2-Star Hotels in Dunhuang

I highly recommend this B&B to anyone visiting Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake! First off, the decor is chic and tasteful, with a slightly luxurious and cozy vibe that really sets a nice mood. Secondly, the owner is incredibly welcoming, helping us find parking and providing great tips for local food, fun, and sightseeing. Finally, the owner offered complimentary fruit. Coming down from the mountain hot and thirsty, a piece of ice-cold watermelon was just perfect! There were also local specialties like small yellow apricots and oranges. Plus, the owner is from my hometown, Henan – a truly honest business. I absolutely have to recommend them!!!

This was the most pleasant surprise among all the hotels we stayed at during our 10-day trip to Qinghai and Gansu. The starry sky theme and its intricate details are incredibly well-executed, with new discoveries around every corner. You can really tell the owner poured their heart into creating this hotel. The decor and amenities are also excellent, with every room featuring a smart toilet and a starry sky projector. Most importantly, the service is outstanding! They offered pickup from the station and proactively shared a wealth of knowledge about Dunhuang. Since the owner used to be a tour guide for over ten years, they truly know everything! They also provided many travel tips and itineraries. We booked the astronomy mini-class, which was very interesting. Unfortunately, it was cloudy on both days of our stay, so we couldn't see many stars.

I've always wanted to experience desert tenting, and after careful consideration, I chose Windy. The location is perfect, with sand dunes just outside. The tents are in excellent condition, and the ensuite bathrooms have plenty of hot and cold water. The service was excellent, with prompt responses from the housekeepers, and the staff in the restaurant and activities were also very helpful and welcoming. Camel rides and ATV pickups are available right outside the room, which was a big plus. We were finally taken back to the city in a Mercedes-Benz van!

The B&B has a large yard, a good environment, and is surrounded by green trees. It is very close to the Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake scenic area. The owner will take you to a small path, which takes less than ten minutes to reach the scenic area, which is especially convenient for watching the sunrise and sunset. The room is spacious, clean and tidy, and there is no odor. The bathroom is separated into dry and wet areas, and the spray hot water is large, so it is very comfortable to take a bath. Recommended! ! !

The room is very clean, with 24-hour hot water. The owner and his family are very nice and welcoming. There are welcome fruits grown by themselves, and the food is also delicious. It is a very good inn👍👍

Wonderful inn at an unbeatable price. The free airport transfer was very smooth, and we were given early check in and a free room upgrade (get the desert view, it's worth it! You can see the ming sha dunes change colour throughout the day, as well as goats and alpacas roaming the property.) The room was very clean, especially the washroom and shower, and the water pressure and hot water was very good. I think this is a family-run place, because the atmosphere is very open and warm. The owners were helpful with providing tips on how to get around and were always around to help and say hello and goodbye as you left and came back. It is just a bit outside the city centre, which adds to the charm; we called didi for most of our transport. The inn is also only about 3km to the mingsha dunes and crescent lake, which allowed me to go twice during my trip (one ticket is good for three days of entries). I have travelled all around China for one month, and this is my pick for a value stay.

The location is ideal for access to markets, shopping, eateries, and the adjacent bookstore which has a coffee shop and was one of the real treats of the city (we took pictures; it is a top-ten experience in its own right!). We took taxis to the grottos and the dunes, and it was easy to make arrangements. This is a terrific spot for runners/exercise fans, since the walkway along the river —immediately next door — is well suited for both activities. The room was very comfortable and had a mix of disposable towels and regular. The linen was pristine. There was coffee/tea and a hot pot in the room. Our view was of the traffic circle but we didn’t hear traffic except on a couple of occasions. There is a place to leave luggage if you arrive early / leave late. I’m not sure how much English was spoken at the desk but the clerks were very patient with intermediate-to-advanced Mandarin conversations. Would recommend this more than some of the other tourist hotels just for ease of eating!

The boss was very enthusiastic. I contacted him one day in advance and waited for us at the station early the next morning. The accommodation was close to the East Gate. We said we were going to Crescent Lake and Mingsha Mountain. The boss took the initiative to drive us to the Middle Gate, saying that we could save 20 yuan on the shuttle bus fare. The next day, we signed up for a tour group to go out and play. The boss also sent us to the boarding point early in the morning. The boss was afraid that it would be inconvenient to go back after the Crescent Lake Music Festival, so he also came to pick us up, making our travel very convenient. The accommodation environment is also very good, and the steamed bun for breakfast is particularly large.

The location is very convenient for visiting the Mogao Caves, Mingsha Mountain, and the night market. You need to get off on the main road, walk through the buildings, and enter through a small entrance with an elevator before going up to the hotel, so I recommend checking the exterior photos in the reviews in advance. When I stayed here, there were not many guests, so the hotel was quiet overall. I especially enjoyed spending time at the outdoor lounge connected to the reception, looking up at the stars and chatting about this and that. If you turn right from the hotel entrance on the first floor, there are many local restaurants. If you walk out toward the main road, there is a supermarket in the basement near Mixue Bingcheng where you can buy groceries and prepared food. During my stay, I had a stressful problem when my phone was accidentally soaked in water. Even though it was late, the manager stayed with me and helped me as if it were his own problem. I was truly grateful for his kindness. It was quite windy during my trip this time, so I couldn't properly enjoy the stars in the desert. If I return to Dunhuang to see the stars again, I would definitely stay here again.

If life is a never-ending journey, then the camping trip at the Desert Star Hotel is undoubtedly a highlight of my journey. When I arrived at the campsite, the first thing that attracted me was the unique tent house. Unlike regular tents, the top of the tent is made of special transparent materials, like a huge viewing platform, which builds a bridge of communication between me and the vast galaxy. As night fell, I couldn't wait to lie on the soft bed, and when I looked up, the bright starry sky was presented to me without reservation. The stars twinkled, like gems inlaid on the black sky, beautiful as a dream. At that moment, the world seemed to press the mute button, and the impetuousness and noise in my heart were instantly soothed. The unique beauty of this quietness made me intoxicated. It is worth mentioning that the hotel staff is very considerate. After placing the order, the customer service guy at the front desk added our contact information and gave us some local travel tips, which saved us a lot of time. From the warm reception at check-in, to the careful guidance during the activities, to the warm greetings at night, every detail made people feel cared for. They not only provided me with thoughtful service, but also made me feel the simplicity and enthusiasm of the desert people. This desert camping trip not only allowed me to appreciate the magnificent scenery of the desert, but also experienced exciting and interesting activities, which became an eternal and beautiful memory in my heart.