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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
4.6
/5
28225 reviews
8.9
From AU$ 23.87
Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring | 6.1 km from downtown
Phone 0937-8883388
Address: 6 km south of Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-5 hours
Featured in 2025 Asia 100 – Best Things to Do
Highlights:
Sand dunes and springs: A desert oasis
Desert dunes & spring coexistence
Saved by 658 users20929 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Mingsha Mountain is quite fun. We didn't reach the top, so we couldn't see the vast expanse of desert and the small Crescent Lake. The overall feeling was quite interesting, you could dig sand and have fun together. The scenic area's battery car was badly reviewed. You had to queue up at the window to buy tickets and then queue up to get on the car. It would take you to Crescent Lake and then 500 meters away from Crescent Lake. The departure point was only 1000 meters away from Crescent Lake... There were more people at night, and a lot of dust would be raised. You must wear a mask otherwise you would feel uncomfortable. The area was very congested during peak hours. I parked in a parking lot farther away twice and took a tricycle to get there.
The scenery is beautiful, the atmosphere is warm, and it feels like a dream back to youth. The concert with 10,000 people was great, the atmosphere was very strong, and everyone sang along. The sunset at dusk was so beautiful. It was very photogenic.
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Mogao Caves
4.4
/5
10089 reviews
8.3
From AU$ 55.97
Based on 892 reviews
16.7 km from downtown
Phone 400-833-3715
Address: Yangguan Avenue, Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City, Gansu Province
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
Featured in 2025 Asia 100 – Best Things to Do
Highlights:
Guided tour of select grottoes
Watch two 20-minute Mogao films
Saved by 498 users5519 positive reviews
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In the caves of Mogao Grottoes, time seems to solidify into color. The sky on the mural stretches the ribbon, still light in the thousand-year wind and sand; the Buddha statue smiles, hiding compassion in every garment fold. The plank road is a series of 16 countries to Yuan time. In the mottled murals, there are business travel camel bells, warp rolls, and the piety of the painters at their fingertipsthey may not have left the murals, but they have planted eternity on the rock walls with mineral pigments. Out of the cave, the wind of Mingsha Mountain passed by the ears. Those faded lines and colors were the appearance of generations of faith against time.
The Mogao Grottoes, located on the eastern slopes of Mingsha Mountain in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, are commonly known as the Thousand Buddha Caves. It is the world's largest and most diverse extant site of Buddhist art, earning it the nickname "The Louvre of the East" and "The Art Museum in the Desert." Construction began in 366 AD and continued through the millennia from the Sixteen Kingdoms period to the Yuan Dynasty. The site boasts 735 caves, 45,000 square meters of murals, and 2,415 painted clay sculptures. Visitors must first watch two historical films at the Digital Center before enjoying a guided tour of the caves. Regular tickets offer access to eight caves, while Category A tickets offer a more refined experience. The site also houses exhibition halls and an art gallery, and advance reservations are required. Winter is ideal for filming in Hanfu costumes, with iconic photo spots such as the Sutra Library in Cave 17 and the Nine-Story Tower in Cave 96 serving as photo spots. Family trips can be accompanied by academic experts or lecturers, and the Mogao Academy also offers craft classes, with children receiving certificates for participating.
Encore Dunhuang
4.3
/5
2948 reviews
7.4
From AU$ 71.15
Dunhuang Airport/Dunhuang Railway Station | 8.9 km from downtown
Phone 400-1829-777
Address: West side of the digital center of Mogao Grottoes, Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1.5 hours
No.2 of Night Attractions in Dunhuang
Highlights:
Desert theater near Mogao Caves
Silk Road stories at Mogao Caves
2206 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified user reviews
High cost-effectiveness, service quality exceeded expectations, highly recommended to friends who come here for tourism.
The hotel has good sound insulation, quiet and undisturbed at night, ensuring a good rest environment.
The hotel has beautiful green environment and fresh air, suitable for relaxation and leisure
The whole performance had no main plot, and I felt lonely. The first act was like a catwalk of ancient people. The second act was about Taoist Wang, which was a bit of a storyline. The third act was short and the space was small, dividing the audience into many groups. The audience was so panicked that they didn't know where to go or where to look. In the fourth act, there were finally seats... It felt chaotic, and the audience ran around like monkeys... This was my first time experiencing such a performance, and after watching it, I felt like I was watching a poetry recitation
No.
4
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Yangguan Pass Relic tourism District
4.5
/5
2570 reviews
7.2
From AU$ 10.85
Based on 59 reviews
56.4 km from downtown
Phone 0937-8833089
Address: Yangguan Scenic Spot, Yangguan Town, Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No.1 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Dunhuang
Highlights:
Gobi views & distant mountains
Spectacular ancient beacon tower ruins
1538 positive reviews10K views in last month
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At sunset, the Yangguan Scenic Area is very beautiful. It is worth waiting for a sunset here. If you have time, it is recommended to come here in the evening. The desolation and vastness are different from other places. Come and try it.
The guide was very professional, explaining things in detail and with a very gentle tone. The only downside was the horseback riding. The guy leading the horse was incredibly frustrating. I told him to go slower, as if he was afraid, but he insisted. I don't know if he was joking, insisting the horse run, and even blatantly demanded a 50 yuan fee. I've already purchased a ticket for the horseback riding. This is something the scenic area management needs to pay more attention to, and those responsible for the training should be trained. Don't let trivial matters tarnish the reputation of local tourism.
No.
5
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Site of Yumen Pass
4.4
/5
2143 reviews
7.1
Based on 117 reviews
68.7 km from downtown
Phone 0937-8821984
Address: Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City, Gansu
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Hara Lake's reed spectacle
Gobi's Hala Lake & reeds
1046 positive reviews10K views in last month
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Strolling through the Yumen Pass Scenic Area feels like stepping into a thick historical book, where every grain of sand tells a story stretching back thousands of years. This is more than just a simple historical site; it bears witness to the Han Dynasty's expansion into the Western Regions and serves as a crucial pass on the Silk Road. The desolate phrase, "Why should the Qiang flute blame the willows, for the spring breeze never reaches Yumen Pass," finds its most vivid expression here.
Among the ruins, one can imagine the bustling trade and travel, the clatter of camel bells, and the steadfastness of the soldiers guarding the border, guarding their country. The rammed earth walls beneath one's feet, weathered by wind and sand, still stand stubbornly, silently embodying the significance of the "pass"—not only a geographical barrier but also a hub for cultural exchange. Standing before the ruins, the weight of history washes over one, inspiring awe and reverence for the past of this land. Such a scenic spot is worth a visit for anyone seeking history.
Perhaps due to the lack of tourists, the facilities are a bit lacking.
The scenic area guides require you to take the scenic bus with other tourists to multiple locations, which takes a long time and costs 300 yuan. We tried to find someone to share the tour with us but couldn't find one. In the end, even though we didn't manage to join them, we still hired the guide, which was well worth it.
I personally love Yumen Pass and would love to visit again someday.
No.
6
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Dahaidao
4.7
/5
775 reviews
7.1
From AU$ 9.77
>100 km from downtown
Phone 0902-6581888
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
703 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified user reviews
The scenery is invincible, one of the best in Xinjiang. The only difficulty is the North Gate. It takes 2 hours to drive on the Cannonball Road after leaving the scenic area. The whole journey took 6 hours, but it was worth it.
The tour leader, Miki, was great. The itinerary was well planned and he was also very enthusiastic about helping us take videos and photos. He took us to experience the thrill of riding on an off-road vehicle in the Dahaidao and climbing the slopes. The excitement was full. He also treated us to sweet cantaloupe during the break. This trip to the Dahaidao was awesome👍
No.
7
Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark
4.6
/5
2769 reviews
7.1
From AU$ 12.59
>100 km from downtown
Phone 0937-5900110
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 114 users1253 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The scenic area is located deep in the Gobi Desert, near the border between Gansu and Xinjiang. The Yardang landforms are truly spectacular. From up close, you can see traces of geological sedimentation and wind erosion. From the vast changes of millions of years ago to the present-day desert Gobi, you can't help but marvel at the uncanny craftsmanship and magical power of nature, and feel the desolate and majestic grandeur of the vast Gobi Desert. As a unique and non-renewable geological landscape, long-term wind erosion has severely damaged it, and some Yardangs are already showing signs of collapse. Perhaps the scenery will be completely different next time you visit, so take a look and cherish it.
The scenery is quite unique, and the Phoenix Eclipse Rock is quite unique and worth a visit. We watched the sunset on the way back to Dunhuang from the scenic area, which was quite spectacular. However, the scenic area's attractions are quite limited, and the guides read from a script, which was not very interesting. Perhaps we didn't experience more services.
No.
8
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Dunhuang Museum
4.7
/5
1137 reviews
7.0
Based on 90 reviews
Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring | 1.4 km from downtown
Phone 0937-8818173
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
889 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified user reviews
Teacher Cai’s explanation was excellent. He knew the history of Dunhuang like the back of his hand and told many historical stories about cultural relics. Everyone listened with great interest and their love for Dunhuang was evident.
Teacher Rong gave a very good lecture for three and a half hours. He gave a very thorough explanation of the history of Dunhuang. It was better to visit the Dunhuang Museum before going to Mogao Grottoes. Teacher Rong spent about half an hour explaining the Dunhuang murals in the corridor. Without his explanation, I basically couldn't understand anything. There are also replica caves. By comparing the replicas with the originals, I discovered the superb craftsmanship of ancient times.
No.
9
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Ancient Sound of Dunhuang
4.7
/5
315 reviews
6.5
From AU$ 64.65
Dunhuang Airport/Dunhuang Railway Station | 8.6 km from downtown
Phone 400-6666-272
Address: 甘肃省酒泉市敦煌市阳关东路7970号
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-1.5 hours
Highlights:
Cave show: Dunhuang music culture
Dunhuang shows year-round
289 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
The first half was an experiential parade, giving the impression that you wouldn't just stand there facing a circular screen. You could experience the passage of history and even string a pipa. The overall experience was wonderful, and the music and dance were excellent. Well worth a visit. Those with children should be aware that one of the standing statues, with its frightening face, is actually a real person and moves. Several children were frightened to tears, and adults were also startled. One woman even complained that they hadn't warned us in advance.
Freshly released immersive theater in June 2025! In the first 20 minutes, the audience slowly immersed themselves in the story along with the actors, which was very unique! The Ctrip package also gave a conspicuous bag with a pass book inside, which could be stamped for free. The children loved this kind of interaction!
No.
10
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Dunhuang Bookstore
4.8
/5
120 reviews
6.1
Shazhou Market | 485m from downtown
Address: 甘肃省酒泉市敦煌市妙街59号103室
117 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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I had to wear shoe covers when entering the store, and they didn't ask me to show my reservation code. There weren't many people, but there were quite a few people who were not reading or ordering and were occupying seats (it was a cafe on the second floor, so there weren't many seats to begin with).
There are free shoe covers at the entrance, and more than 40 stamps for free. You can read books on the second floor. The environment is good and it is very comfortable to stay here. If it weren't for visiting the night market, I really wouldn't want to go out. I was not satisfied with the night market.
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