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Best Things to Do
Top 20 Best Things to Do in Dunhuang [2025]
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Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring
4.7
/5
31858 reviews
8.9
From MYR 31.83
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:
Sand dunes and springs: A desert oasis
Desert dunes & spring coexistence
Saved by 838 users23630 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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Mogao Caves
4.4
/5
10350 reviews
8.2
From MYR 92.59
Based on 894 reviews
16.7 km from downtown
Phone +864008333715
Address: Yangguan Avenue, Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City, Gansu Province
Recommended sightseeing time: 3–4 hours
Achieved a 2-year streak on the annual lists
Highlights:
Guided tour of select grottoes
Watch two 20-minute Mogao films
Saved by 701 users5604 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
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.
The Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, a thousand-year-old wonder of humankind. Eight grottoes at the Mogao Grottoes are open in rotation during peak season, offering a glimpse into the wisdom and faith of the ancients. Many fascinating Buddhist stories are also told throughout the season. And Dunhuang itself is a beautiful and charming small city.
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Yang Guan
4.5
/5
2698 reviews
7.2
From MYR 29.01
Based on 59 reviews
56.4 km from downtown
Phone +8609378833089
Address: Yangguan Scenic Spot, Yangguan Town, Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Gobi views & distant mountains
Spectacular ancient beacon tower ruins
1581 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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It'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.
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.
No.
4
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Yumen Pass
4.4
/5
2222 reviews
7.0
From MYR 28.94
Based on 118 reviews
68.7 km from downtown
Phone +8609374000019181
Address: Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City, Gansu
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Highlights:
Hara Lake's reed spectacle
Gobi's Hala Lake & reeds
Saved by 111 users1073 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
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.
It's an hour and a half drive from Dunhuang. The roads are in excellent condition, but there's a speed limit, and since everyone else is speeding, I'm going too. The scenic area has excellent facilities and service, and the shuttle bus between the three attractions takes an hour round trip. It's all worth the trip, full of history, and especially suitable for children. It's a great value.
No.
5
Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark
4.6
/5
2839 reviews
7.0
From MYR 34.72
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609375900110
Address: About 180 kilometers northwest of Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Stunning Yardang views & perspectives
Wind-eroded formations & ship-like hills
Saved by 142 users1226 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
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👍👍👍
Yadan is well worth a visit, with its unique geographical features. The tour arrangements are also very convenient. The escort was very friendly and kind, and even explained and apologized for the minor malfunction of the bus's air conditioning. We also opted for the optional go-kart ride, which was definitely worth a visit. Highly recommended!
No.
6
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Dahaidao
4.7
/5
850 reviews
7.0
From MYR 26.04
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609026581888
Address: Qijiajing Town, Yizhou District, Hami City, Uygur Autonomous Region
Recommended sightseeing time: 3–5 hours
Highlights:
Stargazing feels like a secret
Fossil mirage & wild camels
775 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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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.
No.
7
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Dunhuang Museum
4.7
/5
1186 reviews
6.9
Based on 90 reviews
Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring | 1.4 km from downtown
Phone +8609378818173
Address: 1390 Mingshan North Road, Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1.5–2 hours
Highlights:
Next to Mogao Caves Heritage
Experience ancient painting techniques firsthand
925 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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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!
The Dunhuang Museum is definitely worth a visit. Besides the historical artifacts on display and relics unearthed from ancient tombs, there's also a magnificent replica of Cave 45, a classic Mogao Grottoes site, and various cultural and creative products. Free guided tours are available inside, giving you a quick glimpse into history. A must-see in Dunhuang.
No.
8
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Dunhuang Bookstore
4.8
/5
203 reviews
6.3
Shazhou Market | 485m from downtown
Address: 甘肃省酒泉市敦煌市妙街59号103室
Highlights:
Savor a creative latte with apricot peel water
196 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
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!
Treasure Bookstore, you have to make an appointment before entering, and then wear this set to enter. The bookstore is very quiet and has a great feeling. The child read a book here for a while. We did not draw clay prints here, it was too expensive, so we went to another one.
No.
9
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Dunhuang Press
5.0
/5
360 reviews
5.9
Shazhou Market | 1.2 km from downtown
Address: 120 meters south of the intersection of Danghe East Road and Xiangyun Road, Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City
Highlights:
Light and shadow intertwine like in an ancient grotto
Carve a seal and experience the charm of traditional craftsmanship
356 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
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.
The seal carving craftsmanship is exquisite, the seal method is simple and elegant, the stone is delicate and warm, the customization service is patient and thoughtful, the finished product far exceeds expectations, and it is a perfect fusion of traditional culture and craftsmanship. It is worth recommending!
No.
10
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The Western Thousands Buddha Grottoes
4.3
/5
266 reviews
5.9
From MYR 114.58
Based on 47 reviews
31.3 km from downtown
Phone +8609378857158
Address: Dunhuang, Jiuquan
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 hour
Highlights:
Admire exquisite murals and Buddha sculptures
Admire multi-dynasty Buddhist art grottoes
31% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
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.
The driver of Gansu F20907, Master Shen, for the Dunhuang East Line One-Day Tour, which includes the Western Thousand Buddha Caves and other attractions, has superb driving skills and a very good service attitude. He was humorous and took us to various attractions smoothly and safely throughout the trip. The cultural landscape is rich and the travel experience is great and happy.
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