Home/China Attractions/Gansu/Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake (Echoing Sand Mountain)

5A Tourism Area

Designated 2015

Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake (Echoing Sand Mountain)

酒泉市鸣沙山月牙泉景区

Gansu, Jiuquan★ 4.7Designated 2015·40.0928°N, 94.6715°E

Ticket Price

CNY 110

Duration

4 hours to 1 day

Rating

4.7 / 5.0

Designated

2015

About Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake (Echoing Sand Mountain)

At the desert edge of Dunhuang, the towering dunes of Mingsha Mountain hold a slender crescent-shaped lake that has survived for centuries. Visitors ride camels across the sands and hear the dunes 'sing' as wind shifts the grains.

Highlights

Singing sand dunes surrounding a crescent-shaped spring that is never buried; camel rides, sandboarding and sunset over the dunes with a cultural show.

Suggested Route

Enter before sunset, climb the dunes or ride a camel to the summit for sunset over Crescent Lake; allow 2-3 hours, evening best.

Food & Lodging

Try Dunhuang noodles, melons and lamb; stay in Dunhuang city.

Travel Tips

Check official website for current information. Respect local customs and regulations. Best visited during mild weather seasons.

📅 Best Time & Crowds

Best season: Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November)

🏮Golden Week alert: May 1-5 and Oct 1-7 are China's biggest travel peaks — top attractions sell out days ahead. Book tickets the moment they open.

⏰Many museums and palaces close on Mondays (e.g. Forbidden City, National Museum). Plan around it.

Location

View on interactive map →

View Trip →

💱

Book Tickets & Tours

Trip.com

Hotels, tickets & tours

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Tickets & experiences

Buying tickets as a foreign visitor

• Most 5A/4A sites require real-name registration — bring your passport.

• Tickets often must be booked in advance online — peak season & holidays sell out quickly.

• Some remote or border-area sites have entry restrictions for foreign visitors — check before you travel.

External booking links. Prices may vary.

Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only link to platforms travelers actually use.

Opening Hours

Peak season (April-October): 7:00-18:00; Off-season: 8:00-17:00. Hours may vary by weather conditions.

Getting There

In Dunhuang, Jiuquan; ~5 km south of Dunhuang city; Dunhuang Railway Station ~13 km; Dunhuang Mogao Airport ~15 km. City bus 3 / taxi ~15 min.

Reservation

Online reservation via official WeChat 'Mingsha Mountain-Crescent Spring Scenic Area' / i-you Dunhuang / OTA; real-name ID check; re-entry within 3 days.

Ticket Price

CNY 110 (≈ $15)

Address

Jiuquan, Gansu, China

📍 中文地址 / Chinese Address

酒泉市鸣沙山月牙泉景区

甘肃酒泉市

Jiuquan, Gansu, China

40.0928, 94.6715

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Tip: Google Maps may be inaccurate in China — use Amap for navigation.