https://au.trip.com/moments/detail/dunhuang-8-137172589
LilyHarrisSingapore

Complete Guide to Must-Visit Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake in Dunhuang|100% Photo Success Rate

【A Marvel Beyond the Great Wall】A Millennia-Old Romance Between Desert and Spring Water Camel bells ring softly, sand grains sing~Just 5 km south of Dunhuang city (a 15-minute taxi ride 🚕), this golden sea of sand and the Crescent Spring are performing the miracle of "sand and water coexisting"! This is literally a scene straight out of a geography textbook 🤩 ✨【Top 5 Must-Try Experiences】Tested and Guaranteed👇 1️⃣ Barefoot Climb to Catch the Sunset Step barefoot on 50°C fine sand (hot feet warning 🦶), climb to the top just in time for the sunset! The entire desert turns orange-red, and every snap looks like a National Geographic cover 📸 2️⃣ Camel Ride Across the Silk Road 💰100 RMB/person to get the authentic Western Silk Road caravan experience! The jingling camel bells make your friends think you’re filming the sequel to "Dunhuang" 🐫 (ps. remember to bargain!) 3️⃣ Thrilling Sandboarding for a Scream Slide down a 200-meter-high sand slope! More exciting than a roller coaster (suggest wearing dark clothes, don’t ask how I know 😝) 4️⃣ Capture Stunning Reflections at Crescent Lake Best spot is the viewing platform south of the spring ⛲️ A pool of clear water in the desert, with swaying reeds that look magical! Recommended to wear a red or white long dress~ 5️⃣ Desert Stargazing Camping Lie down at night and watch the Milky Way 🌌 You can even capture the starry sky with your phone! (Camping must be booked in advance) 📌【Walking Tips】 🎫Tickets: 110 RMB for unlimited entry for 3 days! (Half price for students) ⌚️Best time: Early morning 5-8 AM or evening 5-9 PM (the sand can fry eggs at noon 🥵) 🚶‍♀️Route: Camel ride → climb to the top → sandboarding → Crescent Lake loop (counterclockwise is the smoothest!) ⚠️Note: • Sunscreen essentials: sunglasses + face scarf + sunscreen (SPF50+) • Bring at least 2L of water! Desert shops are outrageously expensive 💸 • Keep your phone in a sandproof bag 🌙【Midnight Poet Moment】 Local legend says: The singing sand of Mingsha Mountain echoes ancient battlefield sounds, and Crescent Lake is the tears of a fairy 💧 When the sunset dyes the dunes rose gold, you’ll understand what "The desert’s lone smoke rises straight, the long river’s setting sun is round" means (the Chinese literature textbook wasn’t lying!) 🐫 Come to Dunhuang and get your Western Silk Road masterpiece!
View original text
*This content is provided by our partner and translated by AI
Posted: Oct 23, 2025
Submit
0
Mentioned in this post
Attraction

Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring

4.7/531042 reviews | Deserts
Dunhuang
2025 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do
Immediate access | Book now for today
SAR 57.89
Details
Show more
Related Trip Moments
Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring

This private tour of the Northwest Grand Loop completely overturned my preconceived notions about group tours and was truly the most amazing travel experience of the year! Starting from Xining,

AUSTIN RICE
Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring

Welcome to the Mogao Caves

GlobeTrotterPro99
Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring

Is DunHuang worth visiting?

小包1992
Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring

Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring, the autumn wind and singing sand together paint a golden picture

Trip.Pulse
Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring

Qinghai-Gansu Family Tour|Complete Guide to Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake! One Article for a Worry-Free Trip​

Stella987~Ward
Yang Guan

#Mogao Caves Hidden Guide

AIN. Gus 3309
Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring

Weekend Escape from Shanghai to Dunhuang: 3-Day Trip Great Value in Off-Season

WilliamLOVE
Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring

Gansu Travel|Art and Life in the Jiuquan Desert

JAIDEN HUBBARD
Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring

Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake | A Dreamlike Wonderland in the Desert, The Night Concert is Simply Divine

NomadWanderlust$22
Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring

Crescent Lake, a dazzling pearl in the desert

DOUGLAS SHARP
Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring

Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake Photo Check-in Guide, It's Really a Surprise Here

M.@ M@rt.n3z
Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring

*Guazhou* A Magical Journey Across the Silk Road

Joyful_Caleb_27