Desert trip, you deserve it

Mingsha Mountain is located in Dunhuang City, Gansu Province. It is one of the four major Mingsha Mountains in China. It is famous for its undulating sand peaks and sound of sand grains. Together with Crescent Lake, it constitutes a classic landscape of Dunhuang. Basic Information -Address: 5 km south of Dunhuang City, Gansu Province -Opening hours: - Peak season (April-October): 5:00-20:30 - Low season (November-March): 7:30-18:00 - Tickets: - 110 yuan/person in peak season, 55 yuan/person in off-season (including Crescent Moon Lake) - Discount tickets (students, seniors, etc.) are half price, and ID is required. - Recommended playing time: 3-4 hours (it is recommended to play in the morning and evening to avoid the high temperature at noon). 2. Transportation 1. Depart from Dunhuang City: -Taxi: about 15-20 yuan, 10 minutes by car. -Bus: Take bus No. 3 from the city to Mingsha Mountain Scenic Area. The fare is 2 yuan. 2. Self-driving/chartered car: There is a parking lot in the scenic area, and the parking fee is about 10 yuan/car. Must-try items 1. Camel Riding: - Fee: 100 yuan/person (about 40 minutes), including a stop at a photo spot. - It is recommended to wear long pants to avoid friction and wear sun protection equipment. 2. Sandboarding: -Fee: 20-30 yuan/time (wooden board or sand board optional), sliding down from the top of the mountain is exciting and fun. 3. Desert off-road vehicles/motorbikes: -Price: 100-200 yuan/person, suitable for tourists seeking excitement. 4. Hiking up the sand hill: -It takes about 30 minutes to reach the top, where you can overlook the Crescent Lake and the sunset. 5. Crescent Lake Tour: - The spring is shaped like a crescent moon and is known as the "First Spring in the Desert". You can walk around the spring or take photos. Best time to visit -Sunrise/Sunset: The light and shadow of the sand dunes are extremely beautiful. It is recommended to visit in the morning from 5:00 to 7:00 or in the evening from 18:00 to 20:00. - Stargazing at night: When the weather is clear in summer, you can camp in the desert outside the scenic area to stargaze (the scenic area is not open at night). Precautions 1. Sun protection and sand protection: -Must have sunglasses, hat, headscarf (or face mask), and high-factor sunscreen. - Take measures to protect mobile phones and cameras from sand (you can wrap them with plastic wrap). 2. Clothing suggestions: - Wear breathable long sleeves during the day and prepare a jacket in the evening (the temperature difference in the desert is large). - Wear high-top shoes or rent anti-sand shoe covers (available for rent in the scenic area, about 15 yuan per pair). 3. Other tips: - Bring plenty of drinking water, as it is easy to get dehydrated in the desert. - Protect the environment and do not litter. Recommended nearby tours 1. Mogao Grottoes: About 25 kilometers away from Mingsha Mountain, tickets must be booked in advance. 2. Dunhuang Ancient City: a film and television base, suitable for taking photos (ticket price 40 yuan). 3. West Thousand Buddha Caves: A small cave with fewer tourists (ticket price 30 yuan). □Accommodation and food - Accommodation: It is recommended to stay in the downtown area of ​​Dunhuang, where there are many convenient options (such as hotels near Dunhuang Villa and Shazhou Night Market). -Food: Must-try donkey meat yellow noodles, apricot peel water, mutton noodle soup, and Dunhuang stuffed skin. Mingsha Mountain is a wonder where desert and oasis coexist, combining historical culture with natural scenery. It is suitable for tourists who like photography, adventure or cultural experience. Plan your time in advance and avoid high temperature periods.