Discovering beauty and history in a desert corner of China

Three-day itinerary

Day 1 — Mogao Caves and Mingsha Mountain

Morning

Mogao Caves:

• Visit the museum and watch the introductory film before touring the caves.

• Explore the caves, carved and painted between the 4th and 14th centuries.

Afternoon

Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake:

• Ride a camel across the golden dunes.

• Visit the desert oasis nestled among the sands.

• Climb the dunes for panoramic views.

Evening

• Watch the sunset over the dunes, and maybe hear the dunes "sing".

Day 2 — Yumen Pass and the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty

Morning

• Head to the Yumen Pass tourist center and purchase a shuttle bus ticket.

• Yumen Pass (Jade Gate), an important gateway on the ancient Silk Road.

• Great Wall of the Han Dynasty and Danggu Beacon Tower, one of the earliest sections of the Wall.

Afternoon

Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark:

• View spectacular wind-eroded rock formations.

Day 3 — Dunhuang Ancient Town, Dunhuang museums, and Dunhuang Night Market

Morning

• Dunhuang Ancient Town, a modern replica of Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) architecture used as a filming location.

Midday and afternoon

• Dunhuang City Museum, and Dunhuang Contemporary Art Museum.

Late afternoon/evening

• Explore Shazhou Night Market.