingsha Mountain. To experience the Silk Road culture, you can stroll around the night markets in Dunhuang to experience the life of people in the past.
It is recommended that you reserve the ticket of the Mogao Caves in advance because it is very popular in China in summer. And visiting Dunhuang in summer, please be prepared for the crowds of domestic travelers. You may wait in line for some activities like riding a camel and entering the Mogao Caves.
Autumn is the most comfortable season in autumn with temperature about 20℃ at day. The wind in autumn in Dunhuang is not strong, which is suitable for outdoor activities. Autumn is ideal to visit Dunhuang with cool weather and less crowds.
In autumn, the plants around the Crescent Spring will turn golden, and you can even see the grass and tress are yellow and green, which is beautiful. Autumn is the best time to enjoy the populus forests in Dunhuang, which is attractive and charming. The golden populus are best background for photo taking.
With comfortable temperatures, clearer skies, golden desert views and less crowds, autumn is the most recommended time to visit Dunhuang. It is neither too cold like winter nor too hot like summer.
In autumn, you can visit the Yardang National Geopark with the golden light on the dramatic rock formations, which is suitable for photo taking. Visiting the Mogao Grottoes is very comfortable in autumn. During this time, you can climb to the top of Mingsha Mountain and feel the breeze, overlooking the Crescent Lake. The Yangguan Pass, Yumen Pass and Han Great Wall segments are nice places to explore in autumn. And you’d better avoid the crowds of National Day holiday in October(Oct,1-Oct,7) in China to get better traveling experience.
Winter in Dunhuang is cold and dry, and the temperature can be really low at might. If you prefer snow scenery of the desert in winter with less crowds, you can visit Dunhuang in winter. In winter, the Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Spring are covered by the snow, which is differently beautiful. If you plan to visit Dunhuang in winter, please take enough warm clothes and other things to keep warm.
The best experience in Dunhuang in winter is less tourists. Visiting Dunhuang in winter is suitable for tourists who want to avoid the crowds with limited budget. Winter is the off season of Dunhuang, and the price of accommodation is cheaper than the peak season.
Dunhuang is peaceful in winter with fewer crowds. During this time, the Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake may be covered with snow, which is magnificent and beautiful. But you should be prepared for the coldness in Dunhuang in winter.
In winter, the Mogao Caves are quieter, and you can get deeper cultural experience here by admiring the murals slowly. Some scenic areas may reduce the visiting hours. And you can taste many characteristic local foods and snacks in winter in Dunhuang. At Yangguan Pass and Yumen Pass, you will fully experience the vastness and bleakness of the desert and Dunhuang.
The best time to visit Dunhuang is from May to October, especially from April to June and September to October with pleasant climate and less crowds. The most recommended time to visit Dunhuang is April to June and September to October(excluding the National Day holiday of China) with pleasant climate and less crowds. The second recommended time to visit Dunhuang is July to August, and please be prepared for the hot weather, dry climate and crowds. Winter is also recommended to visit Dunhuang if you want to avoid the crowds and like the snow scenery of the deserts. Please be prepared for the wind and coldness in Dunhuang in winter.
|
Month
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
|
Average High(℃)
|
-1.7
|
4.3
|
13.3
|
21.1
|
26.7
|
31.0
|
32.8
|
32.0
|
26.5
|
18.8
|
8.1
|
0.2
|
|
Average Low(℃)
|
-15.6
|
-11.3
|
-3.4
|
3.9
|
9.3
|
13.5
|
16.1
|
14.8
|
8.2
|
0.4
|
-6.0
|
-12.9
|
We are member of
Follow us on
