Dunhuang Private Day Tour to Yulin Grottoes and Suoyangcheng Ruins

Meals: Not included
Attractions: Yulin Grottoes, Suoyangcheng Ruins

Today you are going to visit Yulin Caves which is about 2.5 hrs’ driving from Dunhuang city. It is a relatively long driving from Dunhuang, but you will find it worthwhile after visiting Yulin Grottoes.

The Yulin Caves is known as the “sister caves” of Mogao caves. It is a Buddhist cave temple site located about 160 km east of the oasis town of Dunhuang and the Mogao Caves, and was listed as the UNESCO World Heritage sites as part of the Chinese Section of the Silk Road. There are 43 existing caves in the Yulin Caves, with a total of 5,200 square meters of murals and more than 259 colored sculptures. You can visit up to 6 caves in which you can admire magnificent mural paintings which is believed to be even more beautiful than those in Mogao Caves. There are also 3 special caves (No. 2, No. 3 and No. 25) with outstanding art value that you can visit with extra charges.

After Yulin Caves visit, drive about 30 minutes to Suoyangcheng which used to be a very important city on the Silk Road. It was first established in 111 BC, prospered during the Tang and Western Xia dynasties, and destroyed and abandoned in the 16th century. Today you can still see the remained ruins of the inner city, the outer city, several Yangmacheng (fortified animal enclosures used as fortresses in wartime), Ta’er Temple, ancient irrigation systems, caves, etc.

After sightseeing, drive back to Dunhuang city.