When to go · Dunhuang
Dunhuang in March
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
- 11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C) / −3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 2
- Crowds
- Medium
- China overall
- Prices
- Medium
- 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 March?
March is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
Weather in March
- DunhuangHighs around 11 °C (52 °F), lows around -3 °C (27 °F), rain on about 2 daysHighs around 52 °F (11 °C), lows around 27 °F (-3 °C), rain on about 2 days
- Northwest and Silk Road, China · Xinjiang, Gansu (Dunhuang, Zhangye), Inner Mongoliacool
Desert and steppe: very hot summer days in Turpan, bitter winters; May–June and September–October work best.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · China overall
- Medium
- Prices · China overall
- Medium
China overall: Dust and chilly winds in the north; Tibet permits often paused; blossom in the south.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Dunhuang, side by side.
Verdict
Mar: Avoid
May: Great (better)
Daytime high
Mar: 11 °C (52 °F)52 °F (11 °C)
May: 26 °C (79 °F)79 °F (26 °C)
Night low
Mar: -3 °C (27 °F)27 °F (-3 °C)
May: 10 °C (50 °F)50 °F (10 °C)
Rain days
Mar: 2
May: 2
Crowds
Mar: Medium
May: High
Prices
Mar: Medium
May: High
Festivals listed
Mar: 0
May: 1
March: 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
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket