4.3/5
吾是土豆泥The West Thousand Buddha Caves are on the road from Dunhuang to Yangguan. They belong to the Thousand Buddha Caves and are located to the west of the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, hence the name West Thousand Buddha Caves. At present, the West Thousand Buddha Caves are also under the unified operation and management of the Dunhuang Research Institute. The emergency tickets for the Mogao Grottoes in July have been sold out. We queued for more than an hour at the West Thousand Buddha Caves. You can see 4 caves, and the 30 tickets are very cost-effective. If you miss the Mogao Grottoes, you can come here as an alternative. There are also separate explanation services here, which can give you a basic understanding of the northern grottoes. It was not well protected before 1984. After seeing the last cave, it was changed beyond recognition. Only the painting on the top of the cave can be appreciated. The overall explanation here is better than that of the Yulin Grottoes, and the experience is better with fewer people in a batch. When you come out of the parking lot, you can see the solar thermal station, which is also quite shocking.
4.5/5
Anonymous userIt's a less-visited attraction, recommended for those interested in history. During the off-season, it's practically private; taking the sightseeing bus to a designated spot inside the park for photos is highly recommended. Currently, the off-season ticket price is 50 yuan and the sightseeing bus is 20 yuan, which is reasonable, but compared to other attractions mentioned, the ticket price and bus fare are both about 10 yuan cheaper each.
4.7/5
M86***60The Crescent Moon Spring at Mingsha Mountain is breathtakingly beautiful! The rolling sand dunes shimmer with golden light under the setting sun, and a camel ride through the desert is incredibly atmospheric. Crescent Moon Spring, like an emerald in the desert, is crystal clear and sparkling, perfectly complementing Mingsha Mountain. Every snapshot is a masterpiece—an unforgettable experience!
4.9/5
M88***80Crescent Moon Lake Town: A Millennium Legend in the Desert On the banks of Mingsha Mountain in Dunhuang, Gansu, there is a Crescent Moon Lake Town that shines like a pearl. It is a shining gem on the Silk Road and a tourist destination that tourists yearn for. The architectural style of Crescent Moon Lake Town is unique, and the legacy of the Han and Tang Dynasties is overwhelming. The simple and elegant pavilions, the corridors with carved beams and painted buildings, every detail shows the charm of the thousand-year-old ancient city. Walking on the streets of the town, it seems to travel through time and space and return to the prosperous ancient Silk Road. On both sides of the street, there are all kinds of specialty shops. In the handicraft shops, there are exquisite replicas of Dunhuang murals, colorful silk scarves, lifelike clay sculptures, etc., which are dazzling and make people love them. This is also a paradise for food. You can taste authentic Northwest cuisine, the aroma of red willow barbecue is overflowing, and the tender lamb sizzles on the red willow branches, exuding an attractive aroma. Paoer oil cake is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Take a bite and the sweet taste spreads in your mouth. There are also special snacks such as gray bean soup and fried elm money, each of which can immerse your taste buds in delicious enjoyment. Crescent Moon Lake Town not only has charming architecture and food, but also has a wealth of cultural experience activities. Here, you can walk into the paper-cutting experience center and learn paper-cutting art from the inheritors of intangible cultural heritage. Use a pair of scissors and a piece of red paper to cut out exquisite Dunhuang patterns. You can also create your own Dunhuang artwork in the handmade clay sculpture experience center and feel the changes of the soil at your fingertips. In addition, the sand painting experience center is also a good place not to be missed. Pour colorful sand into glass bottles to create unique sand painting works. The natural landscape around the town is even more intoxicating. The world-famous Crescent Moon Lake in Mingsha Mountain is close at hand, and the rolling sand dunes are shining golden under the sun.
4.4/5
E34***86It’s worth it!! It’s my second time visiting. Event though i book 1130, we reached at 0900+ and able to queue and enter! For non mandarin tour, the group is MUCH smaller and hence you would be able to ask more questions. The gathering point is also different. The tour guide is professional.
5.0/5
NanJDMMThere are so many stamps, of course the paid stamps are more beautiful and nicer looking, the handmade experience is also good, the cultural and creative products are also very exquisite, the printed coffee has many patterns to choose from, if you bring children, two or three hours is not enough. No reservation is actually required.
5.0/5
M36***91The boss has a nice voice and is a handsome guy. He is the same in his work and life. He took us to ride a beach off-road motorcycle, which was so exciting. I like this kind of passion. The desert is endless and it feels so good to walk barefoot on the sand.
4.8/5
U44***11Dunhuang Bookstore is located on the banks of the Dang River. The interior environment is absolutely aesthetically pleasing. The first floor mainly features cultural and creative products, while the second floor has a very rich collection of books, mostly related to Dunhuang. You can sit quietly all day with good books, coffee, and snacks. In the evening, as the sun sets, you can see a different kind of scenery outside the window!
4.2/5
whlyhThe Dunhuang night market is beautiful. It's currently the off-season, so it's not crowded. I heard it's packed during peak season. They have all sorts of Gansu Dunhuang snacks, lamb buns, and other local specialties. It's very cost-effective, a great place to enjoy Dunhuang's delicious food and culture, and to see the thousand-year-old Mogao Grottoes.
4.7/5
王蒙warmerTeacher Qin's explanations were very professional. As a local of Dunhuang, she has a deep understanding of the area. She is passionate about the Mogao Caves and has her own unique understanding of art. We talked a lot, which helped us learn more about Dunhuang. Highly recommended!
