When to go · Dunhuang
Dunhuang in August
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (desert heat, 35 °C (95 °F)+), Jan–mid-Mar (Yang Pass closed, cold).Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (desert heat, 95 °F (35 °C)+), Jan–mid-Mar (Yang Pass closed, cold).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C) / 15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 3
- Crowds
- High
- China overall
- Prices
- High
- China overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (desert heat, 35 °C (95 °F)+), Jan–mid-Mar (Yang Pass closed, cold).Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (desert heat, 95 °F (35 °C)+), Jan–mid-Mar (Yang Pass closed, cold).
Is another month better than August?
August is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
Weather in August
- DunhuangHighs around 31 °C (88 °F), lows around 15 °C (59 °F), rain on about 3 daysHighs around 88 °F (31 °C), lows around 59 °F (15 °C), rain on about 3 days
- Northwest and Silk Road, China · Xinjiang, Gansu (Dunhuang, Zhangye), Inner Mongoliahot
Desert and steppe: very hot summer days in Turpan, bitter winters; May–June and September–October work best.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · China overall
- High
- Prices · China overall
- High
China overall: Peak domestic travel and typhoon risk on the coast.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Dunhuang, side by side.
Verdict
Aug: Avoid
May: Great (better)
Daytime high
Aug: 31 °C (88 °F)88 °F (31 °C)
May: 26 °C (79 °F)79 °F (26 °C)
Night low
Aug: 15 °C (59 °F)59 °F (15 °C)
May: 10 °C (50 °F)50 °F (10 °C)
Rain days
Aug: 3
May: 2 (better)
Crowds
Aug: High
May: High
Prices
Aug: High
May: High
Festivals listed
Aug: 0
May: 1
August: Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (desert heat, 35 °C+), Jan–mid-Mar (Yang Pass closed, cold).
May: Inside Dunhuang's best window: May–Jun, Sep–Oct.
Dunhuang: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen