Dunhuang Day Trip to Mogao Grottoes & Crescent Lake
- Mogao Grottoes' artistic treasures, millennia-old murals that inspire awe: Experience the charm of ancient art and admire the splendor of the Mogao Grottoes murals.
- Crescent Lake's desert spectacle, emerald waters reflecting a unique beauty: Seek out an oasis in the desert and appreciate the unique beauty of Crescent Lake.
- Mingsha Mountain camel riding adventure, experience the full desert ambiance: Ride a camel and stroll through the desert, enjoying the unique ambiance of Mingsha Mountain.
- A fusion of historical culture and natural landscapes, a dual enjoyment in one trip: Mogao Grottoes, Crescent Lake, and Mingsha Mountain, where culture and nature complement each other.
- Experience the charm of Dunhuang in depth, a worthwhile trip with unforgettable memories: This trip will take you to deeply experience the unique charm of Dunhuang, leaving you with unforgettable memories.
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Gansu Dunhuang Travel Photography
What to expect
In the morning, depart from downtown Dunhuang and head to the Mogao Grottoes. As a World Heritage Site, the Mogao Grottoes are world-renowned for their exquisite murals and sculptures, where visitors can experience the accumulation of thousands of years of history.
After visiting the Mogao Grottoes, head to the Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake Scenic Area. Mingsha Mountain is named for the sound of sand movement, while Crescent Lake is like a crescent moon inlaid in the desert. Together, they constitute a wonder in the desert. You can ride camels and sandboard here to experience the fun of the desert (at your own expense).
In the evening, return to Dunhuang city and go to the theater to watch the performance of "Encounter Dunhuang". This is a large-scale indoor immersive experience drama that takes the audience through thousands of years of history with stunning visual effects and touching storylines to experience the charm of Dunhuang culture.
Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake do not include sightseeing cars, camel riding and other entertainment items in the scenic area, please purchase them on site! [Mingsha Mountain Crescent Lake Play Guide] Sightseeing Route: Mingyue Square Archway (you can take a sightseeing car at your own expense for 10 yuan for a one-way trip, 20 yuan for a round trip) - Iron Back Fish Park - Mingsha Mountain - Mingyue Pavilion - Crescent Lake. Entertainment Route: Mingyue Square Archway - Mingsha Mountain East Mountain Top - Iron Back Fish Park - Crescent Lake.
[Mogao Grottoes - Important Tips] The itinerary for this day depends on the reservation time of the Mogao Grottoes! Because Mogao Grottoes tickets implement real-name reservation and are limited to 6,000 Class A tickets/day and 12,000 emergency tickets/day, the peak tourist season starts in late June every year, and the passenger flow increases. Please register as early as possible. If you purchase this route in advance, priority will be given to booking Class A normal tickets. If there are no Class A tickets, Mogao Grottoes Class B tickets will be booked and the price difference will be refunded. If you register late and there are no Class A tickets or emergency tickets, the ticket price will be refunded.
Reviews
very good trip, they had a french speaking guide for us who gave very thorough information. the driver was also very nice and helpful
Very beautiful site. They open 70 caves per day, and you can visit about 10 depending on the queue. So you'll visit about 10 caves plus 3 main ones with 2 large Buddhas and a large reclining statue. Our driver was among the best we've ever had. The tour operator wasn't very clear. I'll tell you what we weren't told. You'll have access at a pre-arranged time before which you can't enter. They'll show you a film next to the ticket office, and then you'll take a bus for about 15 minutes that will take you to the caves. Once there, if you arrive early, you'll have to wait your turn, and if you're not Chinese, you'll be assigned an English-speaking guide in a group of 6 people. The visit can't be done without a guide, so you'll have to wait for the group of 5-6 to form. We left in a group of 5. The duration of the visit is 2 to 3 hours at a relaxed pace, otherwise two hours is more than enough. You can't take photos inside the caves.
Good to know
-Pick-up service range: Free pick-up and drop-off from hotels in Dunhuang city. If you need to go to places outside Dunhuang city, there will be an additional charge. The specific amount will be communicated and confirmed with you by our customer service after the order is confirmed.
Time arrangement: The group tour departs around 7:00 AM and usually ends around 6:00 PM, taking you back to the hotel or the departure point. We will inform you of the meeting time again the day before the tour. Please arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes before the meeting time.
Contact us
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