The whole building is constructed like a castle which was popular for the rich in old days because of the functions it has to prevent against thieves and burglars as well as to keep away from sand. Inside of the castle houses are built around courtyard. Displayed in the museum are real things and models as well as settings of local customs and conditions, from which people can get a general idea of the local folks daily life such as religious etiquette, wedding, funeral arrangements, memorial ceremony, business as well as production and so on.

There are 20 exhibiting rooms, each has a subject.

Culture in Dunhuang has a long history. It is rich and varied in contents. It is knowledgeable and interesting.

The Pass of Yangguan is located 70km southwest of Dunhuang Town. Since the location is south of Yumenguan pass, hence the name of Yangguan (Yan means south in Chinese). It was once one of the two passes of great strategic importance at the western tip of Hexi Corridor, built in Han Dynasty by Emperor Wudi. A county was set up here in Wei and Jin Dynasties. It still played a roll in Tang Dynasty.

The eminent monk Xuanzang went on a pilgrimage for Buddhist scriptures. On his way back to Chang'an (present-day Xi'an), he passed through Yangguan Pass by the way along the foot of Mountain Tianshan. The old town of Yangguan Pass is no longer in existence, but there are some watchtowers doted around. Among them, the one on top of a hill north of the curios sands is still preserved, little more than a ruin, which is 4.7m in height, top side is 8m from south to north and 6.8m from east to west, the bottom side is 8m from south to north and 7.5m from east to west. It has been known as the eyes and ears of Yangguang Pass.

Many people both in ancient and modern times have composed poems with it as subject. The great poet Wangwei in the Tang Dynasty once wrote a oft-quoted and widely loved poem. The meaning is something like that “Morning rain washed dust off, houses are clean and willows look new. Drink up one more cup, there is no more familiar face beyond Yanguang Pass.”

Admission fee: RMB ￥ 40 per person

The Dunhuang Yardang National Geologic Park, situated 180km in the northwest away from Dunhuang City, is the largest one of that kind of Yardang Landform found so far.

With the largest scale, it is the most mature in geologic configuration and having the highest value for enjoying, this scenic zone is divided into two parts-the northern and the southern, extending for 25km's long and 18km's wide. It features the unique and wonderful scenes and landscapes of gobi-desert. The most maganificent view is that you can find the “miniature” for many world-famous architectures such as the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, the Potala Palace in Tibet, the Arabian mosque, the pyramid and Sphinx in Egypt, the relics of ancient Roman, the beacon towers and so on. It seems as an architectural art museum of the world and delivers many attractions and enjoyments to you.  After the shooting of the movie named “Hero ” here, the spactacular views in this “Town of Demons” have attracted thousands of visitors,and now it has been an another hot scenic spot in Dunhuang.

The ancient city of Duhuang is in fact a huge movie set resembling the Song Dynasty city of Dunhuang. The set served to create a movie called Dunhuang in 1987 through a cooperation between Chinese and Japanese filmmakers.

Located right in the middle of the Gobi Desert about 25km southwest of Dunhuang, the surrounding landscape grants the city with an impressive scenery. Various temples, pawnshops, warehouses, silk shops and bars scatter the streets. All of these things are used as props and backgrounds.

The Ancient City of Dunhuang was the largest film and television film set in Western China. Besides the film “Dunhuang”, more than 20 films and television programs were made here.

Admission fee: There is no entry fee
Traffic: Either take a taxi from Dunhuang city center for RMB30 or take a minibus from Dingzi Lu for RMB10 each way. Another option is to join a tour for a day that includes the Ancient City of Dunhuang and possibly other sites such as the White Horse Pagoda.

Crescent Moon Spring is 6km south of Dunhuang in Mountain Singing Sands and is quite literally an oasis in the desert. The Spring's name derives from the crescent moon shape the small pool of spring water has taken between two large sand dunes. Although the area is very dry, the pool doesn't dry up as one might expect.