Dunhuang Travel Guide
Dunhuang is located at the western end of the Hexi Corridor in northwestern Gansu, and was a vital stronghold on the ancient Silk Road. It brings together the marks of exchange between Eastern and Western civilizations: the Mogao Caves preserve Buddhist art spanning more than a thousand years, Yumen Pass and Yangguan Pass witnessed the merchants and camel bells that came and went, while Mingsha Mountain, Crescent Lake and the Yardang landforms display the fantastical beauty of the desert and gobi.
Dunhuang is an excellent window for inbound travelers to understand the Silk Road. It suits culture lovers exploring caves and ruins, as well as nature and photography enthusiasts experiencing the sea of sand and the starry sky.
Must-Visit Attractions
Mogao Caves — a World Cultural Heritage site with hundreds of surviving caves, whose murals and painted sculptures span more than a thousand years, the "heart and soul" of Dunhuang; Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake — a thousand-year-old clear spring shaped like a crescent moon and embraced by sand dunes, where you can ride camels, sandboard and watch the sunset; Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark — a "City of Ghosts" shaped by wind erosion, especially spectacular at sunrise and sunset; Yulin Caves — another treasure trove of cave art beyond the Mogao Caves, with exquisite murals; Yumen Pass — the ruins of a Han Great Wall pass, with the vast desolation of "the spring wind does not cross Yumen Pass"; Yangguan Pass — an important pass on the southern route of the Silk Road; Dunhuang Museum — a gathering of Silk Road artifacts and the starting point for understanding local history.
Specialty Food
Donkey meat with yellow noodles, hand-grabbed mutton, mutton hezhi, mutton vermicelli soup, niangpi, apricot juice, as well as local fruits such as Li Guang apricots, Mingshan jujubes and grapes; the Shazhou Night Market in the evening is a great place to taste food and pick out specialties.
Best Time to Travel
From May to October the climate is relatively mild and suitable for sightseeing; July and August are peak season and rather hot, so pay attention to sun protection and hydration; in winter there are fewer tourists and lower prices, but it is cold and dry and some facilities are reduced.
Transportation Guide
Dunhuang Airport and Dunhuang Station connect to major cities, and you can arrive by plane or high-speed train; within the city and between scenic areas, most people travel by chartered car, tourist shuttle or self-driving. The attractions on the eastern and western routes are fairly far apart, so it is recommended to set aside a full day.
Suggested Itineraries
Classic two-day tour: on the first day visit the Mogao Caves and return to the city in the afternoon; on the second day visit Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake, and in the evening stroll through the Shazhou Night Market. A three-day tour can add the eastern route of Yulin Caves and Suoyang City, and the western route of Yumen Pass, Yangguan Pass and Yardang. A four-day tour can also include an in-depth guided explanation of the Mogao Caves and the Yardang sunset.
Travel Tips
The Mogao Caves operate on a reservation system with visitor limits, so be sure to book in advance and follow the rules such as the prohibition on photography inside the caves; the desert has a large temperature difference between day and night and strong ultraviolet rays, so bring sun protection and a jacket; take precautions during dusty weather.
Off-the-Beaten-Path Experiences
Learn about mural conservation and the story of the "Library Cave" at the exhibition center of the Dunhuang Academy; join a mural copying or clay painting handicraft experience; camp and stargaze at a desert camp in Mingsha Mountain and feel the gobi night sky; visit caves in the gobi during the off-season and enjoy a quiet pilgrimage.
One-Day Trips Around Dunhuang
Yardang National Geopark — fantastical wind-eroded landforms; Yumen Pass + Yangguan Pass — ancient Silk Road passes; Yulin Caves + Suoyang City — cave art and ancient city ruins; Guazhou — gobi and historical relics; Dunhuang Ancient City and White Horse Pagoda — an up-close feel for Silk Road culture.
