Dunhua is situated amongst the
Changbai Mountains, its administrative area spanning 42°42′−44°30′ N latitude and 127°28′−129°13′ E longitude, reaching a maximal north–south extent of and east–west width of . Its total area of makes it, by area, the largest county-level city of the province. Dunhua has a four-season,
monsoon-influenced,
humid continental climate (
Köppen Dwb), with long, very cold winters, and short, but warm, humid summers. Spring and autumn constitute very short transitions with some, but usually not heavy, rainfall. The monthly 24-hour average temperature ranges from in January to in July, while the annual mean is and a total precipitation of , more than 60% of which falls from June through August.
Liuding Mountain is located 5 km south of Dunhua. The mountain is one of the
AAAAA Tourist Attractions of China, and contains tombs from the
Balhae kingdom, a large monastery and a statue of the
Buddha. ==Administrative divisions==