Dunhuang and its surrounding scenic spots are abundant and each has its own characteristics. A week is sufficient to explore all the core attractions thoroughly and also leave some leisure time to experience the local customs. The following itinerary is for your reference. If you want to spend more time somewhere, you can adjust it flexibly.
Day 1: After arriving in Dunhuang in the morning, first go to your accommodation to relax. In the afternoon, head to the Mogao Grottoes Digital Exhibition Center to watch films and learn about the historical background of the Mogao Grottoes in advance. In the evening, visit the Shazhou Night Market, try donkey meat noodles with yellow noodles and apricot peel water, and experience the bustling atmosphere of Dunhuang. (There's no need to rush the itinerary when you first arrive; take it easy to adapt to the rhythm)
Day 2: A full-day in-depth tour of the Mogao Grottoes. Follow the guide into the grottoes to see the murals, from the "Flying Apsaras" of the Northern Wei Dynasty to the "Donors" of the Tang Dynasty, and listen to the stories behind each mural. In the afternoon, you can go to the Mogao Grottoes Exhibition Center to see the replicas of cultural relics that cannot be moved. In the evening, return to the urban area and take a look at the river view along the Danghe River Scenic Line at sunset.
Day 3: Morning at Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring. Get up early to watch the sunrise at Mingsha Mountain, then ride a camel to experience the fun of walking in the desert, and then walk around Crescent Spring to see the spring water reflecting the blue sky in the desert. In the afternoon, try sand sliding or a desert off-road vehicle. In the evening, wait for the sunset on the sand mountain and watch the afterglow dye the sand dunes golden. (Remember to take sun protection measures and bring enough water)
Day 4: Morning at Dunhuang Ancient City. This is the filming location for many film and television dramas. Put on a Hanfu and walk around the ancient city to take some photos with a sense of the times. In the afternoon, go to the Western Thousand Buddha Caves. Compared with the Mogao Grottoes, there are fewer people here, so you can watch the murals more quietly. After returning to the urban area in the evening, go to an old teahouse for a cup of tea and listen to the boss tell old stories about Dunhuang.
Day 5: Dunhuang → Yumen Pass → Yadan Devil City. In the morning, drive to Yumen Pass. Stand in front of the ruins of "Xiaofangpan City" and feel the desolation described in the line "The spring breeze never reaches Yumen Pass". In the afternoon, go to Yadan Devil City to see the奇特 landforms formed by wind erosion, such as the "Sphinx" and "西海舰队 (Xihai Fleet)". In the evening, watch the sunset in the Devil City and see the setting sun make the Yadan landforms even more mysterious. (The driving distance is a bit long on this day, so you can prepare snacks in advance)
Day 6: Morning at Yangguan Ruins. Walk along the "Yangguan Road", see the Han Dynasty pass ruins, and look at the unearthed bronze arrowheads in the museum to feel the historical thickness of the line "Going west beyond Yangguan, there are no old friends". In the afternoon, return to downtown Dunhuang and visit the Dunhuang Museum to systematically understand the development context of Dunhuang. In the evening, watch the live-action performance "See Dunhuang Again" to experience the past of Dunhuang immersively.
Day 7: Morning at the folk village around Mingsha Mountain. Experience making clay embryo paintings, cutting Dunhuang paper-cuts and other handicrafts to feel the charm of intangible cultural heritage. In the afternoon, pack your luggage. If you have enough time, you can go to a bookstore in the urban area to buy a book about Dunhuang as a souvenir, and then go to the station or airport according to your return time.
After such a week, you can touch both natural wonders and cultural treasures. There are both hurried travels and quiet readings, allowing you to fully appreciate the charm of Dunhuang.
