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Dunhuang, China might be one of the most underrated spots to be discovered by foreigners so far in China. In the next few years, it will definitely increase in popularity like Zhangjiajie or the Avatar Mountains so now is the perfect time to visit.
This is the ideal 3 day itinerary and you can either train or fly from most major cities. I took the train from Urumqi to Dunhuang and flew to Xi’an after. Always book your flights and trains on Trip.com.
You only need about 3 days here and there isn’t a ton to do in Dunhuang but it is beautiful and super unique so my itinerary will be packed but not too exhausting. We also stayed in 2 different hotels with different vibes which I’ll share.
Where to stay: Hotel outside the city near the sand dunes for peace and quiet
This hotel has a pool and the rooms are spacious and the breakfast is great. The owner is super friendly and helpful and it’s closer to the sand dunes. 
Where to stay: Hotel in the city center near the bustling night market
This hotel is right in front of the night market and main walking areas and it’s perfect for exploring the main city center! 
Day 1: Mogao Grottos and Sand Dunes
After breakfast, head to Mogao Grottos which are hundreds of ancient Buddha caves built over 2000 years. They were recently excavated and you can see giant statues inside the caves. You should get tickets in advance because they do sell out. It’s a quick Didi drive away and once you’re there, the area is massive and a bus will take you around.
Here is where to buy tickets for Mogao Grottos.
You can also get coffee and breakfast in Mogao Grottos. It should take 3-4 hours to see everything and there might be some lines if you go during high season. Just a warning it gets really hot in the afternoon so go early!
After Mogao Grottos, take a Didi back to town and stop at this coffee shop and bookstore to escape the heat a little bit and get a coffee or ice cream to freshen up! 
For golden hour, head over the the Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring and sand dunes. Here are the tickets for it. You do need a ticket to enter but it is worth it and you can stay for the laser show and concert at night. There are options to slide down the sand dune and camel rides. Make sure to bring your passport to scan in! 
After the laser show and climbing back down the sand dune, visit the night market for incredible food!
The night market is incredible and I was shocked considering this is the desert. But as Dunhuang was a crucial stop on the Silk Road, the food is super diverse. 
Day 2: Random Side Quest Day
Since you’ve done the highlights of all the best touristy things in Dunhuang, you can use this day to relax or check out other random “side quests” to complete in the area. We went to see a renewable energy field with photovoltaic energy that was super interesting! 
Wake up early and check out Yardang National Geopark to explore more of the desert in a different area.
If you’re interested in renewable energy and how China handles all of it, check out the photovoltaic park outside of Dunhuang. It’s fascinating and you can take a tour for about an hour and around $10. Here is the information. Photovoltaic renewable energy basically uses mirrors to spin with the sun and reflects into a salt rock to store the energy.
Like every touristy area in China, there is a night show and this one is Ancient Sounds of Dunhuang if you want to check it out or go back to the sand dune at night.
I hope you enjoyed the trip and thought Dunhuang was as fascinating as I did!
