Ask a QuestionWhat are the Best Places to Visit in Dunhuang? Dunhuang’s beauty is wild and merely nature which hidden in the vast desert. Where to visit in Dunhuang? It has fertile fields, umbrageous woodlands and clear spring, it also enjoys precious presents from desert - Sand dune that could sing songs and earth mounds that with wind-carved boulders and outcrops. Travel with us, to explore its unique oasis-like charm.
Mogao Grottoes, along with Yungang Grottoes in Datong and Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, are the 3 Great Grottoes of China. Located precipice at on the east foot of the Mingsha Hill, it was first dug in 366 A.D. Famous for its fabulous frescos and statues and incomparable artistic value, in December 1987, it has been included into the List of the World Cultural Heritages by the UNESCO.
There are five grottoes with a wooden structure in this area. The Mogao Grottoes is the largest, oldest and the best-preserved Buddhist grottoes with the richest contents in the world today. The total number of Mogao Grottoes is 492 in which there are over 2,800 sculptures and 45,000 square meters of murals.
The Singing Sand Dune (Mingsha Hill) and Crescent Spring are twin sisters of natural beauty in the wild Gobi Desert. Crescent Spring is a miracle in the desert. Shaped as a new moon, the Crescent Spring with bright green water is surrounded by the sand but never buried by it.
Singing Sand Dune is piled up with shifting sand in five colors, which consisted mainly of quartz, thus when shaking, quivering or friction, the Diabolo Effect roused will cause serial sound.
Dunhuang Yadan National Geologic Park features the unique and wonderful scenes and landscapes of gobi desert. It seems as a natural art museum of the world while located in a desert and delivers many delights and enjoyments to you.
Yadan National Geologic Park is the largest one of Yadan Landform found so far, which is situated 180 kilometers in the northwest away from Dunhuang City. It features the unique and wonderful scenes and landscapes of gobi desert.
Yadan Landforms were superlatively marvelous with different size of areas, and varied forms of topography. You will find varied land structures here like animals, personal images, pagodas, temples, buses and boats. In this park, the most magnificent view is that you can find the ‘miniature’ for much world-famous architecture inside the park, such as the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, the Potala Palace in Tibet, the Arabian mosque, the Pyramid and Sphinx in Egypt, the relics of ancient Roman and so on. It seems as an architectural art museum of the world while located in a desert and delivers many delights and enjoyments to you.
Also known as the Southern Pass, Yangguan Pass is sitting 75 kilometers southwest of Dunhuang, was originally built by Emperor Wu as one of two most important passes protecting in the Hang Dynasty. The other one is the Great Wall of Han Dynasty.
The Yangguan Pass was the important pass on the Southern Way of Silk Road, and the significant gateway connecting Central China and Western Regions. Today, the Yangguan Pass is the vital part of the Silk Road culture, and one of the representative relics of China Great Wall culture.
To certain extent, Yangguan Pass has been ruined with numbers of sections buried in the shifting sands after thousands of years. As a result, it is hard to have any walls in sight, with the only visible sections being the foundations of some of the walls. To the south of the mound is an expanse containing millions of pieces of broken tile over an area of twenty square kilometers, some of the last remaining evidence of civilization here.
Yumen Pass is one of the passes of the ancient Han Great Wall. And Yumen Pass was the frontier pass of many dynasties after Han Dynasty. With its ancient history, Silk Road culture and remote desert landscapes, Yumen Pass is one the the most popular destinations in Dunhuang.
As an important outpost of northwestern China, many famous poets wrote many famous poetry to describe the magnificence of Yumen Pass. It is also the gateway to the ancient Silk Road, which witnessed the prosperity and change of Yumen Pass and Dunhuang. Here you can know more about the history and stories of the Silk Road. Yumen Pass offers hauntingly beautiful landscapes of a pass on the Gobi desert, making you feel the sense of isolation and vastness. Standing on the Yumen Pass, you can easily imagine the caravans, horses and soldiers moving through this strategic place. And the spectacular Yumen Pass and vast desert provide photo opportunities.
Visiting the Singing Sand Dunes, camel riding is one of the most popular experiences in Mingsha Mountain. Sitting between the soft humps, with the leisurely pace of camels, it seems that time has slowed down, giving you a chance to savor this rare tranquility and freedom. The lines of camels and tourists are like the caravans in the past, who pass through the desert on the Silk Road.
The route of camel riding is about 4 kilometers, which takes about 40 minutes to 1 hour. You will start from the bottom of the Mingsha Mountain and climb to the top of the mountain, and then return from the top of the mountain to the bottom of the mountain. Camel terminal is 500 meters away from Crescent Spring and can be reached on foot.
Catching a sunrise or sunset on the sand dunes and desert is a unique and unforgettable memory for most of travelers to Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Spring. To catch the sunrise at Mingsha Mountain, you’d better get up early and get to the Mingsha Mountain Scenic Area in advance. You can choose to climb to the top of the sand dunes or ride a camel to the top of the Singing Sand Dunes. It is recommended that you check the time of sunrise in advance.
If you want to enjoy the stunning view of the sunset at Singing Sand Dunes, you also need to check the time of sunset in advance. For example, the time of sunset at Mingsha Mountain is about 21:00. Please leave enough time for yourselves to climb to the top of the sand dunes. Generally speaking, it takes at least half an hour to get to the top of the sand dune. And the actual time will depend on your physical strength. Also, you can enjoy the night view of the Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Spring at the top of the sand dune.
Climbing the sand dunes at Mingsha Mountain is also a special experience. Stepping on the soft sands must be very interesting. Climbing the sand dunes is different from climbing regular mountains.
There are two wooden ladders on the left and right in Mingsha Mountain Mountaineering Area, which is the most labor-saving for people who don't like to climb mountains. The left side is steep, but the scenery is better. It is an excellent location for having a panoramic view of Crescent Spring and sunset, and the right side is not steep and easier to climb. You can climb the mountain from the right side, and the road at the top of the mountain is easier to walk, then move to the top of the mountain on the left, and sit down and wait for the sunset or sunrise at will.
The top of the Singing Sand Dunes is the best place to have a panoramic view of the Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake. Climbing or riding a camel to the top of the Singing Sand Dunes, you can appreciate the shape of the and Crescent Lake. You will deeply know why it got its name. And the Crescent Lake looks beautiful in different time.
If you happen to visit the Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake in summer, you’d better climbing the Mingsha Mountain in early morning, afternoon and night. Please do avoid the time of noon, which is really hot and dry in the sand dunes. And the time of leaving the Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake is not limited, which is very convenient.
If you chase for speed and passion, you can experience the sandboarding at the Singing Sand Dunes. Standing on the mountainside of Mingsha Mountain, there are rolling golden dunes in front of you, and soft fine sand waiting to be conquered at your feet. Take a deep breath of desert air and hold the sand board tightly. At this moment, you are a warrior who conquers the sand sea and bravely meets the challenge.
Sand skiing is suitable for children or adults who are ready for a challenge of speed. If you have not experienced the sand skiing before, you can have a try of the sand skiing at the Singing Sand Dunes.
To experience the buzz of Silk Road trading culture, you can stroll around the night market in Dunhuang. And the most famous night markets in Dunhuang are Dunhuang Night Market and Shazhou Night Market. You can choose one of them to explore the prosperity of Dunhuang.
There are many stores full of local foods and snacks of Dunhuang. And there are various characteristic handicrafts at the night markets. At night, you can stroll around the market and experience the cultural atmosphere of the night markets in Dunhuang.
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