Just back from Dunhuang, here's some honest truth

1️⃣ Best time to visit✨ May in Dunhuang has moderate temperatures (around 10℃~25℃), avoiding summer crowds, and you can catch the fragrant Chinese date blossoms! Early May has bigger temperature differences, so wear a light jacket in the mornings and evenings, and short sleeves at noon. Check "Moji Weather" app before departure, and choose a clear day to see the sunset at Mingsha Mountain - the light and shadows are absolutely stunning🌄! 2️⃣ How to get to Dunhuang✈️ • By air: Fly directly to Dunhuang Airport, then take a 15-minute taxi to downtown, about 30 yuan💰. • By train: Dunhuang Station has regular trains, good for transfers from Lanzhou or Xi'an, taxi to downtown costs 10 yuan🚞. • Self-driving: Take the G3011 highway, with breathtaking Gobi Desert views along the way, but note that service areas are scarce, so fill up on gas beforehand! 3️⃣ Must-visit attractions guide🎫 ▶ Mogao Caves (Reservation required 1 month in advance!) • Ticket: Class A ticket 238 yuan (includes 8 caves + digital movie), the murals and sculptures are truly amazing. The guide will show you the "Oriental Venus" and "Flying Apsaras" - make sure to stay with the group to hear the stories👀. • TIPS: Photography is prohibited inside the caves, don't shine flashlights on the murals, respect the cultural relics! ▶ Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring🌙 • Ticket: 110 yuan (allows two entries within 3 days), go after 5pm to avoid the heat! Camel riding costs 100 yuan/person, the camel handlers will help take photos for you, remember to bargain📸. • Sand play tips: Bring shoe covers (15 yuan at the scenic area, 5 yuan downtown), sand sliding is thrilling but wear a mask, and don't open your mouth to laugh! ▶ Yangguan/Yumen Pass (Must-experience in Hexi Corridor) • Combined ticket: 90 yuan (includes sightseeing car), these are ancient ruins where "I urge you to drink one more cup of wine" was said, with an overwhelming sense of desolation! The beacon tower ruins against the Gobi sunset make for cinematic photos🏜. ▶ Dunhuang Night Market (Food paradise!) • Shazhou Night Market is a must-visit! Li Guang apricot juice 5 yuan/cup, sweet fermented milk tea 6 yuan, aromatic roast whole lamb leg, plus stalls selling luminous cups and colorful sculptures - just bargain down to half price and you're good😂. 4️⃣ Classic 2-day itinerary for May🗺️ Day1: Downtown → Mogao Caves → Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring (sunset view) Head to Mogao Caves in the morning, ride camels at Mingsha Mountain in the afternoon, sit on the sand dunes to watch the Crescent Moon Spring light up in the evening - amazing! Day2: Downtown → Yangguan → Yumen Pass → Yadan Ghost City Charter a car for 400 yuan/day, the "Western Sea Fleet" landform at Yadan sunset is breathtaking, remember to bring a windproof jacket as the wind is strong enough to blow you away! 5️⃣ Food hits and misses🍜 ✅ Must-try: • Huyang braised flatbread: Tender lamb stewed to perfection, bread soaked in broth, one portion enough for 2 people, 48 yuan/serving. • Donkey meat yellow noodles: Da Ji's donkey meat yellow noodles are the most famous, the yellow noodles are made with alkali water, chewy! Donkey meat with garlic paste is amazing, 35 yuan/bowl. • Pao'er oil cake: Crispy outside, chewy inside, red sugar syrup flows when you bite in, 2 yuan each, don't eat too many as they're quite rich. ❌ Avoid: Be cautious with "specialty meals" around scenic spots - they're expensive and mediocre. Better to eat in downtown! 6️⃣ Packing list🎒 • Outfit: Long-sleeve T-shirt + light jacket + wide-leg pants (sand protection) + sneakers (don't wear white shoes!) • Essentials: Sunglasses🕶 (wind and sand protection), scarf (for photos + face covering), sunscreen (SPF50+), moisturizing spray (Dunhuang is super dry!) • Others: Power bank (few charging points at scenic spots), some cash (some small vendors only accept cash). 7️⃣ Accommodation recommendations🏨 • Downtown hotels: Recommend staying near Shazhou Night Market, like Dunhuang International Hotel, 10-minute walk to the night market, standard rooms 200-400 yuan/night, good value. • Desert camping: For the experience, choose camping sites around Mingsha Mountain, including dinner and bonfire party, about 300 yuan/person, but bring thick blankets due to big temperature differences between day and night! 8️⃣ Pitfall guide❗ 1. Definitely reserve Mogao Caves tickets in advance! Last-minute visitors might only get Class B tickets to see just 4 caves. 2. Don't touch the camel's hump while riding, it will startle them! Asking for photos during the camel ride might incur extra fees, clarify beforehand. 3. Don't enter unauthorized areas in Yadan Ghost City, sand can trap vehicles, follow the guide's instructions! 9️⃣ Photography tips📷 • Mingsha Mountain: Wear red/white long dresses, run on the dunes for action shots, avoid strong midday light, 6pm has the softest light. • Mogao Caves: Red walls + blue sky outside the caves, shoot from below to look slimmer, don't wear flashy clothes, solid colors photograph better. • Yangguan: Rent a Han dynasty costume (50 yuan/hour), pose with "sword-wielding wanderer" vibes at the beacon tower ruins - perfect! 🔟 Local insider tips💡 • For souvenirs, go to "Dunhuang Agricultural Market" - half the price of scenic areas, Li Guang dried apricots 25 yuan/500g, goji berries 18 yuan/500g. • In May, Dunhuang hosts the "Silk Road International Tourism Festival" with occasional mural copying experiences and desert music festivals - lucky if you catch one! May in Dunhuang offers both the weight of thousand-year history and the wildness of desert landscapes. Just go for it! Remember to protect yourself from the sun, bring enough water, and see you in Dunhuang~