Why Travel with Discover Beijing Tours
Unique Experiences
Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
Well-Selected Local Guides
Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and attentive — your personal local guides will share interesting stories, insider information, and even create unexpected highlights!
Your Booking is Risk-Free
Cancel up to 24 hours before the travel date in advance for a full refund
Start From 488.00 USD P/P
Per Person
Start From 488.00 USD P/P
Per Person
99.6% positive customer reviews among 1500+
Why Travel with Discover Beijing Tours
Unique Experiences
Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.Well-Selected Local Guides
Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and attentive — your personal local guides will share interesting stories, insider information, and even create unexpected highlights!Your Booking is Risk-Free
Cancel up to 24 hours before the travel date in advance for a full refund
3-Day Private Customized Dunhuang Tour:Mogao Grottoes,Crescent Moon Pool andMore
Embark on a 3-day Dunhuang Silk Road adventure: explore UNESCO-listed grottoes, ancient Yumen Pass ruins, and the surreal Yadan Devil City, with optional stops at night markets and hidden heritage sites. Enjoy private transfers, daily local lunches, and flexible itineraries for an unforgettable blend of history, art, and desert wonders.
- Make sure everyone brings their passport
- Full name and passport number are required to book attraction tickets
Quick itinerary view
Day 1: Iconic Dunhuang Highlights – Mogao Caves, Singing Dunes & Crescent Moon Spring (Lunch Included)
Morning: Meet-Up & Mogao Caves Exploration
Your tour guide will greet you at your hotel lobby with a personalized name sign. Hop aboard a private air-conditioned vehicle. Feel free to chat with your guide to tweak the itinerary based on your interests before setting off.
Head straight to the Mogao Caves. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the world’s largest, richest treasure house of Buddhist art. Carving started in 366 AD and continued for 1,000 years at a strategic Silk Road crossroads of trade and culture. Start at the Mogao Caves Digital Exhibition Center. Watch two immersive documentaries to learn about the grottoes’ art and history. Then, follow a professional site guide to explore 7–9 selected caves. Marvel at 45,000 square meters of vivid murals and over 2,000 painted sculptures. These artworks depict medieval politics, economics, arts, religion, and daily life in western China. Let your guide share hidden stories behind every brushstroke, bringing this ancient treasure to life.
Lunch: Local Dunhuang Flavor Break
Refuel with a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. Savor authentic dishes like hearty lamb noodles and crispy wheat flatbread. Recharge your energy for the afternoon’s desert adventure.
Afternoon: Singing Dunes & Crescent Moon Spring Adventure
Mingsha Shan (Echoing-Sand Mountain)
Next, venture to Echoing-Sand Mountain (Mingsha Shan). Its sand dunes glow in red, yellow, green, black, and white hues. Strong winds sweep across the slopes, making a loud, melodic sound that gives the mountain its name. Stroll along the dune edges to soak in vast desert scenery. Or climb to the top for a breathtaking panoramic view of golden sands and the tiny turquoise oasis of Crescent Moon Spring.
Crescent Moon Pool
Continue to Crescent Moon Pool. This natural spring is shaped like a half-moon. It sits amid the surrounding Singing Dunes and has existed for hundreds of years without being buried by sand. It earns the reputation as “the first spring in the desert”. Wander around the spring’s tranquil shores. Snap photos of the striking contrast between blue water and golden dunes. Soak in the serene desert oasis vibe.
Optional Alternatives & Evening Activity
- Dunhuang Museum Swap: If you prefer not to visit the desert or grottoes, go to the Dunhuang Museum instead. It holds over 10,000 Chinese and Tibetan artifacts, including vivid replicas of Mogao Grottoes murals and sculptures. Photography is not allowed in the actual grottoes, so this is a perfect spot to take photos. Follow your guide through one preface hall and five exhibition halls. Trace Dunhuang’s history from prehistoric times to the Qing Dynasty.
- Shazhou Night Market Visit: Add a lively evening stop at Shazhou Night Market. It’s the heart of Dunhuang’s nightlife. Browse local specialties, sample street food, and soak up the vibrant cultural atmosphere.
After your day of exploration, your guide and driver will take you back to your Dunhuang hotel.
Day 2: Ancient Silk Road Ruins & Yadan Devil City Adventure (Lunch Included)
Morning: Meet-Up & Journey to Yumen Pass
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel lobby with a name sign. Embark on a 1.5-hour scenic drive to Yumen Pass. This 2,000-year-old fortress was a strategic Silk Road spot that once protected Dunhuang from western invasions. It stands as a silent witness to bygone trade and cultural exchanges.
Hop on the site’s battery bus to explore the area. Visit the thousand-year-old ruins of Hecang City, Han Dynasty Great Wall Ruins, and Yumen Pass itself. Climb up to the pass’s tower for sweeping views of the Gobi desert. See scattered oases, winding Great Wall remnants, and tall poplars. Let the nostalgic atmosphere of the ancient Silk Road wash over you.
Han Dynasty Great Wall Ruins Deep Dive
Continue exploring the Han Dynasty Great Wall Ruins. Built between 101–121 BC, it stretches over 1,000 kilometers across western China. It played a crucial role in defending against northern invaders and safeguarding Silk Road prosperity. Unlike later brick-and-stone Great Walls, this ancient structure used local materials like branches, reeds, and sand gravels. Millennia of wind and sand have weathered its appearance, but the ruins still retain their original outline. Marvel at the wisdom of ancient builders.
Lunch: Gobi-Side Local Meal
Enjoy a tasty lunch near Yumen Pass. Savor hearty dishes that fit the rugged desert adventure vibe.
Afternoon: Yadan National Geological Park (Yadan Devil City)
Head to Dunhuang Yadan National Geological Park, also known as Yadan Devil City. It’s the largest Yardang landform site discovered to date. Strong winds howl through rock formations, creating eerie, haunting sounds that inspired its spooky name.
Hop on the park’s battery bus to explore four main sites. Find uniquely shaped rocks that resemble Mongolian yurts, stone birds, and peacocks. Some even look like iconic buildings like the Potala Palace and Beijing’s Temple of Heaven. Let your imagination run wild! If you want to watch the spectacular sunset over the Yadan landforms, just let your guide know. This unforgettable sight comes with an extra cost.
Optional Alternative: Yangguan Historic Sites
If Yumen Pass and the Han Great Wall don’t appeal to you, swap them for Yangguan Historic Sites. This 2,000-year-old pass is on the southern Silk Road and a key gateway to the western regions. Explore the Ancient Yangguan Pass Fortress, Beacon Tower, Ancient Path, and Shouchang City Ruins. Visit the Yangguan Pass Museum, the largest scenic museum in northwest China covering 100,000 square meters. Try activities like desert adventure, shooting, and horse riding to feel like a Silk Road soldier.
After your day of ancient ruins and natural wonders, your guide will transfer you back to your Dunhuang hotel.
Day 3: Hidden Grotto Gems & Suoyang City Ruins Exploration (Lunch Included)
Morning: Meet-Up & Yulin Grottoes Adventure
Your tour guide will greet you at your hotel lobby with a personalized name sign. Hop aboard a private air-conditioned vehicle for a 2-hour scenic drive to Yulin Grottoes.
Along the way, feast your eyes on stunning landscapes. See vast Gobi deserts, quiet oasis villages, lush grasslands, and distant snow-capped mountains. Feel free to ask your guide to stop anytime for photos of these postcard-perfect views. As you travel, your guide will share stories about the grottoes. Hailed as the “Gem of Ancient Culture”, it’s a branch of the Mogao Grottoes with matching artistic styles and historical significance. Upon arrival, follow your guide to explore 5–7 selected caves. Each cave has vivid frescoes showing scripture drawings, Buddha portraits, rare animals, and medieval life scenes. These include harvests, weddings, banquets, and music and dance. The art reflects politics, economics, culture, and ethnic relations in western China. If you want a deeper dive, request access to the “special caves” for exclusive hidden treasures. This option comes with an extra cost.
Optional Alternative: Western Thousand Buddha Caves + Suoyang City Ruins
If Yulin Grottoes aren’t your first choice, opt for this combo tour:
- Western Thousand Buddha Caves: Visit this cliffside complex on the northern bank of the Dang River. It’s part of the Mogao Grottoes system, with frescoes matching its famous counterpart’s artistic style. It’s a vital component of Dunhuang’s Buddhist art heritage. Follow a professional site guide to explore 5 caves. Marvel at murals that depict medieval life in western China.
Lunch: Flavor Break at Suoyangcheng Town
After your grotto exploration, head to Suoyangcheng Town for a tasty lunch. Savor authentic local dishes to recharge for the afternoon’s historical adventure.
Afternoon: Suoyang City Ruins Exploration
Continue your journey to the Suoyang City Ruins. This 2014 UNESCO World Heritage Site testifies to the Silk Road’s glory. First built in the Han Dynasty (202 BC–220 AD), it flourished in the Tang Dynasty (618–907). It served as a multicultural hub for various ethnic groups from 1405 to 1524.
Hop on the site’s battery bus to explore the vast ruins area. Start with a visit to the Suoyang City Museum. Uncover detailed insights into the city’s history, from its Silk Road trading days to its gradual decline. Next, wander through the ruins of the inner and outer cities. Weathered walls and foundations still hint at the city’s former grandeur. Take free time to soak in the nostalgic atmosphere. Snap photos of the ruins against the Gobi backdrop. Imagine the bustling crowds of merchants and travelers who once walked these streets. Finally, take the battery bus to the Ruins of Ta’er Monastery. This former religious site adds another layer of cultural depth to your journey.
After your day of artistic discovery and historical exploration, your guide and driver will transfer you back to your Dunhuang hotel. This wraps up a memorable 3-day journey through Dunhuang’s Silk Road treasures.
Private Tour| group size | Adult (11-80 years old) price/person | Children (4-10 years old) price/person | Infant (0-3 years old) price/person |
| 1 person | $ 838 | $ 90 | Free but no seats |
| 2 adults | $ 488 | / | / |
| 3 adults | $ 408 | / | / |
| 4 adults | $ 348 | / | / |
| 5 adults | $ 338 | / | / |
| 6 adults | $ 328 | / | / |
| 7 adults | $ 318 | / | / |
| 8 adults | $ 308 | / | / |
| 9 adults | $ 298 | / | / |
| 10-15 adults | $ 298 | / | / |
There are discounts in the off-season, please call us!
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours before your travel date and get a full refund
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IncludedEnglish speaking tour guideBattery bus at Yadan National Geological ParkBottled WaterTravel by private vehicle during the tourBattery bus at Yumen PassEntrance feeLunch (3)
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Not IncludedGratuitesAccommodationThe entrance fees is only for regular caves, you can pay extra if you want to visit special caves.
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