How to get to Dunhuang Mogao Caves, no matter what city you’re from in the world? This 2025 latest edition detailed guide will help you plan your trip to Dunhuang Mogao Caves smoothly. It is recommended to prepare your trip in advance according to the seasonal characteristics.
How do I get to the Mogao Caves from abroad?
International direct/transit flights
Direct flights to Dunhuang: Dunhuang Mogao International Airport (DNH) currently offers direct international flights to some Asian cities (e.g. Seoul, Bangkok).
Transit options: If there are no direct flights from your city, it is recommended that you fly to a major hub city in China before connecting to a domestic flight to Dunhuang.
Beijing (Capital International Airport): most international flights, convenient for connecting flights.
Shanghai (Pudong International Airport): High concentration of flights from Asia, Europe and the United States.
Guangzhou (Baiyun International Airport): High concentration of flights from Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Chengdu (Shuangliu International Airport): suitable for European and Middle Eastern travelers.
Xi’an (Xianyang International Airport): famous historical and cultural city with convenient transit.
Journey time reference
Los Angeles → Dunhuang: transit Beijing/Shanghai, total time about 18-22 hours.
London → Dunhuang: transit Guangzhou/Chengdu, total time about 20-24 hours.
Singapore → Dunhuang: direct flight or transit Xi’an, total time about 7-9 hours.
New York → Beijing (direct flight about 13 hours) → Dunhuang
Paris → Shanghai (direct flight about 12 hours) → Dunhuang
Sydney → Guangzhou (direct flight about 9 hours) → Dunhuang
Ticketing Platform
International flights: Skyscanner, Expedia, Trip.com (supports multi-language and international credit cards).
China domestic flights: Trip.com, Ctrip.
How to get to Mogao Caves from major cities in China?
Beijing → Dunhuang
Airplane (fastest way)
Direct flight: Air China CA9505 (departs Daxing, Beijing at 11:50 → arrives Dunhuang at 15:15), operated every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Flight duration: about 3.5 hours.
Train (economic option)
Transit option: Beijing → Lanzhou (high-speed train about 9 hours) → Dunhuang (train about 8 hours).
Total time: about 17 hours, overnight train is recommended to save time.
Shanghai → Dunhuang
Airplane:
Direct Flight: HO2103 by JIANGXIANG AIRLINES (07:45 Pudong Departure → 12:15 Arrival at Dunhuang), one flight per day.
Flight length: about 4.5 hours.
Train:
Transit program: Shanghai → Lanzhou (high-speed train about 10 hours) → Dunhuang (train about 8 hours).
Total time: about 18 hours, it is recommended to choose Lanzhou station with the station transit.
Guangzhou → Dunhuang
Airplane:
Transit program: Guangzhou → Lanzhou (about 2.5 hours) → Dunhuang (about 1.5 hours), total flight time of about 5.5 hours.
Recommended flights: China Southern Airlines CZ3205 (Guangzhou → Lanzhou) + Sichuan Airlines 3U8253 (Lanzhou → Dunhuang).
Train:
Transit program: Guangzhou → Lanzhou (Z13 train about 22 hours) → Dunhuang (K9667 train about 8 hours).
Total length: about 30 hours, suitable for travelers with limited budget.
Qingdao → Dunhuang
Airplane:
Transit program: Qingdao→Lanzhou (about 2 hours) →Dunhuang (about 1.5 hours), total flight time about 5 hours.
Recommended flight: Shandong Airlines SC4687 (Qingdao→Lanzhou) + Sichuan Airlines 3U8253 (Lanzhou→Dunhuang).
Train:
Transit program: Qingdao → Lanzhou (Z273 train about 16 hours) → Dunhuang (K9667 train about 8 hours).
Total length: about 24 hours, need to plan the transit time in advance.
Chengdu → Dunhuang
Airplane:
Transit program: Chengdu → Lanzhou (about 1.5 hours) → Dunhuang (about 1.5 hours), total flight time about 4 hours.
Recommended flights: Sichuan Airlines 3U8215 (Chengdu → Lanzhou) + Sichuan Airlines 3U8253 (Lanzhou → Dunhuang).
Train:
Transit program: Chengdu → Lanzhou (D764 train about 7 hours) → Dunhuang (K9667 train about 8 hours).
Total length: about 15 hours, recommended daytime train to enjoy the scenery along the way.
Chongqing → Dunhuang
Airplane:
Transit program: Chongqing → Xi’an (about 1.5 hours) → Dunhuang (about 2 hours), total flight time of about 5 hours.
Recommended flights: Western Airlines PN6319 (Chongqing → Xi’an) + Chang’an Airlines 9H8357 (Xi’an → Dunhuang).
Train:
Transit program: Chongqing → Lanzhou (K1501 train about 12 hours) → Dunhuang (K9667 train about 8 hours).
Total length: about 20 hours, sleeper is recommended.
Xiamen → Dunhuang
Airplane:
Transit program: Xiamen → Lanzhou (about 3 hours) → Dunhuang (about 1.5 hours), total flight time about 6 hours.
Recommended flights: Xiamen Airlines MF8217 (Xiamen → Lanzhou) + Sichuan Airlines 3U8253 (Lanzhou → Dunhuang).
Train:
Transit program: Xiamen → Lanzhou (Z126 train about 20 hours) → Dunhuang (K9667 train about 8 hours).
Total length: about 28 hours, suitable for travelers with plenty of time.
Zhangjiajie→Dunhuang
Airplane:
Transit program: Zhangjiajie→Beijing (about 2.5 hours)→Dunhuang (direct flight about 3.5 hours), total flight time about 7 hours.
Recommended flights: Hainan Airlines HU7610 (Zhangjiajie→Beijing) + Air China CA9505 (Beijing→Dunhuang).
Train:
Transit program: Zhangjiajie → Lanzhou (K862 train about 20 hours) → Dunhuang (K9667 train about 8 hours).
Total length: about 28 hours, need to buy the connecting ticket in advance.
Guilin→Dunhuang
Airplane:
Transit program: Guilin → Lanzhou (about 2.5 hours) → Dunhuang (about 1.5 hours), total flight time about 5.5 hours.
Recommended flights: Beibu Gulf Air GX8819 (Guilin → Lanzhou) + Sichuan Airlines 3U8253 (Lanzhou → Dunhuang).
Train:
Transit program: Guilin → Lanzhou (K1502 train about 22 hours) → Dunhuang (K9667 train about 8 hours).
Total length: about 30 hours, it is recommended to choose soft sleeper to enhance comfort.
Airline ticket purchase
International users: Trip.com, Expedia, Kayak (supports multi-language and international payment).
Domestic flights: Ctrip, Flying Pig (Fliggy), airline apps (e.g. “Air China”, “China Eastern Airlines”).
Train Tickets
Trip.com: provides English interface and supports international credit cards.
12306 official website: Chinese cell phone number registration is required, it is recommended to book through Trip.com.
Dunhuang Local Transportation and Accommodation
Airport to downtown: cab about 30 RMB, about 20 minutes’ drive.
Train station to Mogao Caves: take Dunhuang No. 3 bus (fare 2 RMB) or cab (about 40 RMB).
Mogao Caves Visiting Tips
Best Season:
May-June and September-October, avoiding the summer crowds.
Ticket Reservations:
Purchase tickets through the official website (www.mgk.org.cn) or the WeChat app “Mogao Caves Visitor Reservation Network” and make reservations 30 days in advance, with a daily limit of 6,000 people.
Peak season (May-October) need to grab tickets, it is recommended to choose the “normal ticket + movie” package.
Ticket price: peak season 238 yuan / person (including digital movie and cave visits).
Opening hours:
High season: 08:00-18:00 (ticket sales stop at 15:30)
Low season: 09:00-17:30 (ticket sales stop at 14:30)
Precautions
Prohibition of photography: photography is strictly prohibited in the caves to protect cultural relics.
Dressing advice: wear non-slip shoes, some caves need to climb the stairs.
Guided tours: can be purchased on site for about 20 people.
Currency exchange: RMB can be exchanged at Dunhuang airport and downtown banks, international credit cards are recommended.