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Night Attractions
Top 10 Night Attractions in Dunhuang [2025]
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Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring
4.7
/5
31867 reviews
8.9
From €6.67
Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring | 6.1 km from downtown
Phone +86400118-3388
Address: 6 km south of Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City
Recommended sightseeing time: 3–5 hours
Achieved a 2-year streak on the annual lists
Highlights:
Romantic stroll by Crescent Lake
Desert bonfire & folk show
Saved by 839 users23636 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The 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!
The place is nice clean and beautiful. Yet if it's windy it's difficult to see our enjoy anything. As the sand will hurt your skin
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Dahaidao
4.7
/5
850 reviews
7.0
From €5.46
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609026581888
Address: Qijiajing Town, Yizhou District, Hami City, Uygur Autonomous Region
Recommended sightseeing time: 3–5 hours
775 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
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!!
The scenic area is vast, with attractions quite far apart. Our trip started at 8:38 AM and ended at 5:30 PM. We booked a day tour using Tank 300 through Ctrip. The road after Hongliutan is unpaved, as is the popular Tongtian Cave. Late October was the perfect time to visit; the weather was pleasant, there were few people, and the experience was excellent. Our tour leader, Wu Dan, was punctual, a skilled driver, kind, patient, and provided explanations along the way. Everyone was very satisfied.
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Dunhuang Mingsha Mountain Desert Camping Off-road Base (Mingmo Wild Luxury)
5.0
/5
1203 reviews
5.9
From €55.50
Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring | 6.6 km from downtown
Phone +8609378691400
Address: 甘肃省酒泉市敦煌市鸣沙山月牙泉景区西南侧
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 day
Highlights:
Silver dunes & deep night sky
Desert camping at Crescent Lake
1198 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Don't be too rushed, you need to buy tickets online in advance. If you go to watch the sunset later, the sun will be too strong. Be sure to bring a friend who is good at taking pictures with you, or spend money to find someone to follow you and take pictures, so that your trip will be twice as enjoyable!
The first time I walked into the desert, it was a completely different feeling from the green mountains and clear waters. For a southerner, I was already shocked. Hiking in the desert was a different feeling.
No.
4
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Ancient Sound of Dunhuang
4.8
/5
675 reviews
5.7
From €36.11
Dunhuang Airport/Dunhuang Railway Station | 8.6 km from downtown
Phone +864006666272
Address: 甘肃省酒泉市敦煌市阳关东路7970号
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–1.5 hours
Highlights:
Dunhuang Caves Night Experience
Immersive Dunhuang cave art & dance
644 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
More than just a show, it's an introduction to Dunhuang culture. The cultural integration along the Silk Road is beautifully captured. I could sense the creative team's respect and passion for Dunhuang culture. After seeing this, visiting the Mogao Grottoes and viewing the murals there will be a completely different experience. It's a perfect place to bring children for a vivid aesthetic and historical education.
The moving stage and auditorium design are innovative and immersive. The naked-eye 3D effect is incredibly realistic, creating a truly immersive experience. The costumes are exquisite, perfectly recreating the Mogao Grottoes murals. The vibrant colors create a visual feast, and every frame could be a wallpaper. This perfect fusion of technology and art breathes new life into traditional culture.
The majestic Buddha appears at the opening, instantly drawing you into the atmosphere.
The stage mechanisms are ingeniously designed, and the scene transitions are smooth and natural.
No.
5
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Mingsha Mountain
4.6
/5
187 reviews
5.4
Based on 455 reviews
15.4 km from downtown
Address: 6 km south of Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 day
Highlights:
The wonder of Crescent Lake, a desert oasis
Ride a camel across the desert to experience the Silk Road
Saved by 108 users172 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Worth a visit! Mingsha Mountain, one of China's famous desert landscapes, is located in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, and is a nearby attraction to the Mogao Grottoes. Its unique natural landscape and rich cultural heritage attract numerous visitors. Here are some of its highlights:
Unique Sand Dune Landscape
Mingsha Mountain is renowned for its towering sand dunes, reaching up to 150 meters high and boasting a variety of shapes. The golden dunes are particularly stunning at sunset, creating a dreamlike spectacle.
"Singing Sand" Wonder
Under certain conditions, the sand here emits a sound similar to a "singing sand sea," a rare natural wonder.
Sandboarding
Visitors can experience sandboarding on the dunes, a thrilling and fun activity perfect for families and young people.
Crescent Lake
At the foot of Mingsha Mountain lies a unique oasis, Crescent Lake. Its clear waters resemble a crescent moon, surrounded by lush trees and a picturesque scenery, creating a breathtaking oasis in the desert. Sunrise and Sunset
Watching the sunrise or sunset here, the sand dunes are stained in golden or orange, creating a breathtaking spectacle and a paradise for photographers.
Culture and History
Mingsha Mountain is inextricably linked to the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang and the Gobi Desert. A visit offers not only natural beauty but also a glimpse into the rich culture of the Silk Road.
If you enjoy natural wonders, the unique charm of the desert, or are looking to capture breathtaking landscapes, Mingsha Mountain is definitely worth a visit. Combined with the oasis of Crescent Moon Lake and the cultural heritage of Dunhuang, it promises a rich and unforgettable travel experience.
Honestly, Mingsha Mountain is absolutely stunning!
You might not be impressed by the name, but once you get there, you'll realize how soft the sand is. Your feet sink into pits, and climbing up takes quite a bit of effort. But once you reach the top and look down, wow, a vast expanse of golden sand dunes undulates, like windswept waves. Especially in the evening, as the sun sets, the entire mountain is bathed in a warm yellow. Any photo you take is a wallpaper-worthy photo.
The most fascinating thing is the sound of the sand. Every time you move your feet, it rustles. Sometimes, when there are a lot of people walking together, the sound is quite rhythmic. No wonder it's called "Mingsha Mountain." Coming down is even more exhilarating. You can slide down the slope, the sand rustling down. It's both thrilling and relaxing.
Oh, and you can even ride camels! A line of camels marches through the desert, their bells jingling. It feels like you've been transported to an ancient caravan. It's truly fascinating.
Anyway, you will definitely not regret going there, just remember to wear sunscreen, otherwise your skin will suffer after being in the sun for a whole day!
No.
6
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Sleeples Stwon
4.9
/5
1021 reviews
5.4
Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring | 4.4 km from downtown
Phone +8609376955555
Address: Mingshan Road, Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
907 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Crescent 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.
It would be a pity to go to Dunhuang and not visit Yuequan Town. There are all kinds of food and customs, especially many travel photography shops, with all kinds of clothes for you to choose from. Especially the food makes people drool, eat all kinds of food.
No.
7
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Dunhuang Night Market
4.2
/5
332 reviews
5.3
Shazhou Market | 494m from downtown
Phone +8609378829852
Address: Yangguan Middle Road, Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Lanterns & lights adorn night
Diverse Dunhuang sand art crafts
126 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
This is a must-visit place in Dunhuang. It offers a one-stop shop for cultural and creative products, food and entertainment, and the night view is incredibly photogenic. There's also a must-visit Instagram-worthy public toilet, which is quite nice and has a Yardang style.
The 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.
No.
8
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Mingsha Mountain Wanyou RV Wild Luxury Camping Site
5.0
/5
721 reviews
5.1
Shazhou Market | 604m from downtown
Phone +8613993753707
Address: 甘肃省酒泉市敦煌市沙洲南路14号向内100米商铺(办理入住)
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 day
Highlights:
Desert romance with lit RVs
Bonfire & live music night
721 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The 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.
It was my first time to experience desert camping. It was really great. I watched the sunrise in the morning and had a barbecue and watched the stars at night. It felt great. The people here were very hospitable and had a lot of fun. It was a very pleasant camping experience. It was great.
No.
9
Playing Pipa Statue
4.7
/5
239 reviews
4.0
Based on 38 reviews
Shazhou Market | 260m from downtown
Address: Dunhuang Zhengyuan Huatan Circle Island Center, at the intersection of Yangguan Middle Road and Shazhou Road
Recommended sightseeing time: 10–30 minutes
Highlights:
The light show showcases the beauty of Dunhuang art
Three-dimensional presentation of Mogao Caves' aesthetic highlights
28% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
As soon as we drove to Dunhuang, we saw the rebound sculpture, which is Dunhuang's iconic city sculpture, about 5 meters high, and the Mogao Grottoes 112 "Rebounding Grottoes" flying mural as the prototype. The sculpture is made of bronze, vividly recreated the classic moments of flying and dancing, perfect blending the spirit and romance of Dunhuang art. As a symbol of silk road culture, it shows the essence of Dunhuang millennium mural art, and has become an important landmark for tourists to punch in and urban culture.
The Bouncing Pipa statue has become a landmark of Dunhuang. Many people standing here will feel the beauty of the Bouncing Pipa statue, but what I feel bad about is that the surrounding buildings make it difficult to take pictures. If you have time, you can come here at night and take some night view photos. Of course, these night view photos are definitely different from those taken during the day.
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