Dunhuang 6-Day Itinerary: Mogao Caves, Crescent Lake & Silk Road Highlights

Day 1｜Arrive in Dunhuang｜Hotel Check-in & First Taste of Night-Market Life

The moment you arrive in Dunhuang, you’re officially stepping into the starting point of the ancient Silk Road.
Whether you fly or take the train, you’ll receive a message in advance and a private transfer will take you straight to your hotel—super convenient and worry-free.

How to Get to Dunhuang

✈️ Flights
Cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi’an, Hangzhou, Lanzhou, Xining, and more offer direct flights to Dunhuang.
During the off-season, it’s common to find discounted tickets.

🚆 High-Speed Train / Train
Dunhuang is connected by high-speed rail to Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, and Jiuquan.
If you’re coming from Xinjiang, you can transfer at Liuyuan Station and take the high-speed train into Dunhuang.

After Check-in: Shazhou Night Market

Your first dinner in Dunhuang has to be here.
A cold beer, a bowl of donkey yellow noodles, grilled skewers, apricot peel juice, spicy lamb dishes… This is the best place to feel the lively northwest street-food culture.

Day 2｜Yulin Caves – Suoyang City – Son of the Earth – Boundless (Wujie) Art Sculptures

A deep dive into desert canyons, ancient ruins, and iconic desert art.

🟫 Yulin Caves｜The “Sister Caves” of Mogao

Nicknamed the “Valley of Ten Thousand Buddhas,” the caves spread across steep cliffs like a massive crack in the earth.
Though quieter than Mogao, it preserves 43 complete caves, filled with exceptional murals—many of them incredibly well preserved.

🟫 Suoyang City｜Ruins of a Tang-Dynasty Frontier Town

Located in the vast Gobi desert, its ancient city layout is still visible today.
The Yuan-dynasty pagoda in the northeast corner is especially loved by photographers.

🟫 Son of the Earth & Boundless (Wujie)｜Viral Gobi Sculptures

Huge, abstract installations standing alone in the desert—dramatic, stunning, and extremely photogenic. A must-visit for anyone who loves creative shots.

After returning to Dunhuang in the evening, enjoy free time—another night-market walk or a cup of warm apricot tea is perfect to unwind.

Millennium Dunhuang Six Days · Mogao Caves, Crescent Spring for Ultimate Enjoyment

Yulin Grottoes

Day 3｜Yumen Pass – Dafangpan City – Han Great Wall Ruins – Western Thousand-Buddha Caves – Desert Camping

A paradise for history lovers—and the best day to experience a true “Gobi sunset.”

🟫 Yumen Pass｜The Frontier Gate from the Famous Poem

Standing before Yumen Pass, it’s hard not to think of the line:
“The spring breeze never crosses Yumen Gate.”
This was one of the most important passes on the Silk Road during the Han dynasty.

🟫 Dafangpan City ｜Ancient Military Granary

Once used for storing food and supplies for soldiers stationed along the frontier, it’s a key site for understanding military history of ancient Northwest China.

🟫 Han Great Wall Ruins｜A Millennium-Old Defense Line

Though only earthen walls remain, the sense of ancient borderlands still feels powerful.

🟫 Western Thousand-Buddha Caves｜A Living Textbook of Northern Wei Art

Older than Mogao, the Western Thousand-Buddha Caves preserve vivid Northern Wei murals—another gem of Dunhuang art.

🟩 Night: Desert Camping & Bonfire Party

After reaching the desert campsite, you can enjoy:

✔ Sand sliding
✔ Off-road motorbikes
✔ Desert games
✔ Sunset & star-photography

Dinner includes BBQ + hotpot, followed by music and dancing around a bonfire—one of the most unforgettable memories for travelers.

Yumen Pass

Day 4｜Mogao Caves (Including Special-Grade Caves) + Dunhuang Academy

The cultural highlight of your entire trip.

🟫 Start with Two Films

Before entering the caves, you’ll watch:

A Thousand Years of Mogao
Dream of the Buddha Palace (Dome Projection Film)

These give you essential background on Dunhuang’s history, art evolution, and cave structures.

🟫 On-Site Visit: 8–12 Caves (Seasonal Selection)

A professional guide will lead you through iconic caves from different dynasties:

The Nine-Colored Deer mural
Evolution of mural styles from Northern Wei to Tang and Song
Peak examples of ancient Chinese clay sculptures

🟫 Afternoon: Dunhuang Academy

If you love culture, archaeology, or restoration, this is a must-see.
You’ll learn how murals are preserved and restored, and why Dunhuang is one of the world’s greatest cultural treasures.

Mogao Caves

Day 5｜Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake – Dunhuang Museum – Dunhuang Resort Lunch

A relaxing day mixing desert scenery with city culture.

🟫 Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake

Walk along the dunes, climb the sand ridge, and capture spectacular desert scenes.
When sunlight hits the golden dunes, the curves are breathtaking.
Crescent Lake, like a blue gem set in the sand, is the symbol of Dunhuang.

🟫 Lunch & Rest at Dunhuang Resort (Dunhuang Shanzhuang)

A beautiful environment—perfect for photos and a mid-journey reset.

🟫 Dunhuang Museum

From Silk Road artifacts to ancient military and merchant culture, this museum completes your understanding of Dunhuang through time.

Crescent Lake

Day 6｜Departure｜End of an Unforgettable Dunhuang Journey

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport or train station.
You’ll leave with memories of starlit deserts, golden dunes, and ancient murals.