Dunhuang Museum
Dunhuang Museum
4
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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4.0
86 reviews
Excellent
34
Very good
35
Average
15
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Ian Anderson
Shanghai, China158 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Definitely worth the visit if you are in Dunhuang. Well curated, lots to see, read and learn about the rich local area history with the important information in English. Dunhuang’s importance in the Han to before Ming dynasties was such that the museum will also give you good insight into the wider Chinese history of those ~1500 years. And entrance was free of charge!
Written 7 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew M
7,589 contributions
July 2019
We visited this museum on our last day in Dunhuang. The museum is free and opens at 9am. We arrived at 8:30 and expected a queue, but there were very few persons waiting. The ticket office opens a few minutes before 9am. There are lockers in this section where you can leave your personal items. The museum is on two levels, which you gradually go up whilst viewing the exhibits. The first exhibits related to the history of Dunhuang and its' importance on the Silk Road. There were models of ancient cities in the Region, including the Shazou site, which we had visited earlier. The next display was of petroglyphs.
There are quite a few sculptures of important persons in Dunhuang history as you make your way through the museum. There are many exhibits of buddhist inspired objects for which the area is famous. The Magao Caves were mentioned many times on the displays. The buddha displays and recreation of an ancient grave were the best. There was also a great display on coins used to trade on the silk road. The final section is a model of the new city which shows the development of the town. We thought that this was very well done, and gave a good understanding of the layout of the city.
It is a long walk down to the special exhibit area, which had great Buddhist pictures and an exhibition on silk. There were two gift shops here which had quite a wide variety of items on sale. We enjoyed this small but well presented museum. The museum is easily reached by taking bus # 3, which has a stop in front of the museum. Nearby attractions include the White horse pagoda, Baimata Bridge and Xiangyun Square.
There are quite a few sculptures of important persons in Dunhuang history as you make your way through the museum. There are many exhibits of buddhist inspired objects for which the area is famous. The Magao Caves were mentioned many times on the displays. The buddha displays and recreation of an ancient grave were the best. There was also a great display on coins used to trade on the silk road. The final section is a model of the new city which shows the development of the town. We thought that this was very well done, and gave a good understanding of the layout of the city.
It is a long walk down to the special exhibit area, which had great Buddhist pictures and an exhibition on silk. There were two gift shops here which had quite a wide variety of items on sale. We enjoyed this small but well presented museum. The museum is easily reached by taking bus # 3, which has a stop in front of the museum. Nearby attractions include the White horse pagoda, Baimata Bridge and Xiangyun Square.
Written 26 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kyale Chn
Malaysia72 contributions
June 2019 • Friends
I don't know why there were not many visitors here, I found the place very informative, all visitors should come here to understand the history of Dunhuang before heading to the Mogao Caves.
The best part is: there have the replica of the Mogao cave that allows you to take photo.
The best part is: there have the replica of the Mogao cave that allows you to take photo.
Written 19 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bean802
Shanghai, China270 contributions
July 2017 • Couples
This museum had some lovely treasures and was well organized in chronological order. Information was mostly bilingual and good English translations for the most part. A very good afternoon activity in the summer when it's boiling outside and there aren't many indoor tourist activities here in Dunhuang. The building was a very interesting design as well. The gift shop was really fantastic and a good place to get authenticated antiques.
Written 27 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tysonholly
Hong Kong, China66 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
September 18, 2016, attempted to visit the Dunhuang Museum but to no avail. We were told that all Dunhuang attractions are closed today because of the Silkroad International Cultural Expo to be on 2 days later, (Sept 20-21). Seriously, what's the big fuss? This is only the 18th!!! And are those officials gonna visit ALL local attractions leaving absolutely no space to take in any tourists 2 days before the "big" event? This is such a typical example of Chinese communism at play. I see it as an absolute nuisance not only to tourists but to the locals here. We asked several taxi drivers here and they're all confused about the arrangements by the local government as well. You can't find any information about the curfew online or anywhere, different hotel staff will tell you something different. We consider ourselves lucky to have already visited the Mogao caves and Sand dunes yesterday. It would have made us very mad if we were denied entries to these attractions. More so, If we can't get to the airport on time today because of the untimely curfew, it would be such a big shame. With fingers crossed, we'll see! China, when can you finally become more civilized?
Written 17 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John H
California174 contributions
Sept 2019
Museum highlighted Gansu Province and Dunhuang history from neolithic times of 3500 BC to the Ming and Tang dynasties. Displays well laid out and well worth a couple hours visit with lots of artifact variety.
Written 5 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ippyyy
4 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
Free. Opening hours in summer are 9 to 6:30pm. In winter it's 9 to 6. Last entry is 1 hour before closing. See attached photo.
Takes 1 to 2 hours to visit.
Singular postcards of dunhuang attractions were super cheap at 2 yuan.
Takes 1 to 2 hours to visit.
Singular postcards of dunhuang attractions were super cheap at 2 yuan.
Written 20 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
atomcat
Clare, Australia306 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
It is an absolutely worthwhile experience to visit this gem of a museum! My husband and I spent a good 2 hours in there soaking up the history!
The collection isn't huge but the exhibits are arranged in chronological order & well laid out.
But the pièce de résistance is a reproduction of cave #45 from the Mogao Grottoes. Deemed a special cave for its intact statuary & frescoes & fabulous colour, it isn't open to the public unless an extra fee is paid. So I was in seventh heaven happily snapping away!
Make the effort, it's worth it. A 15 minute walk from the centre of the city.
The collection isn't huge but the exhibits are arranged in chronological order & well laid out.
But the pièce de résistance is a reproduction of cave #45 from the Mogao Grottoes. Deemed a special cave for its intact statuary & frescoes & fabulous colour, it isn't open to the public unless an extra fee is paid. So I was in seventh heaven happily snapping away!
Make the effort, it's worth it. A 15 minute walk from the centre of the city.
Written 19 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lonelylaowai
Peking180 contributions
Aug 2017
It’s well set up, especially for a Chinese museum, and well worth your time. Just not very big. Prep about an hour or so, but no less... I was in a tour group that gave thirty minute and it was def rushed.
Written 29 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Archaeobuff
Sydney, Australia2,033 contributions
Sept 2017 • Solo
I have been impressed by all the museums in China and this is no exception. It has a good reproduction of one of the better Magao Caves. Not essential to visit.
Written 10 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, our guide is telling us that the museum is closed on Mondays while trip advisor says that it is open. Could you please let me know? Thank you.
Written 25 November 2019
As we recall, it was closed Mondays. We went on a Thursday.
Written 25 November 2019
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