Things to Do in Dunhuang

Never worry about finding no places to go in Dunhuang. Dunhuang has been a tourists site for more than one thousand years. In the ancient times, many poets, artists, scholars came to visit Dunhuang for its spectacular Buddhism culture and magic desert and Gobi views, which spread Dunhuang's name to the whole world. Here you will see the largest grottoes in China and the famous Flying Heaven in the grottoes, the mysterious Crescent Lake and Echoing Sand Mountains, the ruin of ancient Great Wall, famous pass along the Silk Road, Yardang National Geopark...Many interesting activities are organized all the year around, such as Temple Fair, Silk Road Festival, desert campingetc.

Dunhuang Travel Map

Dunhuang Activities

No.1: Appreciate Dunhuang Caves

Recommended Caves: Mogao Caves; Yulin Caves

Duration: about half-day for each site

Many cultural relics related to the Silk Road were found in Dunhuang. Among them, the splendor of Dunhuang Caves is unmissable. Dunhuang Caves is a large category, which refers to the collection of the Mogao Caves and other grottoes sites around Dunhuang. Besides the Mogao Caves, you can also visit the Yulin Caves, and Western Thousand Buddha Caves to appreciate the delicate murals and wondrous statues there.

Dunhuang Activities

No.2: Watch Dunhuang Silk Road Shows

Recommended Shows: Silk Road and Flower Rain; Dunhuang Grand Ceremony

Duration: about 2 hours

Rich in history and culture, the magic land, Dunhuang has conceived many classic and exotic silk shows. So far, there are three popular silk shows: Silk Road and Flower Rain (most recommended), Dunhuang Grand Ceremony, and Encore Dunhuang. Dunhuang Grand Ceremony is near the Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake and the Encore Dunhuang is near the entrance of Mogao Caves Ticket Office.

Dunhuang Activities

No.3: Ride a Camel in the Desert

Location: Mingsha Mountain Scenic Area

Duration: about 2 hours

Have you imaged yourself riding a camel on the silk road? Currently, the Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake Scenic Area offers tourists camel riding service all year round. The price of Mingshashan Camel Ride is ¥100 / per person / per camel, excluding the entrance fee and other activities in Mingshashan & Crescent Lake Scenic Area.

Dunhuang Activities

No.4: Camp in the Desert

Location: Mingsha Mountain Camping Area

Duration: one afternoon and night

To enjoy the sunrise, sunset and the starry sky in the desert, you can also choose to stay around the Mingsha Mountain Camping area. There, you can have BBQ or Buffet Hot Pot, campfire party, take some awesome photos and experience the night in the desert with the sand echoing upon your ears.

Dunhuang Activities Dunhuang Activities

No.5: Enjoy Dunhuang Cuisines

Location: Shazhou Night Market, Dunhuang City

Duration: about 2 hours

As an important outpost along the silk road, Dunhuang offers numerous cuisines for tourists from all over the world. As a kind of typical northwestern Chinese food, Dunhuang Food is known for its noodle and lamb dishes as well as plenty of fruits. The most popular food and drinks include Yellow Noodles with Donkey Meat, Dunhuang Niang Pi Zi, Apricot Rind Tea, Braised Mutton with Wide Noodles, Mutton Soup with Starch Noodles, etc. 

Dunhuang Activities

No.6: Try Sand Dune Sliding

Location: Mingsha Mountain Scenic Area

Duration: about 2 hours

Slide down from the top of dunes with a sandboard to experience speed and passion, and listen to how the sands echo and move in winds. You will experience the Sand Sliding activity during evening time around 20:30 when the sand has cooled off from the heat of the daytime. The sand sliding charges ¥15.

Dunhuang Activities

No.7: Ride a Motorcycle in the Desert

Location: Mingsha Mountain Scenic Area

Duration: about 2 hours

Riding a motorcycle to traverse the up-and-down rolling dunes is the most exciting activity in the desert. You will ride from the foot of Mingsha Mountain to get to the top of the mountain to enjoy the vastness and beauty of Mingshashan Desert, then ride the same way back. The price is about CNY 120 per person.

Dunhuang Activities

No.8: Photography

Recommended Sites: Mingsha Mountain; Crescent Lake; Mogao Caves; Yadan National Geopark

The magnificent sunrise and sunset at Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake, the enduring caves and statues at Mogao Caves, the camels marching along the silk road, and the wondrous landform at Yadan National Geopark, those beautiful moments can be seized in your camera during your stay in Dunhuang.

Recommended Dunhuang Tours

Top 3 Dunhuang tours chosen by most customers to explore Dunhuang in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.

Echoing Sand Mountains
4 Days Classic Dunhuang Tour (with More Free Time)

Dunhuang

Crescent Lake Never Dry Up
2 Days Dunhuang Short Stay Tour (Classic Itinerary, Money-saving, Flexible)

Dunhuang

Yulin Grottoes (No. 3 Cave)
4 Days Jiayuguan Dunhuang Tour (Silk Road Short Break)

Jiayuguan / Dunhuang

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