Mogao Grottoes

'The Journey to the Mogao Caves: A Soul-Stirring Passage Through Time' Stepping onto the journey towards the Mogao Caves, my heart was filled with anticipation and reverence. When I finally stood on this ancient and sacred land, an indescribable sense of awe overwhelmed me. Entering the caves felt like stepping into a tunnel through time. The mottled stone walls bore exquisite murals that came to life, narrating stories of a thousand years. The compassionate faces of Bodhisattvas and the dynamic figures of flying apsaras appeared faintly in the dim light, exuding a mysterious and enchanting aura. Every line, every shade of color, was the crystallization of ancient artists' wisdom and painstaking effort, making me marvel at the greatness of human artistic creativity. Moving along the narrow passageways, one cave after another unfolded before my eyes. Each cave had its unique style and theme, some solemn and dignified, others vibrant and colorful. Standing before these colossal Buddha statues, I felt my own insignificance, yet I was also touched by the endless solemnity and tranquility. Immersed in such an atmosphere, my heart gradually became calm and peaceful. Inside the caves, the profound sense of history was ever-present. Those artistic treasures that have survived the ravages of time deepened my understanding and appreciation of ancient civilizations. They are not just artworks; they are vital testimonies to the legacy of human culture. Stepping out of the caves, the sunlight fell upon me, yet my thoughts remained immersed in that magical world of art. The visit to the Mogao Caves was a feast for both the eyes and the soul. It gave me a new insight into history and art and instilled in me a greater appreciation and reverence for our cultural heritage. It was an unforgettable experience that will forever be etched in my memory.

2021 Latest Recommended Route Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, Water Yadan, Dongtai Jinel Lake, Dunhuang, Zhangye Seven-Day Loop Tour day1️⃣ Xining—Qinghai Lake—Chaka Town Accommodation day2️⃣ Chaka Salt Lake—Qaidam Basin—Emerald Lake—Dachaidan Accommodation day3️⃣ Dachaidan—National Highway 315 (Most Beautiful Road)—Water Yadan—Dongtai Jinel Lake—Dachaidan Accommodation day4️⃣ Dachaidan—Qinghai Yadan Devil City—Dangjin Mountain Most Beautiful Road—Aksay—Yangguan—Dunhuang Accommodation day5️⃣ Mogao Caves—Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring—Dunhuang Accommodation day6️⃣ Dunhuang—Guazhou—Jiayuguan Pass (The First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven)—Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park—Zhangye Danxia Accommodation day7️⃣ Zhangye—Biandukou—Qilian Grassland—Ebo Silk Road—Gangshika Snow Peak (Distant View)—Menyuan—Xining (End)

The Mogao Caves of Dunhuang, where a single glance spans a thousand years. Tickets are extremely scarce during the peak season, so be sure to book in advance. Guides are assigned randomly, and listening to their explanations is very exciting, especially the Buddha statue in Cave 259 that has smiled for 1600 years. In the future, you can visit the Mogao Caves in winter when there are fewer people. You can see more caves, and unlike spring, there is not as much wind and sand.

Shanghai-Jiayuguan-Guazhou-Dunhuang-Lenghu Town-Chaidan Town-Dunhuang-Jiayuguan-Shanghai Day1 Shanghai to Jiayuguan, stay in Jiayuguan Arrived in Jiayuguan at night, had dinner and went to sleep, the barbecue in the great Northwest is awesome! Day2 Jiayuguan-Guazhou-Dunhuang, stay in Dunhuang The second day after brunch, we headed to Dunhuang, passing through Guazhou, where there is the stunning Son of the Earth! It's that huge baby statue, with some other sculptures nearby, worth a look on the way In the afternoon, we went to the Mingsha Mountain, where you can ride camels. And I was so excited to see the desert for the 1st time, took hundreds of photos! In the evening, we arranged for desert camping, the camp staff drove us into the depths of the desert in an off-road vehicle, there were no people in this desert, less than ten people at the camp that day, the whole desert felt like it belonged to me, sitting on the desert watching the sunset was really romantic, I personally like it here more than Mingsha Mountain At night, we had barbecue in the desert, watched the stars, and had a bonfire party. It was a night worth reminiscing over and over again🎑 🤍Day3 Dunhuang-Heidushan, stay in Lenghu Town In the morning, we went to the Mogao Caves, a glimpse of a thousand years❗️ A treasure of stone carving and mural art‼️ Really shocking! It made me want to cry, no amount of documentaries can compare to the feeling of being there It's really worth it‼️ Unfortunately, all the murals are not allowed to be photographed, so the beauty remains only in memory. After visiting the Mogao Caves, we set off for Heidushan. Heidushan has that otherworldly beauty, standing on the black sand and stone ground, looking at the black scenery, it feels like being on another planet. The wind is very strong there, so dress warmly. It is recommended to drive a four-wheel drive, otherwise, it's easy to get stuck. 🤍Day4 Heidushan-Bicolor Lake-Water Yadan-Dongtaijiner Lake, stay in Chaidan Town Bicolor Lake was just a casual stop along the way, the actual color difference is not as obvious as online, no need to go out of the way to see it. Water Yadan is beautiful, with unique landforms, and the scenic area is large, you can find areas with fewer people to take photos. Very photogenic Dongtaijiner Lake💦, is a bit like Chaka Salt Lake, you can choose to visit just one of them. 🤍Day5 Dachaidan Emerald Lake-Aseke Oil Town-Dunhuang, stay in Dunhuang Dachaidan is super beautiful, can't help but marvel at the magic of nature, suitable for aerial photography. It's also particularly cold and windy, I wore a down jacket and still felt cold Aseke Oil Town was also on the way, it has a bit of an American West feel, quite photogenic. 🤍Day6 Dunhuang-Jiayuguan✈️Shanghai 【Northwest Travel Tips】 ➡️The temperature changes greatly, bring both light and heavy clothes, it's 30 degrees in Dunhuang, but it's cold even with a down jacket in Qinghai. ➡️Rent a drone‼️Many of the landscapes in the Northwest can't show their beauty without a drone‼️ Wish everyone a happy journey😀

When the Hexi Corridor of a thousand years ago collides with contemporary science and technology🚀, what kind of sparks🔥 will it produce from Lanzhou to Zhangye, to Jiuquan, to Jiayuguan, and then to Dunhuang This time, it will be a journey across a thousand years to marvel at the development of technology and taste deep humanities~ 💕Space is the most romantic existence, but most people have not come into contact with real space objects, they all know a little bit from various online reports This time, we can walk the Hexi Corridor of a thousand years together, explore the 🌌 space dream and have your unique Hexi Corridor and space memories, and find your stars and sea✨ . 👣Quick look at the itinerary Lanzhou gathering—Lanzhou free travel Lanzhou—Colorful Danxia—Zhangye Zhangye—Jiayuguan—Overhanging Great Wall—Jiuquan Jiuquan—Space Launch Center—Jiayuguan Jiayuguan—Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring—Shazhou Night Market—Dunhuang Dunhuang—Mogao Caves—Dunhuang Bookstore—Dismiss —— 💖Highlights of the itinerary ✅Exclusive arrangement for Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center 1 day 🔅Explore China's only manned space launch site 🔅Manned space launch tower (manned space starts here) 🔅Wentian Pavilion (the place where astronauts live and train) 🔅Exhibition hall (feel the spirit of two bombs and one star, manned space and Dongfeng) 🔅Feitian Park (feel the storm rocket, spaceship escape tower and other real objects) ✅Dunhuang Mogao Caves 12 caves + 1 special cave (156 special caves) In the off-season, in addition to being able to see 4 more caves than forgetting, we have also specially arranged a special cave to check in the upcoming "Dunhuang Hero" and the legendary story of the returning army👍 ✅Jiayuguan is arranged for separate manual explanation, no longer a cursory view, understand the story of every brick and tile of Jiayuguan and the repairs of the past dynasties ✅Overhanging Great Wall, the Overhanging Great Wall is a long distance from Jiayuguan, and it is rarely visited in the past itinerary, so it is specially arranged to deeply feel the history and culture ✅Dunhuang Bookstore afternoon tea🍵In the Dunhuang Bookstore with Dunhuang's unique elements and a strong bookish atmosphere, have a cup of special 1900 coffee and immerse yourself in the charm of Dunhuang culture and art —— 📜Classic humanities —The treasure of a thousand years of cultural art, even after a thousand years, the murals made from gemstone powder are still brightly colored —The first majestic pass in the world, the starting point of the Great Wall🚩 Overhanging Great Wall —It looks like it is hanging in the air, it is located on the Black Mountain, standing on it, you can see the desolate scenery of the desert Satellite Launch Center —The "cradle" of China's🛰 space —— 🏞Natural landscape Colorful Danxia —The white snow in winter and the colorful Danxia blend into one, which has a different desolate mood Mountain Crescent Spring —Look at the snow scene love letter written by nature to Mingsha Mountain, look at the frozen Crescent Spring🏜 —— 🏨Selected quality accommodation ✓1 night Lanzhou Hilton Huanpeng ✓1 night Zhangye Fuldeng Hot Spring Holiday Hotel ✓1 night Jiuquan Silk Road Wenhua Holiday Hotel ✓2 nights Dunhuang Huaxia International Hotel

The widely circulated saying "China is very beautiful, with seventy percent of its beauty in the northwest" raises the question: where does the renowned beauty of Qinghai lie? Its beauty lies in the grandeur of its mountains and rivers, the elegance of its landscapes, the harmony of its culture, the purity of its blue skies and white clouds, the vastness of its snow-capped mountains and grasslands, the pristine lakes and rivers, the desolation of its Gobi deserts, the magnificence of its Danxia landforms, the uniqueness of its glaciers and permafrost. Its beauty lies in its long-standing historical, ethnic, red, and ecological cultures, its beauty lies in the Sanjiangyuan National Park, Qilian Mountain National Park, and the Great Wall Long March National Cultural Park, where new chapters are written and brilliance is displayed. From mountains and rivers to lakes, from the Gobi to deserts, from plateaus to grasslands, it is both lonely and prosperous, desolate yet full of vitality. This is the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop. 🛬【Itinerary】: Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop Seven-Day Tour (Chaka Salt Lake + Water Yadan) Day 1: Depart from Xining → Sun and Moon Mountain → Qinghai Lake → Chaka Salt Lake (overnight) Day 2: Chaka Town → Keluke Lake → Cross the Qaidam Basin → Dachaidan Emerald Lake → Dachaidan (overnight) Day 3: Dachaidan → Chaka Salt Lake → 315 U-shaped Road → Water Yadan → Nanhaixian Ghost City → Dachaidan (overnight) Day 4: Dachaidan → Oil Town → Yangguan → Dunhuang (overnight/camping in the desert optional) Day 5: Mogao Caves → Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring → Shazhou Night Market → Dunhuang (overnight) Day 6: Dunhuang → Guazhou → Jiayuguan Fortress → Zhangye Danxia Landform → Qicai Town (overnight) Day 7: Zhangye → Biandukou → Qilian Mountain Grassland → Gangshika Snow Peak → Menyuan Rapeseed Flower → Xining (overnight) ⛺【Must-Visit Attractions】: "Chaka Salt Lake" Chaka Salt Lake is similar to Chaka Salt Lake, but Chaka Salt Lake is particularly dependent on the weather. When the weather is bad, it doesn't look very good, just a vast expanse of white. When the weather is good, there are blue skies and white clouds above, and windmills and snow-capped mountains in the background, which is one of the reasons it became famous. However, compared to Chaka Salt Lake, the weather has less impact on Chaka Salt Lake. Chaka Salt Lake is a salt lake nurtured by nature for billions of years. Walking by the lake, you can feel the crystal-clear, ever-changing magical salt flowers. There is a 32-kilometer-long salt bridge on the salt lake. Although it is just an ordinary road, it is made entirely of salt, so it is also known as the "Ten Thousand Zhang Salt Bridge". 🍩【Must-Try Foods】: Hand-Grasped Lamb; Hand-Grasped Lamb is a traditional food loved by the Mongolian, Tibetan, Hui, and Uighur ethnic groups in Northwest China. It is said to have a history of nearly a thousand years and got its name because it was originally eaten by hand. As the name suggests, it needs to be eaten by hand, tearing, or cutting with a Tibetan knife. Although this unique way of eating lamb is no longer necessary with the development of the times, the name has been passed down to this day. The meat is red and white, fatty but not greasy, oily and tender, and very delicious. The meat is so tasty that even those who don't usually like lamb can give it a try, as it doesn't have a strong lamb smell. 🏨【Accommodation Tips】: "Desert Camping" When you arrive in Dunhuang, you must experience desert camping. Activities include sand sliding, watching the sunset in the desert, desert motorcycling, singing and talent performances to set the mood, large bonfire parties, fireworks, iron flower performances, and unlimited hot pot, beer, and drinks. At night, you can also go to the heart of the desert to watch the starry sky and the Milky Way. Nowadays, everyone lives in cities and hasn't seen a sky full of stars for a long time, so experiencing desert camping will be an unforgettable night. 🚌【Transportation Tips】: In the northwest, the distances between attractions are too far for city buses. There are route buses, but taking them is very troublesome and inconvenient as they don't go directly to the destinations. Therefore, the main ways to travel the northwest grand loop are self-driving, joining a tour group, or chartering a car. Personally, I recommend joining a tour group or chartering a car because, with self-driving, you are unfamiliar with the road conditions, and the long distances on the plateau can easily cause fatigue. Nowadays, there are many pure-play small groups, especially recommended for 1-2 people traveling. Since it is a pure-play small group, there are at most 8 people in a car, not too many, but the atmosphere will be very lively. Another option is to charter a car, which offers high flexibility, allowing you to plan your itinerary according to your preferences. You can play along the way, with professional drivers who are familiar with the routes, ensuring a safe and enjoyable trip, avoiding many detours and pitfalls. 🧡【Tips】: 1. It is recommended to take Rhodiola, Highland Red, or other medications to prevent altitude sickness one or two weeks in advance. 2. Drink plenty of water when you first arrive at the plateau, avoid strenuous exercise and emotional excitement, do not overeat, and go to bed early to stay energetic for the trip. 3. Make sure you are in good health before traveling to the plateau. Although most areas are around 3,000 meters above sea level and most people have no reaction, it is still called a plateau, so respect it... hahaha (Safety is always the top priority when traveling). 4. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is an area with a high concentration of ethnic minorities, so please respect local customs. 5. When engaging in free activities in scenic areas, pay attention to safety, follow the rules of the scenic area, and travel civilly.

1⃣ Because of the May Day trip to the Hexi Corridor, I could only drive all the way on the highway, watching the signs of familiar places pass by. Although I entered Dunhuang, I could only stay in a hotel for one night and was escorted to the airport by a special car the next day to be persuaded to return. It was like trying hard to catch up with the girl who had never met but had long admired. I was just one step away from tapping her shoulder and getting a look back at her beauty, but all I got was an increasingly unforgettable back. 2⃣ Although there are many descriptions of the history, art, and guardians of the Mogao Caves in the Hexi Corridor, Dunhuang, and the Dunhuang School of Painting, when I really came to her, the feeling she gave me was not shock, but touch. Under such circumstances, the outside troubles of the cave become insignificant. These four short days are just a meeting with her, and I will definitely come many more times. 3⃣ PS The experience of Dunhuang in the off-season is not too good, everywhere is VIP

Main itinerary: Dunhuang-Zhangye-Lanzhou Now Gansu is overall in the off-season for tourism, the climate is not very stable, some areas still have snow, and the vegetation has not really sprouted. Locals say it will be more comfortable starting from late April (but there are also fewer people during the off-season) Day1 Shanghai-Lanzhou-Dunhuang✈️ Transferring at Lanzhou Airport is quite convenient, meal vouchers are provided, p2 is beef noodles and apricot peel tea ordered at Anboer (the egg was brought by myself), it is recommended to add another portion of beef. p3-5 are taken on the way from Lanzhou to Dunhuang, very spectacular, strongly suggest not to sleep on this part of the flight Day2 Mogao Caves➕Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring 📍Mogao Caves I decided to come to Gansu at this time for the off-season discounts of Mogao Caves and Mingsha Mountain, but now (after April 1) the promotion has ended, 280 yuan to see 8 caves, Mingsha Mountain also returned to the original price. External vehicles can only drive to the Digital Center, where you use your ID card to get tickets, watch two movies (the second one is on a spherical screen, very impressive) then take the scenic area bus to Mogao Caves. You need to queue up and follow the guide into the caves for a visit, each group's route is random. Note that photography is not allowed inside the caves‼️ The visit takes about two hours, if interested, you can buy tickets for special caves, or follow other groups to see the ordinary caves you missed. There is also a museum outside the Mogao Caves worth visiting, and finally take the bus back to the Digital Center to return to the city. 📍Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring You can see Mingsha Mountain (p9) from the city. It's cheaper to buy shoe covers outside the scenic area, but they don't seem to be very useful as the sand gets everywhere... Fortunately, the sand is very fine and does not hurt your feet. You can ride camels here, but you can't walk to the top of the mountain, you have to walk up to see Crescent Spring. It is strongly recommended to climb the sand dunes using the ladder (p11), otherwise, it will be very tiring. Even with the ladder, there is a steep section where you need to use hands and feet (I was very scared at the time), it took me about ten minutes to climb up, overall ok. It is recommended to start climbing one hour before sunset, there is about a two-hour time difference between Dunhuang and the East China region, it will not get dark until around eight o'clock. 📍Shazhou Night Market A place selling various souvenirs. You can also check out Lanzhou Lane nearby, it might be cheaper. 🏨Near Shazhou Night Market Dunhuang city area is very small, staying near Shazhou Night Market is convenient. 🚘Transportation There is a bus right outside the airport that takes you to the city center, 10 yuan per person. Taxis in Dunhuang are very convenient, they are almost instantly booked, and there is a high proportion of female drivers, so it is very safe for girls to come here alone. You can take bus number 3 to Mingsha Mountain from the city center. 🛍️Outfit The wind at Mingsha Mountain is a bit strong, it's best to wear a hat and a windbreaker. The sun in Dunhuang is quite strong, pay attention to sun protection and moisturizing. 🍜Eat Ga Liu Lamb Recommended signature lamb and braised lamb with bread, apricot peel tea is also good. Beisong Ice Boiled Lamb (p13) The taste is okay but a bit expensive. Si Lu Apricot Peel Tea (p14) Ordered the iced rose fermented rice drink, incredibly delicious! Missed it dearly after leaving Dunhuang pps The people in Dunhuang are very friendly and enthusiastic, the service attitude is comparable to Haidilao, rarely seen elsewhere

✨Dear friends, today I must introduce to you the Mogao Caves of Dunhuang! Commonly referred to as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, it sits quietly at the western end of the Hexi Corridor in Dunhuang. 🎨This place boasts an astonishing 735 caves, and the 45,000 square meters of murals are simply breathtaking, along with 2,415 painted clay sculptures, each one lifelike. It is undoubtedly the largest and most content-rich Buddhist art sanctuary in the world, a truly world-class cultural heritage! 🙌If you plan to visit here during the holidays, be sure to book your tickets twenty days in advance to ensure that you can smoothly enter this magical palace of art, fully immerse yourself in its unique charm, and be enveloped in the thick atmosphere of history and culture. 🌟The Dunhuang Grottoes are definitely one of the places you must visit in your lifetime. Come on, let's embark on this extraordinary journey of art together!

In this hot 🥵 summer, escape the hustle and bustle of the city and embark on an exciting journey to the Northwest.🤔 The Northwest, a place full of mystery and magnificent natural scenery, has always been a place we yearn for. This trip, we set foot on this vast land with curiosity about the unknown and reverence for nature.🥳🥳 🌈【Must-Visit Attractions】 ⭐Zhangye Danxia Landform: This is one of the most spectacular colorful Danxia landforms on Earth. The layers of rocks are colorful, like God's overturned palette, making people marvel. ⭐Mogao Caves: Located in Dunhuang, the Mogao Caves are a World Cultural Heritage site with thousands of caves and murals, a treasure trove for studying ancient Chinese history and art. ⭐Jiayuguan: This majestic pass is an important passage on the ancient Silk Road and the western starting point of the Great Wall, witnessing historical changes and military significance. ⭐Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring: Ride a camel in the desert, climb the dunes, feel the fine sand and the magic of the singing sand, then sit quietly by the Crescent Spring and enjoy a touch of tranquility in the desert. ✅【Route Arrangement】 D1 Xining - Riyue Mountain - Qinghai Lake - Chaka Town D2 Chaka Town - Chaka Salt Lake - Dachaidan Emerald Lake - Dachaidan D3 Dachaidan - 315 U-shaped Highway - Water Yadan - Nanbaxian Devil City - Dachaidan D4 Dachaidan - Heidushan - Dangjin Mountain - Oil Town - Dunhuang D5 Dunhuang - Mogao Caves - Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring - Shazhou Night Market - Dunhuang D6 Dunhuang - Jiayuguan - Zhangye Danxia - Zhangye D7 Zhangye - Biandukou - Qilian Grassland - Menyuan - Xining ‼【Precautions】‼ 1. The Northwest region has strong sunlight and large temperature differences between day and night. Bring sunscreen and suitable clothing. 2. Due to the high altitude in some areas, be aware of altitude sickness and prepare your body in advance. 3. Protect the environment, respect local culture and customs, and do not touch ancient relics and murals casually. 4. Carry enough water and dry food with you, especially in desert areas, to maintain hydration and energy supply.

The Hexi Corridor has been a major transportation route connecting the Central Plains of China with the Western Regions since ancient times. It is a core area where various ethnic groups have continuously clashed and integrated, leaving a large number of cultural heritages and cultural tourism resources. Experiencing the rich and colorful multiculturalism of the Chinese nation is a treasure trove for understanding cultural differences between different ethnic groups. At the same time, it is also a living textbook for understanding the formation, integration and development of the Chinese nation, and has become a region for cultivating a sense of cultural identity of the Chinese nation. Highlights of the Hexi Corridor Colorful Danxia In winter, the sun shines on the red sandstone of Danxia, like a brilliant painting. Walking here is like stepping into a real colorful fairy tale world. Jiayuguan In winter, Jiayuguan has a dry climate, and a thin layer of frost forms on the city wall. Climbing the city wall, you can see the magnificent scenery of the grand pass, as if traveling back to ancient times. Son of the Earth Here are deserts, Gobi, and mountains. In winter, the Son of the Earth is covered with a layer of pure white snow, forming a snow scene. Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes The Mogao Grottoes contain many cultural treasures such as murals and colored sculptures. In winter, there are few tourists, and you can quietly appreciate the unique paintings. Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring is one of the four wonders of China. The Crescent Spring is like a bright pearl embedded in the desert. Yumen Pass In winter, the mountains and grasslands around Yumen Pass are covered with snow. Here, you can feel the footsteps of those merchants who once traveled on the Silk Road. In winter, there are fewer people to reduce queuing time, and you can also see different scenery. As long as it is not encountering extreme national weather, the cost performance is very high. After all, the tickets are cheap, and the air tickets are also cheap. The disadvantage is that the transportation connection is not so convenient, and there are few flights, which require transfers.

If you have time in winter, why not take a trip to Gansu! At present, the attractions on the Hexi Corridor in Gansu are basically open, and winter does not affect these cultural relics. 1. Mogao Caves are half price to see 12 caves, it's simply too cool, and special caves can also be bought, you can really feast your eyes; 2. There is a chance to see the beauty of the desert reflecting snow, and the beauty of Danxia reflecting snow. Zhangye's Rainbow Danxia and Mingsha Mountain are must-visit places; 3. If the flight is to Dunhuang, then the scenic spots in Dunhuang city are free of charge, in addition to this, if you come during the Spring Festival, New Year's Day, Lantern Festival, it's free for everyone; 4. Accommodation can be sorted out with one to two hundred yuan, Gansu in the off-season is really economical; - Basically, they are all open in winter (tickets are half price or free): 1. Mogao Caves 2. Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring 3. Zhangye Rainbow Danxia 4. Yangguan 5. Yumenguan 6. Jiayuguan Great Wall 7. Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon 8. Matisi 9. Labrang Monastery 11. Tiantishan Grottoes 12. Dunhuang Yardang Devil City Clothing and temperature: 1. Thick winter clothes, prepare hats, scarves and gloves 2. The hotel heating is very sufficient -