Dunhuang tourist attractions guide (detailed introduction to must-see attractions such as Mogao Grottoes and Mingsha Mountain in Dunhuang)

Dunhuang, located in the northwest of Gansu Province, China, is an ancient city with a long history and rich culture. Dunhuang is world-famous for its magnificent natural scenery and unique cultural heritage. When traveling to Dunhuang, Mogao Grottoes and Mingsha Mountain are one of the must-see attractions. This article will give you a detailed introduction to the features and tour guide of these two attractions.

1. Mogao Grottoes

The Mogao Grottoes are located 25 kilometers south of Dunhuang City. One of the most important treasures of Buddhist art in China. The Mogao Grottoes were first built in the Sixteen Kingdoms period, and have gone through construction and expansion in the Sixteen Kingdoms, Northern Dynasties, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Xixia and other periods. There are a total of 735 caves and the number of murals reaches 45,000 square meters. It is the largest existing cave in the world. The largest and richest Buddhist art site. To visit the Mogao Grottoes, you can follow the following steps:

1.1 Ticket purchase and tour guide

Before visiting the Mogao Grottoes, you need to go to the entrance of the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes Scenic Area to buy tickets . The ticket includes a visit to the main cave complex of Mogao Grottoes and some ancillary attractions. It is recommended that you find a tour guide before visiting. The tour guide can explain the historical and cultural background of the Mogao Grottoes to you, so that you can better understand the meaning of the murals.

1.2 Visit the main caves

The main caves of the Mogao Grottoes are located between Cave No. 1 to Cave No. 9. These caves are the most essential parts of the Mogao Grottoes. You can visit these caves one by one according to the tour route and admire the exquisite murals. In front of each cave, you can stop for a while to carefully observe the details of the murals and listen to the guide's explanation.

1.3 Feel the charm of murals

The murals of Mogao Grottoes are world-famous for their exquisite artistic skills and unique themes. You can carefully observe the characters, clothing, architecture and other details in the murals, and feel the Buddhist culture and historical value conveyed by the murals. At the same time, the grottoes in the Mogao Grottoes are also a pure place where you can meditate and feel the wisdom and tranquility of Buddhism.

2. Mingsha Mountain

Mingsha Mountain is located about 5 kilometers north of Dunhuang City. It is a tourist attraction famous for its moving sand dunes and unique landscapes. The height of the sand dunes in Mingsha Mountain can reach more than 100 meters. When the sand rubs against each other, it makes a whistle-like sound, hence the name Mingsha Mountain. To visit Mingsha Mountain, you can follow the following steps:

2.1 Climb Mingsha Mountain

Climbing Mingsha Mountain is the first step to visit Mingsha Mountain. You can choose to hike or take a tour bus to the top of the mountain. Hiking requires a certain amount of physical strength and endurance, but you can better feel the charm of the sand dunes. Sightseeing buses are more convenient, but there may be some waiting time.

2.2 Appreciate the moving sand dunes

Once you climb Mingsha Mountain, you will see the endless moving sand dunes. you mayYou can enjoy the scenery of the dunes along the designated tour route, and you can also choose to sandboard on the dunes or participate in some desert sports, such as beach motorcycles, skateboards, etc.

2.3 Listen to the Desert Concert

Every evening, a desert concert is held in the hinterland of Mingsha Mountain. You can enjoy traditional musical instruments and song and dance performances at the desert concert, and feel the mystery and romance of the desert night.

In short, Dunhuang is a tourist destination full of charm and historical heritage. Mogao Grottoes and Mingsha Mountain are two must-see attractions in Dunhuang, each with its own unique characteristics and charm. I hope the guide in this article will be helpful to you during your trip to Dunhuang. I wish you a happy trip!