Tong Pass Castle

Historic mountain pass in Shaanxi, strategic Silk Road site

At the strategic crossing near Tongguan in Shaanxi, Tong Pass controls approaches between the Wei and Yellow rivers; history-minded visitors come for ruins, Tang-era fortifications and the pass's role in imperial military campaigns.

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Address
Tong Pass (Tongguan / Tongguan Pass), Shaanxi Province, China (approx. 34.606°N, 110.286°E)
34.606, 110.286
Hours
Public access (no formal hours)
Admission
Free to visit pass area; museum or tourist sites nearby may charge
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How to Get to Tong Pass#

Tong Pass is reached by road from nearby urban centers in Shaanxi; Tongguan County lies along the major highways that connect Xi’an to eastern Shaanxi. Trains run to nearby stations, with local bus or taxi connections to the historic pass area.

Tips for Visiting Tong Pass#

  • Visit early in the day to imagine the military logistics; the pass has little shade and can be hot in summer.
  • Combine the pass with nearby strategic sites and the ruins that mark successive fortifications across centuries.
  • Bring water and good walking shoes if attempting any of the adjacent archaeological trails.

Best Time to Visit Tong Pass#

Spring and autumn are best for comfortable visits and clearer viewing conditions.

Spring/Autumn
March-May, September-November · 10-22°C
Mild weather and clearer views; better for walking and historical visits.
Summer
June-August · 22-32°C
Hot and sometimes humid; heavy rains possible during the monsoon-influenced months.
Winter
December-February · -5-8°C
Cold with occasional snow; some roads and paths can be icy.

Weather & Climate near Tong Pass#

Climate

Tong Pass's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 32°C. Moderate rainfall (586 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 137 Unhealthy (Sg)
Best Time to Visit
JuneMayAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
39°
Warmest Month
-20°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 5°C and lows of -5°C. The driest month with just 7 mm and partly cloudy skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

0°
Feels Like Freezing
0°C
Temperature
-5° – 5°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

7 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.0h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -2°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

3°
Feels Like Cold
3°C
Temperature
-2° – 8°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

9 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
10.8h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 3°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

63 Good

Comfort

8°
Feels Like Cold
8°C
Temperature
3° – 14°
61%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

24 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
9° – 21°
59%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

45 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
12.9h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
14° – 27°
59%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

59 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.5
UV Index
Very High
13.8h daylight

June

June is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
19° – 31°
61%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

59 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
14.3h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 22°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (110 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
22° – 32°
69%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

110 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
14.1h daylight

August

August is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 21°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
21° – 31°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

89 mm
Rainfall
1.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
13.3h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
16° – 26°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

94 mm
Rainfall
1.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.1
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
9° – 20°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

57 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
11.2h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 2°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

67 Good

Comfort

7°
Feels Like Cold
7°C
Temperature
2° – 13°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

26 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Low
10.2h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -4°C. The driest month with just 7 mm and partly cloudy skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

1°
Feels Like Cold
1°C
Temperature
-4° – 7°
67%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

7 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.7h daylight