Why it deserves a full day
Yumen Pass and the Yardang landforms both lie west of Dunhuang and in the same direction, which makes them a natural pair. The return journey adds up to roughly five to six hours of driving, so we give them a full day rather than folding them into a half-day trip that would leave you rushed and tired.
What the day involves
The road out is good, but the desert offers almost no shade, so the sun and the wind carry more weight than they would elsewhere. Water, a hat and sun protection are the essentials, and your guide will keep an eye on the pace across the open ground.
How the day is arranged
We leave Dunhuang with the vehicle stocked with water and break the driving with short stops rather than running it as one long stretch. Yumen Pass comes first and the landforms follow further west, so the route works outward and turns for home later in the day. That order leaves room to linger at the pass without losing the sunset that follows.
Because the day runs long over open ground, it is worth carrying what you need with you from the start, including a second layer for the wind and something to eat between stops. Your guide will point out the facilities when they come, so nobody is caught short in the middle of the desert.
Chasing the Yardang sunset
The Yardang landforms are famous for their sunset, when the low light picks out the ridges and the whole scene turns gold. Where the timings allow, we plan a later return so that you are there for the best of the light, rather than heading back while it is still building.
Because this is the longest driving day of the Dunhuang stay, we suggest an early night beforehand so you start it fresh and can enjoy it without feeling worn down.
Travelling with family
If you are travelling with older guests or children, we simply build in more water stops and short breaks rather than pressing on to the end. The route allows for it, and a relaxed day here is far better than an exhausting one.
When to just ask us
If this western day is important to you, tell us, and we will protect the time for it and plan the rest of your Dunhuang stay around the sunset.
This question comes from Dunhuang & the Silk Road
