3 Days Dunhuang Desert Camping Tour
Tour Overview
Dunhuang, also known as Shazhou, is located in the northwest of Gansu Province, at the westernmost end of the Hexi Corridor. It has world cultural heritage sites such as Mogao Caves, desert wonder Mingsha Mountain, and ancient passes along the Silk Road . This 3-day Dunhuang tour mainly focuses on the desert. Imagine camping in a vast desert, gazing up at the dazzling starry sky and sharing stories around a campfire. What an unforgettable experience it will be!
This Dunhuang desert camping trip will take you to the center of China Silk Road, exploring the magical Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring, and appreciating Buddhist grotto art in the Mogao Caves. Camp overnight under the stars and participate in some exciting desert activities. Finally, witness the magnificent sunrise on the desert.
Travel destination: Dunhuang
Suitable for: Families, Culture Explorers
Tour type: Private
Highlights of this tour:
- At Mingsha Mountain, experience entertainment activities: sand sliding, camel riding…
- Appreciate the brilliant Buddhist art in Mogao Grottoes.
- Enjoy the starry sky and share stories around the campfire during your desert camping.
- Witness the amazing sunrise over the desert.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Dunhuang Arrival
Welcome to our Dunhuang. After arrival, your driver will escort you to your well-selected hotel in the city center. For the rest of the day, you can explore by yourself.
It is recommended to visit the Shazhou Night Market, the most bustling place of Dunhuang at night. Here you can taste different kinds of local cuisine and buy some souvenirs for your family and friends.
Meal: N/A
Accommodation: in Dunhuang
Shazhou Night Market - Day 2: Dunhuang Desert CampingHave Fun at Mingsha Mountain, Explore Buddhist Grotto Art, Camp in the Desert
Your Dunhuang desert tour begins at Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring Scenic Area, located 5 kilometers south of Dunhuang City, covering an area of 76.82 square kilometers.
Mingsha Mountain starts from Mogao Grottoes in the east and ends at the mouth of the Danghe River in the west, stretching for 40 kilometers. The main sand peak, 1715 meters above sea level, is composed of fine sand of red, yellow, green, black, white. Crescent Spring is located in the embrace of Mingsha Mountain and is named after its shape resembling a crescent moon. There are many entertainment activities to try (at an additional cost), such as sand sliding, desert motorcycle, and camel riding.
Echoing Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake In the afternoon, you will be transferred to Mogao Grottoes. Also known as the Thousand Buddha Caves, it formed a huge scale art treasure that has 735 caves, 45,000 square meters of murals and 2,415 clay painted sculptures, being the largest extant and the richest collections of the Buddhist art in the world. You will learn the stories of some major murals and Buddha statues from your well-informed guide.
After the visit, it's time to have a unique experience in the center of the desert. Tonight, you will be camping in the desert. You can choose a private desert camping or participate in a group tour. As night falls, enjoy the starry sky and share stories around the campfire.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Accommodation: Desert Camping
Desert Camping at Night - Day 3: Departure from DunhuangWitness the Amazing Sunrise over the Vast Desert
You need to wake up early today to witness the sunrise in the desert. The desert scenery begins to change as the first ray of light brushes past the horizon. Record this wonderful moment with a camera.
Afterwards, return to the campsite and enjoy breakfast in the sand dunes. Then, your local tour guide and driver will accompany you to the airport / train station. If you want to explore more, consider extending your stay to visit Yardang National Geopark. Your 1-to-1 travel consultant will be happy to assist you in organizing this extension.
Yadan Landform (Ghost City) Please note that this itinerary is available between April and October. The activities depend on the weather conditions.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: N/A
Tour Price ($=USD)
From $409 P.P, which is based on a private tour for 2 people. The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel.
