266 rooms behind mud-brick walls built to resemble a Tang Dynasty fortress, on the edge of the Singing Sand Dunes, thirty minutes from the Buddhist grottoes of Mogao.
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Overview
The Spirit of the Tang Dynasty
Founded in 1995 against the backdrop of the Mingsha Sand Dunes, the Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel resembles an ancient fortress, its large rooftops and enclosed courtyards recalling the caravanserais that once sheltered Silk Road traders.
The hotel's mud-brick walls, long winding corridors and replica Tang, Ming and Qing dynasty furniture recreate the flavour of a bygone era using natural building materials true to the northwestern Chinese tradition. Its 266 rooms open onto courtyards and gardens, with the more sought-after categories facing directly onto the dunes themselves. A rooftop terrace, the Starry Lounge, has become the hotel's real signature — a wide-open perch for watching sunrise and sunset paint the sand in shifting shades of gold, and for stargazing over one of China's darkest desert skies once night falls.
Thirty minutes from the Mogao Caves. The UNESCO-listed Mogao Grottoes, with over 500 Buddhist cave temples dating back some 1,600 years, sit roughly a 30-minute drive from the hotel — the reason most guests come to Dunhuang at all.
266
Rooms & Suites
1995
Hotel Founded
30min
To the Mogao Caves
1km
To Crescent Lake
Rooms
Courtyards, Mud Walls & Dune Views
Rooms are decorated with local textiles, Chinese antiques and cool stone floors, arranged around courtyards in the enclosed style of northwestern China.
Double Room — Sand Dune View
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Sand View RoomsSpacious rooms facing directly onto the Mingsha Sand Dunes, decorated with large Asian rugs and Chinese antiques, some of the most requested in the hotel.
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Courtyard RoomsRooms arranged around the hotel's enclosed courtyards, in keeping with traditional northwestern Chinese residential design.
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Villas & SuitesA range of suites and villas offer additional space for longer stays or larger groups exploring the Silk Road.
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Traditional Furnishings ThroughoutReplica late Tang, Ming and Qing dynasty furniture fills every room, alongside air conditioning, satellite TV and modern amenities.
Experiences
Singing Dunes & Ancient Grottoes
Dunhuang's desert setting and Buddhist heritage make it one of the most singular stops on China's ancient Silk Road.
Iconic
Mingsha Sand Dunes
Camel rides and sandboarding across the Singing Sand Dunes, named for the sound the sand makes as wind moves across its ridges.
Heritage
Mogao Caves
A UNESCO World Heritage Site holding over 500 Buddhist cave temples, their walls and ceilings covered in over a millennium of religious art.
Nearby
Crescent Lake
A slender, centuries-old spring-fed lake tucked among the dunes, a short walk from the hotel and one of Dunhuang's most photographed sights.
Evenings
Shazhou Night Market
A short drive brings guests to Dunhuang's lively night market, filled with local snacks, crafts and souvenirs.
Sunrise
Rooftop Views from the Starry Lounge
The hotel's own rooftop terrace offers uninterrupted views of sunrise and sunset over the dunes.
Geology
Yardang National Geopark
A striking desert landscape of wind-eroded rock formations, often compared to a miniature Monument Valley, a scenic drive from Dunhuang.
Dining
Sichuan, Cantonese & Rooftop Breakfasts
Two main restaurants split the hotel's dining between classic Sichuan and Cantonese dishes and a modern Asian and international menu, with the rooftop terrace reserved for the best views.
01The Deli Chamber, for Sichuan and Cantonese dishes
02The Delights Chamber, for modern Asian and international cuisine
03The Starry Lounge rooftop, for breakfast and sunset drinks
04A local barbecue restaurant on the grounds, for lamb and regional specialties
The Starry Lounge — Rooftop Over the Dunes
Location
Gateway to the Western Silk Road
The hotel sits three kilometres south of Dunhuang city, directly on the edge of the Gobi Desert, in the Gansu province corridor that once carried Silk Road trade between China and Central Asia.
Located on Dunyue Road, on the edge of the Gobi Desert, three kilometres from central Dunhuang.
Within walking distance of the Mingsha Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake.
A 30-minute drive from the UNESCO-listed Mogao Caves.
A 15 to 20-minute drive from Dunhuang Airport, with hotel transfers available.
Fly
Dunhuang Airport connects to major Chinese cities, roughly 20 minutes from the hotel.
Rail
High-speed and overnight trains connect Dunhuang to the wider Gansu rail network, including Lanzhou and Jiayuguan.
Explore
A private guide and vehicle, arranged through the hotel concierge, is the recommended way to reach Mogao and the surrounding desert sites.
Since 1995
Three Decades on the Silk Road
For thirty years, the Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel has given travellers a fortress-like base for exploring one of China's most singular desert landscapes.