Perched on the western edge of the Hexi Corridor in Gansu, Dunhuang served as the vital Silk Road oasis where caravans replenished supplies before braving the formidable Taklamakan and Gobi deserts. Today, it remains one of the world's greatest treasuries of ancient Buddhist art and desert landscapes.
The pinnacle of any visit is the UNESCO-listed Mogao Grottoes, home to 492 decorated cave temples spanning a thousand years of continuous artistic devotion. Book Category A tickets well in advance to enjoy digital dome cinema introductions followed by guided walkthroughs of eight original cave chambers containing vibrant Tang and Northern Wei frescoes.
At Mingsha Shan (Singing Sand Dunes), climb to towering ridgelines at sunset to overlook the miraculous natural oasis of Crescent Moon Spring (Yueyaquan). In the evening, head to the bustling Shazhou Night Market to sample yellow noodles with stewed donkey meat, Xinjiang-style grilled lamb skewers, and sweet apricot peel tea.
