Things to do in Dunhuang

This is a well-established scenic area with mature management and clear signage. The cultural and tourism departments have also done their homework. While it's not particularly touristy, climbing to the top of the mountain is too time-consuming. However, the massive concert provides a significant emotional experience. The crowd control after the concert is excellent, making it worth a visit.

It was nice to learn about the history behind this place, especially because we were able to get the English tour guide, she was very helpful and very knowledgeable about the whole area. If you are in this place, this is a must!

This is extremely important, and I must say it first: don't trust the bookstore's own mini-program for booking a visit at a specific time. The description said there was a 9 PM visit after closing time, but I booked that one. Luckily, my itinerary ended early, and I arrived around 8:30 PM, only to be told they were closing and I should go to the second floor first. Closing time was 9 PM, and I almost missed it! Remember to wear shoe covers once inside. They're in the basket on the right. Put them on before entering. The bookstore is quite spacious, with the second floor being the main attraction, perfect for taking photos.

This is a scenic spot well worth visiting, combining desert scenery and border culture. You can also experience the fun of donkey cart rides. The area is also rich in local products, and various grapes and golden goblet fish are worth trying. Highly recommended.

This is the vehicle you take to a more secluded spot to watch the sunset; whether you take it or not is optional. The vehicle has a strong diesel smell. (Price includes round trip). The price is the same whether you buy it through a travel agency or on-site.

Several ruins, imbued with a sense of history, were tinged with melancholy as the sun set. The majestic Great Wall of Han, the vital role of Hecang City, and the clamor of imagination surrounding the Yumen Pass ruins all captivated visitors.

This is the only legally designated uninhabited area in China, though it's probably no longer considered an uninhabited area; it's now a tourist attraction with fairly complete facilities. If you're looking for the authentic uninhabited experience, it's not worth it, as many other wild uninhabited areas are even more deserted. However, if you're looking for the various Yardang landforms, it's a great spot for taking photos. Because we didn't want to drive on the rough roads and just wanted to take some pictures, we left after the first checkpoint and didn't complete the entire route. If you have a four-wheel drive and aren't afraid of bumpy rides, you can complete the whole route to see the Tongtian Cave at the end.

The Shazhou/Dunhuang Night market is clean, cohesively decorated, and conveniently located in the city center! As part of your silk road travels visit this well put together market for delicious food and souvenir buys! 🛍 We bought cashmere wool scarves, magnets, and knick knacks all for great prices. The vendors are not pushy at all! We had a pleasant experience wandering the shops and the vendors were very friendly and accommodating. I'd recommend having alipay or wechat pay set up as this is the most convenient payment method when travelling China but at this market the vendors did accept cash from our fellow tour guide travellers. 🐟 The food court area gives camping vibes. You'll see small camp stools and chairs around small fires. Our tour guide told us that the fish and beef cakes are the most popular. We tried the fish which was yummy and the beefcakes welllll the line was a little too long for us but our fellow tour group travellers said it was delicious and even bought some for the road the next day! 🎐 Since the market was in the city center we explored the shops nearby and then caught a Didi back to our hotel. The night market is worth visiting, probably one of the best I have visited in my travels. 

I absolutely love Dunhuang Ancient City! It feels like stepping back in time. This film and television base is my favorite; it's incredibly old and so realistically built. It has every kind of ancient filming location imaginable. I even saw the Monkey King and Fairy Zixia on the city wall, which brought back so many youthful memories! And my favorite, New Dragon Gate Inn, was also filmed here. So amazing! If you're not in a rush, you could easily spend an afternoon exploring it. Highly recommended!

For a site dating back 1700 years, I highly recommend hiring a guide. Walking around and seeing everything at your own pace is truly breathtaking. The guide was very detailed, explaining everything from the city gates and the Qilian Mountains to the animals and plants, creating a sense of dialogue and allowing you to savor the experience. There's a shuttle bus within the scenic area that stops at various points; be prepared for wind and sun, as it's windy here year-round. Souvenirs and cultural products are available at the entrance.