Dunhuang Two-Day Travel Guide

Dunhuang Apricot Hotel (Shazhou Night Market Branch) This small northwestern city of Dunhuang is full of surprises! This time I stayed at Dunhuang Apricot Hotel, which not only has a prime location but also led me to discover a fantastic photo spot—the Silk Road Cultural Heritage City. Here’s my 2-day travel guide～ 🏨Accommodation Recommendation: Dunhuang Apricot Hotel (Shazhou Night Market Branch) Address: No. 113 Shazhou North Road, Shazhou Town ▪️Location is perfect! Just a 3-minute walk to Shazhou Night Market, and only a 15-minute drive to Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake ▪️Super attentive service, the front desk proactively offers travel advice and can help contact reliable private drivers ▪️Rooms are very clean with great value for money, and parking is convenient for self-driving guests 🌈Day 1: Discovering Unexpected Treasures 📍Silk Road Cultural Heritage City About a 20-minute drive from downtown. Honestly, I didn’t have high expectations at first, but I was amazed! Under the blue sky and white clouds, two giant grotto Buddha statues are especially stunning (and very few people!) ▪️Recommended to visit between 4-6 PM for the best lighting for photos ▪️Plan to spend 2-3 hours there, and don’t forget sunscreen 📍Shazhou Night Market In the evening, return to the night market next to the hotel to enjoy all the Dunhuang delicacies: 🍢Highly recommend Li Guangji Apricot Peel Water, Donkey Meat Yellow Noodles, and Populus Tree Stew Pancakes 🌈Day 2: Must-Visit Attractions 📍Mogao Caves (book at least one month in advance!) 📍Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake (be sure to rent shoe covers) 💡Travel Tips: 1. Dunhuang is very sunny, sunscreen + sunglasses + hat are a must-have trio 2. Silk Road Cultural Heritage City is a relatively new attraction with a comfortable visiting experience 3. Remember to bargain at Shazhou Night Market; getting 20% off is usually doable 4. Taxi fares in Dunhuang are cheap, and hiring a private car for a day costs about 200-300 RMB, which is very cost-effective