AI-generatedDunhuang at a glance
- Best time
- Mar – May, Sep – Oct
- Warmest month
- Jul · 37°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,850 h
- Rain a year
- 28 mm
- Climate
- Hot desert
- Time zone
- UTC+8
- Elevation
- 1,131 m
Climate in Dunhuang
Dunhuang has a hot desert climate with sunshine almost every day and hardly any rain. July is the warmest month with average highs of 37 °C, while January is the coolest at 0 °C. With around 2,850 hours of sunshine a year, Dunhuang is sunny; July is the sunniest month with 9.4 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Dunhuang
The best time to visit Dunhuang is from March to May and from September to October. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from March to April and in October. From June to August it can get very hot, with highs of up to 37 °C. Rain is a rarity all year: only 28 mm fall in an average year.
Dunhuang through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Dunhuang in spring
Mar – May
Excellent
- 16–30 °C by day
- 8.4 h of sun a day
- 2 rainy days in all
Dunhuang in summer
Jun – Aug
Fair
- 34–37 °C by day
- 9.2 h of sun a day
- 3 rainy days in all
Dunhuang in autumn
Sep – Nov
Good
- 9–29 °C by day
- 7.2 h of sun a day
- 1 rainy day in all
Dunhuang in winter
Dec – Feb
Fair
- 0–6 °C by day
- 6.4 h of sun a day
- 1 rainy day in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No sea nearby
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Mar – Apr, Oct
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Peak heat
Jun – Aug
Highs of 33 °C or more
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Dunhuang for you.
Your best months: April
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Weather in October
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Excellent
Best time to visit: March – May, September – October
Good forSightseeing & walks
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 5°
- Midday, 13:00: about 18°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 20°
- Evening, 20:00: about 14°
- Night, 23:00: about 10°
07:5019:03
Cool evenings: pack a jumper or a jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 07:34–08:27 · evening 18:27–19:20
- Blue hour
- Morning 07:23–07:34 · evening 19:20–19:31
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
October in Dunhuang compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs fall from about 24° at the start of the month to 14° at the end. The days get 1.2 h shorter.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 24° | 14° |
| Night-time low | 8° | 0° |
| Daylight | 11.8 h | 10.6 h |
What is the weather like in Dunhuang in October?
In October, Dunhuang is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sun shines for around 7.4 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Dunhuang.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 13 min07:50 – 19:03
- UV index
- 4 · moderateclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 18 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 29 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Time zone
- UTC+8offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %100 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %73 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %100 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.
What to pack in October
- Sunscreen
- A jumper for the evenings
Compare two months in Dunhuang
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
October and April bring similar holiday weather to Dunhuang (score 95 and 98). In April, days are 4 °C warmer than in October. April has one more rainy day. The sun shines an hour longer a day in April.
| Month | October | April |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 95 | 98 |
| Daytime high | 20° | 24° |
| Night-time low | 4° | 7° |
| Sunshine | 7.4 h | 8.4 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 0better | 1 |
| Rainfall | 1 mm | 2 mm |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Dunhuang month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
41January0° · 6.3 h
In January, Dunhuang is bitterly cold: daytime highs average 0 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−11 °C). Expect around 6.3 hours of sunshine a day. It hardly ever rains. All in all, January is a so-so month for a holiday in Dunhuang.
Dunhuang in January43February6° · 7.0 h
In February, Dunhuang is cold: daytime highs average 6 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−6 °C). The sun shines for around 7.0 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. All in all, February is a so-so month for a holiday in Dunhuang.
Dunhuang in February85March16° · 8.0 h
In March, Dunhuang is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 0 °C. The sun shines for around 8.0 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. All in all, March is an excellent month for a holiday in Dunhuang.
Dunhuang in March98April24° · 8.4 h
In April, Dunhuang is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sun shines for around 8.4 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. All in all, April is an excellent month for a holiday in Dunhuang.
Dunhuang in April84May30° · 8.8 h
In May, Dunhuang is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sun shines for around 8.8 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. On about 15 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, May is an excellent month for a holiday in Dunhuang.
Dunhuang in May56June34° · 9.2 h
In June, Dunhuang is very hot: daytime highs average 34 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. With around 9.2 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It hardly ever rains. On about 26 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, June is a so-so month for a holiday in Dunhuang.
Dunhuang in June50July37° · 9.4 h
In July, Dunhuang is very hot: daytime highs average 37 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 21 °C. With around 9.4 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It hardly ever rains. On about 30 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, July is a so-so month for a holiday in Dunhuang.
Dunhuang in July50August35° · 9.0 h
In August, Dunhuang is very hot: daytime highs average 35 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. With around 9.0 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It hardly ever rains. On about 28 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, August is a so-so month for a holiday in Dunhuang.
Dunhuang in August85September29° · 8.3 h
In September, Dunhuang is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sun shines for around 8.3 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. On about 13 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, September is an excellent month for a holiday in Dunhuang.
Dunhuang in September95October20° · 7.4 h
In October, Dunhuang is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sun shines for around 7.4 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Dunhuang.
Dunhuang in October45November9° · 6.0 h
In November, Dunhuang is cold: daytime highs average 9 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−3 °C). Expect around 6.0 hours of sunshine a day. It hardly ever rains. All in all, November is a so-so month for a holiday in Dunhuang.
Dunhuang in November39December1° · 5.8 h
In December, Dunhuang is bitterly cold: daytime highs average 1 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−9 °C). Expect around 5.8 hours of sunshine a day. It hardly ever rains. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Dunhuang.
Dunhuang in DecemberClimate in detail
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Dunhuang
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Frost below 0°
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
- Pleasant 15–20°
- Warm 20–24°
ColdOctober: nights around 4°. The room should be heated.
The coolest nights are in January (−11°), the warmest in July (21°). Tropical nights of 20 °C and more are the rule in July; then air conditioning or a fan helps you sleep. Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) in June and in August. Nights fall below 8 °C on average from October to April, so the room should be heated.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 41 | 0° | −11° | 6.3 h | 0 | 0 |
| FebruaryFeb | 43 | 6° | −6° | 7.0 h | 0 | 1 |
| MarchMar | 85 | 16° | 0° | 8.0 h | 0 | 1 |
| AprilApr | 98 | 24° | 7° | 8.4 h | 1 | 2 |
| MayMay | 84 | 30° | 13° | 8.8 h | 1 | 4 |
| JuneJun | 56 | 34° | 18° | 9.2 h | 1 | 6 |
| JulyJul | 50 | 37° | 21° | 9.4 h | 1 | 5 |
| AugustAug | 50 | 35° | 19° | 9.0 h | 1 | 5 |
| SeptemberSep | 85 | 29° | 13° | 8.3 h | 1 | 2 |
| OctoberOct | 95 | 20° | 4° | 7.4 h | 0 | 1 |
| NovemberNov | 45 | 9° | −3° | 6.0 h | 0 | 1 |
| DecemberDec | 39 | 1° | −9° | 5.8 h | 0 | 1 |
Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
40.17° N, 94.68° E · 1,131 m · Asia/Shanghai
Sunshine hours in Dunhuang
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 7.4 of 11.2 hours of daylight in Dunhuang, 66 % of the daylight hours.
Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
Rain in Dunhuang: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, it hardly ever rains in Dunhuang: 1 mm in the whole month.
UV index in Dunhuang
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 4 · moderateAround midday seek shade; use sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 10).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 30 min
- Fair skin
- about 40 min
- Light brown skin
- about 55 min
- Olive skin
- about 70 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen the time, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Wind and clouds in Dunhuang
How breezy and how cloudy Dunhuang is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Dunhuang typically peaks at 18 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, gentle breeze.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 29 % of the sky over Dunhuang: mostly sunny, with about 7.4 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat and humidity in Dunhuang
How often the day gets hot in Dunhuang (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, Dunhuang has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 20 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Planning a trip to Dunhuang
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Dunhuang in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Dunhuang has its best school-holiday weather during October half-term (score 95) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 40).
- 94
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Excellent
- 21 °C by day
- 8.3 h of sun a day
- 1 rainy day a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 78
May half-term
May – Jun
Good
- 30 °C by day
- 8.9 h of sun a day
- 1 rainy day a month
- 50
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Fair
- 36 °C by day
- 9.1 h of sun a day
- 1 rainy day a month
Keep in mind: Peak heat
- 95
October half-term
Oct
ExcellentBest holidays
- 20 °C by day
- 7.4 h of sun a day
- 0 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 40
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Fair
- 0 °C by day
- 6.1 h of sun a day
- 0 rainy days a month
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 8 h 50 min
- Distance
- 6,950 km
- Time zone
- UTC+8
- Jet lag
- About 7 days (7 h east)
Rule of thumb for flying east: for a few days before, go to bed and get up a little earlier, and get plenty of morning light at your destination.
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Compare & alternatives
Dunhuang compared
Put Dunhuang side by side with another destination.
Dunhuang vs Turpan
In October the holiday weather in Dunhuang and Turpan is about equally good (score 95 vs 96). During the day Turpan is 3 °C warmer than Dunhuang. Turpan gets one more hour of sunshine a day.
| in October | Dunhuang | Turpan |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 95 | 96 |
| Daytime high | 20° | 23° |
| Sunshine | 7 h | 8 h |
| Rainy days | 0 | 0 |
| Best time | Mar – May, Sep – Oct | Mar – Apr, Oct |
Through the year
China in October: the best places
In October, Dunhuang ranks 5 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Hotan21°99
- 2Kucha20°97
- 3Kashgar21°97
- 4Turpan23°96
- 5DunhuangThis page20°95
- 6Yinchuan18°93
- 7Pingyao19°89
- 8Shijiazhuang22°89
Near Dunhuang
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Dunhuang
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Dunhuang's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Dunhuang
When is the best time to visit Dunhuang?
The best time to visit Dunhuang is from March to May and from September to October. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
What is the warmest month in Dunhuang?
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 37 °C and nights around 21 °C. January is the coolest month at 0 °C.
When does it rain most in Dunhuang?
Rain is a rarity all year: only 28 mm fall in an average year.
How many hours of sunshine does Dunhuang get?
Dunhuang gets around 2,850 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is July with 9.4 hours a day; in December there are 5.8 hours a day.
What time zone is Dunhuang in?
Dunhuang is on UTC+8 all year.
How long is the flight from London to Dunhuang?
A nonstop flight from London to Dunhuang takes about 8 h 50 min, for a straight-line distance of about 6,950 km.
Which school holidays are best for Dunhuang?
Dunhuang has its best school-holiday weather during October half-term (score 95) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 40). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 94, May half-term 78, summer holidays 50, October half-term 95, Christmas holidays 40.