Although there are only six Dunhuang attractions listed, at least 4 of them are world class. The Mogao Grottoes has China's oldest and most famous Buddhist relics. The singing sands are pristine sand dunes that can be explored on a camel, and Crescent Spring is an oasis in this mini desert or the outskirts of Dunhuang.
With a longer trip from Dunhuang visitors can see the Han Dynasty Great Wall and its twin forts at 'Jade Gate Pass' and 'Southern Pass', strategic desert outposts on the Silk Road, Yardang National Park with its peculiar wind eroded rocks. Dunhuang is a honey pot of classic Silk Road attractions.
Most Popular Dunhuang Attractions
The Mogao Caves, also known as the Mogao Grottoes or 'Thousand Buddha Caves' and praised as "a glittering pearl that adorns the Silk Road", are the most famous Buddhist caves in China. Chinese: 莫高窟.
Yardang landforms Yardang National Geological Park is a wonderful park with large scale yardang landforms, formed by wind erosion. It is located on the border of Gansu and Xinjiang provinces, close to t..
Dunhuang has a spectacular area of natural scenery: the Singing Sand (Mingsha) Mountains. The "mountains" are pale golden sand dunes that are dozens of meters high, covering an area of roughly 40 square k..
Known to the world as "the First Spring in the Desert", the Crescent Spring is situated at the foot of Mingsha Mountain and is surrounded by sand dunes. Seen from afar, the Crescent Spring resembles a cres..