Attractions · Jiuquan

The Mogao Caves were begun in 366 AD, the second year of the Jianyuan era of the Former Qin, and were built over the Sixteen Kingdoms, Northern Dynasties, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Western Xia and Yuan. Today 735 caves survive, with 45,000 square metres of murals and more than 2,000 painted sculptures — the world's largest and richest surviving Buddhist art site. Cave 96's nine-storey facade, Cave 17 (the Library Cave), the Western Wei murals of Cave 285 and the early Tang music-and-dance scene of Cave 220 are must-sees. Visits begin with a digital film, then a shuttle bus to the caves, where a guide leads groups of eight caves. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China's four great grottoes, with 735 caves preserving 45,000 square metres of murals and more than 2,000 painted sculptures — a Buddhist art treasury on the Silk Road. Highlights include the Nine-storey Facade, Library Cave, Cave 285 and Cave 220. Tip: Book Type A tickets on the official mini-program in advance; tickets are tight in peak season; photography is forbidden inside; follow the guide and do not touch the murals. Practical info: located at Mogaozhen, Dunhuang, Jiuquan, Gansu; ticket peak ¥238 (Type A, includes digital show + 8 caves, reservation required); opening hours 08:00–18:00 (timed entry, book ahead in peak season).

• Address: Mogaozhen, Dunhuang, Jiuquan, Gansu
• Ticket: Peak ¥238 (Type A: digital show + 8 caves; reservation required)
• Opening: 08:00–18:00 (timed entry; book ahead in peak season)

Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake lie 5 km south of Dunhuang. The dunes run about 40 km east-west and 20 km north-south, with the main peak at 1,715 metres. Crescent Lake is ringed by dunes, shaped like a new moon, covering about 13 mu, and has never been buried by sand. Visitors can ride camels, sand-sled or take off-road vehicles; climbing the dunes at dusk for sunset and the illuminated lake is the classic experience. Sand dunes and a crescent-shaped spring have coexisted south of Dunhuang for a thousand years; the sand never fills the spring and the spring never dries — the classic sunset and camel-riding spot. Highlights include Mingsha sunset and the camel caravan. Tip: enter after 5 pm, ride a camel first then climb for sunset; the sand is hot — wear sandals or rent shoe covers, and bring water and sun protection. Practical info: located at Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake Scenic Area, Dunhuang, Gansu; ticket ¥110 (camel, sand-sledding and other activities extra); opening hours 05:00–21:00 (longer in summer, best before sunset). Best season: May–October; September–October is cool with the best colours on the poplars and Gobi; in summer watch sun exposure and the day-night temperature difference.

Tip: Enter after 5 pm, ride a camel first then climb for sunset; the sand is hot — wear sandals or rent shoe covers…

• Address: Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake Scenic Area, Dunhuang, Gansu
• Ticket: ¥110 (camel, sand-sledding and other activities extra)
• Opening: 05:00–21:00 (longer in summer; best before sunset)

Yumen Pass was built under Emperor Wu of Han as a key gateway to the Western Regions, named because Hetian jade entered China through it. The surviving Xiaofangpan fort is a rammed-earth square about 10 metres high, part of the Han Great Wall system. Nearby are the Hecang granary, Han wall remains and the Yardang landforms, usually visited with the Yardang Geopark in one day. The first pass on the Silk Road after Dunhuang in the Han dynasty; the Xiaofangpan fort survives. Wang Zhihuan's line 'the spring wind never crosses Yumen Pass' made it a symbol of frontier poetry. Highlights include the Xiaofangpan fort, Han Great Wall and Hecang granary. Tip: hire a car with the Yardang trip; there are no services in the desert; it is windy and exposed — bring a jacket and water, and do not climb the rammed-earth walls. Practical info: located about 90 km northwest of Dunhuang, Gansu; ticket ¥40 (includes shuttle; subject to official notice); opening hours 08:00–18:00. Best season: May–October; September–October is cool with the best colours on the poplars and Gobi; in summer watch sun exposure and the day-night temperature difference.

Tip: Hire a car with the Yardang trip; there are no services in the desert; it is windy and exposed — bring a jacke…

• Address: About 90 km northwest of Dunhuang, Gansu
• Ticket: ¥40 (includes shuttle; subject to official notice)
• Opening: 08:00–18:00

Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark covers about 400 square kilometres of Gobi northwest of the city, a classic wind-eroded yardang landscape. Ridges alternate with troughs in shapes like castles, ships and peacocks; wind through the gullies makes a moaning sound, hence 'City of Demons'. Shuttle buses stop at viewpoints such as Golden Lion, Peacock and Western Fleet, and colours are richest at sunset. A wind-eroded 'City of Demons' of ridges, yardangs and Gobi that look like an abandoned ancient city at sunset — the most dramatic stop on Dunhuang's western line. Highlights include Golden Lion, Peacock and Western Fleet. Tip: hire a car with Yumen Pass — about three hours each way; arrive an hour before sunset; it is windy and sandy — bring goggles and a jacket, and stay on the boardwalks. Practical info: located about 180 km northwest of Dunhuang, Gansu; ticket about ¥120 (includes shuttle; subject to official notice); opening hours 06:30–19:00 (best at sunset).

Tip: Hire a car with Yumen Pass — about three hours each way; arrive an hour before sunset; it is windy and sandy —…

• Address: About 180 km northwest of Dunhuang, Gansu
• Ticket: About ¥120 (includes shuttle; subject to official notice)
• Opening: 06:30–19:00 (best at sunset)