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Top 50 Best Things to Do near Guazhou [2025]

Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring
Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring
Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring
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Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring

Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring

4.6
/5
25311 reviews
󰺂
8.9
From AU$ 23.56
Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring | >100 km from downtown
Phone 0937-8883388
Address: 6 km south of Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-5 hours
Highlights:
󱓊Sand dunes and springs: A desert oasis
󱓊Desert dunes & spring coexistence
󱨠Saved by 603 users󱨠18969 positive reviews
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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
Mogao Caves
Mogao Caves
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Mogao Caves

Mogao Caves

4.4
/5
9929 reviews
󰺂
8.3
Based on 892 reviews
98.2 km from downtown
Phone 400-833-3715
Address: Yangguan Avenue, Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City, Gansu Province
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
Highlights:
Guided tour of select grottoes
󱓊Watch two 20-minute Mogao films
󱨠Saved by 456 users󱨠5487 positive reviews
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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.
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Guan City of Jiayuguan
Guan City of Jiayuguan
Guan City of Jiayuguan
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Guan City of Jiayuguan

Guan City of Jiayuguan

4.4
/5
13751 reviews
󰺂
8.2
From AU$ 23.13
Based on 172 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone 0937-6396110
Address: Jiayuguan, Gansu, China, 735100
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
Highlights:
󰀆Watch ancient military drills
󱨜Ancient military drills in season
󱨠Saved by 105 users󱨠9607 positive reviews
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The scenery is similar to that of Shanhaiguan, but the climate is much more comfortable. In terms of the scenery and the terrain settings of the checkpoints, they should be similar. It is recommended that the scenic area set up more voluntary explanation sessions so that tourists can enjoy the scenery, learn about the fun, and understand the history, which will really be worth the trip!
A historic attraction, worth visiting. Tickets are not expensive, it is best to bring a stamp book in advance, there are many customs clearance documents that can be stamped. The shuttle bus takes you directly to the gate of the city, it is best to find a guide, otherwise you can't understand it. The scenery of Qilian Mountain from a distance is beautiful!
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No.

4

Encore Dunhuang

Encore Dunhuang

4.3
/5
2848 reviews
󰺂
7.5
From AU$ 70.25
Dunhuang Airport/Dunhuang Railway Station | 95.1 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
Highlights:
Desert theater near Mogao Caves
󰋄Silk Road stories at Mogao Caves
󱨠2174 positive reviews󱨠10K views in last month
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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
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No.

5

Yangguan Pass Relic tourism District
Yangguan Pass Relic tourism District
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Yangguan Pass Relic tourism District

Yangguan Pass Relic tourism District

4.5
/5
2488 reviews
󰺂
7.2
From AU$ 10.71
Based on 59 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone 0937-8833089
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
󱨠1528 positive reviews󱨠10K views in last month
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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.
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No.

6

Site of Yumen Pass
Site of Yumen Pass
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Site of Yumen Pass

Site of Yumen Pass

4.3
/5
2102 reviews
󰺂
7.2
Based on 117 reviews
>100 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 reviews󱨠10K views in last month
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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.
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No.

7

Dunhuang Museum
Dunhuang Museum
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Dunhuang Museum

Dunhuang Museum

4.7
/5
1067 reviews
󰺂
7.1
Based on 90 reviews
Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring | >100 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 reviews󱨠10K views in last month
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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.
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No.

8

Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake
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Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake

4.3
/5
378 reviews
󰺂
7.1
>100 km from downtown
Address: Dachaidan Town, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
󱨠Saved by 111 users󱨠317 positive reviews
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Dachaidan Emerald Lake is located in Dachaidan Town, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. It is a magnesium sulfate subtype salt lake formed by salt lake mining in the original Dachaidan chemical plant. The lake water is rich in potassium, magnesium, lithium and other minerals and presents green, deep blue and other colors, like scattered emeralds, known as "God's tears". The scenic area is about 15 square kilometers, the lake is clear, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds and snowy mountains, the scenery is dreamy, is a paradise for photography lovers. Visit on a sunny day, you can take a small train to go deep into the lake area to punch in and take pictures. Very beautiful 😄
It's so beautiful that it makes no sense. It's very photogenic. You need to make a careful plan beforehand. We didn't arrange it well, and the kids kept taking photos, which resulted in a bit of time constraints. As a result, we gave up one or two attractions. But we saw the main ones. The weather is very important. It's so beautiful on a sunny day.
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No.

9

Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark

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 users󱨠1279 positive reviews
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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.
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No.

10

Silk Road Dreamland
Silk Road Dreamland
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Silk Road Dreamland

Silk Road Dreamland

4.8
/5
1968 reviews
󰺂
6.7
From AU$ 59.97
>100 km from downtown
Phone 400-166-0006
Address: No.558 Boyuan Road, Xiongguan District, Jiayuguan City
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
󰀆Enjoy the Great Wall Love Song and Acrobatic Show
󱨜Giant screen showcases 5,000 years of Chinese civilization
󱨠1862 positive reviews󱨠Recently viewed by 1,000+ people
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[Scenery] It is so beautiful, and it is unique to see the snow-capped mountains on a roller coaster. [Fun] The big IP of Dunhuang is really awesome, the secret land is combined with 5D technology, and it is completely unfamiliar to Universal Studios. [Value for money] If you want to enjoy the fun of playing multiple projects without queuing in the off-season, it is just right to go now. If you want night fireworks and parades, there are only holidays and winter and summer vacations.
Fantawild Silk Road Mythology is a must-see! As soon as I entered the project, the full Western style came to my face. The architecture and decorations were very unique, instantly pulling me into the mysterious world of the Silk Road. I sat on the cruise ship and started this fantasy journey. The scenes along the way were lifelike, as if I had traveled back to ancient times. I saw the bustling market, and the vendors' hawking seemed to be right beside my ears; there were also magnificent palaces, which were particularly stunning. And the whole experience was particularly immersive, the sound effects and scenes were perfectly matched, and every detail was handled very carefully.
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