The vast desert smoke rises straight, overlooking Dunhuang

A soul-healing journey after a 10-kilometer desert trek🏜️
You must keep this slow travel guide to Dunhuang! Highly recommend saving it🌟

【Three-Day Cultural Healing Route】👇

DAY 1: Immersive Art Experience
📍 Mogao Caves
🏠 Address: Yangguan Avenue, Dunhuang City
⏰ Hours: Peak season 08:00-18:00 / Off-season 09:00-17:00
💡 Tip: Be sure to choose the earliest time slot! Fewer people, better experience~ Book special cave tickets in advance on Trip.com
🎨 The reclining Buddha statue in Cave 148 exudes a serene aura, and the colors from a thousand years ago give you goosebumps! A pilgrimage site for art students✔️

DAY 2: Dialogue Between History and Nature
☀️ Morning:
• Wang Yuanlu Pagoda (inside Mogao Caves area)
Behind this short stone stele lies a touching story of guarding Dunhuang for 50 years
• Library Cave Exhibition Hall
After seeing the replicas of artifacts stolen by Stein, I was so angry I stomped on the spot!😠

🌄 Evening:
• Mingsha Mountain (06:00-19:30)
Ride a camel up the mountain to watch the sunset🐫 The singing sand phenomenon is amazing! Recommended to wear high-top shoes + waterproof phone case~

DAY 3: Deep Exploration of the Secret Realm
🗿 Cave 428 (separate ticket required)
The flying apsaras ceiling from the Northern Zhou period is breathtaking✨ The guide said the pigments were ground from gemstones and haven’t faded in 1700 years!
🛕 Pagoda Forest (northwest corner of Mogao Caves)
The scattered earthen pagodas look like Buddhist beads growing from the earth, a must for photographers to catch the dusk light and shadows📷

【Thoughtful Tips After the Trek】💖
💆 The free foot bath pavilion near Gongdelin is super healing
🌌 Soaking your feet while stargazing is simply amazing
🛣️ G215 highway at dusk is perfect for photos
🚌 There is a green shuttle bus from the city to Mogao Caves (30 minutes)

【Must-Try Food List】🍜
✅ Xia Family Hezhi: lamb hezhi + bread, the broth is incredibly fresh
✅ Daji Sauce Donkey Meat: the perfect combo of yellow noodles + donkey meat
✅ Yang’s Dry Food: must-have apricot peel water and small naan for hiking

🧳 Essentials to Bring:
Windproof face mask | Moisturizing spray | Power bank (rarely available in scenic spots)
👗 Outfit Suggestions:
Light jacket + hat during the day
Bring a light down jacket for the big temperature drop at sunset