Zhangye Weather & Seasons

Zhangye corridor plain and Qilian Mountain have the characteristics of the abundant light energy, great temperature difference, short and hot summer, long and cold winter, and little rain. The average temperature of the city is 6-8 ℃/43-46°F; the annual precipitation is 104-328 mm; the annual evaporation is 1639-2341 mm; the annual sunshine time is 3000-3600 hours and the frost-free period is 112-145 days. The main disastrous weather includes the drought, sandstorm, and frost, and the dryness also helps for the preservation of its amazing Danxia landform.

Best Time to Visit Zhangye

Zhangye demonstrates a typical continental climate with its dryness all year round, an annual average temperature of 6 ℃/43 °F. The coldest days occur in January and the hottest weather is in July. June to September is the best time to visit Zhangye.

Average Zhangye Temperature by Month

Month	Max Temp.	Min Temp.
Jan.	°C	°C
Feb.	°C	°C
Mar.	°C	°C
Apr.	°C	°C
May.	°C	°C
Jun.	°C	°C
Jul.	°C	°C
Aug.	°C	°C
Sep.	°C	°C
Oct.	°C	°C
Nov.	°C	°C
Dec.	°C	°C

Zhangye Seasons to Go

Spring (March - May)

Spring in Zhangye is still very cold. Temperature ranges between -11°C / 12 °F and 6°C / 43 °F. It barely rains but sometimes snows, therefore it is very dry. It is like winter. It is mostly sunny or cloudy.

What to Wear

It is recommended to wear winter coats, leather jackets, down coats, woolen hats, scarfs, gloves, sweaters, snow boots for the chilly spring.

Seasonal Activities

It is still cold in the early spring. Hiking around at the Famous Zhangye Danxia Geopark may need to take some more courage bearing the chilly wind. The scenery won’t get much influence by the weather and you can also choose to visit the Dafo Temple and Muta Temple which are located in the downtown area.

★ Recommended Zhangye Tour: >>6 Days Hexi Corridor Discovery Tour(Zhangye/Jiayuguan/Dunhuang)

Spring in Zhangye

Zhangye Weather in March

Temperature: 3°C / 37°F
High Temperature: 10°C / 50°F
Low Temperature: -5°C / 23°F
Average AQI: 83
Humidity: 24%
Rainfall: 3.8 mm
Rainy Days: 2.8 days
Sunrise: 07:04 ~ 07:50
Sunset: 19:10 ~ 19:40

Zhangye Weather in April

Temperature: 10°C / 50°F
High Temperature: 18°C /64°F
Low Temperature: 2°C / 35°F
Average AQI: 40
Humidity: 21%
Rainfall: 4.8 mm
Rainy Days: 3 days
Sunrise: 06:21 ~ 07:02
Sunset: 19:41 ~ 20:09

Zhangye Weather in May

Temperature: 15°C / 59°F
High Temperature: 24°C /75°F
Low Temperature: 8°C / 46°F
Average AQI: 47
Humidity: 23%
Rainfall: 11.7 mm
Rainy Days: 4.4 days
Sunrise: 05:54 ~ 06:20
Sunset: 20:10 ~ 20:36

Summer (June - August)

Summer is the best time to visit Zhangye. The average temperature is between 10 °C / 50 °F and 25 °C / 77 °F. The rainy days occur more often than other seasons. However, it is still very dry. Even the summer is not very hot, and temperature is very comfortable in the early summer. During the sunny days, ultraviolet rays are quite strong. Its highest ever temperature can reach 39 °C (102 °F), while the lowest can be only 4 °C/ 39 °F.. The temperature in one day varies a lot.

What to Wear

Since the strong sunray at noon time, it is recommended to wear sun block shirt, sunhat, sunglasses, cotton and linen shirts, thin skirts, thin T-shirts and other breathable clothes for the day time. For the temperature drops a lot during the night, it is suggested to take some outdoor jackets, and sweaters with you.

Seasonal Activities

Known for its stunning Danxia landform, Zhangye is famous for its natural scenery. You are recommended to go Zhangye Danxia Geopark, Binggou Danxia Geopark, Pingshan Grand Canyon to witness the beautiful sunset and sunrise with the multicolored rocks and breath-taking landscape. If you have more time, do not miss Zhangye National Wetland Park, the amazing desert oasis with the amazing vegetation and water ponds.

★ Recommended Zhangye Tour: >> 8 Days Gansu Highlights Tour

Summer in Zhangye

Zhangye Weather in June

Temperature: 19°C / 66°F

High Temperature: 27°C / 80°F

Low Temperature: 12°C / 54°F

Average AQI: 60

Humidity: 32%

Rainfall: 24.1 mm

Rainy Days: 7.4 days

Sunrise: 05:52 ~ 05:55

Sunset: 20:37 ~ 20:47

Zhangye Weather in July

Temperature: 21°C / 70°F

High Temperature: 29°C / 84°F

Low Temperature: 14°C / 57°F

Average AQI: 71

Humidity: 40%

Rainfall: 29.6 mm

Rainy Days: 9.4 days

Sunrise: 05:56 ~ 06:18

Sunset: 20:31 ~ 20:47

Zhangye Weather in August

Temperature: 21°C / 70°F

High Temperature: 28°C / 82°F

Low Temperature: 13°C / 55°F

Average AQI: 56

Humidity: 40%

Rainfall: 29.2 mm

Rainy Days: 8.3 days

Sunrise: 06:19 ~ 06:46

Sunset: 19:51 ~ 20:30

Autumn (September to November)

September is still a comfortable month to travel Zhangye and temperature ranges between 14 °C / 57 °F and 29 °C / 84 °F. However, it drops a lot since the mid October, and sometimes the temperature is even below 0 °C / 32 °F at night. In the late autumn, it becomes very cold and dry.

What to Wear

It is recommended to wear shirts, long skirts and thin sweaters, windbreakers, casual clothes, jackets, sneakers for the early autumn, and you may need to get to wear much more clothes to keep warm in the late October and November like thermal clothes, outdoor down-jacket, snow gaiters, water-proof hiking shoes, etc. Also, bring skin care and lip care product and a water bottle always for the dry weather.

Seasonal Activities

During the fall, it is also comfortable to go tens of miles and enjoy the Danxia Landform in Zhangye Danxia Geopark, Binggou Danxia Geopark. Besides, if you would like to go further, 30km away from the Geopark, Kangle Grassland is also an amazing destination to ride a horse in the picturesque green grassland.

★ Recommended Zhangye Tour: >> 9 Days In-Depth Northwestern China Silk Road Tour

Autumn in Zhangye

Zhangye Weather in September

Temperature: 15°C / 59°F

High Temperature: 23°C / 73°F

Low Temperature: 8°C / 46°F

Average AQI: 54

Humidity: 45%

Rainfall: 16.6 mm

Rainy Days: 5.4 days

Sunrise: 06:46 ~ 07:13

Sunset: 19:03 ~ 19:49

Zhangye Weather in October

Temperature: 8°C / 46°F

High Temperature: 16°C / 60°FF

Low Temperature: 0°C / 32°F

Average AQI: 49

Humidity: 35%

Rainfall: 4.6 mm

Rainy Days: 2.5 days

Sunrise: 07:13 ~ 07:44

Sunset: 18:19 ~ 19:01

Zhangye Weather in November

Temperature: 0°C / 32°F

High Temperature: 8°C / 46°F

Low Temperature: -7°C / 19°F

Average AQI: 54

Humidity: 41%

Rainfall: 2 mm

Rainy Days: 1.8 days

Sunrise: 07:45 ~ 08:16

Sunset: 17:56 ~ 18:18

Winter (December - February)

The daily temperature in winter is between -11 °C / 12 °F and 6 °C / 42 °F. Staying outdoor in Zhangye can really be a challenge while the heating system is working at almost every household and the indoor is very comfortable. Since it barely rains or snows and the precipitation is low, it is very dry.

What to Wear

It is recommended to wear overcoats, sweaters, winter coat, woolen jacket, gloves, down jacket and scarfs to keep warm, and bring body and facial lotions, creams, lip balms to keep moisturized.

Seasonal Activities

You can go to the iconic Zhangye Danxia Geopark and Binggou Danxia Park to enjoy the beautiful landform all year round, which is also wondrous even in winter with less visitors and you may even have a chance to encounter its snowscape. Besides, going to the southern outskirts to visit the famous Mati Temple can also be put on your bucket list.

★ Recommended Zhangye Tour: >> 10 Days Qinghai & Gansu Highlights Tour

Winter in Zhangye

Zhangye Weather in December

Temperature: -7°C / 19°F

High Temperature: 2°C / 35°F

Low Temperature: -14°C / 7°F

Average AQI: 50

Humidity: 45%

Rainfall: 1.4 mm

Rainy Days: 2.4 days

Sunrise: 08:17 ~ 08:36

Sunset: 17:56 ~ 18:05

Zhangye Weather in January

Temperature: -9°C /16°F

High Temperature: 0°C / 32°F

Low Temperature: -16°C / 3°F

Average AQI: 57

Humidity: 40%

Rainfall: 1.4 mm

Rainy Days: 2.4 days

Sunrise: 08:25 ~ 08:36

Sunset: 18:06 ~ 18:37

Zhangye Weather in February

Temperature: -5°C /23°F

High Temperature: 4°C / 39°F

Low Temperature: -12°C / 10°F

Average AQI: 54

Humidity: 28%

Rainfall: 1.2 mm

Rainy Days: 1.8 days

Sunrise: 07:52 ~ 08:24

Sunset: 18:39 ~ 19:09

How to Plan Your Zhangye Tour

Zhangye is located in the northwest of Gansu Province, 508km away from Lanzhou. It is an important frontier city on the silk road in the ancient time. It is famous for its spectacular Danxia landform, a paradise for geologists. The natural landscape sites, including Zhangye Danxia Geological Park, Binggou Danxia Park, Pingshan Grand Canyon, Kangle Grassland, and Zhangye Wetland Park, are worth visiting all year round, especially from June to September. When it's sunny after rain, enjoy the colorful landscape with sunrise or sunset, can be very spectacular. Besides the beautiful natural scenery, the long history and Buddhist culture also conceived many cultural heritages to Zhangye, such as the Mati Temple built on the rock and the Dafo Temple which owns the largest reclining Buddha in the world.

In one or two days, you can visit the main scenic spots in Zhangye. If you have more time, we also suggest you follow the steps of Marco Polo along the Silk Road to visit various other cities, such as Jiayuguan, Xining, Xi'an, Dunhuang, etc.

Since the main scenic spots in Zhangye are outside the city downtown, public transportation is not very convenient, so it is recommended that you make transportation plans before your travel.

★ Top-Recommended Zhangye Tour

>>6 Days Hexi Corridor Discovery Tour(Zhangye/Jiayuguan/Dunhuang)

>> 8 Days Gansu Highlights Tour

>> 9 Days In-Depth Northwestern China Silk Road Tour

Zhangye Attractions

Travel Zhangye with China Discovery

Want to travel in and around Zhangye and don't know how to arrange your day by day itinerary? In every city, our professional local guide and driver will escort you from your hotel, train station, airport to all attractions with comfortable private car with speed and convenience and let you catch the highlights of every site and city, so you can get really relaxed on the way and focus on what you are interested. The tour can be tailor made according to your plan, time and interests and demands. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact us and tell us your needs, and we will customize a memorable tour for you!

Average Temperature of Zhangye

Average AQI of Zhangye

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
°C	-9	-5	3	10	15	19	21	21	15	8	0	-7
°F	16	23	37	50	59	66	70	70	59	46	32	19

Average AQI of Zhangye

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
AQI	57	54	83	40	47	60	71	56	54	49	54	50

Excellent: 0-50

Good: 51-100

Lightly Polluted: 101-150

Average Rainfall of Zhangye

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
mm	1.4	1.2	3.8	4.8	11.7	24.1	29.6	29.2	16.6	4.6	2.0	1.4
Days	2.4	1.8	2.8	3.0	4.4	7.4	9.4	8.3	5.4	2.5	1.8	2.4

Average Humidity of Zhangye

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
%	40	28	24	21	23	32	40	40	45	35	41	45

Useful Zhangye Travel Guide

Zhangye to More Silk Road Destinations

Recommended Zhangye Tours

Top 3 Zhangye tours chosen by most customers to explore Zhangye in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary,or tailor your own trip now with us.

6 Days Hexi Corridor Discovery Tour(Zhangye/Jiayuguan/Dunhuang)

Lanzhou - Zhangye - Jiayuguan - Dunhuang

8 Days Gansu Highlights Tour

Lanzhou / Xiahe / Zhangye / Jiayuguan / Dunhuang

8 Days Miraculous Land Tour from Dunhuang to Zhangye Xining

Dunhuang - Jiayuguan - Zhangye - Xining

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