# West Thousand Buddha Caves (西千佛洞)

Dunhuang, Gansu Province · Northwest, China · Guidebook rating: 3/5
Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/places/west-thousand-buddha-caves
Language: en

## Key facts

- **Admission:** ¥30
- **Opening hours:** 8:30–17:30 (peak season); 9:00–17:00 (off-season)
- **Time needed:** 1 hour
- **Getting there:** Part of the western Dunhuang tour; a chartered car for the western tour costs ¥450–550 per day
- **Good for:** History & Culture, Temples, Nature

## About West Thousand Buddha Caves

These caves date from the same period as the Mogao Caves and lie just across Mingsha Mountain from them. Their structure, painted sculptures and mural style are close to the Mogao system, and they contain statues and murals. However, due to natural erosion and human damage, only 16 caves survive, of which 9 are open to visitors.

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Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), p. 757. 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.
Site: China Trip (https://cnatrip.com) — independent China travel guide in 13 languages.