Silk Road Weather and Climate
The further west you go in China, the drier the climate along the Silk Road becomes. This is explained by the fact that you move further and further away from the sea. You therefore go deeper into the desert and mountainous zone where you have to be prepared for temperatures ranging from one extreme to another: nearly 40°C in summer and -20°C in winter. The best time of year to travel along the Silk Road is undoubtedly between May and October. The weather conditions are relatively pleasant with an average temperature of 15°C. The landscapes are more beautiful then than during the rest of the year with many fruits on the trees, flowers and lush green meadows.
Spring on the Silk Road:
Spring is a fairly short season in this region of China. The climate can be pleasant as it isn’t too cold, but the wind makes weather conditions difficult. The air is dry and it rains very rarely. The nights are very cool, so don’t be surprised by this drop in temperature.
Summer on the Silk Road:
You should prepare for the continental and arid climate of the Silk Road. July, August, and September are generally very hot and sunny. Summer is also when you’re most likely to get wet from the occasional shower, but these are rare.
Autumn on the Silk Road:
Until the very beginning of autumn, the weather is still pleasant, with mild temperatures and an increasingly dry climate. However, the problem is the same as in spring: the wind is a constraint to be taken into account, and the nights are often cool.
Winter on the Silk Road:
Winter is often icy, with temperatures regularly dropping below -20°C in December and January. Given the climate, it’s very difficult to plan a trip along the Silk Road during this time of year, and especially difficult to fully appreciate the area.
Temperatures and rainfall in Xi’an, Shaanxi – Annual climate
|
Month
|
January |
February |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August |
Sept. |
October |
Nov. |
Dec. |
|
|
Temp. (°C)
|
Maxi |
5 |
8 |
14 |
21 |
26 |
32 |
33 |
31 |
25 |
20 |
12 |
6 |
|
Mini |
-5 |
-2 |
3 |
9 |
14 |
19 |
22 |
21 |
15 |
9 |
3 |
-3 |
|
|
Rain
|
mm |
5 |
10 |
26 |
43 |
58 |
53 |
91 |
81 |
101 |
56 |
25 |
5 |
Temperatures and rainfall in Xining, Qinghai – Annual climate
|
Month
|
January |
February |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August |
Sept. |
October |
Nov. |
Dec. |
|
|
Temp. (°C)
|
Maxi |
1 |
4 |
10 |
16 |
20 |
23 |
25 |
24 |
19 |
14 |
7 |
2 |
|
Mini |
-15 |
-11 |
– 4 |
1 |
6 |
9 |
12 |
11 |
7 |
2 |
-6 |
-13 |
|
|
Rain
|
mm |
<5 |
<5 |
5 |
20 |
40 |
50 |
80 |
80 |
55 |
20 |
<5 |
<5 |
Temperatures and rainfall in Jiayuguan, GUANSU – Annual climate
|
Month
|
January |
February |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August |
Sept. |
October |
Nov. |
Dec. |
|
|
Temp. (°C)
|
Maxi |
-2 |
2 |
9 |
17 |
23 |
27 |
29 |
28 |
23 |
16 |
6 |
-1 |
|
Mini |
-15 |
-11 |
-4 |
3 |
9 |
13 |
15 |
14 |
9 |
2 |
-6 |
-13 |
|
|
Rain
|
mm |
<5 |
<5 |
<5 |
<5 |
5 |
10 |
20 |
20 |
5 |
<5 |
<5 |
<5 |
Temperatures and Rainfall in Dunhuang, GANSU – Annual Climate
|
Month
|
January |
February |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August |
Sept. |
October |
Nov. |
Dec. |
|
|
Temp. (°C)
|
Maxi |
-1 |
4 |
13 |
21 |
25 |
31 |
33 |
32 |
27 |
19 |
8 |
0 |
|
Mini |
-15 |
-11 |
-3 |
4 |
9 |
12 |
16 |
15 |
8 |
1 |
-6 |
-13 |
|
|
Rain
|
mm |
<5 |
<5 |
<5 |
<5 |
<5 |
5 |
10 |
5 |
<5 |
<5 |
<5 |
<5 |
Temperatures and Rainfall in Lanzhou, GANSU – Annual Climate
|
Month
|
January |
February |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August |
Sept. |
October |
Nov. |
Dec. |
|
|
Temp. (°C)
|
Maxi |
1 |
6 |
13 |
19 |
24 |
28 |
29 |
28 |
23 |
17 |
9 |
3 |
|
Mini |
-12 |
-8 |
-1 |
5 |
10 |
14 |
17 |
15 |
11 |
4 |
-3 |
-10 |
|
|
Rain
|
mm |
3 |
5 |
8 |
15 |
33 |
38 |
64 |
81 |
51 |
20 |
5 |
3 |
Temperatures and rainfall in Urumqi, XINJIANG – Annual climate
|
Month
|
January |
February |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August |
Sept. |
October |
Nov. |
Dec. |
|
|
Temp. (°C)
|
Maxi |
-9 |
-6 |
3 |
16 |
23 |
28 |
31 |
29 |
23 |
14 |
2 |
-6 |
|
Mini |
-19 |
-15 |
-6 |
5 |
11 |
16 |
18 |
17 |
11 |
3 |
-7 |
-16 |
|
|
Rain
|
mm |
8 |
10 |
18 |
28 |
33 |
30 |
25 |
20 |
23 |
20 |
18 |
10 |
Weather in the rest of China
Find out below in detail the weather, climate and best times to travel to other major destinations in China.
Weather Beijing Weather Shanghai Weather Guiyang Weather Guilin
Weather Xian Weather Fuzhou Weather Chengdu Weather Canton