Dunhuang is back, time to speak some harsh truths

🌄 Dunhuang 3-day whirlwind guide! The mural world of the lonely desert smoke and the temptation of donkey meat yellow noodles~ 📅 Day 1: Explore Mogao Caves + Sunset at Mingsha Mountain 🌅 Morning: Travel through a thousand years at Mogao Caves ✳️ Mogao Caves (opens at 9:00) The murals are like talking history books📖 The kid points at the flying apsaras and says, "Mom, is this the ancient version of ballet dancers?"💃 Must-see: Cave 45 to see "The Most Beautiful Bodhisattva Smile" 🍳 Noon: Donkey meat yellow noodles with apricot peel water ✳️ Shun Zhang Yellow Noodle Restaurant (11:30-13:30) Must order: Donkey meat yellow noodles! 🐴 Tender donkey meat with chewy yellow noodles, apricot peel water is sweet and sour to cut the grease🍯 Also try the minced meat noodles with tiger skin chili for an appetite boost 🌇 Evening: Stargazing at Mingsha Mountain ✳️ Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring (closes at 19:30) Free! Free! Free! 🌌 The kid rolls on the sand dunes: "Mom, is this the Sahara split?"🐫 Nighttime sandboarding is as thrilling as surfing 📅 Day 2: Yangguan Ruins + Dunhuang Night Market ☀️ Morning: Sunbathing at Yangguan ✳️ Yangguan Scenic Area (opens at 8:30) Ancient city walls look like a time-travel drama set📜 The kid holds a pass and shouts, "Mom, am I an ancient courier?"📦 Must-see: Beacon tower for the "Lonely Desert Smoke" 🍱 Noon: Stewed mutton pancake with sour noodle soup ✳️ Jingyuan Ga Liu Lamb Restaurant (12:30-14:30) Must order: Stewed mutton pancake! 🐑 Tender lamb with hand-pulled noodles, sour noodle soup is refreshing and appetizing🌶️ Also try the grilled lamb chops with sand scallions—amazing 🌆 Evening: Shopping at Dunhuang Night Market ✳️ Shazhou Night Market (closes at 19:30) Free! Free! Free! 🏮 The kid spins with a lantern: "Mom, is this ancient Disneyland?"🎠 Must do: Bargain for glow cups until your legs go weak 📅 Day 3: Yadan Devil City + Yumenguan Pass ☀️ Morning: Sunset at Yadan ✳️ Yadan National Geological Park (opens at 8:00) Yadan landforms look like an alien base🛸 The kid points at the wind-eroded pillars and says, "Mom, are these dinosaur fossils?"🦖 Must-see: Take photos of the "Western Sea Fleet" at sunset 🍱 Noon: Donkey meat spring rolls with minced meat noodles ✳️ Dunhuang Night Market Snack Stalls (12:30-14:30) Must order: Donkey meat spring rolls! 🐴 Fried golden and crispy, minced meat noodles with tiger skin chili are so fragrant you’ll lick the plate🌶️ Also try Li Guang’s dried apricots for a sweet and sour palate cleanser 🌆 Evening: Sunset at Yumenguan Pass ✳️ Yumenguan Ruins (closes at 19:30) Free! Free! Free! 🏯 The kid runs on the city walls: "Mom, is this the ancient Great Wall?"🧱 The desert wind at night sounds like singing 🏨 Accommodation Recommendation 👉 Dunhuang International Hotel ✔️ Feature: Silk Road themed rooms with dune views ✔️ Reason: The carpet is printed with mural patterns, the kid says "Sleeping here feels like sleeping in a museum"🖼️ 🚌 Transportation Tips ✅ Private car + shared electric scooter: Private car for desert tours saves effort, riding scooters around the city is super convenient 💢 Pain point: Sand blowing into eyes at Mingsha Mountain makes you tear up from the sting🥵 💡 Tips ❗️ Book A-class tickets for Mogao Caves in advance to watch the digital film ❗️ Photos of Yadan landforms look better after 4 PM ❗️ Bargain at the night market by saying "I’m a local" 🍜 Must-try Food List 1️⃣ Donkey meat yellow noodles: tender donkey meat with chewy yellow noodles 2️⃣ Apricot peel water: sweet and sour, very refreshing 3️⃣ Stewed mutton pancake: tender lamb with hand-pulled noodles 4️⃣ Sour noodle soup: refreshingly appetizing 5️⃣ Grilled lamb chops: so delicious you’ll want to lick the screen 6️⃣ Li Guang dried apricots: sweet and sour palate cleanser 💰 Expense List Accommodation: 400 RMB (1 night) Food: 500 RMB Transportation: 300 RMB (private car + scooter) Tickets: ? RMB Others: 200 RMB Total: about 1000 RMB (and you can still buy glow cups as souvenirs!) Dunhuang is just that cool! In 3 days, become a "mural detective + desert knight," with the flying apsaras of Mogao Caves as your beauty filter🎨 The starry sky at Mingsha Mountain lights up the Milky Way, and the sunset at Yadan looks like a spilled palette! Hurry and bring your kid to be a "Silk Road little hero"! 🗡️ Remember to bring plenty of sunglasses—the desert glare can blind you~ PS: You can try mural copying at Mogao Caves; the kid’s "Nine-Colored Deer" was praised by the guide🎨 At Mingsha Mountain, you can find five-colored sand; the kid bottled "rainbow sand" as a treasure💎 Book tickets now, you might even catch a Dunhuang dance performance! 🎭✨ Detailed Expense List Accommodation: Dunhuang International standard room 400 RMB/night × 1 night = 400 RMB Food: Around Mogao Caves 150 RMB × 2 = 300 RMB + Yangguan 180 RMB × 2 = 360 RMB + Night market snacks 80 RMB = 740 RMB (average 247 RMB/day × 3 = 740 RMB) Transportation: Private car 400 RMB + electric scooter 100 RMB = 500 RMB Tickets: Mogao Caves free + Yadan free = 0 RMB Others: Glow cup 50 RMB + mosquito repellent 50 RMB + snacks 100 RMB = 200 RMB Total cost about 1040 RMB (40 RMB under budget!) A closing that makes you want to go The desert in Dunhuang tells stories📖 The starry sky at Mingsha Mountain sings🎶 This place can fulfill all your fantasies about history and nature! The kid shouts at Yadan, "Mom, I want to become the wind and live here!"🌬️ Are you tempted? Pack your bags and set off now~✈️