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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
25309 reviews
8.9
From AU$ 23.56
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 603 users18968 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
It was fun. I happened to catch the Starry Sky 10,000-person concert. It was great and the experience was great. It was also a paradise for children to dig sand. They had a lot of fun. I went there for two consecutive nights. I must choose the day when there is a 10,000-person concert.
Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake: A dream date between the desert and the spring
"The desert is filled with smoke, and the long river is filled with the setting sun." When this poem echoed in my mind, I embarked on a journey to Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake. This time, I encountered a soul-stirring desert feast.
Entering the scenic area, the golden sea of sand rushed in front of me, and the continuous sand dunes were like golden silk thrown by the earth, shining in the sun. At five o'clock in the morning, I couldn't wait to rush into the scenic area, stepping on the sand barefoot, and the coolness instantly spread from the soles of my feet. The delicate touch was like the sand gently caressing me. When I struggled to climb halfway up the mountain, the morning sun just broke through the horizon, and the orange-red light instantly dressed up the sand dunes, and the Crescent Lake not far away was looming in the morning mist, just like the eyes of the desert, deep and charming.
Riding a camel is definitely an experience not to be missed! I spent 100 yuan to join the camel team. With the command of "start the camel", the camel stood up suddenly, and the momentum almost threw me out. The camel bells jingled in the wind, and I seemed to have traveled back to the ancient Silk Road caravan. On the way, the camel driver suddenly pointed to the distance and said, "Look, that's the Little Leiyin Temple in "Journey to the West"!" The silhouette of the ancient temple at the end of the sand sea was like a dream under the light and shadow.
In the evening, I squatted by the Crescent Moon Lake. The setting sun dyed the water surface golden red, and the eaves of the ancient buildings were reflected in it, like a beautiful painting. At this time, a gust of wind blew, and the sand rolled down. The "buzzing" sound of the sand came, and I really felt the origin of the name "Mingsha Mountain".
Diving down from the 100-meter sand slope, the wind whistled in my ears, and the sand made a drum-like roar as the skateboard vibrated. When I landed, my mouth was full of sand, but the happiness in my heart was as pure as a child. As night falls, Mingsha Mountain is particularly quiet under the starry sky. I chew on an apricot peel popsicle and look up to see the clear Milky Way. At that moment, I am so close to the universe.
Of course, there are some small suggestions for you: Be sure to take good sun protection, the ultraviolet rays here are very strong; remember to bring anti-sand shoe covers, although the scenic area can be rented, it will be more convenient to prepare them in advance; choose to ride a camel in the evening, not only can you enjoy the beautiful silhouette, but also avoid the saddle that burns your butt at noon; if you want to take a panoramic view of Crescent Lake, the small sand dunes on the east side are the best position, and the silhouette effect of backlighting is superb.
Mingsha Mountain Crescent Lake is a treasure given by nature. It made me feel the majesty of the desert and the agility of the spring water. This trip is worth remembering for a lifetime.
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Mogao Caves
4.4
/5
9929 reviews
8.3
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 456 users5487 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
First watch two digital movies, then take a bus directly to the scenic area. The whole way is desolate Gobi Desert. Book tickets for Mogao Grottoes one month in advance, otherwise there are only four caves for emergency tickets, so it's better not to go. The explanation is very careful, each cave is explained clearly, and each cave is different, and the eight caves are random. It's very hot every day, so be sure to pay attention to sun protection.
Very close to Dunhuang Station, I am talking about the visitor center. The cave is about 20 minutes drive from the visitor center. Regular tickets booked about 20 days in advance. Change tickets to the visitor center according to the time. Go to the movie first, two. Then I went to the cave in the Jingjiao car, and queued up in the cave area. About 40 people were in a group, sending electronic headsets, and visiting eight caves under the leadership of the interpreter. The overall order is good.
Encore Dunhuang
4.3
/5
2848 reviews
7.5
From AU$ 70.25
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
2174 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
2488 reviews
7.2
From AU$ 10.71
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
1528 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified User Reviews
The Yangguan scenic area is relatively small. We invited a tour guide to gain a deeper understanding of the historical significance of Yangguan. The tour guide was very responsible. We also experienced the donkey cart, which was a little bumpy. Finally, we walked on Sunshine Avenue, which was a good experience.
The Yangguan Pass is no longer in existence, with only a beacon tower left. But the museum is worth a visit. The Yangguan ruins offer magnificent views, and the plank road is worth walking on, giving you a sense of the feeling of being alone outside Yangguan.
No.
5
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Site of Yumen Pass
4.3
/5
2102 reviews
7.2
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
1037 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified User Reviews
Yumen Pass has an extremely important position on the Silk Road. Although Yumen Pass has been relocated several times and the specific location of the reconstruction may be different, it is still worth seeing. The place is relatively large, with three scenic spots: Xiaofangpancheng, Dafangpancheng, and the Great Wall of Han, and there is transportation to the scenic area.
It is more than 90 kilometers away from Dunhuang city. Come here to see the Great Wall of Han Dynasty and the Yumen Pass which has not been found. There are only the large and small Fangpancheng, and the whole is called the Yumen Pass Ruins.
No.
6
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Dahaidao
4.7
/5
725 reviews
7.1
From AU$ 9.64
>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
656 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified User Reviews
It is a hardcore scenic spot that is worth visiting. The beautiful scenery is all in the back, and the food is not expensive. However, it is very demanding on the vehicle. The general city SUV is not a big problem, but it is better to have a higher chassis. Also, if you go out from the north gate, the car must be less than 2.2 meters high, otherwise there are a lot of height limit poles and you can't get on the highway. The road infrastructure out of the north gate is average, and there is no clear road surface. People with poor directions or average road recognition ability should be cautious. The temperature is high, so be sure to check the tires. I encountered two tires that were blown along the way, and one of them was the spare tire.
The scenery of the scenic area is quite beautiful. The temperature was over 50 degrees throughout the whole journey. The road from the east gate to the north gate is more than 100 kilometers long. It was a washboard road. We drove from 4 pm to 2 pm before we got out. It was really refreshing!
No.
7
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Dunhuang Museum
4.7
/5
1067 reviews
7.1
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
826 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified User Reviews
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.
It is worth going. For me who has only a limited understanding of Dunhuang history, it is very necessary to ask a professional teacher to explain. The teacher who explained to us today was Liu Xiaoying, who was knowledgeable and her explanation style was patient and persuasive. It was a very good experience. Highly recommended.
No.
8
Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark
4.5
/5
2718 reviews
7.1
From AU$ 12.43
>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 109 users1279 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Desert smoke, sunset glow, the journey is too long, arrived at 18:00, too hot and dry, watched the sunset at 21:00, returned to the city at 23:00, one less to see. A quick off-road trip. A total of 2 hours. The phone bill is 1000+. It depends on personal preference.
The scenery is very beautiful. If you know how to take pictures, you can still make some pictures. It was very windy when we went there, but I think it was beautiful. It was a little less interesting. You can get off the bus at one stop to take pictures, and then get on the bus. You can also pay to change the bus to an off-road vehicle. The price is not cheap. It is recommended to go there later. We went in at 6:50 and waited inside to take pictures of the sunset. It was just that the sun was blocked by clouds that day, which was a pity.
No.
9
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Ancient Sound of Dunhuang
4.7
/5
293 reviews
6.6
From AU$ 63.83
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
270 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified User Reviews
Worth a visit. Even the kids were stunned. It was an immersive performance. People moved around in the performance scenes. The costumes and props were exquisite. Parking was also convenient. Dunhuang is doing a good job in tourism.
The performance was very good, the actors' makeup was very careful, and the show was also good. The time reserved for the costume change was a bit short, because there were many of us and time was tight, so we could only experience it a little.
No.
10
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Dunhuang Ancient City
4.0
/5
1062 reviews
6.4
From AU$ 10.71
15.4 km from downtown
Phone 0937-8838353
Address: Desert Gobi Desert, 18 km southwest of Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Recreate ancient streets' charm
Over 100 films' shooting location
459 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified User Reviews
The ancient city of Dunhuang is worth visiting. When I mentioned Dunhuang, I have been in my brain since I went to school and learned history. On the desert Gobi, teams of camels, flocks of horses, carrying materials, running in the desert wilderness, driving camels with different skin colors and different costumes, but the same fatigue, carrying out the exchange of East and West materials, camel bells, Moving in the sand and wind, the ancient city of Dunhuang is an important node on this Silk Road, and the ancient city is also a military fortress to prevent foreign invasion. Although the original ancient city has been a ruined wall, but in 1987 for the joint film and television film between China and Japan, the newly built ancient city covers more than 10,000 square meters, is a complete city pool, enough to reproduce the grand scenery of the year, come to Dunhuang to see Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring, see Mogao Grottoes, I will definitely go to see the west of Mogao Grottoes: the west Thousand Buddha Cave, and the kilometer to the west Thousand Buddha Cave passes the ancient city of Dunhuang, and you can see the ancient city towering from a distance. The next main kilometer drives about 1 km to the direct road. Dunhuang Ancient City, built for more than 30 years, has become more than 100 film and television dramas, perhaps which street, house is the real scene you see in the film and television drama you like.
This is the most fun ancient city I have ever been to. There are NPCs inside to do tasks and get silver notes. Silver notes can be discounted. Horse riding and archery can be discounted by 50%. Be careful of an NPC with a big knife who will inadvertently snatch your silver notes
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