- China Tour and Travel Guide for Dunhuang

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China travel and tour destination Dunhuang

China Destination Guide - Dunhuang 敦煌

Dunhuang is a long trip through the desert which suddenly ends in a lush and developed city. Originally this city was a stop on the Northern Silk Road and flourished during the Han and Tang dynasties and had considerable military importance. Nowadays it is tourists rather than traders who flock here to experience the desert and the nearby Mogao Caves, Dunhuang's premiere attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

➤ TCTC Tip: Dunhuang is usually visited after Turpan and before Jiayuguan.

What there is to see in Dunhuang:

The UNESCO recognised Mogao Caves are an extraordinary repository of Buddhist art which began to be accumulated here nearly 2,400 years ago and was added to over a period spanning 1,000 years. There are nearly 500 temples with murals covering 450,000 square feet although much is off limits to visitors.
Cresent Lake is 5km outside of Dunhuang where the dunes rise from the flat desert. Nestled amongst the dunes is the small lake and temple - a quite extraordinary setting. Visit as we did in the winter and you have the chance of seeing the strange sight of snow on the sand dunes!

Best time to visit Dunhuang

Dunhuang can be visited year round but the best months tend to be October and November and then March and April. It can be a little chilly in winter and very hot in the summer months but winter has the advantage of very few tourists giving the often snow covered dunes largely to yourself.

Best reason to visit Dunhuang

The twin but very different attractions of the Mogao Caves and the Dunes make this remote destination particularly diverse and Dunhuang an essential stop along the Northern Silk Road route. The town itself is also a pleasant place to rest up for a couple of days.

Our last word on Dunhuang

An unmissable Silk Road stop with plenty of atmosphere, good accommodation and a range of diverse sights makes Dunhuang a well deserved Silk Road favourite amongst travellers both today and, indeed, over the last 2,000 years!