As the sweltering summer heat fades away, September emerges as the golden month for traveling to Dunhuang. My bestie and I have been dreaming of exploring this land of sand dunes and ancient culture, but as first-timers, we were flooded with questions: How many days should we spend there? Is it better to travel independently or join a group tour? What clothes should we pack for September? How to arrange transportation in such a vast area? We were worried that poor preparation might ruin our trip, so we did a ton of research and finally went on an amazing journey. Let me share our experience to help you plan yours!
How Many Days to Stay? 5 Days Hits the Sweet Spot
For first-timers, 5 days is perfect for Dunhuang. A shorter 3-4 day trip would make you rush through key attractions, while more than 5 days might leave you with less to explore (since Dunhuang’s core sights are concentrated but require time to savor). Our 5-day itinerary covered all the must-sees—from the Mogao Grottoes to the Mingsha Mountain—and even left room for some leisurely experiences like watching the sunset over the sand dunes. It was neither too packed nor too loose, giving us enough time to soak in Dunhuang’s unique charm.
Group Tour vs. Solo Travel? Group Tour Makes It Hassle-Free
We initially debated between solo travel and a group tour, but choosing a 5-day local group tour turned out to be a smart move. Dunhuang’s attractions are spread out—for example, the Mogao Grottoes are 25 kilometers from the city center, and the Yumen Pass is over 90 kilometers away. Arranging taxis or buses on our own would have been time-consuming and expensive. We booked with Dunhuang Guanshan Yue Travel Agency, a local agency with great reviews, and our tour guide, Xiao Mei, was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. He took care of transportation, tickets, and even gave us detailed explanations of the historical sites—something we couldn’t have gotten from a guidebook.
The 5-Day Itinerary: Ancient Culture Meets Natural Wonders
Our itinerary was perfectly crafted to blend Dunhuang’s cultural heritage and natural beauty, without making us feel exhausted:
Day 1: Arrive in Dunhuang & Settle In
Xiao Mei picked us up from Dunhuang Airport and checked us into a cozy 4-star hotel near the city center. After dropping off our luggage, we wandered around the night market, trying local snacks like cold noodles with sesame sauce and roasted lamb skewers—they were absolutely delicious!
Day 2: Explore the Mogao Grottoes—A World Heritage Site
We started early to beat the crowds at the Mogao Grottoes, also known as the Thousand Buddha Grottoes. With over 1,600 years of history, the grottoes house thousands of murals and sculptures. Xiao Mei explained the stories behind each cave, making the ancient art come alive. In the afternoon, we visited the Mogao Grottoes Digital Exhibition Center to see high-tech reproductions of the murals—this helped us better understand the grottoes before seeing the real ones!
Day 3: Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Spring—Desert Magic
We spent the whole day at Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring. We rented camels to ride through the sand dunes (such a fun experience!) and climbed to the top to watch the sunset—it painted the entire desert in golden hues, and it was the most breathtaking view we’d ever seen. Later, we visited Crescent Spring, a tiny oasis surrounded by sand dunes—it’s hard to believe such a clear spring exists in the middle of the desert! Xiao Mei even brought us cold watermelon to cool down after our desert adventure.
Day 4: Ancient Silk Road Sites—Yumen Pass & Yangguan Pass
We traveled west to explore the relics of the ancient Silk Road: Yumen Pass and Yangguan Pass. Standing at these ancient passes, we could almost imagine the caravans of camels passing through centuries ago. We also visited the Dunhuang Museum in the afternoon, where we saw artifacts from the Silk Road era, like pottery, silk, and ancient coins. Xiao Mei’s explanations made the history feel so vivid.
Day 5: Leisurely Morning & Departure
On our last day, we had a relaxed morning 逛 (wandering) around the Old Street of Dunhuang, buying souvenirs like hand-painted fans and camel hair carpets. Xiao Mei sent us to the airport in the afternoon, and we left with so many wonderful memories. The whole trip was smooth and enjoyable—no stress at all!
How to Get to Dunhuang? Flights or Trains—Your Choice!
Dunhuang has both an airport and a railway station, so getting there is convenient. We flew from Beijing to Dunhuang—flights take about 3 hours, and round-trip tickets cost around 1,500 RMB per person. If you’re on a budget, taking the train is a good option. There are trains from Lanzhou to Dunhuang (about 8 hours, hard sleeper around 200 RMB) and from Xi’an to Dunhuang (about 12 hours, hard sleeper around 300 RMB). Trains are cheaper, and you can enjoy the scenery of the Gansu countryside along the way. Xiao Mei recommended flying if you’re short on time, and taking the train if you want to save money and see more of the journey—and we think that’s great advice!
Cost Breakdown: Around 3,000 RMB Per Person
Our 5-day group tour cost 1,200-1,500 RMB per person, depending on the hotel standard. This included transportation during the trip, entrance fees to all attractions, and 4 nights of accommodation. Flights added about 1,500 RMB per person, and we spent around 300 RMB on food and souvenirs. In total, each of us spent roughly 3,000 RMB—which was a great deal! The tour included most meals, like the delicious lamb hot pot we had on our second night, so we didn’t have to worry about finding restaurants. Xiao Mei also gave us tips on where to buy affordable souvenirs, saving us from overspending.
What to Pack for September? Comfort & Sun Protection Are Key!
September in Dunhuang has comfortable daytime temperatures (20-28°C) but cool nights (10-15°C), so layered clothing is essential. We packed short-sleeve shirts for the day, light jackets for the evenings, and comfortable sneakers for climbing sand dunes. Don’t forget sun protection: a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen (the sun is intense in the desert!). A small backpack is also useful for carrying water and snacks during the day. Oh, and bring a camera—you’ll want to take photos of everything!
September in Dunhuang is like stepping into a fairy tale—with its ancient grottoes, vast sand dunes, and delicious food, it’s an unforgettable experience for first-timers. Follow our guide, and you’ll have the trip of a lifetime!
#SeptemberDunhuangTravel #Dunhuang5DayTour #FirstTripToDunhuang #SilkRoadTravel
National Day outing! The most comprehensive strategy of the Mogao Grottoes of Dunhuang, come and colAny suggestions for a two-day grotto exploration trip in Gansu?
