01City Guide
Mogao Caves
莫高窟
All Ages
Admission
Reservation required; choose a regular or emergency visit online.
Typical Visit
Half a day
At a Glance
Visa Policy
Plan visa or transit eligibility by your China entry route
Best Season
May-Jun and Sep-Oct for cave visits, desert routes, and outdoor city walks; summer needs careful heat and sun planning
Climate
Dry Gobi oasis climate with strong sun, large day-night temperature changes, hot summers, cold winters, and wind or sand that can affect outdoor routes
Top Attractions
02City Guide
Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake
鸣沙山月牙泉
All Ages
Admission
CNY 110 peak-season adult ticket; passport adult tickets are available. Shuttles and activities cost extra.
Typical Visit
3-5 hours; longer if adding a later dune climb
03Historic Walk
Dunhuang Museum
敦煌博物馆
All Ages
Admission
Individual visitors collect an entry ticket with valid ID; groups reserve in advance.
Typical Visit
2-2.5 hours
04Historic Walk
Encore Dunhuang Show
又见敦煌演出
Adults Focused
Admission
Separate performance ticket required; choose a ticketed showtime.
Typical Visit
About 90 minutes, plus entry time
05Food District
Shazhou Night Market
沙洲夜市
All Ages
Admission
Free entry.
Typical Visit
1-3 hours
06Historic Walk
Yangguan Scenic Area
阳关景区
All Ages
Admission
CNY 50 admission plus a CNY 20 sightseeing bus; CNY 90 combined admission ticket with Yumen Pass, with sightseeing buses extra.
Typical Visit
2-3 hours
07Historic Walk
Yumen Pass
玉门关
All Ages
Admission
CNY 40 admission plus a CNY 50 sightseeing bus; CNY 90 combined admission ticket with Yangguan, with sightseeing buses extra.
Typical Visit
2.5-3 hours
08Historic Walk
Han Great Wall Ruins
汉长城遗址
All Ages
Admission
Included with Yumen Pass: CNY 40 admission and CNY 50 sightseeing bus.
Typical Visit
30-45 minutes within a 2.5-3 hour Yumen Pass visit
09City Guide
Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark
敦煌雅丹国家地质公园
All Ages
Admission
CNY 50 admission plus a mandatory CNY 70 sightseeing bus (CNY 120 total); optional off-road route about CNY 150 per person.
Typical Visit
A full day from Dunhuang; standard route 1.5-2 hours
10City Guide
Western Thousand Buddha Caves
西千佛洞
All Ages
Admission
CNY 30 full ticket.
Typical Visit
1-2 hours
11Historic Walk
Xuanquanzhi Ruins
悬泉置遗址景区
All Ages
Admission
CNY 80 (Apr 1-Nov 30); CNY 40 (Dec 1-Mar 31). CNY 30 for the return sightseeing shuttle.
Typical Visit
About 2.5 hours
12Built Heritage
Dunhuang Ancient City
敦煌古城
All Ages
Admission
CNY 40; students half price.
Typical Visit
1.5–2 hours
13Built Heritage
Dunhuang Silk Road Heritage City
敦煌丝路遗产城
All Ages
Admission
CNY 60; students CNY 30; optional sightseeing shuttle CNY 10-20.
Typical Visit
1.5–2 hours
14City Guide
Music of Dunhuang Immersive Experience
乐动敦煌沉浸体验剧
All Ages
Admission
Separate performance ticket required; prices vary by date, zone, and package.
Typical Visit
About 70-75 minutes, plus entry time
15Cultural Stop
Leiyin Temple
雷音寺
All Ages
Admission
Free entry; no reservation required. Enter by ID scan or registration.
Typical Visit
About 1 hour
16Cultural Stop
Dunhuang Bookstore
敦煌书局
All Ages
Admission
Free entry; workshops, coffee, and cultural products cost extra
Typical Visit
45–90 minutes; longer with a workshop or café stop
17Cultural Stop
Dunhuang Seal Studio
敦煌印局
All Ages
Admission
Free entry; stamping and craft activities cost extra
Typical Visit
2–3 hours
18Urban Landmark
Dunhuang Reversed Pipa Statue
反弹琵琶雕像
All Ages
Admission
Free to view
Typical Visit
15–30 minutes
19City Guide
Library Cave
藏经洞
All Ages
Admission
Included within a Mogao Caves reservation; no separate ticket.
Typical Visit
Part of a half-day Mogao Caves visit
20Historic Walk
Yulin Caves
榆林窟
All Ages
Admission
CNY 55 for foreign visitors, including a CNY 15 foreign-language guiding fee.
Typical Visit
About 2.5-3 hours
21Historic Walk
Suoyang City Ruins
锁阳城遗址
All Ages
Admission
CNY 50 admission plus a CNY 20 sightseeing shuttle (CNY 70 total); students CNY 25 admission.
Typical Visit
3-4 hours
22City Guide
Son of the Earth Sculpture
大地之子
All Ages
Admission
Free entry.
Typical Visit
20-40 minutes