Xinjiang Weather in May

In short: an overall good time to visit Xinjiang with pleasant temperature, mostly sunny weather, beautiful scenery, and only a small number of tourists

Sayram Lake in May

 In May, Xinjiang is in the transition period from late spring to early summer, and has a warm climate overall. However, there are huge temperature gaps between day and night, and between different areas.

Southern Xinjiang is warm during the day and cool at night. Generally speaking, the temperature during the daytime is around 25-30 degrees Celsius (77-85 degrees Fahrenheit), while the temperature during the nighttime is around 15-20°C (59-68°F).

The weather conditions in northern Xinjiang are somewhat complicated. Most areas, such as Urumqi and Ili, are relatively warm, with an average temperature 2-3°C (2-5°F) lower than that of southern Xinjiang. It is only slightly cold in the early morning and evening at the beginning of the month. Areas with higher latitudes, like Altay, have temperature of around 20-25°C (68-77°F) during the day and around 15°C (59°F) at night, but fortunately, there are hardly any very cold moments. Turpan and Hami experience high temperatures of around 35-40°C (95-104°F) this month, and even at night, the temperature can reach around 20-25°C (68-77°F).

Hot Turpan in May

 The precipitation in May in Xinjiang is generally not high, but there are significant regional differences. In most areas of northern Xinjiang, such as Ili and Altay, there are occasional showers, though they are usually small. And the rain in mountainous areas is a little more frequent, which makes the air fresh and the grasslands greener. In southern Xinjiang, such as Kashgar and Hotan, as well as parts of places in northern Xinjiang, like Turpan, rainfall is rare and almost negligible. 

This means that on one hand, you can enjoy sunny weather most of the time, but on the other hand, you should note that the climate can be very dry.
 May is a relatively active period of winds in Xinjiang. In southern Xinjiang, which experiences less rain, winds sometimes carry sand and dust, forming dusty weather. Its most direct impacts are poor air quality and visibility, which greatly influence your travel experience. 
 In May, Xinjiang enjoys an average daylight duration of approximately 14 to 15 hours. The sun rises before 07:00 and sets around 22:00, allowing for a leisurely trip. However, it’s worth noting that you may need to adjust your daily schedule, because Xinjiang is located in the UTC+6 time zone, but adopts UTC+8 time. For instance, having lunch between 13:00 and 15:00 and dinner between 19:00 and 21:00 might be more suitable.

Southern Xinjiang enjoys approximately 8-9 hours of sunshine per day on average, while northern Xinjiang, with less dusty weather, typically receives around 10 hours. This results in intense ultraviolet radiation.