Spring and autumn are the best seasons for Zhongwei. April and May bring warming temperatures and the desert flowering plants come briefly to life on the stabilised dune margins around Shapotou. September and October are golden and clear, with comfortable daytime temperatures and cold nights. The light at these times is excellent for photography.
Summer — June through August — is hot (often above 35°C at midday) and Shapotou becomes extremely crowded with domestic tourists, particularly during July, August, and the National Day week in early October. If you must come in summer, arrive at Shapotou before 8am.
Winter is cold, with temperatures dropping well below freezing at night, but the desert is empty and the light is clear. The Gaomiao Temple and the city itself are fine year-round; Shapotou in winter is a different experience from the summer resort — quieter, wilder, and surprisingly beautiful in clear morning light.