How to get here?

From the city center you can take a bus to the Mogao Caves from across the street of the Dunhuang Silu Yijun Hotel, which should be at this location: https://surl.amap.com/vqSGs2dc70. The bus will cost 5 yuan (around 60 cents)

The second option is to book a Didi (taxi), which should be a bit more expensive.

What to do?

You will start with two mandatory movies about the history of Dunhuang and the Silk Road, and about the grottoes and their content. After the movies you will be brought outside, and you have to get on a bus which will take you to the actual caves.

At the entrance they will create tour groups. If you are a western tourist, they will take you apart and make you wait for an English speaking guide. The tour will take you to 8 caves, where the guide will tell you about what you are seeing and the history. You will also visit the cave with the giant Buddha.

After the tour you have to take a bus back to the entrance, and go back to the city either by bus (again for 5 yuan), or Didi.

Weather and clothing

Check the weather forecast, and dress accordingly. At the start of May it was really hot with an UV index of 10. If you go here in spring or summer you should bring sunscreen.

Casual shoes are fine since you won’t be walking a lot.

Additional information

You can buy tickets at the entrance, so making a reservation is not necessary. Bring your passport, since you need this to buy the tickets.

You are not allowed to take images inside the caves, so it is difficult to give you a good impression of what you are about to see.