📍Mogao Caves, Dunhuang Step into a time capsule of ancient art and faith. Tucked at the edge of the Gobi Desert lies the Mogao Caves, also known as the Thousand Buddha Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the greatest treasures of Buddhist art in the world. ✨ What’s so special? • Over 700 caves carved into sandstone cliffs. • More than 2,000 colored statues and 45,000 square meters of murals, dating from the 4th to 14th century. • Intricate depictions of Buddha, heavenly guardians, Silk Road life, and flying apsaras (angel-like dancers). 🧭 Highlights of the Visit: • You can only enter the caves via guided tours, which adds a sense of mystery and reverence. • Some caves are as small as a closet, others as tall as a cathedral—one even has a giant 35-meter Buddha! • Murals reveal not just religious stories, but clothing, architecture, and daily life from ancient dynasties. 📖 A Gateway to the Silk Road The Mogao Caves were more than religious shrines—they were intellectual hubs, with monks and merchants exchanging ideas, art, and beliefs across cultures. The caves hold ancient manuscripts, many of which were discovered in the famed “Library Cave”. 💡 Travel Tips: • Book tickets early—visitor slots are limited to protect the site. • Pair your visit with the Digital Exhibition Hall to view high-res replicas and understand the history in-depth. • Best season to visit: April to October for clear skies and warm weather. 📍Located near Dunhuang, the caves are a must-visit if you’re following the trail of the ancient Silk Road. ⸻ #ChinaTravel #MogaoCaves #Dunhuang #SilkRoadAdventure #UNESCOheritage
NatDiscoversAsia
Popular Trip Moments
4 Days 3 Nights Hardcore Tour of Dunhuang + Zhangye! Stay in a Desert Starry Sky Room for 8,000 RMB! | Millennium Mogao Caves: Murals Flowing with the Silk Road's Time, Buddha Niches Solidifying Brilliant Civilization, A Glance Encompasses a Thousand Years | Dang River in Dunhuang! | A Lightly Designed Boutique Stay Discovered in Dunhuang! Shimuju Adds a Gentle Filter to Desert Travel | Dunhuang Night Market – A Feast for All Senses | Weather and Outfit Guide for the Qinghai-Gansu Loop in August-September | A 7-Day, 6-Night Northwest China Adventure: The Ultimate Qinghai Loop Itinerary | Watching a concert on top of Mingsha Mountain in Dunhuang is so cool! The ultimate romance of Northwest China | Spent three days in Dunhuang, and my spending mindset collapsed | Desert Romance: Camel Riding at Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake to Watch the Sunset, the Ultimate Romantic Experience Exclusive to Dunhuang | Dress up in Chinese ethnic costumes and take photos. How to make the most of your trip to China✨ | A Must-Visit Limited-Time Populus Euphratica Forest in Northwest China During National Day, Only Beautiful for 21 Days a Year | Unique guesthouse near Mingsha Mountain for about 100 per person | Dunhuang Moxia Wangjiao Guesthouse: A Romantic Desert Encounter | Essential Dunhuang | The Art Utopia AMITA Hotel next to Dunhuang Museum brings a desert spring into the courtyard | Rarely use the word "shocking" to describe, until I completed the Wanda Journey Gansu-Qinghai route | Dunhuang Night Stay: Encountering the Desert Stars at Zhenyang | The most brilliant civilization island on the Silk Road | Gansu Family Road Trip Complete Guide | Sunset and Afterglow | Immortal Desert! The kid becomes a little mural craftsman in Dunhuang | 🚶♀️ City Walk in Dunhuang — From Daylight Strolls to Night Market Buzz | A Perfect Day in Dunhuang — Desert, Art, and Night Vibes | A Desert Park Like No Other | 🌙 Where the Desert Holds the Moon — Crescent Lake in Dunhuang | Let's check in at Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring together, no confusion when you go to play | Magao (Mogao) Caves: A Journey Through Time on the Silk Road** 🌄📜 | Dunhuang Leiyin Temple: The Largest Han Chinese Buddhist Site in Gansu | 50℃ Surface Temperature + Camel Scammers? My Dunhuang Trip Was Amazing!
Recommended Attractions at Popular Destinations
Popular Attractions in Paris | Popular Attractions in Iguazu National Park(Argentina) | Popular Attractions in Osaka | Popular Attractions in Las Vegas | Popular Attractions in Rome | Popular Attractions in Sydney | Popular Attractions in West Lake | Popular Attractions in New York | Popular Attractions in Dubai | Popular Attractions in Walt Disney World Resort | Popular Attractions in Kyoto | Popular Attractions in Melbourne | Popular Attractions in Los Angeles | Popular Attractions in Bangkok | Popular Attractions in London | Popular Attractions in Chefchaouene | Popular Attractions in Singapore | Popular Attractions in Kuala Lumpur | Popular Attractions in Bali | Popular Attractions in Shanghai | Popular Attractions in Beijing | Popular Attractions in Phuket | Popular Attractions in Barcelona | Popular Attractions in Tokyo | Popular Attractions in Madrid | Popular Attractions in Chengdu | Popular Attractions in Jungfrau Region | Popular Attractions in Zanzibar Island | Popular Attractions in Florence | Popular Attractions in Hong Kong
Popular Attractions
Big Wild Goose Pagoda | Huaqing Palace | Shipi Lane | Huguo Grain Official Temple | Shaanxi History Museum | The Qing Dragon Temple | Xi'an City Wall | Puji Temple | Putuoshan Duobao Tower | Nantianmen | Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring | Site of Yumen Pass | Dunhuang Folk Museum | Mogao Caves | Chaoyang Cave | Chaiya Mangalaram Thai Buddhist Temple | Dianchi Lake | Dongpo Academy | Songtao Reservoir | Yunnan Nationalities Village | Bill Young Park | Turnbull Canyon | Two Dollar Trailhead | مَسْجِدُ السَّلَّامِ Friedensverein | Kargil Park | Stone Circle | Parku Vangjush Mio | Praça Asa | Eglise Saint-Julien | St. Peter's & St. Paul's Orthodox Syrian Church, Valayanchirangara
Popular Restaurants in Dunhuang
夏家合汁(天润花园小区店) | ZHOUJI MENBINGZI | Jingyuangaliumeiweiyanggaorou | Yanglaowuyangroufen Soup | Dajijianglvrouhuang Noodle House | 国辉·羊羔肉·胡羊焖饼(市场巷店) | QI XING LOU GUO MU KAO QUAN YANG | 范记靖远羊羔肉 | Laozhongjiaqingzhenkaoyangpai (mingchiguangchang) | 敦煌富丽华国际大酒店·中餐厅 | Yangjiazhuangtuyaoguomukaoquanyang | Chengbianbian Barbecue (Dunhuang Main Branch) | xu ji lv rou huang mian hu yang men bing | 清真·马哥烤羊排 | FANGXIA | 李广记杏皮茶 | 清真·敦来顺·手抓羊肉 | 老字号江海早餐店 | 五味香·驴肉黄面·胡杨焖饼·烧烤(敦煌店) | 杨记干粮 | 壹阁胡羊焖饼 | 刘记靖远羊羔肉(新敦巷店) | 回味斋·古法胡羊焖饼·旗舰店 | 敦贤居农家乐 | TIAN WAI TIAN LV ROU HUANG MIAN HU YANG MEN BING | 艾斯汀美食 | 刘红杏·杏皮水店 | JIANG SHI SAO ZI ZHA JIANG MIAN | 靖远羊羔肉酒家(阳关东路店) | Lixiuhuayangroufen Soup
Popular Ranked Lists
Popular Trending Attractions in Zhuhai | Popular Trending Attractions in Singapore | Top 10 Trending Attractions in Nanchang | Top 50 Trending Attractions in Shanghai | Top 10 Trending Attractions in Ningbo | Top 50 Must-Visit Restaurants in New York | Top 50 Must-Visit Restaurants in Berlin | Popular Premium Hotels in Nanyang | Top 50 Must-Visit Restaurants in Munich | Top 10 Premium Hotels in Zhenjiang | Top 20 Trending Attractions in Qingdao | Top 10 Premium Hotels in Nyingchi | Top 10 Trending Attractions in Changsha | Popular Trending Attractions in Luoyang | Top 50 Must-Visit Restaurants in Jeju | Popular Trending Attractions in Kaifeng | Top 10 Premium Hotels in Hengyang | Top 50 Must-Visit Restaurants in Sanya | Top 50 Must-Visit Restaurants in Bangkok | Top 10 Trending Attractions in Jinan | Popular Premium Hotels in Yichun | Top 50 Must-Visit Restaurants in Sydney | Popular Trending Attractions in Jingdezhen | Top 50 Must-Visit Restaurants in Hangzhou | Top 20 Premium Hotels in Quzhou | Top 50 Must-Visit Restaurants in Barcelona | Top 50 Must-Visit Restaurants in Singapore | Popular Premium Hotels in Baoshan | Popular Trending Attractions in Dujiangyan | Top 50 Must-Visit Restaurants in Guangzhou
About
Payment methods
Our partners
Copyright © 2025 Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved
Site Operator: Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd.
Site Operator: Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd.