Dunhuang Travel Guide: Unlock the Mysteries of the Silk Road’s Hidden Gem

Introduction and Reasons for Recommendation

Dunhuang, located in the northwest of Gansu Province, China, is famous for its rich historical and cultural heritage and natural landscapes. It serves as an excellent window to explore the glorious history of the ancient Silk Road.

• Reasons for Recommendation: Dunhuang not only boasts rich historical relics and cultural treasures such as the Mogao Caves and Mingsha Mountain Yueya Spring but also magnificent natural landscapes like the Yardang Devil City. These attractions together form an unforgettable travel destination, suitable for tourists interested in history, culture, natural scenery, and unique landforms.

Transportation to Dunhuang

• By Plane: Dunhuang Airport has direct flights from major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Lanzhou. The airport is not far from the city center, and the airport shuttle takes about 20 minutes.

• By Train: The train station is close to the city center, with many trains arriving from all over the country.

Local Transportation

• Bus: Dunhuang’s bus system is well – developed, but traffic jams can occur during peak hours.

• Taxi/ Ride – hailing: Taxis are convenient but relatively expensive. It is recommended to confirm the meter is used.

• Shared Electric Scooter: These can be found on the streets, but they can only be ridden in designated areas.

• Car Rental: You can choose to rent a car for self – driving, but be mindful of parking issues.

Must – Visit Attractions

Mogao Caves

The Mogao Caves, one of the three major grottoes in China and a World Cultural Heritage site, house a vast collection of exquisite murals and sculptures, making it a treasure trove for understanding ancient Buddhist culture and art.

• Ticket: 238 yuan per person (140 yuan per person in the off – season, limited tickets available daily, book in advance via the official WeChat公众号 15 days ahead)

• Opening Hours: 9:00 – 17:00

• Recommended Visit Duration: 3 – 4 hours

Mingsha Mountain and Yueya Spring

One of the eight scenic spots in Dunhuang, Mingsha Mountain and Yueya Spring is acclaimed as the ultimate landscape beyond the frontier. You can experience camel riding through the desert and sandboarding.

• Ticket: 110 yuan per person (valid for multiple entries within 3 days)

• Opening Hours: 8:00 – 19:30

• Recommended Visit Duration: 3 – 4 hours

Yumen Pass

Yumen Pass, an important pass on the ancient Silk Road, was once the gateway between the Central Plains and the Hexi Corridor. Today, only a square earthen wall remains, but it still evokes the prosperity of the past.

• Ticket: 60 yuan per person (includes sightseeing vehicle)

• Opening Hours: 8:00 – 18:00

• Recommended Visit Duration: 1 – 2 hours

Yadan Geological Park

The Yadan Geological Park is the largest and most mature Yadan landform group discovered in the world so far, with the most ornamental value. It is a great place for photography, especially at sunset, and the recommended visit duration is about 3 hours.

• Ticket: 70 yuan per person (includes sightseeing vehicle, 55 yuan per person in the off – season)

• Opening Hours: 8:00 – 17:30

• Recommended Visit Duration: 3 hours

Dunhuang Ancient City

Dunhuang Ancient City, with a history of thousands of years, has been the backdrop for many film and television productions. You can wear traditional costumes for photography here, which is very photogenic.

• Ticket: 40 yuan per person

• Recommended Visit Duration: About 1 hour

Dunhuang Museum

The Dunhuang Museum is a great place to learn about the history and culture of Dunhuang, with a collection of many precious cultural relics. You can join a group for a guided tour.

• Ticket: Free (requires advance booking)

• Opening Hours: 9:00 – 17:00 (closed on Mondays)

• Recommended Visit Duration: 1 – 2 hours

Western Thousand Buddha Caves

The Western Thousand Buddha Caves, the sister grottoes of the Mogao Caves, allow you to visit a few caves. The murals here are very ancient, mostly from the Uighur period.

• Ticket: 30 yuan per person

• Recommended Visit Duration: 1 – 2 hours

The Son of the Earth

The Son of the Earth is a sculpture of a baby lying prostrate on the desert ground. The scenic area is far from the city center, and the recommended visit duration is about 2 hours.

Jiayuguan

Jiayuguan, known as the “Number One Pass under Heaven,” was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1987. Climbing to a high vantage point, you can overlook the vast Gobi Desert and the magnificent Great Wall ruins.

• Ticket: 110 yuan per person

Hu Yang Men Bing (Mutton Stew with Pancakes)

Hu Yang Men Bing is a representative dish of Dunhuang. The mutton is stewed until tender, and the smooth pancakes are very flavorful.

• Recommended Restaurant: Guo Hui Hu Yang Men Bing

Mutton Powder Soup

Mutton Powder Soup is a characteristic snack of Dunhuang. The broth is rich, the mutton is tender, and the potato noodles are Q – elastic and smooth, making it a must – try.

• Recommended Restaurants: Chang Shi Fu Mutton Powder Soup (Jian An Agricultural Trade Market Store), Xia Jia He Zi Yi (Summer break from 2:40 PM to 5:30 PM, closed after 2:40 PM in winter)

Grilled Lamb Ribs

Grilled Lamb Ribs is a specialty of Dunhuang. The mutton is tender and juicy, with a crispy exterior and fragrant aroma.

• Recommended Restaurants: Da Hu Zi Grilled Lamb Ribs, Xing Yue Kao

Lamb Kebabs

Lamb Kebabs is a specialty of Dunhuang. The mutton is tender, with a delicate texture and no gamey flavor.

• Recommended Restaurant: Jing Yuan Gao Liu Delicious Lamb Kebabs

Donkey Meat and Yellow Noodles

Donkey Meat and Yellow Noodles is a representative dish of Dunhuang. The noodles are chewy, the donkey meat is fragrant, and the sauce is rich, making it a must – try.

• Recommended Restaurant: Shun Zhang Huang Mian Guan

Jing Gao (Rice Cake)

Jing Gao is a characteristic dessert of Dunhuang. It has a soft and glutinous texture, with a sweet and delicious taste, making it a must – try.

• Recommended Restaurant: Zhong Jia Jing Gao

Grilled Fish

Mobei Grilled Fish is a delicacy at the Shazhou Night Market. The whole fish is grilled on an iron plate, with a crispy exterior and tender interior. Sprinkled with special spices, sour bamboo shoots, and chili peppers, it is very delicious.

Hong Liu Kao Rou (Red Willow Barbecue)

Hong Liu Kao Rou is a delicacy at the Shazhou Night Market. The fresh mutton chunks are thick and juicy. After being grilled over charcoal, they are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with an aroma that fills the air. Sprinkled with chili powder and cumin, it is extremely satisfying.

Kao Bao Zi (Grilled Buns)

Shule Kao Bao Zi have a very crispy exterior and juicy filling, with a reasonable price, making them a great value.

Jing Yuan Gao Liu Delicious Lamb Kebabs

This restaurant is very popular in Dunhuang, famous for its hand – grabbed mutton and Hu Yang Men Bing. The mutton is tender and juicy, preserving the original flavor of the ingredients, and is worth a try.

• Recommended Dishes: Hand – grabbed Mutton, Hu Yang Men Bing, Sand Onion Scrambled Eggs

• Average Cost: Around 100 yuan per person

• Opening Hours: 6:00 – 15:00; 15:00 – 22:30

• Note: The open space at the entrance is always full of people waiting for a table, so it is necessary to预留 1 hour for waiting.

Xia Jia He Zi Yi

This restaurant is famous for its mutton soup he zi yi. The broth is rich, and the ingredients are abundant, making it a great choice for breakfast.

• Recommended Dishes: Mutton He Zi Yi, Bing Zi

• Average Cost: Around 20 yuan per person

• Opening Hours: Summer break from 2:40 PM to 5:30 PM, closed after 2:40 PM in winter

Guo Hui Hu Yang Men Bing

This restaurant is an old establishment in Dunhuang, famous for its Hu Yang Men Bing and donkey meat yellow noodles. The men bing is smooth and flavorful, and the donkey meat yellow noodles have a rich sauce, making it worth a try.

• Recommended Dishes: Hu Yang Men Bing, Crispy Eggplant, Sand Onion Scrambled Eggs, Donkey Meat Yellow Noodles

• Opening Hours: 24/7

Da Hu Zi Grilled Lamb Ribs

This restaurant is famous for its grilled lamb ribs and mutton kang guo. The mutton is tender and juicy, with an aroma that fills the air, making it a paradise for meat lovers.

• Recommended Dishes: Grilled Lamb Ribs, Mutton Kang Guo, Grilled Bing Zi

• Address:昆仑西路新二区二市场, Qili Town

• Note: The restaurant is about 10 kilometers away from Dunhuang city center.

Da Ji Donkey Meat Yellow Noodles

This restaurant is famous for its donkey meat yellow noodles and braised donkey meat. The noodles are chewy, and the sauce is rich, making it a popular choice among locals.

• Recommended Dishes: Donkey Meat Yellow Noodles, Braised Donkey Meat

• Average Cost: Around 30 yuan per person

• Note: The restaurant is very busy during meal times, with no numbering system, so you have to wait for a table yourself.

Zhong Jia Jing Gao

This restaurant is famous for its desserts. The sweet醅子 and milk醪糟 are very popular, making it a great choice for cooling off in the summer.

• Recommended Dishes: Sweet醅子, Milk醪糟

Lao Zhang Ye Jiang Hai Breakfast Shop

This restaurant is famous for its meat – filled buns and Xiao Long Bao. The meat – filled buns have a lot of meat, and the Xiao Long Bao has delicious soup, making it a great place for breakfast.

• Recommended Dishes: Meat – filled Buns, Xiao Long Bao, Soy Milk

• Average Cost: Around 10 yuan per person

• Opening Hours: Starting from 6:00 AM

Jin Zhangye Xiang Zai Lai Spicy Hot Pot

This restaurant is famous for its spicy hot pot. The variety of dishes is rich, and the taste is unique, making it a great choice for late – night snacks.

• Recommended Dish: Spicy Hot Pot

• Opening Hours: Open until 1:30 AM

Fang Ha Tea Shop

A Gansu – specific local specialty tea shop, the sweet胚子 yogurt is very popular, making it a great choice for relieving greasiness.

• Recommended Drink: Sweet胚子 Yogurt

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Cultural Experiences

Immersive Historical Exploration Drama

The Wild Children team has written Silk Road knowledge into the stories of the drama, allowing children to learn about the Silk Road and various historical events through play, enriching their personalities.

• Recommended Venue: Wild Children Parent – child Activities

Game – based Learning at Mogao Academy

At the Mogao Academy, the gold – medal lecturers from the Dunhuang Research Institute have carefully designed four customized courses for children, leading them to personally restore murals and开启 a close dialogue with history.

• Recommended Venue: Mogao Academy

Team Games during Travel

The Wild Children team has精心 designed nine team games for children to breathe fresh air, strengthen their bodies, and expand their horizons through exercise during the journey.

Secret Meetings

The Wild Children team启动 “神级带娃模式” every two days, organizing children to hold “secret meetings” to enhance parent – child relationships.

Shopping Guide

Dunhuang Souvenirs

There are cultural and creative stores at the Mogao Caves, bookstores, museums, and other places where you can purchase Dunhuang – themed souvenirs.

• Recommended Purchases: Fridge magnets, bookmarks, scarves, silk scarves, etc.

• Prices: Fridge magnets and bookmarks 5 yuan each, scarves 40 yuan each, silk scarves 20 yuan each

• Bargaining: When purchasing hand – made gifts at the Shazhou Night Market, you can bargain.

Dunhuang Photo Shoots

There are many photo studios at the entrance of Mingsha Mountain where you can compare and choose. Prices vary, and bargaining is possible.

• Recommended Purchases: Costumes, makeup, photography

• Prices: 100 yuan (including costume and makeup), 300 yuan (including makeup + 15 raw photos, 3 retouched photos), 400 yuan for 2 people (10 raw photos per person + 2 retouched photos + makeup)

Accommodation Area Recommendations

• Dunhuang City Center: Convenient transportation and complete surrounding facilities, making it easy to visit city attractions.

• Recommended Hotels: Dunhuang Grand Hotel, Dunhuang Tianrun International Grand Hotel

• Around Mingsha Mountain: Close to the Mingsha Mountain Yueya Spring scenic area, convenient for sightseeing, and offering beautiful sunsets in the evening.

• Recommended Hotels: Dunhuang Shazhou Town Yueya Spring Village, Hotels at the entrance of Mingsha Mountain Yueya Spring Scenic Area

• Around Dunhuang Airport: Convenient transportation, close to the airport, and easy to reach.

• Recommended Hotels: Hotels near Dunhuang Airport

Travel Summary

Dunhuang is a city full of historical and cultural charm, with numerous tourist attractions and unique cultural experiences, making it suitable for tourists interested in history, culture, natural scenery, and unique landforms.

Tips

• The attractions in Dunhuang are relatively scattered. It is recommended to plan your route in advance and choose self – driving or taking a taxi for more convenience.

• Dunhuang has strong紫外线. It is recommended to take good sun protection measures.

• The temperature difference between day and night in Dunhuang is large. It is recommended to bring warm clothing.

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