Discover Dunhuang City

Dunhuang offers one of China’s most atmospheric Silk Road travel experiences, combining desert scenery, Buddhist cave art, ancient trade route history, sand dunes, oasis landscapes, night markets, and a strong sense of being at the edge of civilizations. Located in Gansu, it is best known for the Mogao Caves and the desert landscape around Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring.

A visit can include the Mogao Caves, Mingsha Mountain, Crescent Moon Spring, desert camel rides, sunset over sand dunes, the Dunhuang night market, and nearby Silk Road sites. The best time to visit is May to June or September to October, when the weather is more comfortable than peak summer. Dunhuang works well as part of a northwest China route with Jiayuguan, Zhangye Danxia, Lanzhou, Turpan, Urumqi, and the Hexi Corridor.