[2025 Dunhuang Attraction] Travel Guide for Mogao Caves in Dunhuang - Thousand Buddha Grottoes (Updated Apr)

On December 7, I visited the Mogao Caves. How did I have a good time? No nonsense, just the facts. *Ticket price: CNY 140 in the off-season, much cheaper than in the peak season. *Process: First, watch two movies at the Digital Center, then take a shuttle bus to the caves. After being divided into groups, a guide will take you to visit ten caves. After visiting the designated caves, you can move around freely and join other guided tours. On the way out, you can visit the exhibition hall to learn about the history of the caves and see replicas. After the visit, you can take a bus back to the Digital Center to end the tour. *Admission You need to make a reservation before visiting. If you make a reservation several days in advance, you can see the earliest show. If you make a reservation only one day in advance, you will have to book a show after 10:30. Before entering the scenic area, you need to exchange your ticket at the ticket window. You can enter one hour before your reservation time. *Movies The first movie introduces the history. You can sit near the exit for easy access to the second movie. The second movie is the core of the visit, introducing the shape of the caves. You should sit in the middle and back. *Shuttle bus Female visitors, if not in a hurry, do not need to rush to the bathroom before taking the shuttle bus. After a 20-minute ride, you will see a bathroom as soon as you get off. *Standard caves A normal ticket allows you to visit ten caves, which takes about one and a half hours. If you miss Cave 328, you can join other groups after the tour. There are also disadvantages to visiting in the off-season, as there are not many groups to join. *Exhibition hall The exhibition hall has high artistic value, with replicas of the caves. It takes a lot of time to visit. *Time spent I entered at 9:30 am and left at 2:30 pm, spending a total of 5 hours. If you want to see special caves, you will need more time. So it is normal for some people to spend a whole day at the Mogao Caves. *Food and drink In the off-season, there are a few shops in the scenic area that offer food, which is a bit more expensive and limited in variety. So visitors are advised to bring some snacks in case they get hungry. *Transportation outside the scenic area You can take a shuttle bus from the city to the Mogao Caves. If there are many people, it is recommended to take a taxi. When you leave, do not take a taxi. Just take a taxi waiting outside the scenic area. You need to walk outside to take a taxi via an app. *Summary In the off-season, there is no need to queue at the Mogao Caves, and the ticket price is discounted. Although there are no lush trees, the gray scenery has a historical atmosphere. If you have any questions about visiting in the off-season, you can ask me directly, and I will add to my notes. Dunhuang Mogao Caves - Thousand Buddha Caves

In addition to Gobi hiking, you can't miss the fun in Dunhuang and the beautiful scenery of the northwest. May to October every year is the best time to go to Dunhuang. What are the attractions worth visiting in Dunhuang? Hurry up and collect this travel guide and go to Dunhuang to have a good time~ · 📣Dunhuang tourist transportation ✈️ Aircraft ✔️Dunhuang Airport is not far from the city center and the airport bus can arrive in about 20 minutes ✔️Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport, Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport has flights to all parts of the country 🚂Train Dunhuang Railway Station is very close to the city center, with many trains going to all parts of the country. · 💰Tickets to must-see attractions in Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes: 238 yuan Mingsha Mountain Crescent Lake: 110 yuan Yangguan Scenic Area: 50+10 yuan Yumenguan Scenic Area: 40 yuan Yadan Geopark: 50+70 yuan West Thousand Buddha Caves: 30 yuan Dunhuang Ancient City: 40 yuan Western Jin Dynasty mural tomb: 40 yuan · 💚Tickets for Dunhuang must-see performances "Seeing Dunhuang Again": starting from 298 yuan Dunhuang Festival: starting from 238 yuan "Silk Road Flower Rain": starting from 238 yuan · ✅Dunhuang tour check-in ✔️Visit the ancient beacon tower at Yumen Pass ✔️Collect the seals of Mogao Grottoes ✔️Check in at the desert sunset at Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake ✔️Go to Dunhuang Museum to see the history of the grottoes ✔️Watch the sunset at Yadan Geopark ✔️Taste Northwestern cuisine at Shazhou Night Market ✔️Get the pass certificate for Yangguan Archery ✔️Photographing the Flying Apsaras in Dunhuang · 🥘Must-eat food during travel Lanzhou beef noodles, Xiajiahe sauce, Jingyuan Galiu lamb, Fengqingyuan breakfast shop, Chengbianbian barbecue, Fangha Tian embryo milk tea, gray beans · 🚙Classic Tour Route D1: All over the country - Dunhuang all day gathering D2: Dunhuang - Yumen Pass - Yadan Ghost City - See Dunhuang Again - Dunhuang D3: Dunhuang - Mogao Grottoes - Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Lake - Dunhuang D4: Dunhuang - Son of the Earth - Jiayuguan Pass - Jiayuguan City D5: Jiayuguan - Cantilever Great Wall - Zhangye Colorful Danxia - Zhangye D6: Zhangye - Biandukou - Qilian Grassland - Menyuan Rapeseed Flower Sea (open from July to August) - Xining

For friends who are visiting Qinghai for the first time but don’t know how to have fun, I suggest you refer to this 8-day, 7-night travel guide I compiled after returning from the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop last year. Just follow the guide and you will have a great time without taking any detours. ✅Must-bring list👉Documents: ID card, student ID card and other documents that can be discounted👉Electronics: charging cable, power bank, headphones, camera, drone👉Medicine: altitude sickness medicine, Band-Aid, motion sickness medicine, cold medicine👉Clothing: cold-resistant down jacket, sports shoes, sun hat, scarf, disposable underwear👉Skin care: lotion, facial cleanser, facial mask, shampoo + shower gel👉Sun protection: umbrella, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, sun protection clothing (physical sun protection is recommended for better performance)🏳‍🌈🏳‍🌈🏳‍🌈Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop 8-day tour Shuiya Qilian recommended itinerary: D1: Xining-Riyue Mountain-Qinghai Lake (Heima River)-Chaka Town (accommodation) D2: Chaka Salt Lake-Emerald Lake-Dachaidan (accommodation) D3: Dachaidan-National Highway 315 (U-shaped road) - Water Yadan - Daxiadan (accommodation) D4: Daxiadan - Heidu Mountain - Silk Road Heritage City - Dunhuang City (accommodation) D5: Dunhuang - Mogao Grottoes (the best time to buy tickets is at 9 am) - Mingsha Mountain, Crescent Lake - Dunhuang City (accommodation) D6: Dunhuang - passing through Jiayuguan Pass - Zhangye Colorful Danxia Geopark - Zhangye (accommodation) D7: Zhangye - Biandukou Scenic Area - Qilian Grassland - Zhuoer Mountain - Qilian Accommodation D8: Qilian - Viewing Gangshika Snow Peak from a distance - Menyuan - Xining (end) ✅Recommended popular tourist attractions🍁 Qinghai Lake: An inland lake and saltwater lake in China, it is known as the "plateau sapphire". The lake water is very blue. July is the time when Qinghai Lake is very beautiful. 🍁Chaka Salt Lake: a paradise in the sky, but please note that salt water is corrosive. If you choose to walk instead of taking the train, it is necessary to rent shoe covers. 🍁Zhangye Danxia: A palette overturned by God ~ One of the largest Danxia landforms in China. 🍁Emerald Lake: The emerald lake water is the filming location of the movie "Salt Lake Project". Take a seat on the crystal boat, rent a drone to take photos and check in, and you can create blockbuster movies in minutes. 🍁Crescent Spring in Mingsha Mountain: The spring is shaped like a crescent moon, a pearl in the desert, and a quiet and mysterious beauty appears before your eyes. 🍁Mogao Grottoes: commonly known as the Thousand Buddha Caves, a treasure of Chinese history and civilization, a world cultural heritage, with more than 45,000 square meters of murals preserved. 🍁Menyuan rapeseed flower sea: Menyuan's hundreds of miles of rapeseed flowers are located on the southeast foot of the Qilian Mountains. It is a large-scale rapeseed flower sea planted in a continuous area. It is in full bloom in July, and it is a popular check-in spot. Tips for traveling in Northwest China~⚠️Be sure to drink more water, eat more fruits, and avoid getting angry⚠️It is recommended to bring a thermos cup. The water quality in Northwest China is relatively hard, so it is recommended to drink boiled water⚠️Do not do strenuous exercise to avoid altitude sickness⚠️The ultraviolet rays in Northwest China are strong, so you must do a good job of sun protection and moisturizing⚠️The diet in Northwest China is generally based on meat and pasta. Friends who are not used to it can bring some snacks

The Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, commonly known as the "Thousand Buddha Caves", are located on the cliff on the east foot of Mingsha Mountain and the west bank of Dangquan River, 25 kilometers southeast of Dunhuang City, Gansu Province. It is a world-renowned treasure house of Buddhist art and one of the three major cave art treasure houses in China. 💞Recommended reasons: • Murals and colored sculptures: There are 735 existing caves in Mogao Grottoes, of which 492 caves in the southern area have murals and colored sculptures. The total area of ​​murals is about 45,000 square meters, and there are 2,415 colored sculptures. These murals and colored sculptures showcase Buddhist art styles from the 4th to the 14th century, integrating Chinese and Western art elements. • Architectural Art: The architectural forms of Mogao Grottoes are diverse, including Zen caves, central tower column caves, bucket-top caves, etc., reflecting the architectural styles of different historical periods. • Library Cave: The Library Cave (Cave 17), discovered in 1900, unearthed 50,000 to 60,000 ancient documents and artworks covering religion, history, literature, art and other fields. 💡Tourism Information • Address and opening hours: Located 25 kilometers southeast of Dunhuang City, Gansu Province, opening hours are 09:00-17:30, and ticket sales stop at 16:00. • How to visit: Visitors must reserve tickets in advance by phone or online. Tickets are limited to 6,000 people per day. When visiting, you must first go to the Mogao Grottoes Digital Display Center to watch two films to learn about the history and art of Mogao Grottoes. • Tickets: The Mogao Grottoes Digital Display Center and the Grottoes adopt a combined ticket system and are not sold separately. #2月好地方2025 #NewYear2025 #Gansu #Dunhuang

#chinaattractions #dunhuang #gansu #china #travel #desert 🏜️ Near Dunhuang, the Mogao Caves are a stunning complex of temples and buildings carved into rock. This UNESCO site, also called the Thousand Buddha Grottoes, showcases ancient Silk Road artistry and spirituality. 📸 The site’s unique architecture is unforgettable: temples carved into cliffs, abandoned structures, and intricate carvings set against the desert landscape. 🌟 Perfect for history lovers, architecture fans, or anyone drawn to ancient ruins, the Mogao Caves are a must-see. Don’t miss this incredible blend of nature and human creativity! 📍 Location: Dunhuang, Gansu Province

Full analysis of 9 caves including 29/329/328 based on personal experience 👉Ticket Purchase Guide Off-season (December 1 - March 31): Tickets are 140 yuan, including 12 regular caves + 2 movies. Peak season: 238 yuan for only 8 caves. Recommend traveling during the off-season for fewer crowds and more caves! ❗ ️Special caves require on-site ticket purchase, with limited daily availability. Purchase tickets at the "small archway" after visiting the regular caves (special caves: 200 yuan/cave) 🎬Visiting Process ●Digital Center Movie Viewing First, watch "A Thousand Years of Mogao" from the back row near the exit. For the second film, "Dream Buddha Palace," grab a back-row center seat! Get ready for goosebumps as the naked-eye 3D murals come alive! ●Cave Visits 20 people per guide. During the off-season, you can join multiple groups (but don't disturb others). Must-see caves👇 🏛 ️Must-See Cave Checklist 1 ️⃣ Cave 96: Nine-Story Big Buddha 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 A Mogao Caves landmark! A 35-meter-tall Maitreya Buddha, the pinnacle of Tang Dynasty clay sculpture. Prepare to be awestruck by its majesty. 2 ️⃣ Caves 16-17: Library Cave 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 The hidden chamber where Wang Yuanlu discovered 50,000 cultural relics! The details on the donor portraits on the walls are amazing. Imagine the poignant history of Stein's deceitful purchase of scriptures. 3 ️⃣ Cave 61: Wenshu Hall 🌟🌟🌟🌟 The giant Song Dynasty mural "Mount Wutai"! A panoramic Buddhist geographical painting. Look for details of daily life, such as "taverns" and "people delivering offerings." 4 ️⃣ Cave 328: Flourishing Tang Dynasty Painted Sculptures 🌟🌟🌟🌟 A combination statue of Buddha + disciples + Bodhisattvas. Ananda's face is as round as the full moon, and the Bodhisattva's necklaces are exquisitely detailed down to the strands of hair! Photography is prohibited, but there are replicas in the exhibition center. 5 ️⃣ Cave 335: Wu Zetian Era 🌟🌟🌟 Lotus flower ceiling + donor inscriptions, experience the magnificent aesthetics of the Wu Zhou period. Notice how the lapis lazuli pigment in the murals hasn't faded in a thousand years! 📸Photo Spots ●Panoramic view of the Nine-Story Building: Stand at the far corner of the square and take a vertical panoramic shot, or shoot upwards to capture the red eaves against the blue sky. ●Exhibition Center Replica Caves: Replica versions of special caves like 220/285, where you can photograph mural details. ●Mogao Caves Archway: Ancient blue brick path + desert backdrop, perfect for Hanfu! ⚠ ️Things to Avoid ●🚫Flash photography/selfie sticks are prohibited inside the caves. Protect the relics by turning off your devices! ●⏰Special caves may close after 14:00. If you want to see them, go in the morning. ●🐫Don't wear slippers! If you're also visiting Mingsha Mountain, it's recommended to go in the late afternoon. A taxi from Mogao Caves to Crescent Moon Spring takes 15 minutes. 🛍 ️Souvenir Recommendations ●Dunhuang Academy of Fine Arts Museum: Mural albums + flying apsara bookmarks. Bring a notebook for free stamps! ●Mogao Post Station: The "Dunhuang" AR album is stunning, a great gift or souvenir. 💡My Personal Tips ●Cave-hopping trick: During the off-season, after following your own group, you can discreetly tag along with a new group to continue listening. Each group may visit different caves, allowing you to hear new explanations (but don't interfere with the guide). ●Hidden gem: The replica caves on the basement level of the exhibition center are less crowded, perfect for detailed appreciation. ✨The beauty of Mogao Caves is the solidification of a thousand years of time. Each cave is a historical mystery box. The tranquility of the off-season allows you to truly feel the warmth of faith. May this guide help you unlock a deeper Dunhuang experience!

That land in the northwest, seems to have a mysterious power, constantly calling in my heart. Imagine stepping on that ancient land, you can touch the context of history, feel the precipitation of time. Dunhuang is a living history book. The Thousand Buddha Caves of Mogao Grottoes, those exquisite murals, are the crystallization of the wisdom and art of the ancients. Every stroke is delicate and vivid, every color seems to tell a story. Standing in the cave, looking up at the full wall of brilliance, thoughts can't help but travel through thousands of years, returning to that prosperous era. Artisans used their hands to create such shocking art treasures, allowing future generations to appreciate the charm of ancient civilization. Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring is a masterpiece of nature. The golden sand dunes undulate, shining under the sun. When the breeze blows, the sand flows, making a pleasant sound, as if it is a movement played by nature. And that clear crescent spring, like a pearl inlaid in the desert, brings vitality and hope to this desolate land. Climb to the top of the sand dunes, overlooking the beauty of Crescent Spring, and a sense of awe for nature arises in my heart. Yumen Pass is a witness to history. Standing in front of this ancient pass, it seems that you can see the golden horses and iron horses and the merchants coming and going thousands of years ago. The wind and sand of the years have eroded its appearance, but the majestic momentum still shocks people. Every brick and stone seems to tell the glory and vicissitudes of the past. Dunhuang World Geopark, feel the magical power of nature. Here, you will see various strange wind erosion landforms, such as castles, streets, buildings, squares, churches, sculptures, etc., which are vivid and vivid. The wind erosion landforms here are varied, some are like pagodas, palaces, haystacks, golden peacocks standing tall and looking far away, eagles ready to fly, fleets breaking through the waves in the sea, warriors with angry eyes, and some are like beautiful women. Dunhuang's food is also a part that people yearn for. Donkey meat noodles, the noodles are strong, the donkey meat is delicious, and the combination is memorable. Mutton stewed cake, the mutton is tender and juicy, the cake absorbs the fragrance of mutton, and the taste is rich. There is also the sweet and delicious apricot peel water, which is refreshing and thirst-quenching, and is the best drink in summer. Tasting these delicacies, it seems that you can also feel the enthusiasm and boldness of Dunhuang people. The night in Dunhuang is quiet and mysterious. The starry sky is brilliant, as if within reach. Walking on the ancient streets, feeling the breeze, my heart is extremely peaceful. Those ancient buildings exude unique charm in the night, as if they have traveled back to ancient times. Suddenly, I really want to go to Dunhuang immediately. To experience the profound historical culture, to appreciate the magnificent natural scenery, to taste the delicious local food. In Dunhuang, find inner peace and satisfaction, and let your soul be baptized.

#Sign up for September hotel test sleeper I recently visited the Mogao Thousand Buddha Caves in Dunhuang, Gansu, and it was an amazing experience. #ShockingArt As soon as you enter the Thousand Buddha Caves, you will be immediately attracted by the exquisite murals and sculptures. Each painting has its own story, and the colors are so bright and amazing that it feels like traveling back to ancient times. This art is truly stunning! #The weight of history The tour guide told us a lot about the history of Mogao Grottoes. After listening, I realized how important this cultural site is. Just imagine that this place has a history of more than a thousand years, it's really impressive. #Unique cultural fusion Seeing that many murals incorporate different cultural elements, it feels like opening a window to understand history. This place is not only a symbol of Buddhism, but also a witness to the cultural exchange between China and the West. It gave me a new understanding of this period of history. #Good job on protection Although there were a lot of people, I noticed that a lot of measures have been taken locally to protect these precious works of art. I hope that more people will come to appreciate it in the future and that these heritage sites can be better protected. #Summarize In general, the Mogao Thousand Buddha Caves is really a place worth visiting. If you are interested in history and art, you will not be disappointed here! I'm already planning my next visit!