10 Days in Dunhuang

Digital centre's two films, then 8 guided caves on the full ticket; the complex begun in 366 AD counts 735 grottoes today.

1. dunhuang mogao grottoes

Late-afternoon entry, one ticket valid for re-entry within 3 days; dunes top 100 metres above Crescent Spring's reed beds.

1. dunhuang mingsha crescent spring
2. dunhuang shazhou night market

The 300-kilometre loop: Han pass of around 121-111 BC, reed-layered wall of 2,100 years, sunset among the Yadan yardangs 180 kilometres northwest.

1. dunhuang yumen pass
2. dunhuang han great wall
3. dunhuang yadan geopark

Yangguan about 70 kilometres southwest; the Western Thousand-Buddha Caves 35 kilometres west run small timed groups, so reserve a slot.

1. dunhuang yangguan pass
2. dunhuang xiqian caves

An honestly labelled neighbouring-county day about 160 kilometres east: 43 niches of Tang-to-Yuan murals at Yulin, then the Tang-era walls of Suoyang City.

1. dunhuang yulin caves
2. dunhuang suoyangcheng

The abandoned county seat at Boluozhuanjing, 100 kilometres south, doubles as a film set; a slow Danghe riverside walk closes the day.

1. dunhuang boluozhuanjing film base

An honest neighbouring-city day about 370 kilometres east — half a day by rail with a transfer at Liuyuan South, or roughly four hours by car; catch the fortress gate at dusk.

1. dunhuang jiayuguan pass

The Ming fortress begun in 1372 and finished in 1540, the Overhanging Wall climbing the ridge, and the First Beacon above the Taolai river gorge.

1. dunhuang jiayuguan pass
2. dunhuang xuanbi great wall
3. dunhuang great wall first beacon

Travel back west, then an unhurried visit to the city museum — its Library Cave replica recalls the 1900 find of 50,000-plus manuscripts.

1. dunhuang museum

Morning noodles and dried-fruit shopping at Shazhou market, a stop at the 4th-century White Horse Pagoda, then the train or flight out.

1. dunhuang shazhou night market
2. dunhuang baima pagoda