What to do in Dunhuang? What to see?

What to do in Dunhuang? What to see?

Dunhuang, as you can tell by its name, is a place with a lot of history. Therefore, when traveling to Dunhuang, you must have a thorough understanding and experience of Dunhuang’s splendid history and culture, and feel the pride of being a Chinese. and proud! Secondly, Dunhuang is located at the westernmost end of Gansu Province, a desert oasis town. The natural scenery, mainly desert scenery, is also beautiful. Remember to bring your camera to take pictures~

Mogao Grottoes is Dunhuang A business card of "Dunhuang", many friends know and like the small city of Dunhuang because of her. This is also a place where many friends must check in when they come to Dunhuang. When you have the opportunity to walk into the caves and admire the murals and statues left over thousands of years up close, all the monuments are amazing, with a strong sense of history and art that hits your face. If you hadn't seen it with your own eyes, it would be hard to imagine that thousands of years ago, our ancestors had such vivid colors and exquisite carving techniques, and each vivid picture told each story in such detail.

Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring is another top attraction in Dunhuang. Because there is a crescent-shaped spring in the desert, with lingering ripples and as green as emerald. For thousands of years, the spring has been in the quicksand, never drying up without drought, and the wind blowing and the sand never falling, attracting many tourists. Entering the scenic spot, you can see the vast desert and the sand mountains at a glance. How can you stop your racing heart and the urge to roll as much as you want? Crescent Moon Spring is surrounded by sand mountains. It is such a small oasis that has been sparkling for thousands of years. No matter how you think about it, it is a magical and incredible thing. Here, you can experience the desert camel caravan and the sound of camel bells, as if you are dreaming back to the prosperous trade scene of the Western Regions during the Han and Tang Dynasties.

The Yadan landform is an important part of the western Dunhuang tourism scenic spot. The Yadan landform is a typical wind-eroded landform. The erosion of strong winds and intermittent water flows in the four seasons has formed mounds of different shapes, either scattered here or there, or in a strong lineup. The wind blows through the gaps between these mounds, often making various strange sounds. It sounds like a ghost crying and a wolf howling, so it is also called the Devil City by the locals. Although it is 180 kilometers away from the city, it is a long way. Just like this, the moment you see the Yadan landform, you will be deeply shocked. The scenery here is not of this world. It is so beautiful that it is impossible to capture it with a camera. Not even one percent.

Two Passes: Yumen Pass, which prospered with the development of the Silk Road, was once a must-pass for merchants from the Western Regions and people from the Central Plains. Because Hotan jade has been imported from the Central Plains here since ancient times, it got its name. Wang Zhihuan's "Liangzhou Ci" wrote: "Far above the Yellow River, among the white clouds, there is an isolated city called Wanren Mountain. Why should the Qiang flute blame the willows, for the spring breeze does not reach Yumen Pass." The tragic and desolate poem arouses people's yearning for the ancient frontier fortress. Yangguan was also the chokepoint for China’s ancient overland external communications and a must-pass pass for the southern Silk Road. During the Western Han Dynasty, two passes were set up. Because it was located to the south of Yumen Pass, it was named Yangguan. Standing at the exit of the ancient Silk Road, Xuanzang's westward journey is here, and the beacon is still there. The former traffic pass is now deserted, and only the long yellow sand seems to still tell the story of its former glory.

Shazhou Night Market, whenever the sun sets and the lights first come on, the place becomes lively. When you feel a little tired after a day of playing, it’s so nice to sit here, having skewers with your friends, drinking ice-cold beer, apricot skin water, and Dunhuang old yogurt while a gust of evening breeze blows by! The fatigue of the day is gone! There is also a dazzling array of exquisite souvenirs here, making it your best choice for souvenirs.

Camping under the stars in the desert is definitely a unique experience in Dunhuang. If you have enough time in Dunhuang, be sure to experience desert camping. When you sleep on the soft desert, you can see the vast Milky Way when you open your eyes. At that moment, quietly, throw away all the worries and pressure, and only be with the bright stars, as if you own the entire Milky Way. On the contrary, before night falls, you can ride a desert buggy, have a lively bonfire party with your friends, and have a great time in the desert.

Dunhuang performances, you must watch the performances when you go to Dunhuang. This may be the closest way for you to get close to Dunhuang art. When you walk into the theater, you will find that the profound and heavy history on the Silk Road is unfolding before your eyes. My heart slowly unfolded. Now, three different performances are performed every day in Dunhuang: "Seeing Dunhuang Again" created by the famous director Wang Chaoge, "Dunhuang Ceremony", a real-life performance in the desert, and the originator of Dunhuang dance, "Silk Road Flower Rain" adapted from the murals of the Mogao Grottoes.

The situational experience drama "Seeing Dunhuang Again" created by the famous director Wang Chaoge is different from other performance forms. Most of the time you watch the performance while walking, and you are zero distance from the ancients in the play, traveling through the past and the present. , listen to and experience those historical stories that span thousands of years, as if the ancient Silk Road is reappearing under your feet, and you will feel an uncontrollable surge of heat in your heart, as if you are really with it.

"Dunhuang Ceremony" is a real-life performance in the desert that can be enjoyed outdoors. It uses the Mingsha Mountain as the background, the starry sky as the dome, and the 360-degree rotating auditorium. Give you more visual shock. The naked-eye 3D wall light show, Dunhuang's century-old folk ironwork, and semi-wrapped cave displays present an ups and downs of Silk Road love story.

"Flower Rain on the Silk Road" is a stage play adapted from the murals of the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang. It uses beautiful dance to convey an ode to the friendship between China and foreign countries on the Silk Road. You can enjoy the beautiful and authentic Dunhuang dance throughout the play. . "Flower Rain along the Silk Road" can be said to be a very "big name" performance. As an outstanding representative of my country's musicals, it has visited many countries such as Japan, France, and the United States. Wherever it went, there was a Dunhuang style. Tickets are even harder to come by. As a special gift during the 30th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 2008 Beijing Olympics, it performed many times in Beijing for Chinese and foreign guests, and received countless applause and honors. I believe that enjoying such a dance drama in Dunhuang will be an unforgettable memory of your trip to Dunhuang.

How to arrange the itinerary reasonably?

Dunhuang can generally be arranged for 2-3 days to fully experience the charm of this ancient town

Recommended 2-day gameplay

Day 1 Go early Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring, experience the desert style. In the afternoon, we will visit the Mogao Grottoes in depth to find the most beautiful flying sky. In the evening, you can walk into the theater and enjoy Dunhuang performances.

Day 2 Today we arrange the Dunhuang west route landscape, you can go to Yangguan, Yumenguan and Yadan landforms. After returning to the city in the evening, go to Shazhou Night Market to taste snacks and choose souvenirs.

Recommended 3-day gameplay

Day 1 Desert Scenery Experience Day: In the morning, you can go to Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring Scenic Area, have snacks in Crescent Spring Town for lunch, and visit Leiyin after dinner temple. In the evening, go to the desert camping base to participate in a bonfire party and starry sky camping experience.

Day 2 Dunhuang Charming Culture Day: Today we will visit Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes and Dunhuang Museum in depth to experience the rich cultural heritage of Dunhuang. Go to the theater in the evening to watch the performance.

Day3 Dunhuang West Scenery: Visit Yangguan Pass, Yumen Pass, and Yadan Landform. After returning to the city in the evening, go to Shazhou Night Market to taste snacks and choose souvenirs.

What aspects need to be paid attention to

1. Visits to Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes require real-name reservations, and reservations must be made online 30 days in advance. Tickets for the Mogao Grottoes are limited to 6,000 per day, so friends, please make a reservation for the Mogao Grottoes as soon as possible after making your itinerary. Otherwise you may be turned away.

2. May to October every year is the peak tourist season in Dunhuang. Hotels and tickets are relatively tight, so friends, please make reservations in advance.

3. The sun is shining brightly in Dunhuang in the summer and the ultraviolet rays are strong. It is recommended that you minimize outdoor activities at noon. Use sun protection and hydration when doing outdoor activities. Even in summer, the temperature difference between morning and evening in Dunhuang is relatively large. It is recommended that you bring a light jacket in case of emergency.

4. Although the desert in Dunhuang is beautiful, please do not act or explore alone. Follow the arrangements and guidance of the scenic area staff or professional staff, and experience the desert style in a safe area and under safety guarantee.

I went there in November, which is the off-season.

I prefer traveling in the off-season, because there are really fewer people and you have more time and space to play.

The most important thing is that in the off-season, most tickets in Dunhuang are half-price, which is very suitable for me who is poor.

When I go in November, there are usually only about one group. So you don’t have to worry about crowds everywhere and queues everywhere. When taking photos, you won’t be photographing all people.

Moreover, Dunhuang in winter gives people a feeling of bleak autumn wind, especially the atmosphere of the northwest. I travel independently, so I control my own time. So after we visited the Mogao Grottoes, we still walked around the caves. The scenery in the northwest was really shocking.

However, the off-season also has its shortcomings. Originally, we planned to go sandboarding, but since it was winter, there were too few people visiting, so the scenic spot did not open it. When taking photos in Mingsha Mountain, I feel like I can capture an American blockbuster no matter what I do. The scenery is really beautiful.

I have also shared before, my winter travel guide to Dunhuang-Zhangye, Gansu Province. If you are interested, you can take a look, it is quite practical!

Dunhuang can be visited all year round, but the most beautiful season is autumn, and the most interesting place is the Devil City located on the edge of Lop Nur.

You can travel to Dunhuang at any time of the year.

Come to Dunhuang in spring, which is the off-season of the year. There are not many people, so you don’t have to queue for a long time to enter the Mogao Grottoes. If you are lucky, you can also see a few more grottoes!

Come to Dunhuang in the summer. Since it is the peak tourist season, there are many tourists. The temperature is very good in the morning and evening, but it is extremely hot at noon.

Personally, I think autumn is the best season of the year to visit Dunhuang. The temperature is neither cold nor hot, and the Populus euphratica forest has turned yellow, which is particularly beautiful. Moreover, many fruits are ripe in autumn. The grapes and honeydew melons in Dunhuang are very good, quite sweet, almost sweet to the core.

When you come to Dunhuang in winter, if you are lucky, you will encounter snow. Think about it, what a rare opportunity it is to encounter snow in the desert! Don’t forget to go to Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring to take a set of blockbusters!

There are many interesting places in Dunhuang, including the well-known Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring, Mogao Grottoes, Dunhuang Ancient City, Yangguan Pass, Yumen Pass and other scenic spots. But the most attractive thing is the Dunhuang Devil City located on the edge of Lop Nur.

Dunhuang Devil City is located at the junction of Gansu and Xinjiang, also known as Dunhuang Yadan National Geopark. It is part of the ancient Lop Nur, 180 kilometers away from Dunhuang City and 100 kilometers away from Yumen Pass.

Lop Nur has always been a symbol of mystery in the hearts of everyone. There are many phenomena that cannot be explained by science so far. It is also known as the "Sea of ??Death and the Forbidden Zone of Life", attracting many explorers to come and explore. .

In the Dunhuang Devil City, the Nayadan landforms are all kinds of strange and astonishing: some are like sphinxes, some are like peacocks spreading their wings, some are like fleets riding the wind and waves, and some are like young girls. Others are like big rocs spreading their wings to fly.

When visiting Dunhuang Devil City, be sure to take the tourist bus in the scenic spot, and never venture into it without permission!

Because the Devil City is quite large, the Yadan landform is widely distributed, and the scenic area is about 400 square kilometers.

The terrain of the scenic spot is quite complex, the geomagnetism is strong, the compass often fails and cannot be used, and the mobile phone signal is intermittent. Moreover, the terrain is very low and the roads are difficult to identify, so people often get lost.

Damei Dunhuang welcomes you!

I went to Dunhuang during the National Day Golden Week three years ago, so my experience should be of some reference value to people who want to go out during the statutory holiday. After all, it is difficult for office workers without annual leave to have a large amount of time to go out.

The best time to visit Dunhuang recommended in the guide is September-October. If you have enough time to wander around, you might as well go before the Golden Week, maybe there will be fewer people.

However, judging from my experience last time during the Golden Week, except for the long queues for the Mogao Grottoes, the number of people at other attractions is still acceptable, but the round-trip air tickets are slightly expensive.

At that time, we took the Xining-Dunhuang-Lanzhou line. I will focus on the scenic spots I visited in this part of Dunhuang.

Mogao Grottoes

Needless to say, the status of Mogao Grottoes is the largest and richest Buddhist art site in the world. It is a must-see place in Dunhuang.

Due to holiday restrictions, you can see 8 caves with regular tickets, and you can only see 4 caves with emergency tickets. Tickets are booked in advance on the official website. It is king to book tickets early for independent travel.

Mogao Grottoes is the place with the best management order among the large scenic spots I have experienced so far. Before watching the real caves, you need to watch two digital movies to explain the history and culture of the Mogao Grottoes from a macro perspective. After watching the movies, a shuttle bus will be arranged to take you to the caves. With so many people and so many shows, Everything is in order and the experience is really good.

Although you have to queue for a long time and although you can only see 8 caves, it is worth the wait. You don't need to bring a flashlight, just go in and follow the explanation of the flashlight to look at it. Firstly, the murals are afraid of light, and secondly, it is better to listen to the story and read it by yourself.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t know much about art and cultural background here, because everyone has a pair of eyes that discover beauty.

Mingsha Mountain – Crescent Spring

On the day I went to Mingsha Mountain, I was running a marathon, and roads were closed everywhere, so I took a long detour to get there.

The imagined desert should be at the end of the road, deserted. However, Mingsha Mountain is very interesting, probably because of the scenic spot. After entering the gate and walking around, I suddenly saw a large desert, and I was caught off guard.

Riding a camel is a must. Although it is a little expensive, it is worth it. It will take you a long way, giving you the feeling of a caravan crossing the Silk Road, but people who are afraid of heights may be a little scared. , and be careful to keep warm when it’s windy up there.

Climbing up the sand dune can take a picture of the whole Crescent Spring, but it is a bit difficult to climb up the sand dune. It is a rope ladder, especially for someone like me who is afraid of heights. It requires using both hands and feet, which is really scary. The wind is strong. Halfway up, I screamed in fear, but when I climbed up, I saw a different view. It was fun to go down the sand dune, my legs were like pedaling and I was down quickly.

Shazhou Night Market

The night market is very lively at night and will probably last until midnight. There are so many delicious food and there are many shops selling souvenirs. Remember to distinguish between genuine and fake ones and then bargain.

There are many people pushing carts selling dried fruits in the night market. There is an old couple standing near the head. They are very enthusiastic and try their best to stuff them into your hands so that you can try them. You are welcome. Li Guang bought a lot of dried apricots because they were delicious and boiled them into apricot skin water, which was delicious. It's a pity that I didn't add WeChat or anything else at that time, otherwise it would have been expressly delivered. If friends who are thinking of going there again meet them, please remember to give me their contact information...

Rebound Pipa Statue

If you pass by while walking, you can navigate there and leave. Shazhou Night Market is not far away.

Yangguan – Yumen Pass – Yadan Devil City

After planning the itinerary, I found that I could stay in Dunhuang for two days, so I chose such a route. It was not suitable for the two of us to charter a car and take this route, so we signed up for a local one-day tour. The route was relatively mature, and the one-day round-trip drive took a long time. We left early and returned late, but the scenery was worth it.

Yadang Devil City is the frontier of Lop Nur. There is Gobi Desert on both sides of the road. There are signs warning of wild wolves and no-man’s land everywhere. The Yadan landform is irrecoverable and some parts have collapsed.

The sunset in the Devil City is full of freedom.

The best travel time in Dunhuang is May-June, August-October. It is recommended to go from August to October. At that time, Dunhuang has a clear and crisp autumn air, which avoids the highest temperature in Dunhuang. However, you still need to check the weather before going, as sometimes the wind and sand are quite serious. If possible, it is best to avoid traveling to Dunhuang during the National Day Golden Week to avoid crowds.

I personally prefer natural landscapes when traveling. I recommend that you must visit the Mogao Grottoes when you go to Dunhuang. The Mogao Grottoes are one of the most famous business cards of Dunhuang and contain the richest collection of Buddhist art. There are more than 700 caves, which will definitely make people feel goosebumps. It is also a must-recommend place for domestic cultural landscape. However, you must listen to the explanation after you go, or search for information before going, otherwise you really just come to see the excitement. .

It was built in the pre-Qin period of the Sixteen Kingdoms. It has gone through the construction of the Sixteen Kingdoms, Northern Dynasties, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Xixia, Yuan and other dynasties, forming a huge scale, which is also the largest existing in the world. The largest and richest Buddhist art shrine.

The Mogao Grottoes are a national key cultural relics protection unit, commonly known as the Thousand Buddhas Cave. They are known as the most valuable cultural discovery in the 20th century and the "Oriental Louvre". They are located in Dunhuang at the west end of the Hexi Corridor. The exquisite murals and statues are famous all over the world. The Mogao Grottoes consist of the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes Digital Exhibition Center and the Mogao Grottoes physical cave.

Some people say that it is the most splendid Oriental Art Museum; some say that it is the most unfathomable Buddhist resort; others say that it is the most breathtaking architectural palace. Regardless of whether you like Buddhism or not, you must go see it in person to feel its unparalleled elegance.

When the sun rises in the morning, the natural light in the cave is the best, which is the best time to visit~

As a reminder, photography is strictly prohibited inside the Mogao Grottoes. Every time the flash flashes, it is quite Since the murals have been exposed to sunlight for 3 years, you must pay attention to protect them and remember not to take pictures, don’t take pictures, don’t take pictures! ! !

Recommended spring: mid-May to the end of June, highly recommended autumn: early September to mid-October. Although the weather is not hot in both seasons and there are relatively few windy and sandy days, it is not yet the peak season such as summer vacation, so it is better to experience less people.

But in autumn, the golden poplar leaves, blue sky and white clouds, yellow sand dunes, and gray Gobi have a more desolate and unruly feeling, and it is also the easiest to make a film.

The scenery is super cold in winter. Chengzi's sister came there by the way on a business trip in November. She was wearing heavy clothes. If you don't drive by yourself, it is very inconvenient to hire a car and carpool. You can only charter a car. If you travel alone, you can carpool, and some larger stores will be closed. But there is one advantage, that is, you can negotiate the price. Tickets, explanation fees, etc. have been reduced a lot, and the expenses are much less.

If you go to Dunhuang, you can even visit all the nearby attractions. After all, the round-trip transportation cost is quite a lot.

In addition to the must-see Mogao Grottoes and Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring, there are many scenic spots worth visiting below.

D1 Hotel - Mogao Grottoes - Mingsha Mountain - Shazhou Night Market (accommodation)

D2 Dunhuang - Ancient City - West Thousand Buddha Caves - Yangguan - Desert Camping

< p> D3 Dunhuang - Yumen Pass - Ruins of the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty - Dunhuang Yadan Geopark

Note: It is best to ask a tour guide or someone to explain the Mogao Grottoes so that you can understand and read the meaning expressed in it. Understand.

The above is the most classic route. For tourists with limited time, the ordering can be interchanged or adjusted according to your own preferences.

Dunhuang, located on the Silk Road, is famous for its Dunhuang Grottoes and murals. From June to October, which is the most suitable time for tourism, not only the temperature is comfortable, but you can also taste a variety of delicious fruits. If you plan to travel to Dunhuang, the following attractions are recommended as the most worth visiting:

Mogao Grottoes: It can be said that without Mogao Grottoes, Dunhuang might just be an ordinary desert town. The Mogao Grottoes, which have been sleeping in the desert for thousands of years, have a total of 735 caves. They are the largest and richest Buddhist art site in the world. They are also a tourist attraction that most tourists must visit once in their lives. It is recommended to do this before visiting Do some homework, otherwise you may be confused.

Crescent Moon Spring in Mingsha Mountain: Located at the northern foot of Mingsha Mountain, 5 kilometers southwest of Dunhuang City, Crescent Moon Spring is named after its shape like a crescent moon and is known as "the first spring in the desert". Mingsha Mountain next to the spring is named after the sound of the sand. It is recommended to visit in the evening, as the sand dunes are the most beautiful at sunset. Due to the large temperature difference between day and night, friends who plan to camp in Mingsha Mountain to watch the sunrise in the desert should prepare a thick jacket.

Leiyin Temple: Known as the "Holy Land of the Good Country and the Holy Land of the Buddha", the Leiyin Temple is the place where Xuanzang lived and lectured when he returned from studying in the West. Zhu Fahu, Faxian and Jiu Morosh and other eminent monks also stayed here and traveled around. The temple is full of incense and is less than 400 meters away from Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring. It can be reached by taking bus No. 3.

Yumen Pass: Yumen Pass, about 90 kilometers northwest of Dunhuang City, was built in 111 BC and was named after "Hetian Jade" entered the Central Plains. The scenic spot also includes the Great Wall of Han Dynasty and Hecang City attractions. Among them, the Han Great Wall 4 kilometers away from Yumen Pass is currently the best preserved Han Great Wall in China. Hecang City, 14 kilometers away from Yumen Pass, was a grain and grass warehouse for the army during the Han Dynasty and is worth a visit.

Yadan Geopark: Located 180 kilometers northwest of Dunhuang City, Dunhuang Yadan Geopark is also known as Devil City. This area on the edge of the Lop Nur Desert is dotted with strange wind-eroded landforms, especially at sunset. The scenery is the most fantastic and spectacular. Tickets for the scenic spot are RMB 80 (including sightseeing tickets of RMB 30)

Yangguan: Located 70 kilometers southwest of Dunhuang City, Yangguan is the choke point for external land transportation in ancient China, and it is also the place where you can best feel that you are outside the Great Wall. . The remaining houses, channels and other ruins are still clearly visible. Dundun Mountain near the scenic spot is the best place to take pictures of "the solitary smoke in the desert and the sun setting over the long river". In addition, don’t miss the Yangguan Museum with its rich collection.

Dunhuang Museum: The museum has a collection of more than 14,000 cultural relics, including precious scriptures from the Mogao Grottoes and the world's rare "Dunhuang Posthumous Notes". It is an attraction that tourists must not miss. The museum is free to visit and is closed on Mondays. How to get there: Take bus No. 3 to get there. The urban area of ??Dunhuang is not big, and it takes about 2 kilometers to walk.

As a half-local, in addition to the famous attractions, I would like to recommend the newly built Crescent Spring Town.

It is roughly divided into two parts: cultural creativity and food.