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🎫 Tickets Booking · Dunhuang
Last verified 22 Jul 2025
Lock in Mogao cave slots, desert sunsets and Silk-Road passes—minus the scramble for last-minute QR codes.
1 Overview
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Real-name e-tickets are mandatory for Mogao Caves, Mingsha Shan–Crescent Spring, Yadan National Geopark and the Yumen / Yang Pass ruins.
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All sales run through WeChat / Alipay mini-programs (or dunhuangtickets.cn). A mainland SIM is helpful, but most sites now accept foreign numbers or e-mail the QR.
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Drop windows: Mogao opens 30 days ahead at 08:00 CST; desert sites drop 7 days ahead at 10:00. Mogao weekend quotas vanish in ≤ 10 min May–Oct.
2 Pre-Booking Essentials
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Passport scan | Upload photo-page (visa if asked) for every real-name ticket. |
| Mobile number | Mainland SIM recommended; foreign number / e-mail fallback OK on 90 % of sites. |
| WeChat / Alipay | Link Visa / Mastercard after wallet KYC. |
| Clock sync | Match device time to time.gov.cn (± 1 s) before a drop. |
3 Booking-Alerts (2025)
Mogao Caves – Night Show
🟧
Capacity: 1 200 seats
Release: 12:00 CST · 7 days ahead
Platform: Same app, choose "光影莫高"
Mingsha Shan & Crescent Spring
🟧
Capacity: 25 000
Release: 10:00 · 7 days ahead (free Dec-Feb, still needs QR)
Platform: "鸣沙山月牙泉" mini-prog
Yadan National Geopark (Yardang)
🟧
Capacity: 8 000
Release: 10:00 · 7 days ahead
Platform: "雅丹魔鬼城" mini-prog
Yumen & Yang Pass Ruins
🟩
Capacity: 5 000
Release: Rolling · 7 days ahead
Platform: "玉门关遗址" mini-prog
Dunhuang Museum / Digital Center
🟩
Capacity: 3 000
Release: Same-day free QR
Platform: "敦煌博物馆预约"
Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan)
🟩
Capacity: 25 000
Release: Rolling 10 days ahead
Platform: "圆明园" mini-prog
Olympic Park venues
🟩
Capacity: varies
Release: Rolling 7–14 days
Platform: Venue-specific mini-progs
*🟥 High = sells out ≤ 15 min 🟧 Med = gone < 24 h 🟩 Low = rarely sells out except Golden Week.
4 Booking Windows & Platforms
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Mogao bundles – Standard ticket includes 2 front-line caves + digital dome film; classic ¥238 May–Oct; off-season ¥150.
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Free-winter desert – Mingsha Shan waves ticket fee 1 Dec – 28 Feb; still book real-name slot online.
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Yadan bus only – Pay ¥70 park+shuttle; self-drive banned after km 14.
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Night-show seats – Row B gives full-width cave-projection view; Row A too close for photos.
5 Payment Methods
| Method | Notes |
|---|---|
| WeChat / Alipay | Preferred; wallet KYC + foreign card. |
| Credit-card gateway | Mogao & desert portals accept Visa / MC direct. |
| Cash | Needed for camel rides (¥100) & dune ATVs (¥220). |
6 Cancellations & Refunds
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Full refund ≥ 24 h before entry • 50 % 4-24 h • No refund < 4 h.
•
Free tickets void if QR unscanned within slot + 30 min.
7 Pro Tips
1
Dual alarms – 07:55 & 07:59 for Mogao drop; passport number on clipboard.
2
Morning caves – Book 09:00 slot; natural-light murals shine till 11:00.
3
Desert crossing – Enter Mingsha at 16:00, climb 2nd ridge for sunset & stay for 21:00 star-shoot with tripod (re-entry valid same day).
4
Back-up bus – Yadan day-tour bus from Dunhuang Hotel 08:30 returns 18:30; buy seat in "敦煌旅游直通车" app.
5
Screenshot every QR – 4G drops in dunes & Yadan gullies.
Secure your Silk-Road slots—No Tourist Traps. No BS.