Dunhuang

A key Silk Road hub with Mogao Caves murals, Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring, and Yang and Yumen Passes, plus sunsets over the desert at Yardang Ghost City to the west.

Dunhuang is a county-level city administered by Jiuquan in Gansu Province. It lies at the western end of the Hexi Corridor, on the eastern edge of the Kumtag Desert, where the northern and southern Silk Road routes met, and it is the western apex of the Qinghai–Gansu Grand Loop. The town is small, and its sights fall into three rings. The nearby ring includes the Mogao Caves, 25 km southeast of town, and Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring, 5 km south of town (with Leiyin Temple at the foot of the dunes); together they make up Dunhuang's essential day. The western route covers Yumen Pass, the Han Great Wall, Hecang City and Yardang Ghost City (about 300 km round trip). It is usually done as a day trip by chartered car, ending with sunset at the yardangs. The southwestern route takes in the West Thousand Buddha Caves, Dunhuang Ancient Town (a film set) and Yang Pass, and can fill half a day to a full day. In town you will find the Dunhuang Museum, White Horse Pagoda, Shazhou Night Market and the Pipa-Playing Apsara sculpture; in the evening you can catch shows such as Dunhuang Encore. Best seasons: May–June and September–October have comfortable temperatures and plenty of sunshine. July–August is the summer-holiday peak, with daytime highs up to 38°C but cool mornings and evenings, and sunset after 9 pm. November to March is the low season: it is cold, but Mogao Caves tickets are half price and more caves are open. Getting there: Dunhuang Mogao International Airport has flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Lanzhou and more; Dunhuang Station has bullet trains to Lanzhou, Xining and Jiayuguan. Taxis in town are cheap, while sights farther out are reached by chartered car or day tour. Suggested stay: 2–3 days; Jiayuguan Pass, the Overhanging Great Wall and other sights are covered under the "Jiayuguan" destination. Tips: Mogao Caves tickets must be booked in advance with real names on the official reservation platform, and they often sell out a week ahead in peak season (emergency tickets may be available after that). UV in the desert is extremely strong, so bring sunglasses, sunscreen and shoe covers. The Yumen Pass–Yardang route is uninhabited, so bring water and food if you charter a car. After sunset at the yardangs, the drive back to town takes about 2.5 hours, so take care driving at night. Ticket prices and opening hours are subject to official announcements.

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