Dunhuang Summer Vacation Travel Guide (Tested and Practical Version) Really recommend coming in the off-season because...

because it’s so beautiful!!! Traveling from Xinjiang to Dunhuang, I purposely reserved two days to explore this desert town. It has the profoundness of thousand-year-old grottoes and the romance of desert sunsets. The locals are warm and genuine, commercialization is just right, making the trip comfortable and worry-free. I’ve compiled very detailed tips, so friends going in summer can follow along~ 1. Must-See Before the Trip: Tickets and Accommodation How to handle tickets? - Mogao Caves are the highlight. The regular ticket allows visiting 8 caves and must be booked a month in advance (it’s very competitive in peak season, set an alarm). For flexible itineraries like mine, I chose the emergency ticket (4 caves). Although fewer, it covers the core caves, fewer crowds in the afternoon, no squeezing, and peaceful for photos. - The Mingsha Mountain ticket is super cost-effective, valid for 72 hours with unlimited entries. You can come back 10 times if you want, separate your photo shoots, camel rides, and concerts without rushing. Where is convenient to stay? I recommend staying near Dunhuang Night Market, where you can walk around and eat. It’s about a 10-minute taxi ride to Mingsha Mountain and Mogao Caves, and there are direct buses too. It’s very convenient to return to the hotel after strolling the night market. Most local guesthouses have a bit of Northwest style, moderate prices, and if you book early, you can get one with a small courtyard. 2. Two-Day Essential Itinerary (Tested and Reliable) Day 1: Understand history first, then see the grottoes Dunhuang Museum → Mogao Caves (Emergency Ticket) → Mingsha Mountain Concert - In the morning, rush to Dunhuang Museum, it’s free but very valuable! You can borrow a smart guide at the entrance and listen to the whole tour. Especially the part about Wang Daoshi, which isn’t sentimental but deeply moving, instantly deepening your understanding of Mogao Caves. The digital VR in the museum is a must-try, letting you “walk into” the caves included in the emergency ticket up close, familiarizing yourself with mural details in advance, making the afternoon visit more meaningful. - Go to Mogao Caves after 3 pm when the sunlight is just right and not glaring. The queue usually takes less than 10 minutes. The emergency ticket includes a dedicated guide who explains in a loop. Don’t be lazy—listen carefully. The guide points out small hidden details in the murals (like instruments or costumes in a painting), which is much more interesting than looking on your own. When it’s less crowded, take silhouette photos against the cave’s outer wall; the background is so clean it feels like time traveling. - Head straight to Mingsha Mountain at dusk, climb the sand dune to get a good spot for the concert. The trail in the middle offers the best view. Although climbing is tough (sand slips down), standing on the top watching the sunset dye the desert golden red is worth it! When the concert starts, everyone sings along together. The evening breeze mixed with sand particles fills the atmosphere. Check the day’s playlist in advance and hum along to feel more involved. Day 2: Have fun in the desert, take your time to explore Mingsha Mountain (Camel Riding/Photo Shoot) → City Stroll and Eat - If you want to ride camels, go early to avoid long lines (I heard there’s almost no wait in the afternoon, but I couldn’t get up early to try). The camel caravan jingles as it walks through the desert, right next to the “camel traffic light” (super cute feature). Every photo looks like a Western movie scene. - For flying fairy photo shoots, it’s best to set aside half a day. There are many studios in the scenic area. Choose a set with bright colors (red, blue, green are most photogenic). After makeup, shoot directly in the desert. The light is soft at sunset, no filter needed. After shooting, you can remove makeup and change clothes right in the scenic area, no need to walk around with heavy makeup. - Some fenced corners of the sand dunes are less crowded, perfect for shooting photos without people, but don’t stay too long—quick and respectful to others. When tired in the afternoon, return to the city to find a restaurant to rest and slowly enjoy local dishes. 3. Local Favorite Food List - Donkey Meat Yellow Noodles: Don’t go to the popular shops, find small “old brand” shops in alleys. The yellow noodles are freshly pulled, chewy and springy, paired with flavorful donkey meat stew, topped with a spoonful of mushroom sauce. Mix it well and it’s so fragrant you’ll lick the bowl. - Sand Onion Beef Pancake: Available at small stalls at the night market entrance. Freshly baked, the crust is crispy, and inside you can taste the fresh aroma of sand onion, balancing the richness of beef. Ten yuan each, very filling. - Populus Euphratica Stewed Pancake: A wide pancake with some chewiness soaked in mutton soup, absorbing the broth, paired with tender stewed mutton. Warm in winter, not greasy in summer, perfect for sharing. - Apricot Peel Water: The locals’ “happy water,” sweet and sour to refresh and cut grease. Five yuan a cup at the night market. When tired from walking, a sip refreshes you to the point of shivering. 4. Thoughtful Tips - No photos allowed inside Mogao Caves (flash damages murals). Follow the rules; watching carefully is more important than taking pictures. - Wear socks when climbing Mingsha Mountain! Barefoot on sand looks romantic but it’s hot and sand gets in easily. You can buy sand-proof shoe covers for 10 yuan at the scenic entrance, which is more convenient. - The desert is very dry. Bring sunscreen (reapply often), lip balm, and moisturizing spray, or your face will peel the next day. The beauty of Dunhuang is the kind you remember for a long time after seeing once. The murals in the grottoes glow in the dark, footprints in the desert are blown away by the wind, as if stories from a thousand years ago and present happiness blend into the wind and sand. If you go in summer, remember to take your time and don’t miss this romance~