September is an ideal time to visit Dunhuang. Daytime temperatures hover around 25℃, dropping to 10-15℃ at night—though the day-night temperature gap is noticeable, the overall feel is comfortable. Days are sunny and mild, perfect for long outdoor excursions. The summer tourist peak eases in September, bringing far fewer visitors to scenic spots, a more relaxed travel experience and shorter queue times. Accommodation and transport costs are also lower than in July and August, making the trip more budget-friendly. For travelers planning a Dunhuang visit, September strikes the perfect balance of pleasant weather and affordable costs.
Weather and Dressing Guide for Dunhuang in September
Warm in the Day, Cool in the Morning and Evening
Dunhuang has a warm temperate arid climate in September with scarce rainfall, and the average monthly precipitation is only a few millimeters. The daytime temperature ranges from 25℃ to 28℃, with abundant sunshine but no extreme heat; the nighttime temperature drops to 10℃ to 15℃. Tourists can add or remove clothes in a timely manner according to the temperature changes.
Dressing Suggestions:
- Daytime: Long-sleeved shirts, thin T-shirts, long trousers, breathable materials such as cotton and linen are recommended
- Morning and evening: Windproof jackets or light down jackets, especially necessary when watching the sunset at Mingsha Mountain or participating in desert camping
- Shoes: Sports shoes or hiking shoes, sandals are not recommended
- Other necessities: Wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, sun protection masks or scarves
The ultraviolet intensity in Dunhuang in September is relatively high. It is recommended to use sunscreen with SPF50+ and PA+++, and apply it to the neck, behind the ears and other parts as well.
Must-Visit Attractions and Ticket Information for Dunhuang in September
Dunhuang’s main attractions are divided into two categories: historical relics and natural landscapes. Traveling in September can avoid the summer peak and bring a better travel experience.
Mogao Grottoes
The Mogao Grottoes have 735 existing caves and 45,000 square meters of murals, being the most famous cultural heritage in Dunhuang. The temperature inside the caves is moderate in September, and the number of tourists is less than that in summer.
Ticket Information: In accordance with the regulations of the Dunhuang Academy, real-name time-sharing reservation is required for visiting the Mogao Grottoes:
- Regular Visit Ticket: 238 CNY, allowing access to 8 physical caves, including a film viewing at the Digital Exhibition Center (6,000 tickets available daily)
- Emergency Visit Ticket: 100 CNY, allowing access to 4 physical caves (12,000 tickets available daily)
Reservation Method: Make reservations in advance through the official website or WeChat mini-program of the “Mogao Grottoes Visit Reservation Network”, and it is recommended to do so 15 to 20 days in advance.
Visiting Notes: Taking photos and touching the murals are prohibited in the caves. The Digital Exhibition Center is the first stop for the visit, where tourists must complete ticket purchasing and checking procedures; there is no ticket office in the cave area.
Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring
Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring are natural landscapes where desert and spring coexist. Climbing the sand mountain in the daytime is comfortable in September, and it is suitable to watch the sunset in the evening.
Ticket Information: 110 CNY, the ticket is valid for three days and allows multiple entries and exits
Travel Tips:
- Best Time: Enter the scenic spot after 4 p.m. to avoid the noon sunshine
- Camel Riding: About 100 CNY per person, with a route of about 4 kilometers
- Sand Sliding: About 20 to 30 CNY per time
- Star-Gazing: The scenic spot is far from urban light pollution, and the Milky Way is visible at night
Notes: Drones and sand sliding boards are prohibited in the scenic spot, and pets are not allowed to be brought in.
Yadan National Geopark
The Yadan landform is a natural landscape formed by wind erosion, known as the “Ghost City”. The weather is cool in September, suitable for sightseeing in the Gobi. The color saturation of the Yadan landform increases after rain, with distinct layers of earth yellow, reddish brown and taupe.
Ticket Information: 120 CNY (including sightseeing bus fare)
Transportation Suggestions: Yadan is about 160 kilometers away from Dunhuang urban area, with a 2.5-hour drive. It is recommended to go there by chartered car or carpooling. The cost of a one-day tour to the west line (including Yadan, Yumenguan Pass and Yangguan Pass) by carpooling is about 100 to 150 CNY per person.
Yangguan Pass and Yumenguan Pass
Yangguan Pass and Yumenguan Pass are two pass relics on the Silk Road. Traveling there in September, you can enjoy the open Gobi scenery, and it is suitable for taking photos in the evening.
Ticket Information:
- Yangguan Pass: 50 CNY
- Yumenguan Pass: 40 CNY
Special Experience: Custom handwritten pass documents are available at Yangguan Pass, where staff write your name in Tang-style costumes and affix official seals.
A Lesser-Known Attraction Around Dunhuang: Duabagou Populus Euphratica Forest
Akesai Duabagou Populus Euphratica Forest is located about a two-hour drive east of Dunhuang, a wild populus euphratica forest in a canyon. The leaves of the populus euphratica turn golden yellow at the end of September, and there are streams running through the canyon. There are few tourists here, suitable for travelers who like a quiet environment.
Transportation Suggestions: You need to take a chartered car to get there, and there are shuttle buses for connection in the scenic spot.
Akesai Duabagou Populus Euphratica Forest in Autumn
Detailed Explanation of Travel Costs in Dunhuang in September
September is a transition period from the peak tourist season to the off-season in Dunhuang, and all kinds of costs are lower than those in summer.
Transportation CostsExternal Transportation:
- Airplane: Dunhuang Mogao International Airport is 13 kilometers away from the urban area, and the flight from Lanzhou to Dunhuang takes about 1.5 hours
- Train: There are overnight trains from Lanzhou to Dunhuang, with hard sleeper tickets priced at about 200 to 300 CNY
Urban and Scenic Spot Transportation:
- Taxi: The starting fare is 5 CNY in the urban area, and all urban attractions are reachable within 15 CNY
- Bus: Bus No.3 goes directly to Mingsha Mountain (1 to 2 CNY), and Bus No.12 goes to the Digital Exhibition Center of Mogao Grottoes (8 CNY)
- Chartered Car or Carpooling: The cost per person for a one-day tour to the west line is 100 to 150 CNY, and it is recommended to choose officially registered vehicles
Accommodation CostsThere are various accommodation options in Dunhuang:
- Budget Inns or Youth Hostels: 150 to 250 CNY per room per night
- Three-Star Hotels: 300 to 500 CNY per room per night
- High-End Hotels or Featured Homestays: 500 to 800 CNY per room per night
- Desert Camping: 200 to 400 CNY per person (including tent, dinner and bonfire party)
Accommodation Suggestions: You can choose hotels around Shazhou Night Market for convenient dining in the evening. Tourists who choose desert camping are recommended to select regular camping sites near Mingsha Mountain.
Ticket CostsTicket prices of main attractions:
- Mogao Grottoes Regular Visit Ticket: 238 CNY
- Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring: 110 CNY (valid for three days)
- Yadan National Geopark: 120 CNY (including sightseeing bus fare)
- Yangguan Pass: 50 CNY
- Yumenguan Pass: 40 CNY
- Dunhuang Museum: Free of charge
Catering CostsDunhuang’s catering is mainly characterized by the northwest flavor, and fruits are in harvest in September.
- Regular Restaurants: 40 to 80 CNY per person per meal
- Featured Restaurants: 100 to 150 CNY per person per meal
- Snacks at Shazhou Night Market: Donkey Meat with Yellow Noodles is about 25 to 35 CNY per bowl, and Apricot Peel Drink is 10 to 15 CNY per cup
Recommended Dishes:
- Donkey Meat with Yellow Noodles: A local characteristic noodle dish in Dunhuang
- Lamb Vermicelli Soup: A common local breakfast, served with flat cakes
- Apricot Peel Drink: A drink boiled with Liguang Apricots
- Beef Cake with Mongolian Scallion: Layered cake wrapped with Mongolian scallion and beef
Practical Money-Saving Tips for Traveling in Dunhuang in September
The following methods can help reduce travel costs:
- Reserve Mogao Grottoes tickets in advance: There are only 6,000 Regular Visit Tickets available daily, and advance reservation can ensure entry and the selection of a suitable time slot
- Join group tours for the west line: Attractions such as Yadan and Yangguan Pass are far from the urban area, and joining group tours with other tourists can reduce transportation costs, with about 100 to 150 CNY per person
- Make use of the validity period of Mingsha Mountain tickets: The tickets are valid for three days, allowing multiple entries into the scenic spot
- Bring your own sand-proof shoe covers: Renting shoe covers in the scenic spot costs 15 CNY each time, and buying them in advance is more economical
- Dine off-peak: Avoid the lunch peak and choose restaurants with more affordable prices
- Pay attention to off-season policies: Scenic spots under the administration of Dunhuang City implement a 50% discount on tickets after November
Pre-Trip Preparation List for Traveling in Dunhuang in September
Documents:
- Original ID card
- Electronic document backup
Clothing:
- Quick-drying clothes, fleece jackets, windproof jackets
- Sports shoes or hiking shoes
- Slippers
Sun Protection and Protective Supplies:
- Sunscreen with SPF50+ and PA+++
- Wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, sun protection face masks or headscarves
- Lip balm, hand cream, hydrating facial masks
Medicines:
- Gastrointestinal medicine, cold medicine, motion sickness medicine
- Personal commonly used medicines
Others:
- Sand-proof shoe covers
- Power bank
- A small amount of cash
- Insulated water cup
Subei Yanchiwan Wetland in Autumn
Dunhuang Food Guide
Must-Try Staple Foods
- Donkey Meat with Yellow Noodles: Yellow noodles served with diced donkey meat and special sauce
- Lamb Vermicelli Soup: Lamb soup with sliced lamb and meat balls, served with flat cakes
- Beef Cake with Mongolian Scallion: Layered cake wrapped with Mongolian scallion and beef
- Braised Lamb with Flat Noodles: Braised lamb stewed with wide flat noodles
Featured Snacks and Drinks
- Apricot Peel Drink: A drink boiled with Liguang Apricots
- Pao’er Fried Cakes: A court dessert of the Tang Dynasty
- Red Willow Roast Meat: Lamb skewers skewered with red willow branches
- Dunhuang Cold Noodles: Can be seasoned with wasabi
Dining Tips: Shazhou Night Market is the main place to taste local food. It is recommended to choose stalls with clearly marked prices. If you need to buy souvenirs, Liguang Apricot Dried Fruits and small Dunhuang painted sculpture ornaments are common choices.
Dunhuang Transportation Guide
External Transportation
- Airplane: Dunhuang Mogao International Airport is 13 kilometers away from the urban area. There are direct or connecting flights to Dunhuang from Lanzhou, Xi’an, Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai and other cities. You can take an airport bus (10 CNY), a bus (3 CNY) or a taxi (about 30 CNY) from the airport to the urban area.
- Train: There are overnight trains from Lanzhou to Dunhuang, with a journey of about 12 hours and hard sleeper tickets priced at 200 to 300 CNY. Dunhuang Railway Station is about a 20-minute drive from the urban area. After exiting the station, you can take Bus No.12 (8 CNY) or a taxi to the urban area.
Internal Transportation
- Bus: Bus No.3 goes directly to Mingsha Mountain (1 to 2 CNY), and Bus No.12 goes to the Digital Exhibition Center of Mogao Grottoes (8 CNY)
- Taxi: The starting fare is 5 CNY in the urban area, and all urban attractions are reachable within 15 CNY
- Chartered Car or Carpooling: The cost per person for a one-day tour to the west line is 100 to 150 CNY, and it is recommended to choose officially registered vehicles
Travel Photography Suggestions for Dunhuang in September
Best Shooting Time
- Mingsha Mountain: The light is soft during sunrise and sunset, with distinct layers of sand dune shadows
- Yadan: The light and shadow change richly one hour before sunset
- Mogao Grottoes: The light is good in the morning, and it is recommended to shoot the nine-story building outside before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
Photography Dressing Suggestions
- It is recommended to choose white, beige, light camel color clothes to form a contrast with the desert and Yadan landforms
- You can prepare silk scarves or shawls for wind and sand protection and as shooting props
Safety and Health Tips
Desert Safety
- The sand at Mingsha Mountain is soft, so it is recommended to walk slowly when climbing
- Act within the designated areas of the scenic spot and avoid entering undeveloped sand areas
- Follow the staff’s instructions when riding camels, and pay attention to standard movements when getting on and off camels
Health Protection
- Drink no less than 2 liters of water every day, in small sips and frequently
- Avoid cooling down with cold water or sitting in front of an air conditioner immediately after outdoor activities
- Tourists with underlying diseases should consult a doctor before traveling
- It is recommended to prepare common medicines such as gastrointestinal medicine, cold medicine and motion sickness medicine
Practical Travel Suggestions for Dunhuang in September
Dunhuang has a pleasant climate in September, warm in the day and cool in the morning and evening, and the tourist density in scenic spots is significantly lower than that in summer, making it a suitable time to arrange a Silk Road trip. Tourists can visit the mural art of the Mogao Grottoes and learn about the thousand-year-old Buddhist art under the guidance of professional commentators; they can go to Mingsha Mountain to watch the desert sunset and experience riding camels through the sand dunes; they can also feel the vastness of the Gobi in the Yadan landform and admire the peculiar shapes of the wind-eroded landscapes; in the evening, they can taste local foods such as Donkey Meat with Yellow Noodles and Apricot Peel Drink at Shazhou Night Market. It is recommended to reserve Mogao Grottoes tickets through official channels 15 to 20 days in advance before the trip, prepare quick-drying clothes, fleece jackets and windproof jackets according to the temperature difference between day and night, and take good sun protection measures with high-factor sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses. If you need assistance in itinerary planning, ticket booking or chartered car arrangement, you can contact China Dragon Travel, and the staff will provide relevant consulting services.
