Dunhuang 2-Day Tour
Mogao Grottoes Highlights + Desert Wonders
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Mogao Grottoes (pre-book regular + emergency tickets) + Digital Exhibition Center + Dunhuang Museum (background on murals)
Yangguan Yumen Pass Tourist Area (Yumen Pass)
Yumen Pass (Jade Gate Pass) is a pass on the Great Wall west of Dunhuang in Gansu Province, China. During the Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD), it was a vital passage on the Silk Road and the only route connecting Central Asia with East Asia (China), the latter being known as the Western Regions. Just to its south is Yangguan Pass, which was also an important location on the Silk Road. These passes and other sites along the Silk Road were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014 as part of the Silk Roads: Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor World Heritage Site. The pass is located at an altitude of 1400 meters.
2
Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Spring (sand sliding + optional desert off-road) + Leiyin Temple + camel caravan across the desert + overnight desert camp stargazing
Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring
Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring is located in Dunhuang City, Gansu Province, and is a unique natural landscape composed of Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring. Mingsha Mountain is famous for its wonder of 'mountain and spring coexisting, sand and water coexisting,' and gets its name from the sound made by moving sand. Crescent Spring is a crescent-shaped lake, shimmering with clear water in the desert, remaining unfrozen for thousands of years, and is hailed as a 'desert marvel.' It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and recognized by UNESCO as part of the Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark, making it an excellent destination to experience desert scenery and Silk Road culture.
Leiyin Temple
Leiyin Temple in Dunhuang, located within the Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring Scenic Area in Dunhuang City, Gansu Province, is a Buddhist temple with a long history. It was first built during the Western Jin Dynasty and is one of Dunhuang's important Buddhist cultural heritages. The temple features unique architectural style and a serene environment, making it a peaceful place for devotees to worship and tourists to visit.
Ready to customize this itinerary?
Chat with Magpie AI to adjust this route to your preferences, add or remove stops, and get personalized recommendations.
Plan with Magpie AI