01City Guide
Mogao Caves
莫高窟
All Ages
Admission
Reservation required; choose a regular or emergency visit online.
Typical Visit
Half a day
Quick Facts
Ticket
Individual visitors collect an entry ticket with valid ID; groups reserve in advance.
Hours
May 1-Sep 30 Tue-Sun 08:30-18:30, last entry 17:30; Oct 1-Apr 30 Tue-Sun 08:30-18:00, last entry 17:00; closed Monday.
Transport
No direct metro; Dunhuang Museum, 1390 Mingshan North Road.
Duration
2-2.5 hours
Best Time
Year-round; arrive early enough for the seasonal last-entry time.
Visitors
All ages
How to Visit
1
Choose your arrival time by season
From 1 May to 30 September, the museum opens Tuesday to Sunday, 08:30-18:30, with last entry at 17:30. From 1 October to 30 April, it opens Tuesday to Sunday, 08:30-18:00, with last entry at 17:00.
Tip:It is closed on Mondays, so do not plan around an older 09:00 opening time.
2
Bring valid ID and arrange entry at the museum
Individual visitors present a passport or other valid ID at the ticket-collection counter before entry; groups must reserve in advance at 0937-8818173.
Tip:A photo or copy of a document does not replace the original, so arriving without your passport can stop you at the entrance.
3
Check the floor plan first, then follow the main exhibition themes
Start with Silk Road history and Dunhuang art, then look for the Northern Liang Stone Tower, the replica of Mogao Cave 45 and the Dunhuang Han slips; allow about 2-2.5 hours in total.
Tip:Do not spend too long at the first few cases, or you may miss the replica cave and key objects before closing.
4
Visit the museum before Mogao Caves
Use the museum to build a basic framework for Silk Road history, Buddhist art and Dunhuang manuscripts before seeing the physical caves.
Tip:Some objects cannot be photographed, so follow the signs in each gallery and display case.
Highlights
- The Northern Liang Stone Tower is an important object for understanding early Buddhist art.
- The replica of Mogao Cave 45 allows close viewing of High Tang murals and painted sculpture.
- Dunhuang Han slips connect Silk Road documents, relay stations and everyday administration.
- Tang painted pottery tomb guardians show the form and colour of Tang ceramic sculpture.
- The Dunhuang Star Map B can be understood alongside the history of the Library Cave manuscripts.
Insider Tips
✦If visiting both sites, come here before Mogao Caves.
✦In summer, enter no later than 17:30; during the winter half of the year, enter no later than 17:00.
✦Individual visitors need an original passport; groups should complete the reservation in advance.
✦Use gallery signs to determine where photography is allowed rather than assuming the rules match those of another museum.
✦This is an indoor visit best completed in one continuous route; do not squeeze it between a night market, performance or long private-car journey.
More Dunhuang 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
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
04Food District
Shazhou Night Market
沙洲夜市
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Admission
Free entry.
Typical Visit
1-3 hours
05Historic 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
06Historic 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