2-Day Tour of Mogao Caves and Jiayuguan Fort: A Super Practical Guide

Hey there! Here's your guide to a two-day tour of the Mogao Caves and Jiayuguan Fort! Follow these tips to make the most of your trip and avoid any pitfalls. Save this post now! -- 🚩Itinerary: Day 1: Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Lake — Mogao Caves Visit the mystical Mingsha Mountain, listen to the legend of Crescent Moon Lake, and then head to the Mogao Caves to explore the treasures of millennial Buddhist art. Day 2: Son of the Earth — Jiayuguan Fort First, visit the unique Son of the Earth sculpture and experience the fusion of art and nature. Then, head to Jiayuguan Fort to admire the majestic aura of this ancient military fortress. -- Must-see attractions: 🌟 Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Lake 🌟🌟 Address: Mingshan Road, Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City Opening hours: Mar 10–Aug 19, 7am–7pm Duration: 3–5 hrs Description: This is a miracle in the desert. Crescent Moon Lake is like a pearl inlaid among the sand dunes. No matter how the surrounding sand mountains move, the spring water remains clear. 🏯 Mogao Caves 🌟🌟 Address: 25 km southeast of Dunhuang City, Jiuquan City Opening hours: Dec 1, 2024–Mar 31, 2025, 9am–5:30pm Duration: 3–4 hrs Description: Stepping into the Mogao Caves is like traveling through time back to the Buddhist heyday of a thousand years ago. Every mural and every Buddha statue tells an ancient story. 🏰 Jiayuguan Fort 🌟🌟 Address: Guancheng South Road, Yuquan Town, Jiayuguan City, Gansu Province Opening hours: Nov 1, 2024–Apr 30, 2025, 9am–6pm Duration: 2–4 hrs Description: Standing on Jiayuguan Fort, you can almost hear the echoes of history. This ancient city gate has witnessed countless legends and stories. 👶 Son of the Earth 🌟🌟 Address: 400 m northeast of Hongshanpo, Guazhou County, Jiuquan City, Gansu Province Opening hours: Open all day Duration: 15–30 mins Description: This is a giant infant sculpture, like a child of the earth, lying quietly in the embrace of the Gobi Desert, giving people endless reverie. -- 👜 What to bring: Packing list for Mogao Caves and Jiayuguan Fort 👕 Clothing: The temperature difference between day and night is significant in Dunhuang and Jiayuguan, so remember to bring a thick coat and long-sleeved clothes. You can choose light short sleeves during the day and change into warm coats at night. 🎒 Accessories: Sunglasses and windproof and sand-proof masks are essential to protect your eyes and respiratory tract. Also, be sure to bring sunscreen! Hats and parasols are also good sun protection tools. 📇 Documents: Your ID card is a must, as are various discount certificates such as student IDs and senior citizen cards, which can save you a lot of money on tickets! 💊 Other: Minor accidents are inevitable during travel, so bring common medicines such as cold and stomach medicines. In addition, wet wipes and tissues are also good travel companions to keep you clean at all times. -- 🌟From the millennial Buddhist charm of the Mogao Caves to the majestic splendor of Jiayuguan Fort, this journey offers double the impact and is definitely worth the trip!🌟