Dunhuang and the Mogao Caves

735 caves cut into a desert cliff from 366 CE to the 14th century, painted with Buddhist murals.

• The story behind it
• Landscapes

What you do there

• Watch the films at the Digital Exhibition Center, then a guided tour of 8 caves.
• See Cave 17, the Library Cave, where some 50,000 documents were found in 1900.
• Visitor numbers are capped to protect the murals.

When to go

1. Jan
2. Feb
3. Mar
4. Apr
5. May
6. Jun
7. Jul
8. Aug
9. Sep
10. Oct
11. Nov
12. Dec

May to October is the main season, with the most flights and tickets. Book cave tickets well ahead.

Getting there and permits

Getting there

Caves are 25 km southeast of Dunhuang. Visits start at the Digital Exhibition Center, opposite Dunhuang railway station and 5-6 km from the airport; a shuttle takes about 15 minutes to the caves.

Permits

Not confirmed in our sources; ask the operator before you book.

Tickets

Real-name, time-slot reservations, capped at 6,000 tickets a day (2021 figure); arrive 30 minutes early with ID. Standard tickets (films, 8 caves and a guide) usually go on sale 30 days ahead; 'emergency' tickets in peak crowds give 4 caves and no films.Reported by tour operators; not yet confirmed officially.

Page last checked 28 Oct 2026. Rules, roads and ticketing change; the operator confirms everything before you book.