The Li River: A Journey Through China’s Most Breathtaking Landscape
Explore the Li River, China's breathtaking landscape with majestic mountains, serene waters, and picturesque views. A must-see for every traveler.
Dunhuang in January sees very low daytime temperatures of 0°C (32°F) and nighttime lows of -12°C (10°F). With just 1.7 mm (0.1 in) of snow/rainfall expected, it's a dry month overall.
If you prefer dry days with pleasant temperatures, January may not be the ideal month to visit Dunhuang. Our weather planner can help you explore destinations with more pleasant weather conditions.
Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Dunhuang - and find the best time to visit.
51-year average (1976-2026)
Based on our historical records, temperatures in Dunhuang typically stay consistent throughout January, with daily highs averaging around 0°C (32°F). Nights are very cold, with lows typically ranging from -15°C (5°F) to -12°C (10°F).
Browse day-by-day weather records for Dunhuang spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual temperatures, rainfall, and conditions recorded on each day.
According to our 49 years of weather records for Dunhuang, the following extremes were recorded between 1976 and 2025.
Find out more about the weather in China and which places have the best travel conditions in this month. See all of China in January →
Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).
Cold weather calls for smart layering in January. A thermal base layer makes a huge difference in staying warm. Add a wool sweater or fleece, then a wind-resistant outer jacket. With minimal rainfall expected, you can leave the rain gear at home. You'll definitely want to pack sunglasses and sunscreen. There will be plenty of bright sunshine this month.
We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do.
Temperature Rainfall Sunshine Humidity
See the full Dunhuang climate overview or explore weather in China.
Where to go in January - average daytime high across popular destinations.
Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.
The Li River: A Journey Through China’s Most Breathtaking Landscape
Explore the Li River, China's breathtaking landscape with majestic mountains, serene waters, and picturesque views. A must-see for every traveler.
Go to China's Zhangjiajie National Park with the highest, the fastest, largest-loaded outdoor elevator in the world
You won't find this unique landscape anywhere else in the world. Thousands of floating mountains overgrown with trees at the top dominate this fairy tale landscape.
Go to Xinjiang in China
In Xinjiang you get to see a mix of East and Central Asia. An experience that you might want to add to your bucket list. You can travel through the province as if you are following an ancient silk route.
Mount Kailash
The best time for a Kailash tour/trekking is from mid-May to mid-October when the temperature is most pleasant. It is warm, dry and sunny in that period.