5 Days Dunhuang Itinerary, Plan a 5 Days Trip in Dunhuang

5 Days Dunhuang Travel Itinerary

Dunhuang, a cultural city with a long history, boasts the world-renowned Mogao Caves and unique northwest scenery. If you only have five days to explore Dunhuang, how can you make the most of your time and fully experience its allure? This guide will provide you with a detailed itinerary for an unforgettable five-day trip, ensuring that you can explore Dunhuang to the fullest without missing out on its wonders.

5 Days Dunhuang Itinerary for Family with Kids

Day 1: Meet Dunhuang History Primarily

Start your journey in Dunhuang and head to Dunhuang Museum after a quick break, where you can get a preliminary understanding of Dunhuang history and culture under your guide’s explanation. Then you can explore the city center until the evening, and then go to Shazhou Night Market, where you can enjoy the delicious food and exquisite handicrafts.

Day 2: Take an In-depth Travel in Mogao Caves

Head to the Mogao Caves to admire the murals and sculptures in the morning, when the sights bathed in sunlight is the most beautiful. You can also watch a digital film to experience the wonderful blend of technology and ancient art. After that, you can take your family to the art museum to try their hand at traditional mural copying, immersing in the essence of ancient art. In the evening, turn back to the city center and enjoy your free time.

Day 3: Fully Experience the Mingsha Mountain

Make your way to Mingsha Mountain, where you can enjoy sand sliding, desert cross-country, and camels riding, seeing the fancy camel traffic light. You can also visit the marvel Crescent Spring and grand Leiyin Temple. In the evening, you can step up on the top of dunes to watch the stunning sunset. Then you can camp in the desert, enjoy a passionate night, such as desert hotpot and light show, watching the starry sky while lying on the sand.

Day 4: Take a Journey to the West

In the morning, take a camel ride in the desert, then head west. You will pass Yang Pass, Yumen Pass, and the Great Wall of Han Dynasty, along the way you can experience the ancient tradition of entering and exiting the passes by receiving a travel permit, feeling the hardships of the ancient Silk Road journey. Then you can hike among the Yardang Geopark and watch the unique Yardang landform. If you have plenty of time in the evening you can watch large-scare performance See Dunhuang Again or Ancient Sound of Dunhuang.

Day 5 Explore the City Style of Dunhuang

Explore Dunhuang Ancient City, a large-scale ancient-style film and TV set, where you can experience the architectural art and cultural life of ancient Dunhuang, and participate in activities such as archery, horseback riding, or dress up in traditional Han Chinese Clothing. Alternatively, take a leisurely stroll along the Dang River Line in the city to enjoy the authentic Dunhuang scenery and the city custom.

5 days Dunhuang Itinerary for Seniors with Slow Travel Pace

Day 1: Explore Dunhuang Desert Primarily

Arrive in Dunhuang and take a rest, then in the afternoon, watch the performance of Ancient Sound of Dunhuang to soak in the culture of Dunhuang. In the evening, head to Yueyaquan Town where you can see the desert of Mingsha Mountain directly. You can stay in the Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel, and take photos of the starry sky.

Day 2: Meet Dunhuang Culture and Custom

Visit Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring in the morning to admire the marvels of the desert oasis, where you can ride a camel to travel through the desert. In the afternoon, visit the Dunhuang Museum to get an introduction to the unique culture of the Silk Road in Dunhuang. In the evening, delve into the flavors and handcrafts of the Shazhou Night Market.

Day 3: Visit Dunhuang Famous Attractions

In the morning, head to Mogao Caves to witness the ancient art of murals, immersing yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Dunhuang. In the afternoon, explore the city center, hike along the Dang River Line and visit the Playing Pipa Statue, experiencing the tranquility and leisure of this border city.

Day 4: Find the Surrounding Sights in West Line

Driving westward, pass by the West Thousand Buddha Caves, the Sites of Yang Pass, and the Sites of Yumen Pass. You can reach Yangguan Town for lunch, and visit the local graperies. Then continue to the west to the Yardang Devil City to watch the amazing craftsmanship of nature bathed in the golden sunset.

Day 5: Suit Yourself to Explore Dunhuang

If your physical strength allows, head east to Guazhou County to visit Yulin Caves and Suoyang City. Otherwise, you can visit Dunhuang Ancient City for a relaxing exploration, where you can immerse in the ancient-style area.

5 Days Dunhuang Itinerary for Young Travelers

Day 1: Explore Chinese Aerospace

The first stop is to depart from Jiuquan City, where you can take a photo with the iconic Jiuquan Drum Tower. Then head to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China's first satellite launch center, and experience the charm of aerospace technology. It’s a must-see for visitors who are passionate about space and satellites. In the evening, take a train to Dunhuang for a restful night.

Day 2: Immerse in the Dunhuang City

Have your Dunhuang traditional breakfast and then head to Dunhuang Museum, where you can recognize Dunhuang history and culture preliminary. Then explore the city center and watch large-scare performance See Dunhuang Again. Go to the Shazhou Night Market in the evening, immersing yourself in the delicious food and exquisite handicrafts.

Day 3: Enjoy Cave Art and Desert Culture

In the morning, head to the Mogao Caves to admire the ancient mural art, and experience the digital film of Mogao Caves through AR technology. In the afternoon, visit the Crescent Spring, enjoying sand sliding, sand surfing, and camel riding. As evening approaches, climb to the top of Mingsha Mountain to witness the sunset over the desert, with its golden light reflecting in the spring. In the evening, camp in the desert, enjoying the ten-thousand-people starry sky concert and the view of the Milky Way overhead.

Day 4: Experience Dunhuang in Different Way

In the morning, take a sightseeing helicopter or an aerodone to get a bird’s eye view of the desert under the golden sunlight. Afterward, drive to yangguan town, ride a camel across Yang Pass, experience the feeling of opening up the Silk Road. Then take a "sky tour" above Yardang Devil City, where you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the unique and fascinating Yardang landforms.

Day 5: Visit Dunhuang City Style

Head to the Dunhuang ancient city to admire the traditional architecture and layout of this ancient town. Ride a horse through the streets and experience the beauty of wearing Han Clothing. Afterward, return to Dunhuang city for your final moments to enjoy the freedom and charm of this unique place.

5 Days Dunhuang cultural Immersion Itinerary and Leisure

Day 1: First Exploration of Chinese Northwest

Arrive in Jiuquan City, take a short rest, and then visit the landmark of the city, the Jiuquan Drum Tower, for a photo opportunity. Afterward, head to the Jiuquan Museum and the Western Han Jiuquan Historic Sites to immerse yourself in the rich cultural and historical heritage of Jiuquan.

Day 2: Modern Art and Historical Heritage

In the morning, head west to Guazhou to visit the Suoyang City Ruins and the Yulin Caves, where you can appreciate the ancient architecture and art that tell the stories of the Silk Road. Afterward, explore the 3D-printed sculpture group in Guazhou, where you can see the fascinating blend of modern art and historical culture. In the evening, drive to and stay in Dunhuang.

Day 3: General Understanding of Dunhuang History

Visit the Dunhuang Museum, an excellent place to learn about the region's history. You can book an in-depth explanation for an entire understanding of Dunhuang's rich culture. Then watch large-scare performance See Dunhuang Again, feeling the transition of the ancient Silk Road. Head to Shazhou Night Market in the evening, where you can enjoy the delicious food and exquisite handicrafts.

Day 4: Ancient Art and Natural Scenery

In the morning, head to the Mogao Caves, watching two digital films that introduce the rich history of Dunhuang and then visiting caves under the guide explaining the fascinating stories behind the murals. In the afternoon, head to Crescent Spring to explore the green oasis in the Desert, and then visit Leiyin Temple to admire the grandeur of the ancient temples and the charm of Buddhist culture.

Day 5: Historical Sites of the West Line

Travel west to visit the Western Thousand Buddha Caves, Yang Pass and Yumen Pass, where you can find the traces left by a thousand years of history. Afterward, proceed to the Dunhuang Ancient City to explore its ancient-style architecture and immerse yourself in the local customs and culture.

Customize Your Unique Dunhuang Silk Road Trip

If you are interested in one of the Dunhuang itineraries mentioned above, please contact us, and we will be happy to customize it and provide a quote tailored to your preferences.

Alternatively, if you would like to customize your Dunhuang Tour, please visit our Dunhuang Tour Customized Center. We assure you that you will receive a reply within 24 working hours.

Informative Articles for Your Dunhuang Trip

Ride Camels

• Travel Guide: attractions, weather, hotels, food, etc.
• Top destinations: best places to visit in Dunhuang
• Travel itineraries: itineraries for your reference
• Local culture: brief history, folk culture, festivals, etc.
• Weather: the best time and seasons to visit Dunhuang
• Top attractions: sightseeings to watch in Dunhuang
• Unique perspective: best interesting things to do
• Local food: what to eat while traveling in Dunhuang
• Luxury hotels: best accommodation to stay in Dunhuang
• Dunhuang Tours: customized Dunhuang tours for your reference