A trip to Dunhuang can be an unforgettable experience, but the cost can vary depending on several factors such as transportation, accommodation, dining, and attractions. Here is a detailed breakdown of the potential costs:
Transportation Costs
By Air: If you travel to Dunhuang by plane, round - trip airfares can range from 1000 yuan to 3000 yuan approximately. It's cheaper in the off - season, and you might even find tickets for just over 1000 yuan. However, during peak seasons, prices may be higher.
By Train: Taking the train is more affordable. For example, a hard sleeper from Lanzhou to Dunhuang costs 244.5 yuan.
Local Transportation: Within Dunhuang, you can choose to take a bus, taxi or rent a car. If you take a taxi from the city to the Mogao Caves, it may cost about 40 - 60 yuan.
Accommodation Costs
Luxury Hotels: Five - star hotels in Dunhuang usually cost 800 - 1500 yuan per night.
Mid - range Hotels: Four - star hotels are around 400 - 800 yuan per night, and some mid - range hotels and inns in the city center or near scenic spots cost 200 - 500 yuan per night.
Budget Accommodation: In the off - season, you can find some guesthouses or budget hotels for as low as 100 - 200 yuan per night. Besides, desert camps offer a unique experience, priced at 280 - 800 yuan per person, including tent accommodation, bonfire parties, sand skiing and other activities.
Dining Costs
Local Specialties: You can enjoy local delicacies such as Donkey Noodles for 18 - 30 yuan per serving and Mutton with Pancakes for 50 - 80 yuan per serving.
Regular Meals: In ordinary restaurants, you can have a filling meal for 30 - 50 yuan per person. If you want to eat in high - end restaurants, the cost will be higher, probably 100 - 200 yuan per person or more.
Attraction Tickets
Mogao Caves: The peak - season ticket is 238 yuan per person, and the off - season ticket is 140 yuan per person.
Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring: It's 110 yuan per person in peak season and 55 yuan in off - season.
Yadan National Geopark: The ticket is 50 yuan per person in peak season and 25 yuan in off - season.
Yangguan Site: The ticket price is 50 yuan per person.
Other Costs
Shows: If you want to watch shows like Impression of Dunhuang, you need to pay 298 yuan for an adult ticket.
Souvenirs: The cost of buying souvenirs varies, but you can expect to spend around 100 - 500 yuan, depending on what you buy.
In general, for a three - day trip to Dunhuang, if you travel economically, you can probably manage with a budget of about 2000 - 3000 yuan per person. If you prefer a more comfortable and luxurious trip, the cost may be 5000 - 8000 yuan or more.
