The 2026 New Year’s Day has arrived, and Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake invite you to witness the first light of dawn in the new year. This carefully prepared Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake New Year’s Day Travel Guide will accompany you warmly throughout your journey, answer your questions, brighten your itinerary, and help you write the first chapter of your new year amidst the vast sea of sand.
I. Entry Procedures
Ticket Policy
During the New Year’s Day period, scenic area tickets are offered at half price. (From December 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake Scenic Area will implement a half-price discount for domestic and international visitors.)
Ticket Purchase and Entry
The scenic area has fully implemented real-name online reservation and ticket purchasing. Please reserve your tickets in advance through official platforms such as the "Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake" WeChat official account, "You Dunhuang" (Visit Dunhuang), Ctrip, or Meituan. Upon entry, bring your valid ID card for ticket verification.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open from 07:30 to 18:00. Please enter through the Middle Gate within this time frame.
Transportation Guide
During the New Year’s Day period, city buses are free of charge. You may take Bus Route 3 from the city center, hire a taxi, or drive directly to the Middle Gate of the scenic area.
Parking Lots No. 1 and No. 2 at the Middle Gate are free for all visitors during the New Year’s Day period! Ample parking spaces ensure a worry-free self-driving experience.
II. Super Value Offers
Galloping Horse Celebrates the New Year | Premium Combo Ticket
Original price: 225 yuan | Now only 188 yuan! Unlock the classic desert experience with a single purchase—an exceptional value to start your perfect journey!
The package includes: Scenic area ticket + Sandproof shoe covers rental + Camel ride experience + Sightseeing bus (return trip).
Recommended Itinerary:
Enter through the Middle Gate → Walk to the shoe covers rental station to collect sandproof shoe covers → Ride a camel at the desert camel station (circular route) → Climb Mingsha Mountain and admire Crescent Lake → Take the sightseeing bus from Xiaoquanwan Square back to the Middle Gate Square → Conclude your trip satisfactorily.
III. Travel Tips
Climbing Precautions: The sand of Mingsha Mountain is fine and soft, making the climb more challenging than ordinary mountain hiking. Please ascend slowly and according to your ability. Secure valuable items such as phones and cameras to prevent them from falling into the sand. Visitors with heart conditions, hypertension, or other illnesses unsuitable for strenuous activities are advised not to climb.
Camel Riding Precautions: Follow the staff's instructions. Pay attention to proper movements when mounting and dismounting the camel. Hold firmly onto the camel gear during the ride, maintain balance, avoid dangerous actions, and refrain from using phones or cameras for photography to prevent startling the camel and causing accidents.
Off-road Vehicle and ATV Precautions: Do not hang items on off-road vehicles or ATVs. Wear helmets and fasten seatbelts as required, and follow staff instructions. Minors, pregnant women, individuals with heart conditions or hypertension, and visitors aged 60 or above are not recommended to participate. Alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited before riding. Do not use phones or cameras for photography during the ride, and keep personal belongings secure.
Dear friends,
We look forward to greeting the first dawn of the new year with you atop the sand mountains.
We are prepared to warm your courage to traverse mountains and seas with our most comprehensive service.
We are committed to preserving the timelessness and tranquility of this land, all to offer you a pure and awe-inspiring encounter.
On this 2026 New Year’s Day, we await your arrival with the utmost enthusiasm and sincerity.
Let us together inscribe the first poetic footprints of the new year across the vast sea of sand.
Wishing you a joyful New Year’s Day, a safe journey, and the fulfillment of all your wishes!
This WeChat post is edited by the Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake National Scenic Area (WeChat ID: mssyyq). Please indicate the source when reposting.
A Hassle-Free 5-Day Chongqing Itinerary for Next Week’s TripComprehensive Pre-New Year's Day Inspection Conducted at Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring Scenic Area
