# Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring Scenic Area (鸣沙山月牙泉景区)

Dunhuang, Gansu Province · Northwest, China · Guidebook rating: 5/5
Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/places/mingsha-mountain-and-crescent-spring-scenic-area
Language: en

## Key facts

- **Admission:** ¥110
- **Time needed:** 3–4 hours
- **Getting there:** Take Bus 3 from the city centre directly to the scenic area
- **Good for:** Photography, Nature

## About Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring Scenic Area

The 40-km-long Mingsha Mountain glows with golden sand, and camel trains carry cheerful visitors across the dune crests. Crescent Lake, cradled on three sides by the dunes, is revered as a sacred spring because “the sand never fills the water, and the water never dries up.”
Mingsha Mountain, Crescent Lake and the art of the Mogao Caves form one landscape. Together, they are the “two wonders” of southern Dunhuang. Some say Crescent Lake is a teardrop in the sand.
The best times to see Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake: sunrise on summer mornings and sunset on summer evenings; in winter, midday is best. The sunset over Mingsha Mountain is spectacular and not to be missed, so plan your visit for a summer dusk. When riding camels in the scenic area, agree on the price beforehand to avoid trouble. The dunes are very windy, so take some precautions.

## Tips from the guidebook

- For ¥10 you can enjoy the thrill of sand sledding. Riding a camel up Mingsha Mountain and down to Crescent Lake costs ¥100; the whole trip takes about 60 minutes.

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Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), p. 758. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.
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