Things to Do in Dunhuang

No.1: Appreciate Dunhuang Caves

Recommended Caves: Mogao Caves; Yulin Caves

Duration: about half-day for each site

Many cultural relics related to the Silk Road were found in Dunhuang. Among them, the splendor of Dunhuang Caves is unmissable. Dunhuang Caves is a large category, which refers to the collection of the Mogao Caves and other grottoes sites around Dunhuang. Besides the Mogao Caves, you can also visit the Yulin Caves, and Western Thousand Buddha Caves to appreciate the delicate murals and wondrous statues there.

No.2: Watch Dunhuang Silk Road Shows

Recommended Shows: Ancient Sound of Dunhuang; Dunhuang Grand Ceremony

Duration: about 2 hours

Rich in history and culture, the magic land, Dunhuang has conceived many classic and exotic silk shows. So far, there are three popular silk shows: Ancient Sound of Dunhuang (most recommended), Silk Road and Flower Rain, Dunhuang Grand Ceremony, and Encore Dunhuang. Dunhuang Grand Ceremony is near the Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake and the Encore Dunhuang is near the entrance of Mogao Caves Ticket Office.

No.3: Ride a Camel in the Desert

Location: Mingsha Mountain Scenic Area

Duration: about 2 hours

Have you imaged yourself riding a camel on the silk road? Currently, the Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake Scenic Area offers tourists camel riding service all year round. The price of Mingshashan Camel Ride is ￥100 / per person / per camel, excluding the entrance fee and other activities in Mingshashan & Crescent Lake Scenic Area.

No.4: Camp in the Desert

Location: Mingsha Mountain Camping Area

Duration: one afternoon and night

To enjoy the sunrise, sunset and the starry sky in the desert, you can also choose to stay around the Mingsha Mountain Camping area. There, you can have BBQ or Buffet Hot Pot, campfire party, take some awesome photos and experience the night in the desert with the sand echoing upon your ears.

No.5: Enjoy Dunhuang Cuisines

Location: Shazhou Night Market, Dunhuang City

Duration: about 2 hours

As an important outpost along the silk road, Dunhuang offers numerous cuisines for tourists from all over the world. As a kind of typical northwestern Chinese food, Dunhuang Food is known for its noodle and lamb dishes as well as plenty of fruits. The most popular food and drinks include Yellow Noodles with Donkey Meat, Dunhuang Niang Pi Zi, Apricot Rind Tea, Braised Mutton with Wide Noodles, Mutton Soup with Starch Noodles, etc. 

No.6: Try Sand Dune Sliding

Location: Mingsha Mountain Scenic Area

Duration: about 2 hours

Slide down from the top of dunes with a sandboard to experience speed and passion, and listen to how the sands echo and move in winds. You will experience the Sand Sliding activity during evening time around 20:30 when the sand has cooled off from the heat of the daytime. The sand sliding charges ￥15.

No.7: Ride a Motorcycle in the Desert

Location: Mingsha Mountain Scenic Area

Duration: about 2 hours

Riding a motorcycle to traverse the up-and-down rolling dunes is the most exciting activity in the desert. You will ride from the foot of Mingsha Mountain to get to the top of the mountain to enjoy the vastness and beauty of Mingshashan Desert, then ride the same way back. The price is about CNY 120 per person.

No.8: Photography

Recommended Sites: Mingsha Mountain; Crescent Lake; Mogao Caves; Yadan National Geopark

The magnificent sunrise and sunset at Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake, the enduring caves and statues at Mogao Caves, the camels marching along the silk road, and the wondrous landform at Yadan National Geopark, those beautiful moments can be seized in your camera during your stay in Dunhuang.