Dunhuang Academy History Exhibition Center
A specialized exhibition hall facing the Mogao Grottoes across the river, housing full-scale replicas of several representative caves (including classic caves not open to visitors) and displaying manuscripts and artifacts unearthed at Mogao
Visitor info
- Opening hours
- 08:00-18:00
- Ticket
- Included with Mogao Grottoes ticket
Price is indicative — final quote on inquiry.
A specialized exhibition hall facing the Mogao Grottoes across the river, it houses full-scale replicas of several representative caves (including classic ones not open to visitors) and displays manuscripts and artifacts unearthed at Mogao; in peak season only 8 regular caves at Mogao open daily, so the replica caves are a key supplement for understanding the lineage of Dunhuang murals. Admission is included with the Mogao Grottoes ticket — often overlooked by tourists but truly a must-see.
Getting there: Next to the Mogao Grottoes
Photos
More in Dunhuang
- Mogao Grottoes
Commonly known as the Thousand Buddha Caves, first carved in 366 AD (Jianyuan Year 2 of Former Qin) when monk Le Zun saw golden light over Mingsha Mountain; built over a millennium across more than ten dynasties—Northern Liang, Northern Wei, Sui-Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, Western Xia, Yuan—with 735 caves, 45,000 square meters of murals, and painted sculptures 200…
- Yulin Grottoes
Located on both banks of the Yulin River valley in Guazhou County, named for the elm groves along the river; part of the Dunhuang grotto art system together with the Mogao Grottoes, known as their "sister grottoes"
- Western Thousand Buddha Caves
Named for its location west of the Mogao Grottoes on cliffs beside the Dang River; Northern Wei caves carved as early as or contemporaneous with the Mogao Grottoes still survive, with more than 20 caves and niches remaining
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A millennia-old wonder of sand and spring coexisting — a crescent-shaped spring lake at the foot of Mingsha Mountain, embraced by surrounding dunes yet "the sand never encroaches on the spring"; recorded in Han and Tang documents, and in the Qing dynasty "Yuequan Xiaoché (Clear Dawn at Crescent Spring)" was listed among the Eight Scenic Sights of Dunhuang
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