Dunhuang Travel Guide: Mogao Caves and the Singing Sands

The Mogao Caves

Carved into a cliff over about a thousand years, the Mogao Caves hold Buddhist murals and statues and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To protect the paintings, visitor numbers are limited each day and tickets are for set times, so tours book them in advance.

A visit usually starts with films at the digital exhibition centre, then a guided walk through a selection of caves. Photography is not allowed inside the caves.

Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake

On the edge of town, the Mingsha (Singing Sand) dunes rise above Crescent Lake, a small spring that has survived in the desert for centuries. A camel ride over the dunes in the late afternoon, then watching the sunset from the top, is the moment most travellers remember.

More of the desert

• The Yardang landforms: wind-carved rock formations in the Gobi, best in the soft evening light
• Yumen Pass: ruins of the Han dynasty gateway to the Western Regions
• Zhangye Danxia: striped, colourful hills that many Gansu routes combine with Dunhuang
• Jiayuguan: the fortress at the western end of the Ming Great Wall

When to go

• May to June: warm days and cool evenings; a comfortable time for the dunes.
• July to August: hot and dry in the day, so sightseeing starts early and rests at midday.
• September to October: clear skies and pleasant temperatures; often the best time.
• November to March: cold and quiet, with short days.

Travel tips

• Halal food is easy to find in Gansu, from Lanzhou beef noodles to lamb dishes in Hui Muslim restaurants.
• The desert air is very dry: bring lip balm, moisturiser and a refillable water bottle.
• Wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen on the dunes; covers for your shoes are offered at the dunes to keep the sand out.
• Distances in the north-west are long, so expect several hours on the road between some sights.