Humanity in Dunhuang, a Thousand Years of Mogao

How to Truly Experience the Mogao Caves**

The Mogao Caves are not a place you simply “visit.”
They are something you encounter.

Standing inside a cave carved more than a thousand years ago, you don’t feel like a tourist—you feel like a witness. This is one of those rare places where human belief, art, and time exist all at once. If you’re coming to Dunhuang even once in your life, Mogao deserves your full attention.

This guide is written for first-time visitors who don’t want to rush, don’t want regrets, and don’t want to miss what truly matters.

Mogao Caves

1. Tickets: Choosing the Right One Makes All the Difference

Book Early—Seriously

Mogao Caves operate on strict daily limits to protect the murals. During peak season (May–October), tickets often sell out weeks in advance. Ideally, book 30 days ahead through official channels.

Ticket Types Explained Clearly

🎟️ Standard Ticket (Exhibition Hall 1) — Best Choice

• Daily limit: 6,000 visitors

• Includes:

  • Two digital films

  • Round-trip shuttle bus

  • Guided visit to 8 physical caves

• Price:

  • Full: 238 RMB

  • Discounted: 148 RMB

👉 Highly recommended for first-time visitors.

🎟️ Emergency Ticket (Exhibition Hall 2)

• Daily limit: 12,000 visitors

• Includes:

  • Shuttle bus

  • Entry to 4 caves (no dedicated guide)

• Price: 100 RMB

👉 Suitable for last-minute travelers, but not ideal for deep understanding.

🎟️ Special Cave Tickets (On-site Purchase)

• Price: 150–200 RMB per cave

• Very limited daily quota

👉 If you love art, history, or Buddhist sculpture, these are absolutely worth it.

2. Refund & Change Policy (Don’t Skip This)

• Tickets cannot be refunded once used or printed

• One free date change allowed (subject to availability)

• Refund rules if unused:

  • 15+ days: full refund

  • 48h–15 days: 5% fee

  • 24–48h: 10% fee

  • Within 24h: 20% fee

• Missed entry time: 30% fee

Mogao Caves

3. The Exact Visiting Process (Follow This Order)

Step 1: Mogao Digital Exhibition Center

• Arrive at least 30 minutes early

• Collect tickets with your passport/ID

• Entry is based on date, not time slot—early arrival helps

Step 2: Watch the Two Mandatory Films

🎬 “A Millennium of Mogao”
Historical overview. Sit near the aisle or exit for a quick transition.

🎬 “Dream of the Buddha Palace” (Dome Theater)
The highlight. Ultra-high-definition immersive visuals of caves like 285, 420, and 61. Sit in the center-back for the best experience.

👉 If it feels too short, you can stay and watch again with the next group.

Step 3: Shuttle Bus to the Cave Area

• Ride time: ~15 minutes

• Sit on the right side for the best desert and cave views

• The gradual reveal of Mogao feels almost ceremonial

Step 4: Guided Cave Visit (The Core Experience)

• Groups of ~30 people

• Headsets provided

• Standard ticket: 8 randomly assigned caves

Common caves include:

• Cave 331 – Early Tang murals

• Cave 340 – Eleven-faced Avalokitesvara

• Cave 17 – The Library Cave

• Cave 296 – Northern Zhou flying apsaras

• Cave 292 – Sui Dynasty triad Buddhas

• Cave 130 (Nine-Story Pavilion) – 35.5m Maitreya Buddha

👉 Caves 16, 17, and 130 are almost always included.

4. A Little-Known Advantage of the Standard Ticket

Here’s something many visitors don’t realize:

👉 Standard ticket holders can quietly view the emergency caves afterward—but not the other way around.

If you finish your guided tour:

• Return the headset

• Walk back calmly instead of following the crowd

• You may catch:

  • Cave 148 – Reclining Buddha

  • Cave 138 – Donor family cave

Stay quiet, don’t photograph, and respect the space.

5. Are Special Caves Worth It? Absolutely.

If you can secure Cave 45 or Cave 57, you’re extremely lucky.

• Cave 57: The famed “Beautiful Bodhisattva,” flowing robes carved in stone

• Cave 45: High Tang sculpture perfection—often called the face of Dunhuang

Guided explanation lasts over an hour. This is museum-level depth.

Mogao Caves

6. Museums You Should Never Skip (Photography Allowed)

① Art Museum

High-resolution mural reproductions, music and dance themes—perfect for understanding details forbidden to photograph inside caves.

② Conservation & Research Center

• 8 replicated caves

• Wall painting techniques explained step-by-step

• Free guided talks at fixed times

👉 Many visitors leave early. This is where everything truly clicks.

7. Practical Tips from Experience

• Arrive early—date matters more than time slot

• Dome theater: middle-back seats are best

• Use restrooms right after getting off the shuttle (no queues)

• Wear comfortable shoes (3–5 hours minimum)

• No photography or touching inside caves—this is strictly enforced

8. How to Fit Mogao into Your Itinerary

✔ Qinghai–Gansu Loop

Reserve one full day for Mogao.

✔ Dunhuang-Only Trip

3–4 days recommended; both east and west routes are worth it.

recommend route：

A Six-Day Trip to Dunhuang: Mogao Grottoes and Crescent Lake – An Exquisite and Enjoyable Experience

13-Day Silk Road Tour: Dunhuang, Mogao Caves, Urumqi, Kashgar, Taxkorgan & More