Yulin Grottoes
榆林窟 · Yúlín Kū
Mogao’s “sister” cave temples, cut into the walls of a river gorge in Guazhou, with Tang to Yuan dynasty murals including some of the finest Western Xia paintings anywhere.
Booking recommendedBring your passportFull day from Dunhuang (1.5 hours on site)
Tip
Far quieter than Mogao; no photos inside the caves, and bring water and snacks, as there is little to buy nearby.
- Opening hours
- May–Oct 09:00–17:30 (tickets until 16:30); Nov–Apr 09:30–17:00 (tickets until 16:00). May close temporarily in severe weather.
- Price
- ¥55 for international visitors, including a foreign-language guide (¥40 domestic ticket); special caves cost extra.
- How to book
- Book through the Dunhuang Academy’s official ticketing WeChat account or website; a booking is valid only for the chosen date. Ticket hotline 400-997-1608.
- Getting there
- About 70 km south of Guazhou town: roughly 2–2.5 hours by car from Dunhuang; no public transport, so hire a car or join a tour, and combine with Suoyang City To be confirmed
- Address in Chinese
- 甘肃省酒泉市瓜州县榆林窟（县城以南约 70 公里）
Photo: Hiroki Ogawa · CC BY 3.0
From other travelers
Write a reviewIn the encyclopedia
Encyclopedia · PeopleXuanzang 玄奘Western Xia murals here include some of the earliest known paintings of the pilgrim monk travelling with a monkey-like companion.Encyclopedia · Legends and novelsJourney to the West 西游记Western Xia murals here show a pilgrim monk travelling with a monkey-faced companion, among the earliest images linked to the story.
Sources
Checked against these sources on 2026-09-27. Rules change often, so confirm on the official site before you go.
Not yet confirmed by an official source: Getting there
More in Dunhuang
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