If you’re traveling to Dunhuang for the first time, 2-3 days will be enough to cover the most iconic attractions and experience the local desert culture. This Dunhuang travel guide covers itineraries, attractions, transportation, accommodation, and other practical tips to help you plan your Dunhuang trip.
Dunhuang is an important city along the ancient Silk Road. It is best known for the thousand-year-old murals of Mogao Caves and the desert scenery of Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake. You can visit the grottoes in the day, see the sunset in the desert, and have unique cultural experiences like mural painting and watching Dunhuang-themed shows.
With 3-4 days, you can extend your trip to western Dunhuang and visit places like Yumen Pass, Han Dynasty Great Wall, and Yardang. If you’d like to visit other parts of the Hexi Corridor like Jiayuguan or Zhangye, you will need at least 5-7 days.
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- Dunhuang Attractions & Best Things to Do
- How Many Days Do You Need in Dunhuang?
- Classic Dunhuang Itineraries: 2-3 Days
- Best Time to Visit Dunhuang
- Dunhuang Transportation: How to Get to Dunhuang by Flight or Train
- Where to Stay in Dunhuang & What to Eat
- Mogao Caves Tickets & Reservation
- What to Pack for the Desert & Dunhuang
- Dunhuang Itinerary with Nearby Destinations – Longer China Tours with Dunhuang
Dunhuang Attractions & Best Things to Do
For your first time in Dunhuang, prioritize your visit to Mogao Caves and Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake. Add a day trip to western Dunhuang or other cultural experiences depending on how much time you have.
Mogao Caves
Mogao Caves is known for Buddhist murals, colored sculptures, and cave art. It is an essential stop to learn about Dunhuang culture and the history of the Silk Road.
A Mogao Caves visit is more than just seeing the murals on site. Depending on your itinerary for the day, you can also learn about the history and artistic background of the caves through digital exhibitions before seeing the murals in person.
The number of visitors permitted for entry is limited each day, so it’s highly recommended to make a reservation in advance during peak travel seasons. Photography is usually prohibited inside the caves. Please follow the rules on site to help preserve the artworks and artifacts.
Mural Painting & Handicraft Experience
If you are really intrigued after your visit to Mogao Caves, you can reserve half a day for a Dunhuang art cultural experience.
For example, you can experience mural painting with mineral paint to recreate the murals inside the caves. Or you could make your own Dunhuang ceramics. Learn about the coloring of the murals, brushwork, and the traditional crafts involved in the process from your instructor. Making your own piece of Dunhuang artwork will be a lot more meaningful than simply purchasing a souvenir.
These cultural experiences are perfect for travelers interested in art and traditional culture, as well as families with kids. If you’d like to arrange for one, you can contact our travel consultant for more details.
Mingsha Mountain (Echoing Sand Dunes) and Crescent Lake
Mingsha Mountain (Echoing Sand Dunes) and Crescent Lake is one of Dunhuang’s most iconic desert landscapes. Here you can go camel riding, sand sliding, hiking over sand dunes, and watch the sunset over the desert.
Camel riding is a special and fun thing to do in Dunhuang. Slowly ride along the sand dunes to see the vast desert unfolding before you. It’s reminiscent of the caravans that once crossed the desert along the ancient Silk Road.
If you have enough time in your itinerary, you can stay till the evening. For a unique experience, consider stargazing or camping in the desert, but make sure you check the weather conditions and book your campsite in advance.
Watch an Evening Dunhuang Show
If you’d like to learn more about Dunhuang culture, you can watch a themed show in the evening.
Encore Dunhuang is an immersive performance set in the historical background of the Silk Road. It’ll take you back in time and show a vivid picture of life and culture in Dunhuang back then.
If you can only choose one Dunhuang-themed show, Encore Dunhuang, with its immersive staging, is recommended for history lovers. If you enjoy music, dance, and other forms of Dunhuang art, you can choose Ancient Sound of Dunhuang.
Yumen Pass, Han Dynasty Great Wall, & Yardang
Yumen Pass and Han Dynasty Great Wall are located in western Dunhuang. They are closely associated with the city’s history on the ancient Silk Road and the Han Dynasty border.
If you go further into the Gobi, you will discover the unique Yardang landform. The landscapes here — desert, Gobi, and Yardang — are completely different from those at Mogao Caves and Mingsha Mountain.
If you are interested in history, photography, or the desert landscape, you can reserve a day for western Dunhuang.
Less Crowded Grottoes: Yulin Caves & Western Thousand Buddha Caves
If you really enjoyed your visit to Mogao Caves and would like to see more grottoes or Buddhist art, you can consider adding Yulin Caves and Western Thousand Buddha Caves to your itinerary.
Compared to Mogao Caves, Yulin Caves is quieter, allowing you to see the murals and sculptures in more detail at your own pace. Its grotto art from the Western Xia Dynasty is particularly impressive.
The Western Thousand Buddha Caves is not large in scale. In fact, it’s hidden in the cliff sides along the bank of the Dang River. Its location within the Gobi cliffs makes it a very different experience from Mogao Caves.
If you only have 2-3 days on your first Dunhuang tour, Mogao Caves is definitely the most recommended. With 3-4 days or more, and if you are particularly interested in grotto art, you can consider visiting Yulin Caves or Western Thousand Buddha Caves.
Learn more about Dunhuang attractions: Top 8 Dunhuang Landmarks
How Many Days Do You Need in Dunhuang?
How many days you will need for your Dunhuang trip mainly depends on what attractions you wish to see and whether you will extend your tour to other parts of the Hexi Corridor.
Itinerary length |
Recommended plans |
Best for |
2 days |
Mogao Caves, Mingsha Mountain (Echoing Sand Dunes) and Crescent Lake |
visiting Dunhuang for the first time, travelers with limited time |
3-4 days |
iconic attractions & western Dunhuang |
in-depth Dunhuang trip |
5-7 days |
Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, Zhangye |
Hexi Corridor journey |
7-12 days |
Xi’an, Hexi Corridor, Dunhuang |
Silk Road tour |
For your first Dunhuang trip, 2-3 days is enough to see the iconic attractions. And if you want to see Yumen Pass, the Han Dynasty Great Wall, and Yardang, you will need an extra day.
Classic Dunhuang Itineraries: 2-3 Days
2-Day Dunhuang Itinerary
Day 1: Mogao Caves – Dunhuang Museum – Shazhou Market
Plan your itinerary for the day based on your reservation time for Mogao Caves. If you have enough time after your visit, you can head to Dunhuang Museum to learn about the history of the city and the ancient Silk Road. In the evening, you can explore Shazhou Market.
Day 2: free city exploration – Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake – desert sunset
Take the morning slow and explore the city at your own pace. In the afternoon, head to Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake. You can go on a camel ride, hike over the sand dunes, and enjoy the mesmerizing desert sunset.
In the evening, you can choose to watch a Dunhuang themed show like Encore Dunhuang or Ancient Sound of Dunhuang.
Experience the Silk Road oasis of Dunhuang with camel rides across golden dunes, the serene Crescent Spring, and UNESCO-listed Mogao Grottoes.
3-Day Dunhuang Itinerary
Day 1: Dunhuang arrival – Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake – desert sunset
Check into your hotel after your arrival. Avoid the hottest hours of the day and head to Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake in the afternoon or around dusk. You can go on a camel ride or take a leisurely hike to wait for the sunset.
Day 2: Mogao Caves – Dunhuang Museum – mural painting experience
In the morning, visit Mogao Caves. Go to Dunhuang Museum in the afternoon. If you’re interested in Dunhuang arts, you can arrange for a unique cultural experience like mural painting or traditional handicrafts workshop. Engage in the artistic process and take your travel experience a step further.
In the evening, you can explore Shazhou Market or watch a Dunhuang themed show.
Day 3: Yumen Pass – Han Dynasty Great Wall – Yardang
Plan a full day for exploring western Dunhuang. The attractions are relatively far from each other, and it will mostly be Gobi and desert scenery on the way. We suggest that you arrange your transportation in advance and reserve enough travel time.
Camp overnight in the vast Dunhuang desert, witness stunning sunrises over sand dunes, explore Mogao Caves' Buddhist art, and enjoy camel riding at Mingsha Mountain.
Best Time to Visit Dunhuang
Best time to visit Dunhuang: April to May, September to October
Spring and autumn have the best weather conditions for touring Mogao Caves, sightseeing in the desert, and seeing the sunset.
April to May: Warming Up, Fewer Tourists
You can visit Mogao Caves in the day and head to Mingsha Mountain around dusk. Dunhuang may get windy in the spring with occasional dust storms.
June to August: Late Sunsets, Visit the Desert Around Dusk
The sunlight is strong, and the temperature is high in the day during the summer, so it’s not recommended to be outdoors in the desert around noon. You can visit Mogao Caves in the day and go to Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake around dusk. Go on a camel ride, hike over the sand dunes, and wait for the sunset.
September to October: one of the best Dunhuang travel seasons
The weather is usually clear with pleasant daytime temperatures, perfect for visiting Mogao Caves, Mingsha Mountain, and Yardang. However, there will be a big temperature difference between night and day, so it’ll be helpful to bring a jacket.
November to March: Fewer Tourists, Cold Weather
Dunhuang is a lot quieter in the winter, but the desert area can be pretty cold in the morning and evening. If you don’t mind the cold and wish to avoid the tourist crowds, you might want to consider visiting in the winter.
In short, April to May and September to October are usually the best time for your first trip to Dunhuang. Just be prepared for occasional wind or dust storms in April. You can also visit during the summer holiday, but it is recommended that you visit the desert later in the day.
Dunhuang Transportation: How to Get to Dunhuang by Flight or Train
Dunhuang is located in western Gansu Province. You can get there by plane or train.
If you are traveling to Dunhuang from cities that are relatively far away, like Beijing, Shanghai, or Xi’an, or if you have limited travel time, taking a flight is usually the most efficient way. Dunhuang Mogao International Airport is close to the city center, so it’ll be easy for you to get to the hotel after you arrive.
If you are taking a train to Dunhuang, make sure you double check your arrival station, whether it is Dunhuang Railway Station or Liuyuan Railway Station. Dunhuang Railway Station is closer to the city center. If you are arriving at Liuyuan Station, make sure you reserve extra travel time to get to the city.
Travel to Dunhuang as Part of Your China Tour
If you are planning on traveling across Gansu, you can go westward along the Hexi Corridor:
Lanzhou – Zhangye – Jiayuguan – Dunhuang
For a first China trip, you can plan your itinerary like this:
Beijing – Xi’an – Dunhuang – Shanghai
If you’re not sure about how to get between different cities, China Xian Tour can help you arrange transportation during your visit.
Read more about how to get from Xi’an to Dunhuang
Where to Stay in Dunhuang & What to Eat
Where to Stay in Dunhuang
For your first time in Dunhuang, we recommend staying in the city center or near Shazhou Market. You will have a lot of options in terms of accommodation and restaurants. The area is convenient for dining, shopping, and getting around between different attractions.
If you’d like a quieter environment or to be closer to the desert, you can also consider staying near Mingsha Mountain. You’ll be close to the sand dunes. It’s a great option for visitors hoping to see the desert sunset and night views.
In short, the city center is the most convenient for a first Dunhuang trip. Stay near Mingsha Mountain to be closer to the desert.
What to Eat in Dunhuang
Dunhuang food is typical of northwestern Chinese cuisine. Wheat-based foods, beef, and lamb are very common. Dishes tend to be flavorful and pretty hearty.
You can try all kinds of local snacks, dried fruit, and beverages at Shazhou Market. If you’re not used to the flavors of beef or lamb, you’ll be able to find other options that are milder in flavors in the city, like noodles or vegetables.
Mogao Caves Tickets & Reservation
You can be pretty flexible with most attractions in Dunhuang, but it’s highly suggested that you book your Mogao Caves tickets in advance. To help preserve the artworks, the number of visitors allowed in the caves each day is limited. Making reservations ahead is particularly important during peak travel seasons or Chinese public holidays.
For international travelers, reservation usually requires your passport information, so make sure you bring your original passport with you on the day of your visit. It’s best to confirm the date and time of your visit to Mogao Caves before planning for other activities of the day.
If you’re not familiar with the reservation process in China, China Xian Tour can help you with your Mogao Caves booking as well as adjusting your other itinerary plans.
What to Pack for the Desert & Dunhuang
Dunhuang weather is dry with strong sunlight. When you visit Mingsha Mountain, Yumen Pass, or Yardang, We suggest bringing sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and lip balm.
Wear comfortable shoes and trousers at Mingsha Mountain. If you encounter strong wind or dust storms, hold on to your phone or camera, and make sure the sand doesn’t damage your electronics.
The temperature difference can be big between night and day in Dunhuang, especially in the summer, so you should bring a light jacket with you. If you’re camping in the desert or going out at night, make sure to stay warm.
Dunhuang Itinerary with Nearby Destinations – Longer China Tours with Dunhuang
Dunhuang is a great destination to visit along with Xi’an, Qinghai, Gansu, or Xinjiang. Depending on your travel time, there are a number of different combinations.
5 Days: Xi’an & Dunhuang
With a limited amount of time, you can choose to visit Xi’an and Dunhuang.
Visit the Terracotta Warriors Museum and ancient City Wall in Xi’an, then travel to Dunhuang to see Mogao Caves and Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake. This is a good option for visitors who are short on time and are looking to experience the traditional Chinese culture of an ancient capital city and the Silk Road.
Combine Xian's Terracotta Army, ancient city wall, and Muslim Quarter with Dunhuang's Mogao Grottoes, Crescent Spring, and Shazhou Night Market.
8 Days: Qinghai, Gansu, Dunhuang
You can also start your trip from Xining, travel through Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, Zhangye, and Jiayuguan to reach Dunhuang.
During the journey, you will see plateau lakes, Danxia, the Great Wall, Gobi, and the desert. It’s a perfect trip for visitors exploring northwestern China for the first time.
Trace the ancient Silk Road on this 8-day group tour through Qinghai and Gansu, featuring Chaka Salt Lake, Rainbow Mountains, and the Mogao Grottoes of Dunhuang.
12 Days: Xi’an, Gansu, Dunhuang, Xinjiang
If you have plenty of time in your schedule, you can consider a more complete Silk Road tour like this:
Xi’an – Lanzhou – Zhangye – Jiayuguan – Dunhuang – Turpan – Urumqi
Begin your journey in the ancient capital of Xi’an and travel westward all the way to Xinjiang. You will experience grottoes, Danxia, the Great Wall, Gobi, the desert, and different aspects of the Silk Road culture.
Travel the full Silk Road from Xian to Urumqi over 12 days, visiting Terracotta Warriors, Rainbow Mountains, Mogao Caves, and Turpan's desert oases along the Hexi Corridor.
If you are planning on visiting Dunhuang as part of a China trip, you may find some inspiration from our China Private Tours. China Xian Tour can help you customize a trip to destinations like Dunhuang, Xi’an, Hexi Corridor, and Xinjiang based on your travel time, interests, and flight.
