Abstract:Optimizing the usage of energy for rural dwellings is an important method to enhance their ecology and comfort. Take Dunhuang rural dwellings as the object, to study the design strategies for adapting the climate and making the full use of natural resources. Climate Consultant was used to analyze the climate of Dunhuang for the whole year, then the passive design strategies from the software are combined to extract the space characteristics of the rural dwellings. The study shows Dunhuang dwellings should consider the influences for the drought, the cold in winter and the heat in summer. The strategies to adapt the environment of the dwellings are organized, and the use of lighting and heating together with preservation and dissipation of heat are optimized as two contradictions, provide a reference for the construction of the northern rural dwellings adapting to the local climate.