Mogao Caves莫高窟
A thousand years of Buddhist cave art at a Silk Road oasis — and how the timed-ticket system works.
Photo: N509FZ · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
- Time needed
- 4 hours
- Best time
- May–October; book as early as possible for July–August.
- Nearest base
- Dunhuang
About Mogao Caves
Carved into a cliff along the Daquan River from the 4th to the 14th centuries, the Mogao Caves contain hundreds of decorated cave temples with murals and painted sculptures. In 1900 a sealed library cave was found containing tens of thousands of manuscripts, including the Diamond Sutra now in the British Library.
To protect the murals, visits are controlled. A standard visit starts at the Digital Exhibition Centre with two films, then a shuttle to the caves for a guided tour of a rotating selection.
Tickets and getting there
- Booking
- Timed tickets through the official Dunhuang Academy booking channel with your passport; English-language tours run at fixed times. Emergency tickets may be released when standard tickets sell out.
- How to get there
- The Digital Exhibition Centre is about 15 minutes from central Dunhuang by car.
Almost every major sight in China books by passport number. See what to set up before you fly.
Highlights
- Cave 96 — The nine-storey facade with a giant seated Buddha.
- Library Cave (17) — Where the manuscripts were found.
- Digital Exhibition Centre — Immersive dome film of cave interiors.
Field notes
- Photography is not allowed inside the caves; guides light the murals with torches as you go.
FAQ
Which caves will I see at Mogao?
The selection rotates for conservation. Guides choose from a set of open caves on the day.
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