Crescent Lake seen from the Singing Sand Dunes

The photographic collection · 125

Dunhuang & the Mogao Caves, in photographs.

Many ways to see an extraordinary place.

Photo credit

N509FZ · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized for display.

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Photographs show different dates, viewpoints and conditions. Select an image to open the full-size view and its source. They do not establish current access to a particular route.

The Mogao Caves near Dunhuang — The Mogao Caves near DunhuangPhoto: xiquinhosilva, CC BY 2.0

Exterior of the Mogao Caves, Dunhuang, China, including chambers used by monks for living and meditation — Exterior of the Mogao Caves, Dunhuang, China, including chambers used by monks for living and meditationPhoto: Flickr user: eviltomthai, CC BY 2.0

Crescent Lake seen from the Singing Sand Dunes — Crescent Lake seen from the Singing Sand DunesPhoto: N509FZ, CC BY-SA 4.0

The cliffside buildings of the Mogao Caves — The cliffside buildings of the Mogao CavesPhoto: BetacommandBot (attributed in source), CC BY-SA 3.0

Crescent Lake and its buildings among the dunes — Crescent Lake and its buildings among the dunesPhoto: Laika ac from UK, CC BY-SA 2.0

The Singing Sand Dunes around Crescent Lake — The Singing Sand Dunes around Crescent LakePhoto: N509FZ, CC BY-SA 4.0

The buildings beside Crescent Lake — The buildings beside Crescent LakePhoto: Laika ac from UK, CC BY-SA 2.0

A reproduction of a mural from Cave 220 at Mogao — A reproduction of a mural from Cave 220 at MogaoPhoto: Hiroooooo, CC BY-SA 3.0

Crescent Lake within Dunhuang’s dunes — Crescent Lake within Dunhuang’s dunesPhoto: Laika ac from UK, CC BY-SA 2.0

A mural from the Mogao Caves at Dunhuang — A mural from the Mogao Caves at DunhuangPhoto: G41rn8, CC BY-SA 4.0

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A major contender for a list that values art and cultural exchange. Its preserved interior world adds something distinct from monumental buildings admired chiefly from outside.