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Best Time for Hexi Corridor by Rail: Xi'an to Dunhuang
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Sweet spot: March, April, May. Computed from NASA POWER climate normals across the route's overnight towns, balancing temperature, rainfall and daylight.
💡 Good to know
- The most comfortable corridor window for long outdoor visits. Reserve trains and timed attractions, and confirm live wind, heat and closure notices.
- Dunhuang and the western corridor can be extremely hot. Put desert and exposed heritage visits early or late, keep indoor alternatives and confirm heat or sandstorm restrictions.
- The route remains possible, but western Gansu is cold and exposed. Check snow, wind and rail disruption, and confirm each attraction’s current winter hours.
- Spring is workable but exposed sites can be windy or dusty. Confirm the forecast, rail operation and current attraction hours before each long leg.
| Month | Low | High | Rain | Daylight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | −10.2°C | −0.3°C | 4 mm | 9.6 h | |
| February | −6.8°C | 4.2°C | 4 mm | 10.5 h | |
| March | −1.7°C | 11.3°C | 8 mm | 11.7 h | |
| April | 4.3°C | 19.0°C | 16 mm | 13.0 h | ❄ |
| May | 10.0°C | 24.3°C | 32 mm | 14.0 h | |
| June | 15.5°C | 29.2°C | 42 mm | 14.6 h | |
| July | 18.0°C | 31.2°C | 56 mm | 14.4 h | |
| August | 16.6°C | 29.5°C | 52 mm | 13.5 h | |
| September | 11.2°C | 23.6°C | 46 mm | 12.2 h | |
| October | 4.1°C | 16.4°C | 20 mm | 11.0 h | |
| November | −2.7°C | 8.1°C | 8 mm | 9.9 h | |
| December | −8.6°C | 1.0°C | 3 mm | 9.4 h |