Dunhuang Brief
With the Qilian Mountains to the south, a desert to the west, and the Hexi Passage to the east, the city is abounding with spectacular sights of mountains, rivers, and gobis. Along with its natural beauty, Dunhuang also served as a western fort and a significant trading post on the Silk Road for the Tang Dynasty. Today, Dunhuang is a national tourist city hosting visitors from both home and abroad, which famous of its splendid stone caves and its mysterious charms.

Top Attractions

Mogao Grottoes: located on the eastern slope of Mingsha Sand Dunes, the Mogao Grottoes is one of three noted grottoes in China and also the largest, best preserved and richest treasure house of Buddhist art in the world. In 1987, UNESCO placed the Mogao Grottoes under the protection of the world cultural heritage list. According to historical records, the carving of them was started in 366 AD and continued for about 1,000 years. Now, there are 492 grottoes in existence, with some 45,000 square meters of murals and 2,400-odd painted clay figures.

Crescent Moon Lake & Mingsha Sand Dunes: Crescent Moon Lake is in the middle of Mingsha Sand Dunes and is quite literally an oasis in the desert, the width between north and south is only 54 meters, the lake's name derives from the crescent moon shape the small pool of spring water has taken between two large sand dunes. Here you can enjoy not only the rare view where an oasis meets the desert, but also some sun sand adventures, such as riding camels.
Mingsha Sand Dunes is 6 kilometers south of Dunhuang City, the hill is 250 meters high, and as steep as a cliff. At the hill-top you may have a bird's eye view of the Crescent Moon Lake, when visitors climb up to the dunes and slide downward from the summit, the sand can collapse with them and give out a pearl of loud sound.

Recommended Tours
Dunhuang City is famous for its historical culture of China and an important ancient city on Silk Road in ancient time. Today, as a reminder of this historical area, there are left with the Mogao Grottoes, Yangguan Pass, Yumenguan Pass and many wonderful scenic spots. May to September is the best time to visit, including Dunhuang City in your Silk Road Tour is an ideal decision and you won't regret.
(SR-001) Beijing-Xi'an-Lanzhou-Jiayuguan-Dunhuang-Turpan-Urumqi-Shanghai (16 Days)
(SR-002) Beijing-Urumqi-Turpan-Kashgar-Dunhuang-Jiayuguan-Lanzhou-Xi'an-Shanghai (16 Days)
(SR-007) Beijing-Lanzhou-Xiahe-Lanzhou-Wuwei-Zhangye-Jiayuguan-Dunhuang-Urumqi-Shanghai-Guilin+Yangshuo-Guangzhou-Hong Kong (26 Days)
(AMD-002) Beijing-Lanzhou-Linxia-Xiahe-Tongren-Xining-Qinghai Lake-Xining-Zhangye-Jiayuguan-Dunhuang-Beijing (11 Days)
(ST-025) Dunhuang-Turpan-Kuche-Kashgar+Karakuli Lake: Silk Road Adventure tour - Camel, Ancient Cities, Alpine Lake (11 Days)
(ST-026) Dunhuang-Turpan-Kashgar: Silk Road Discovery Tour (7 Days)

Shopping & Entertainment
Hand-made carpets, many containing patterns reminiscent of the Mogao Grotto frescos, are Dunhuang's most valuable product. Tibetan style handicrafts are also popular, and readily available everywhere in Dunhuang. Liguang apricots, Ziyang peaches, Mingshan dates, Yangguan grapes, melons, pears, and apples are delicious and can be found at wayside markets. The well known shopping places inside Dunhuang City have: Feitian Market, Tianma Market, Gongxiao Market, etc.

Dunhuang City provides a large variety of amusement events, such as movies, operas, singing, dancing, gymnastic, sauna and billiards. There have some performances at Dunhuang Hotel, such as the Summer of Dunhuang, these song and dance performances show rich in Dunhuang culture and take you back to the ancient times, they mainly inspired by murals in the Mogao Grottoes, feature the dancing, costumes, and music of ethnic groups along the Silk Road.