Top 20 Best Things to Do in Dunhuang

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超仔inno7cent

This is my first time here, and I think it's quite fun. It's just so cold today, I feel freezing! Everyone should wear more clothes when they come.

E34***86

It’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.

ty山高人为峰

Yangguan was an important pass on the Silk Road. The well-known poem, "I urge you to drink another cup of wine, for once you leave Yangguan, you will find no old friends," describes the ancient Yangguan Road in the Gobi Desert.

mahoningli

When I think of Yumen Pass, the line that immediately comes to mind is: "The Yellow River flows far away among white clouds, a solitary city nestles on a thousand-foot mountain. Why should the Qiang flute complain about the willows? The spring breeze never reaches Yumen Pass." After visiting Yumen Pass, I truly felt this poem. Yumen Pass, said to be named after the jade from the ancient Western Regions (such as Hotan) that entered the Central Plains through this pass, was built during the Han Dynasty, when Emperor Wu opened the route to the Western Regions and established the "Four Commanderies of Hexi." It was not only a crucial military pass during the Han Dynasty but also a vital chokepoint on the northern route of the Silk Road. Currently, only three ruins remain: 1. Xiaofangpancheng Ruins—a square earthen fortress with relatively intact walls, it once served as the seat of the Yumen Commandery during the Han Dynasty and formed the core of Yumen Pass's defense system. 2. Hecang City Ruins (Dafangpan City) — This important military depot on the western defense line (of the Great Wall) from the Han Dynasty to the Wei and Jin Dynasties provided food, clothing, and other supplies to soldiers guarding Yumen Pass, Yangguan Pass, and the Great Wall. 3. Han Dynasty Great Wall Ruins — This section of the Han Dynasty Great Wall, dating back over 2,000 years, is one of China's oldest surviving Great Walls. Unlike the brick and stone construction of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, the Han Dynasty Great Wall was largely constructed using locally sourced materials, with layers of red willow, reeds, and sandstone rammed earth. Although it resembles an earthen embankment, its historical value is unparalleled. There are no magnificent palaces, no shady trees, and no entertainment facilities here; what you see is the authentic face of history. As the sun sets and dusk falls, you gaze upon the ruins, standing alone in the vast Gobi Desert, surrounded by the boundless expanse of heaven and earth. As you touch the loess walls, eroded by millennia of wind and sand, desolation, vastness, loneliness, and endless nostalgia all surge, instantly transporting you back to an era of war and battle. Rereading that poem, I can't help but weep. The first two lines are so majestic and heroic, while the last two express untold helplessness and sacrifice. Yumen Pass made me feel the weight of history and the power of time, offering me a profoundly moving and soul-stirring experience.

AlinkaShock

Highly recommend to book this trip 🤩🤩👍 It was really convenient and super comfortable. The van was amazing, you could easily lay down and even sleep in between the destinations 😴 The driver was also super nice, helpful and professional. Definitely worry free trip👍👍👍

Horace Tong

I was recommended to come to Dahaidao by a local, but had no way of getting there! Thankfully I found this tour on trip. The process was relatively smooth but what made it was my guide/driver/photographer Master Liang! I don't speak Mandarin but he went out of his way to help and accommodate me. He kept us.on schedule and showed us the best places to go, and took some great photos. I really appreciate his kindness and help the whole day! If you get a chance to go with him, do it!!

王蒙warmer

Teacher 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!

U44***11

Dunhuang 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!

NanJDMM

There 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.

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.