Yumen Pass
Dunhuang, China UNESCO World Heritage Site
Yumen Pass is a gate and mountain pass in Dunhuang, China. It is part of the Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The location is a major historical and cultural site protected at the national level.
Planning a visit
The weather is warmest from June to August, with daily highs reaching about 33 °C to 35 °C. The coolest months are December and January, when daily highs are around 0 °C and lows drop to about -12 °C. Rainfall is minimal throughout the year, with most months seeing only about 1 to 7 rainy days.
Visitors can reach the site via Dunhuang Mogao International Airport, which is 83 km away. The pass is approximately 1,912 km from Beijing. Admission costs ¥40. Opening hours are 07:00–18:00 from 1 January to 9 October, and 07:00–17:30 from 10 October to 31 December.
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 35 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 0 | 6 | 14 | 22 | 28 | 33 | 35 | 34 | 28 | 19 | 8 | 0 |
| Average low, °C | -12 | -7 | 0 | 7 | 13 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 13 | 4 | -4 | -11 |
| Rainfall, mm | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Rainy days | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
