Top 10 Best Things to Do near Dunhuang
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Top 10 Best Things to Do near Dunhuang

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Trip.Best is a collection of travel rankings that takes into account the travel choices and genuine preferences of hundres of millions of Trip.com users. It is updated monthly based on real data.
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  • Akesai Boluo Zhuanjing Film Base
    󰺂6.2
    Aksay87.9 km from Dunhuang
    󱨠317 positive reviews
    4.2/5
    雨霁88雨霁88

    Built in the early 1950s for oil exploration and development, Lenghu was the site of a major oil well eruption in 1955, attracting a large number of oil workers and their families. At its peak, the population exceeded 100,000, earning it the nickname "Little Hong Kong in the Gobi Desert." Lenghu oilfield production plummeted in 1980, and excessive radioactivity in drinking water was detected in the early 1990s. Aksai County was relocated in 1995, and the town was abandoned. In 2015, the film "Nine-story Demon Tower" was filmed here, bringing it back into the public eye. Off-holiday, the area is sparsely visited, and it appears rather desolate. If you're not particularly fond of this area, don't go there.

  • Son of the Earth
    󰺂5.9
    GuazhouMore than 100 km from Dunhuang
    Highlights:
    󱨜Guazhou's iconic landmark hotspot
    󱓊Eco sculpture awakens Earth protection
    4.4/5
    火  火火 火

    Gansu "Son of the Earth" sculpture business card works name : Son of the Earth . Geographical location: Gobi Beach, Hongshanpo, 20 km south of Guazhou County, Jiuquan City, Gansu Province (next to Suoyang Town 270 County Road). Author : Dong Shubing (Director, Professor, Sculpture Department, School of Fine Arts, Tsinghua University) . Completion time: 7– November 2016, permanently installed the same year. Body volume : 15 m × 9 m × 9 m × Material: brown red sandstone whole stone 3D engraving, 127 pieces assembly . Art theme : Giant baby sleeping on the side of the bed, symbolizing "humanity is the child of the mother of the earth", calling for awe of nature and protecting the environment. Technical highlights : 3D scanning modeling → partition 3D CNC engraving → Site lifting splicing, error ≤ 3 mm . Landscape cluster : form "Guazhou Gobi International Sculpture Art Corridor" with "Unbounded" "Han Wuxiong Wind" . Transportation and tickets: 18 km from Lianhuo Expressway Guazhou Exit, the scenic spot is free; there is a parking lot and a sightseeing trail . Best shooting: After sunrise or 1 hour before sunset, the light side hits the "baby" face, which is very easy to produce film . Latest news: Tourist climbing incident occurred in January 2025, and the official has strengthened on-site duty and protection . In a word, look at a quiet sleeping "giant baby" in the desert of "Son of the Earth", reminding mankind with the softest gesture: facing nature, we are always just children.

  • Yulin Grottoes
    󰺂5.8
    GuazhouMore than 100 km from Dunhuang
    Highlights:
    󱨜Visit diverse ancient murals
    󱨜4200 sq ft of cave murals
    󱨠144 positive reviews
    4.3/5
    单反小大爷单反小大爷

    Is it worth spending 550 to see all the special caves in Yulin Grottoes? I'm Leo, a traveler and photographer who constantly explores dungeons on Earth Online. On this trip to Dunhuang, I spent a whole day immersed in the murals of the Mogao Grottoes. Still feeling unsatisfied, I added another multiple-choice question to my itinerary between the Western Thousand Buddha Caves on the east route and the Yulin Grottoes on the west route. Yulin Grottoes, also known as Wanfo Gorge, is located in a Gobi gorge approximately 70 kilometers south of Guazhou County, Jiuquan City, Gansu Province. The Yulin River flows through the gorge, and elm trees form forests on both sides, giving the grottoes their name. As the "sister cave" of the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, Yulin Grottoes currently boasts 43 caves with intact murals, over 270 preserved painted sculptures, and over 5,200 square meters of murals, most of which date back 800 years, from the Tang Dynasty to the Yuan Dynasty. Best route: I'm a lifelong self-drive person. At 4:00 AM, we set off from Dunhuang for a two-hour, 170-kilometer drive. Along the way, we admired diverse landscapes, including the Gobi Desert, oases, and poplar forests. We stopped frequently to check in at the Guazhou Sculpture Group (Son of the Earth, The Magnificent Spirit of Emperor Wu of Han, and Boundless), finally catching the first rays of sunlight of the day at Boundless. It was exactly 9:00 AM when we arrived at the main entrance of the Yulin Grottoes. Key Points: Tickets to the Yulin Grottoes are 40 yuan for the general entrance, which includes access to five caves. However, if your budget allows, the four special caves are absolutely must-sees. To avoid any regrets, I spent 550 yuan to visit all of them. Aside from the somewhat controversial Cave 4, the other three are truly exquisite, with extremely detailed explanations and a far superior experience to the general caves. · Cave 25: The "Amitābha Sūtra Transformation," featuring a depiction of the Western Paradise, is of immense artistic value and is considered the pinnacle of ancient Chinese Buddhist murals. Cave 2: Widely acclaimed for its exquisite depiction of the Water Moon Avalokitesvara, it is a masterpiece of Western Xia murals. Cave 3: Its murals blend exoteric and esoteric Buddhist art. Among them, the "Manjusri Transformation" and "Samantabhadra Transformation" paintings, as well as the "Iron Forging" and "Rice Pounding" paintings, reflecting Western Xia society, are all of great value. For the sake of cultural heritage protection, Yulin Caves, like Mogao Caves, prohibits photography. Therefore, I strictly adhered to the scenic area's regulations. As for the exquisite sculptures and murals, I decided to capture these everlasting moments with my own eyes.

  • Suoyang City
    󰺂5.8
    7.43
    GuazhouMore than 100 km from Dunhuang
    Highlights:
    󰋄Desert, autumn woods & ancient ruins
    󱓊Explore ancient Western ruins
    󱨠167 positive reviews
    4.2/5
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    Looking at the remains of the ancient city wall, I truly felt the artistic conception of "the smoke rises straight in the desert, the sun sets over the long river". The wind and sand have been blowing for thousands of years, and history seems to have solidified here. The desolate and magnificent beauty hits my heart directly.

  • Heidu Mountain
    󰺂6.7
    MangyaMore than 100 km from Dunhuang
    Highlights:
    󱓊Famous mine for green jade
    󰋄Black mountains & desert scenery
    󱨠37% positive reviews
    4.3/5
    M11***00M11***00

    Heidu Mountain: The scenic bus costs 60 yuan per person. There's a restroom at the entrance, so I recommend using it beforehand. The scenery is picturesque, and the drone photos are quite impressive. There's a long line at each drone spot, and it's crowded. There's a wooden plank path, so walking isn't tiring. However, it's all sandy, so I think you should wear shoe covers. You can also go to Yanzhi Mountain on the right, but it's a bit farther. You can also take the scenic bus. There are so many scenic buses in the northwest. The uploaded pictures are all original. It was a cloudy day, so I didn't use any filters. These are the original pictures.

  • Relics of Lenghu Oil Base
    󰺂5.3
    MangyaMore than 100 km from Dunhuang
    4.5/5
    徐舒徐舒

    The dilapidated oil town of Lenghu Town echoes the Heidu Mountain not far away, and the quiet oil town is like a corner forgotten by time. The once important base of the new Chinese oil industry is now left with only ruins. The roof of the brick house collapsed, the walls were broken, and it was buried by the dunes. It is difficult to imagine the scene of the hot weather here. The oil town is the epitome of the development process of the oil industry, which makes people feel thousands of people.

  • Eight Southern Heroines
    󰺂5.3
    Haixi PrefectureMore than 100 km from Dunhuang
    󱨠37% positive reviews
    4.7/5
    爱旅游的晶晶吖爱旅游的晶晶吖

    The Nanba Fairy City. The Nanba Fairy City was named after eight young female prospectors lost their way 70 years ago. The terrain is strange, the wind is erratic, the wind is strange, and the wind is creepy. It is called the Devil City. Through the Devil City South Eight Immortals World area Zui large, Zui typical Yadan landscape, natural maze up, the mounds are listed like a city pool, here is located in the Chaidam Basin of China's Jubao Basin Nanba Immortals, here because of the beautiful and moving story of eight southern girls named!

  • Emerald Lake
    󰺂8.0
    Haixi PrefectureMore than 100 km from Dunhuang
    󱨠Saved by 131 users󱨠996 positive reviews
    4.5/5
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    Emerald Lake is still beautiful in winter. There are fewer people, and the ticket price is half price. You can go to the viewing platform to see the whole lake. You can go up if you want. Because it is a bit cold in winter, the staff also let me go inside to wait for the mini train, which was very kind. I walked around and took pictures for three hours.

  • Wusute Yadan Geological Park
    󰺂8.0
    GolmudMore than 100 km from Dunhuang
    Highlights:
    󰀆360° view of Yadan Lake
    󱨜Castle-like formations on water
    󱨠Saved by 125 users󱨠3357 positive reviews
    4.5/5
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    - Unique and spectacular landforms: The Water Yadan Scenic Area is the only water-based Yadan landform group in the world, known as the "Water Devil City". The Yadan mounds are of various shapes and sizes, scattered in the blue Duck Lake, forming a beautiful picture of "red cliffs reflected in water", making visitors feel as if they have entered a magical otherworld.

Best things to do in Dunhuang (2025)

Looking for the ultimate experiences in Dunhuang? From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, Dunhuang offers an exceptional collection of activities and attractions that cater to every type of traveler.

Whether you’re here for sightseeing, adventure, or cultural exploration, these top-rated activities promise unforgettable memories.

Top-rated things to do in Dunhuang

If you want to make the most of your trip, these activities deliver the full Dunhuang experience. Expect popular attractions, unique local experiences, and must-see spots that capture the essence of the city.

Akesai Boluo Zhuanjing Film Base

• Aksay | 87.9 km from Dunhuang

Son of the Earth

• Guazhou | More than 100 km from Dunhuang

• : Guazhou's iconic landmark hotspot,Eco sculpture awakens Earth protection

Yulin Grottoes

• Guazhou | More than 100 km from Dunhuang

• : Visit diverse ancient murals,4200 sq ft of cave murals

Things to do for unique experiences

These activities provide memorable experiences beyond the ordinary. Enjoy cultural tours, adventure sports, guided excursions, and immersive local experiences designed for all interests.

Things to do near Dunhuang

If you want to explore attractions just outside Dunhuang, there are plenty of activities that combine scenic surroundings with convenient access to the city, perfect for day trips or short excursions.

Each of these activities offers a unique escape within 1–3 hours of Dunhuang, ideal for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with local experiences.

What makes things to do in Dunhuang special

• Iconic landmarks: Visit must-see sights that define the city.
• Local experiences: Engage in culture, crafts, and unique activities.
• Accessible adventures: Easily reachable attractions for all travelers.
• Diverse options: From relaxing experiences to adventurous outings.

Tips for booking things to do in Dunhuang

1. Plan ahead for popular attractions to avoid long queues.
2. Book early for guided tours or seasonal events.
3. Compare prices and packages on Trip.com for exclusive deals and bundled experiences.
4. Consider weekday visits for a quieter and more personalized experience.

Experience the best things to do in Dunhuang

Ready to explore the best of Dunhuang? Discover Trip.Best's curated list of things to do and experience adventure, culture, and unforgettable memories.

Book your perfect activities on Trip.com today, where excitement and discovery awaits.

What are some Best Things to Do near Dunhuang?
Some Best Things to Do near Dunhuang include:Akesai Boluo Zhuanjing Film Base, Son of the Earth, Yulin Grottoes, Suoyang City, Heidu Mountain
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do near Dunhuang?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do near Dunhuang include:Akesai Boluo Zhuanjing Film Base:4.2, Son of the Earth:4.4, Yulin Grottoes:4.3, Suoyang City:4.2, Heidu Mountain:4.3
Where are Best Things to Do near Dunhuang located?
The Best Things to Do near Dunhuang are mainly located in:Akesai Boluo Zhuanjing Film Base:Aksay, Son of the Earth:Guazhou, Yulin Grottoes:Guazhou, Suoyang City:Guazhou, Heidu Mountain:Mangya
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