Climate Insights for Dunhuang

The climate in Dunhuang is temperate. The average annual temperature is 12°C and approximately 38mm of precipitation falls per year. August is the wettest month, receiving around 9mm of rainfall. Dunhuang is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: July, August, June. The coldest months are January, December, February, when temperatures can drop to -13°C.

Dunhuang has a wide annual temperature range, spanning 47°C from the coldest to warmest months. The warmest month is July, when average highs reach 34°C and the mean temperature sits around 28°C. The coldest month is January, when overnight lows fall to -13°C and the daily average is -7°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 14°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between September and October, with a 10°C shift in average temperatures.

Dunhuang is a quite dry location, receiving approximately 38mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 3mm per month. The wettest month is August, averaging 9mm of rainfall. July and June also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is February, with just 0mm. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic.

Dunhuang is moderately windy, with an average annual wind speed of 20km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is May, averaging 25km/h, noticeable enough to affect lighter outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in December, with average winds dropping to 16km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 9km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to pick up during the summer months. The seasonal averages are 17km/h in winter, 23km/h in spring, 22km/h in summer, 18km/h in autumn.

It is currently spring in Dunhuang, which began on March 20, 2026. Dunhuang is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in July at around 34°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near -13°C. Summer is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 89 days from now.

The best time to visit Dunhuang is during April, May and September, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 19°C with modest rainfall averaging 3mm per month. By contrast, July can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 34°C, while January is the coldest period with lows dropping to -13°C. With minimal rainfall expected, you can pack light and plan outdoor activities with confidence.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Dunhuang based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.