Location: Dunhuang
Top Things to do in Dunhuang
- 1. Mogao Caves
- 2. Mingsha Shan (Echo Sand Mountain) Park, Dunhuang, China
- 3. Crescent Moon Pool
- 4. Yadan National Geological Park
- 5. Dunhuang Grotto Art Protection,Examination and Exhibition Center
- 6. Yumen Pass
- 7. Dunhuang Museum
- 8. DunHuang MoGaoKu YiShuGuan
- 9. Yangguan Historic Sites
- 10. Shazhou Nightly Market
10 Things to Do in Dunhuang That You Shouldn't Miss
Dunhuang ( listen (help·info)) is a county-level city in northwestern Gansu Province, Western China. The 2000 Chinese census reported a population of 187,578 in this city. Dunhuang was a major stop on the ancient Silk Road and is best known for the nearby Mogao Caves. It has also been known at times as Shazhou and, in Uyghur, Dukhan.
Restaurants in Dunhuang
1. Mogao Caves
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 687 reviews
Located in the Gobi desert, the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas feature beautiful wall fresco paintings and more than 3,000 sculptures dating from the forth to the fourteenth century.
Reviewed By Robert C - Redlands, California
An amazing spot that must be visited when anywhere near Dunhuang. You only visit a few of the many caves. Each is unique and provide eye-popping rock painting, sculptures and insights into Buddhism. There is also a great museum nearby.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 332 reviews
Reviewed By Robert C - Redlands, California
One of the highlights of our 3 1/2 week Silk Road trip. I've ridden one-hump dromedary camels several times, but this was my first experience riding a two-hump Bactrian camel. The Bactrian is a better experience (the "U" between the humps is a natural seat - unlike the top of the parabola shaped dromedary hump). There were hundreds of people riding the camels, but that was part of the fun of the experience, just the sheer number of camels. It felt like we were part of a large caravan. The huge sand dunes were very impressive. I highly recommend this activity.
3. Crescent Moon Pool
Overall Ratings
4 based on 316 reviews
Reviewed By soh_kien_peng - Singapore, Singapore
What prompted me to fly from Singapore to the North West of China to visit this Gobi Desert in Gansu province is the curiosity to see for myself the physical beauty of a desert.
I took the long way overland traveling by train from Xian to Lanzhou and then to Dunhuang. The journey back from Dunhuang to Xian is a 24-hr train ride and I tortured myself by selecting the hard seat on board the train to gain the experience of train travel in this part of China. The train fare costs me RMB 206 for a single trip back from Dunhuang to Xian.
This attraction `Crescent Moon Pool' is an oasis within the Echoing Sand Mountain (Mingsha Shan). The oasis is not a big area but it blends and contrasts sharply and beautifully with the vastness of the sand dunes.
It was an unique experience and an eye opening for me to physically touch and feel the Gobi Desert and the accompanying oasis. The oasis is like an island in the vast ocean of water. You feel her beauty in the stark contrast of the sand dune hinterland when it suddenly appears in the horizon.
The oasis is situated about 100 meters from the main gate. There are photography vantage points mark by the attraction management and one of this best viewing points is about 20 meters from the oasis so that you see the oasis not isolated and alone but with the background setting of the sand dunes.
I walked around the Crescent Moon Pool, viewed the reflection of the sand dunes and the temple pavilion in the pool. It was a beautiful scenery. I spent almost 3 hours strolling around the pool and ventured into the temple ground to see the actual setting of the temple. It is a pity that the camel rides do not cover this route near the pool otherwise the scenery would be more spectacular.
I like the few old trees of hundred years that grew by the side of the pool. They probably had seen the ancient Silk Road travelers plying their way to the West during the Han and Tang Dynasties. These trees are marvelous and awesome in the autumn setting anchoring themselves in the smoothness of the sand dunes.
This attraction surpassed many of the magnificent attractions I had visited. I just could not describe the lovely unique feeling and moments I enjoyed in this peaceful, aesthetic and serene environment strolling around the pool appreciating her beauty while the wind soothingly caressed my face and hair.
I am proud that in this lifetime I was brave enough to travel solo from Singapore all the way to Dunhuang to appreciate this spectacular scenic attraction.
As I slowly climbed up the dunes to the top and when the panoramic view of the captivating oasis revealed herself in the vastness of this Gobi Desert, I shouted deep in my heart the words of the Roman ruler, Julius Caesar: I came I saw and I conquer.
4. Yadan National Geological Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 151 reviews
Reviewed By iamface - hong kong
although it was remote place but still worth to take time for visit. the landscape was quite special & beautiful. so impressive feeling. the tour bus organization also good that has enough time for visit & take picture by safety arrangement. believe would be more beautiful during sunrise or sunset time. must visit place IMO
5. Dunhuang Grotto Art Protection,Examination and Exhibition Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By merc8989 - kuala lumpur
This has to be the star of the silk road journey. We travelled as a group of 14 and we agreed that this was the highlight of the journey.
Unbelievable sights, the many caves, the thousands of paintings, the discovery, the restoration, the preservation, the giant buddhas, the rich history of the travellers and many more.
This has to be one of the Wonders of the World. We had an English speaking local guide and she was really knowledgeable of the history and provided valuable insights of the many stories depicted by the paintings.
We managed to cover only 9 caves out of the hundreds available.
It is good to note that all caves are being protected with locks, cctv, glass panels and security guards.
We were there during off peak season with smaller crowds. Were told that peak seasons are overcrowded and groups have to wait for hours.
We hope this place continue to be well preserved for the future
A must see.
6. Yumen Pass
Overall Ratings
4 based on 89 reviews
Reviewed By iamface - hong kong
that was famous & important place in ancient but remain not so much currently. not much place to visit and not so good for the wooden stair/stage bulit up at the front side. it has a bit annoying while picture moment. anway, it looked like a piece of cake
7. Dunhuang Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 65 reviews
Reviewed By nvlinks - Las Vegas
After visiting the Singing Sand Mountain stop by to see the Museum. Has a number of nice art exhibits that put the history of Dunhuang together. Some originals, but many duplicates of statues and the murals in the Mogao Caves. Good to see prior to visiting the caves. Highly recommend.
8. Dunhuang MoGaoKu YiShuGuan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By NanGeDoElTo - Dunhuang, China
We visited Mogao Caves, Crescent Lake, Yadan National Park and Yumen Pass with Richard, a local guide: Dunhuang[email protected]
Richard also organised a camel ride, dessert camping and a BBQ in the dessert. Fantastic!
Richard is very hospitable, knowledgeable, flexible and patient. He is a great story teller and proud of the local culture and heritage. We travelled with 3 children of 9, 12 and 16 years old.
9. Yangguan Historic Sites
Overall Ratings
4 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By ariellek_bj - Beijing, China
What you see today as Yangguan Pass -- a 70km drive southwest of Dunhuang -- is actually the ruins of a beacon tower indicating the possible location of the original gate nearby. The original Yangguan was first built in 150BC and has not been preserved through the century. No one knows where is the exact location of the real Yangguan Pass. Therefore, what you're paying RMB 50 admission ticket to see is just the sandy beacon tower at the top of the hill -- everything else is basically newly built in modern times.
It takes a lot of imagination to understand the former splendor and poetic meaning of this place. In the Han dynasty through to Tang dynasty, this is one of the two gates where traders, Buddhist pilgrims and other travelers have to go through in order to leave China and head towards India or the Middle East. In Tang dynasty, the Buddhist monk Xuanzhuang, popularized in the novel "Journey to the West" (aka The Monkey King), returned from India via the Yangguan Gate carrying important Buddhist texts and translations.
I'm told that on the south of the hilltop, the locals call this the "antique beach" because over the years, many pottery, jewelry, coins from ancient times, as well as the remnants of houses etc. were found in this area. In reality, I didn't see anything but barren land on the southern slopes of the hill.
Today, what you find is a very basic museum describing the Han dynasty (when Yangguan was first built) -- people's lives, what weapons the military used for defence, what the farms looked like, etc. All very basic things you can see in major Chinese museums, if you have visited Beijing's museums you can absolutely skip this part.
If you're visiting in the summer and if you have children with you, there are war games here you might like to take advantage of. But I visited during low season, when everything was practically closed down, so I am not sure of the prices.
If you pay RMB 20 to take an electric vehicle up the hill and back (essential for visiting during the summer), then you are provided with a tour guide for free. However, if you choose to walk up the hill yourself, the tour guide will not walk up with you.
Since I was visiting in mid-February when it was still -5 degrees C during the day, the site had no other tourists and everything looked deserted. I was told the scenery is great during the summer. Perhaps when you visit, you'll see what I missed!
10. Shazhou Nightly Market
Overall Ratings
4 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By bean802 - Suzhou, China
Crowded, loud, bustling, fast paced - just as a night market should be. Great souvenir and knick knacks shopping, definitely bargain; start low too (take 50-70% off the price to start and go up from there if you're a foreigner). Wonderful place to grab a bite, a beer, and people watch! Don't miss it!
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