Yulin Grottoes Special Caves Guide (Mogao Alternative)

Yulin Grottoes Special Caves Guide (Mogao Alternative)

Yulin Grottoes are an important part of the Dunhuang grotto art, called the "sister caves of Mogao." Their murals are exquisite and visitors fewer than Mogao, especially the special caves of high artistic value — a good "alternative" when Mogao is booked out.

This guide covers how to play.

🏔️ About Yulin Grottoes

• Location: Guazhou County, Jiuquan, by the Yulin River
• Status: important part of the Dunhuang grotto group; "sister caves of Mogao"
• Sights: exquisite murals, painted sculptures; the special caves are exceptional
• Advantage: fewer visitors, quieter than Mogao

🙏 What to Do

1. Open caves: regular viewing of murals and sculptures
2. Special caves: high artistic value (e.g., Cave 3), exquisite murals, separate tickets
3. Surroundings: Yulin River, desert landscape

🎫 Special Caves & Tickets

• Ticket: regular ticket (tens of CNY, subject to year)
• Special caves: separate purchase (higher price), possibly limited
• Guide: with professional guide to understand the murals
• Booking: some require reservation/limit flow; check ahead

📷 Highlights

• Yulin's Western Xia and Yuan dynasty murals are masterpieces, unique color and technique
• Special-cave water-moon Guanyin and other artistic treasures

🚗 How to Get There

• Transport: Guazhou County; about 1.5–2 hours from Dunhuang (or Guazhou direction)
• Combine with Dunhuang, Guazhou sights (e.g., Suoyang City)
• Decent roads; some remote sections

📌 Practical Tips

1. Special caves are worth it, but need separate tickets; check ahead
2. No photography in the caves (protect the relics)
3. Respect the guide and etiquette; no noise
4. Protect the grottoes; don't touch or carve
5. Relatively fewer people than Mogao; better experience

Yulin Grottoes are the "sister caves of Mogao," exquisite and quiet, with special caves as artistic treasures. When in the Dunhuang area, come to Yulin and quietly appreciate the subtlety of Dunhuang art.