AI-generatedGolmud at a glance
- Best time
- Apr – Oct
- Warmest month
- Jul · 26°
- Sunshine a year
- 3,010 h
- Rain a year
- 56 mm
- Climate
- Continental
- Time zone
- UTC+8
- Elevation
- 2,809 m
Climate in Golmud
Golmud has mild to warm summers and cold winters with occasional snow. July is the warmest month with average highs of 26 °C, while January is the coolest at 0 °C. With around 3,010 hours of sunshine a year, Golmud is very sunny; May is the sunniest month with 9.3 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Golmud
The best time to visit Golmud is from April to October. Hiking and mountain trips are best from April to October, when the trails are largely free of snow. Rain is a rarity all year: only 56 mm fall in an average year.
Golmud through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Golmud in spring
Mar – May
Excellent
- 10–20 °C by day
- 8.9 h of sun a day
- 3 rainy days in all
Golmud in summer
Jun – Aug
Excellent
- 23–26 °C by day
- 8.7 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days in all
Golmud in autumn
Sep – Nov
Good
- 7–21 °C by day
- 8.3 h of sun a day
- 3 rainy days in all
Golmud in winter
Dec – Feb
Fair
- 0–5 °C by day
- 7.0 h of sun a day
- 0 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Hiking & mountain trips
Apr – Oct
13–27 °C in the village, little snow
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Golmud for you.
Your best months: May, September
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: April – October
Good forSightseeing & walks
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 1°
- Midday, 13:00: about 12°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 14°
- Evening, 20:00: about 8°
- Night, 23:00: about 5°
07:4619:06
Cold evenings: bring a warm jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 07:30–08:21 · evening 18:31–19:22
- Blue hour
- Morning 07:20–07:30 · evening 19:22–19:32
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 Golmud compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs fall from about 17° at the start of the month to 10° at the end. The days get 1.1 h shorter.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 17° | 10° |
| Night-time low | 4° | −4° |
| Daylight | 11.9 h | 10.8 h |
What is the weather like in Golmud in October?
In October, Golmud is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 0 °C. The sun shines for around 8.7 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Golmud.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 19 min07:46 – 19:06
- UV index
- 6 · highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 17 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 40 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Time zone
- UTC+8offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %79 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %95 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %100 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Mountain air”.
What to pack in October
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses & sun hat
- A jumper for the evenings
Compare two months in Golmud
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
May has the better holiday weather in Golmud: score 100 against 89. In May, days are 6 °C warmer than in October. May has 2 more rainy days. The sun shines an hour longer a day in May.
| Month | October | May |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 89 | 100better |
| Daytime high | 14° | 20° |
| Night-time low | 0° | 6° |
| Sunshine | 8.7 h | 9.3 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 0better | 2 |
| Rainfall | 2 mm | 6 mm |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Golmud month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
43January0° · 6.8 h
In January, Golmud is bitterly cold: daytime highs average 0 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−13 °C). The sun shines for around 6.8 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. All in all, January is a so-so month for a holiday in Golmud.
Golmud in January44February5° · 7.3 h
In February, Golmud is cold: daytime highs average 5 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−10 °C). The sun shines for around 7.3 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. All in all, February is a so-so month for a holiday in Golmud.
Golmud in February67March10° · 8.3 h
In March, Golmud is cold: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−4 °C). The sun shines for around 8.3 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. All in all, March is a good month for a holiday in Golmud.
Golmud in March99April16° · 9.2 h
In April, Golmud is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 2 °C. With around 9.2 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It hardly ever rains. All in all, April is an excellent month for a holiday in Golmud.
Golmud in April100May20° · 9.3 h
In May, Golmud is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. With around 9.3 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It hardly ever rains. All in all, May is an excellent month for a holiday in Golmud.
Golmud in May99June23° · 8.7 h
In June, Golmud is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sun shines for around 8.7 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 3 days bring 11 mm in total. All in all, June is an excellent month for a holiday in Golmud.
Golmud in June93July26° · 8.7 h
In July, Golmud is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sun shines for around 8.7 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 4 days bring 12 mm in total. All in all, July is an excellent month for a holiday in Golmud.
Golmud in July98August25° · 8.7 h
In August, Golmud is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sun shines for around 8.7 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 3 days bring 12 mm in total. All in all, August is an excellent month for a holiday in Golmud.
Golmud in August98September21° · 8.3 h
In September, Golmud is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sun shines for around 8.3 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 2 days bring 6 mm in total. All in all, September is an excellent month for a holiday in Golmud.
Golmud in September89October14° · 8.7 h
In October, Golmud is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 0 °C. The sun shines for around 8.7 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Golmud.
Golmud in October49November7° · 7.8 h
In November, Golmud is cold: daytime highs average 7 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−7 °C). The sun shines for around 7.8 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. All in all, November is a so-so month for a holiday in Golmud.
Golmud in November43December1° · 7.0 h
In December, Golmud is bitterly cold: daytime highs average 1 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−12 °C). The sun shines for around 7.0 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. All in all, December is a so-so month for a holiday in Golmud.
Golmud in DecemberClimate in detail
Year & climate table
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Golmud
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°
ColdOctober: nights around 0°. The room should be heated.
The coolest nights are in January (−13°), the warmest in July (13°). Nights fall below 8 °C on average from October to May, 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 | 43 | 0° | −13° | 6.8 h | 0 | 1 |
| FebruaryFeb | 44 | 5° | −10° | 7.3 h | 0 | 1 |
| MarchMar | 67 | 10° | −4° | 8.3 h | 1 | 2 |
| AprilApr | 99 | 16° | 2° | 9.2 h | 1 | 2 |
| MayMay | 100 | 20° | 6° | 9.3 h | 2 | 6 |
| JuneJun | 99 | 23° | 11° | 8.7 h | 3 | 11 |
| JulyJul | 93 | 26° | 13° | 8.7 h | 4 | 12 |
| AugustAug | 98 | 25° | 12° | 8.7 h | 3 | 12 |
| SeptemberSep | 98 | 21° | 8° | 8.3 h | 2 | 6 |
| OctoberOct | 89 | 14° | 0° | 8.7 h | 0 | 2 |
| NovemberNov | 49 | 7° | −7° | 7.8 h | 0 | 1 |
| DecemberDec | 43 | 1° | −12° | 7.0 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
36.41° N, 94.90° E · 2,809 m · Asia/Shanghai
Sunshine
Sunshine hours in Golmud
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 8.7 of 11.3 hours of daylight in Golmud, 77 % of the daylight hours.
Sunshine hours: measured at the weather station 2 km away, averages 1991–2020 (WMO climate normals). Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
Rain
Rain in Golmud: 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 Golmud: 2 mm in the whole month.
UV index
UV index in Golmud
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 6 · highSeek shade around midday; sunscreen SPF 30+, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 12).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 25 min
- Fair skin
- about 30 min
- Light brown skin
- about 40 min
- Olive skin
- about 50 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 & clouds
Wind and clouds in Golmud
How breezy and how cloudy Golmud 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 Golmud typically peaks at 17 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 40 % of the sky over Golmud: mostly sunny, with about 8.7 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 & humidity
Heat and humidity in Golmud
How often the day gets hot in Golmud (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, Golmud has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 14 °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 Golmud
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Golmud 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.
Golmud has its best school-holiday weather during May half-term (score 100) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 43).
- 89
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Excellent
- 14 °C by day
- 8.9 h of sun a day
- 1 rainy day a month
- 100
May half-term
May – Jun
ExcellentBest holidays
- 21 °C by day
- 9.2 h of sun a day
- 2 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 96
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Excellent
- 25 °C by day
- 8.7 h of sun a day
- 3 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 89
October half-term
Oct
Excellent
- 14 °C by day
- 8.7 h of sun a day
- 0 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 43
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Fair
- 0 °C by day
- 6.9 h of sun a day
- 0 rainy days a month
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 9 h 15 min
- Distance
- 7,260 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.
Good to know: China
- Currency
- Chinese Yuan (CNY)
- Language
- Chinese
- Sockets
- Type A, C, I · 220 V
- Traffic
- Drives on the right
- Dialling code
- +86
UK plugs need a travel adapter
Sources: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0). Please check details before you travel.
Compare & alternatives
Compare with another place
Golmud compared
Put Golmud side by side with another destination.
Golmud vs Dunhuang
In October the holiday weather in Golmud and Dunhuang is about equally good (score 89 vs 93). During the day Dunhuang is 6 °C warmer than Golmud. Dunhuang gets 2 fewer hours of sunshine a day.
| in October | Golmud | Dunhuang |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 89 | 93 |
| Daytime high | 14° | 20° |
| Sunshine | 9 h | 7 h |
| Rainy days | 0 | 0 |
| Best time | Apr – Oct | Mar – May, Sep – Oct |
Through the year
Best places in the country
China in October: the best places
In October, Golmud ranks 8 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Hotan21°99
- 2Kucha20°97
- 3Turpan23°96
- 4Dunhuang20°95
- 5Zhangye17°94
- 6Korla19°94
- 7Yinchuan18°93
- 8GolmudThis page14°89
Places nearby
Near Golmud
Other destinations close by.
Places with a similar climate
Places with a climate like Golmud
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Golmud's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Golmud
When is the best time to visit Golmud?
The best time to visit Golmud is from April to October. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
What is the warmest month in Golmud?
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 26 °C and nights around 13 °C. January is the coolest month at 0 °C.
When does it rain most in Golmud?
Rain is a rarity all year: only 56 mm fall in an average year.
How many hours of sunshine does Golmud get?
Golmud gets around 3,010 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is May with 9.3 hours a day; in January there are 6.8 hours a day.
What time zone is Golmud in?
Golmud is on UTC+8 all year.
How long is the flight from London to Golmud?
A nonstop flight from London to Golmud takes about 9 h 15 min, for a straight-line distance of about 7,260 km.
Which school holidays are best for Golmud?
Golmud has its best school-holiday weather during May half-term (score 100) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 43). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 89, May half-term 100, summer holidays 96, October half-term 89, Christmas holidays 43.