Mogao Caves

The Mogao Caves are where the Silk Road stored its soul: 735 caves decorated over a millennium, from the fourth to the fourteenth century, with murals and painted sculptures preserved in desert-dry perfection. The Library Cave alone yielded 60,000 manuscripts that rewrote Asian history.

Access is by timed tour with a guide, and the caves rotate open - every visit is different. Book tickets in advance, plan at least half a day, and note that photography is not allowed inside.