What summer heat really feels like
Daytime temperatures in Dunhuang can pass thirty-five degrees in July and August, which sounds fierce on paper. In practice the air is dry and there is often a breeze, so most travellers find it easier to handle than the damp heat of southern China, where the same number feels far heavier.
The trick is not the temperature itself but the timing. Direct sun in the middle of the day is what makes it uncomfortable, and that is a matter of how the day is arranged rather than how hot the desert is.
How we structure the day
We go out in the morning and again in the late afternoon, and rest at the hotel through the hottest hours. That keeps you out of the strongest sun, and it also puts you at the sights when the tour groups are fewer, so the experience is calmer as well as cooler.
- Carry water and drink it steadily through the day
- Wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Choose light, breathable clothing in pale colours
- Keep the middle of the day free for rest and shade
Making it easier still
If you feel the heat more than most, say so and we will loosen the day further, shorten the outdoor stretches and lean on the cooler hours. Nothing on this route is so fixed that it cannot be rearranged around your comfort.
Preparing for the desert day
A little preparation separates a hot day from an uncomfortable one. Loose, light clothing in pale colours, a brimmed hat and sunglasses cover most of it, and it is worth refilling a water bottle before you set out rather than relying on buying drinks along the way. We keep drinking water in the vehicle for the whole day, and your guide will prompt you to drink it, so it does not depend on you remembering.
If the heat catches you at any point, say so early. Slowing down, resting in the shade and drinking something are usually enough, and the day is built with room for exactly that rather than pressing on to the next stop.
When to just ask us
Tell us how you cope with heat and whether anyone in the group is sensitive to it, and we will build the Dunhuang days around the shade rather than the sun.
This question comes from Dunhuang & the Silk Road
