Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark

Reservation Geopark showcasing wind-sculpted yardang rock formations

West of Dunhuang, the Yardang Geopark displays wind‑carved ridges and sculpted desert rock formations; visitors join guided tours, photography safaris and Silk Road cultural excursions.

Main image
Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark
40.5305, 93.0643

How to Get to Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark #

Dunhuang and the geopark are reached by road and regional transport from the city of Dunhuang in Gansu Province. Many visitors arrive via tour operators or regional buses; check local travel operators for guided access and transport options.

Tips for Visiting Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark #

  • Visit early morning to see the yardang formations glowing in low light-photographers prize these hours.
  • Bring sun protection and water; the site is in an arid region with little shade.
  • Many tour operators include the geopark on desert itineraries-consider a guided visit for history and geology context.

Best Time to Visit Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark #

Best visited in cooler months from autumn through spring to avoid extreme summer heat; mornings and late afternoons provide the best light for photography.

Autumn-Spring (October-April)
Oct-Apr · 5-25°C
Cooler temperatures and clearer skies-best for exploring desert landforms.
Summer (May-September)
May-Sep · 25-40°C
Very hot; early morning visits advised and midday avoided.

Weather & Climate near Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark #

Climate

Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark's climate is classified as Cold Desert - Cold Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -14°C to 35°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 100 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
JuneJulyAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
46°
Warmest Month
-18°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 1°C and lows of -14°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and partly cloudy skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

-7°
Feels Like Freezing
-7°C
Temperature
-14°
45%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.5h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of 7°C and lows of -10°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and partly cloudy skies.

67 Good

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-10°
35%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
10.5h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of -2°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2° 14°
23%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 6°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
23°
19%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
13.1h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 12°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.

90 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
12° 29°
19%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
14.3h daylight

June

June is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 16°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
16° 33°
21%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

4 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
14.8h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 35°C and lows of 19°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
19° 35°
21%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

5 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
14.6h daylight

August

August is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 17°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
17° 34°
20%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

3 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
13.6h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 10°C. Almost no rain.

92 Ideal

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
11° 29°
22%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 2°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and mostly sunny skies.

83 Excellent

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
20°
23%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
11.0h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -6°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and mostly sunny skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-6° 10°
33%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.4
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -13°C. The driest month with just 0 mm.

61 Good

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-13°
43%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.2h daylight

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