Things to do in Subei
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Top 10 attractions in Subei
Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring
Mingsha mountain and crescent spring is located south of Dunhuang city, where sand dunes and springs coexist. It has long been renowned as a "desert wonder" and is one of Dunhuang's iconic attractions. Here you can climb Mingsha mountain to overlookCrescent moon springYou can also enjoy the desert sunset at the mountain top and experience the vast desolation of the northwest desert. Although traditionally as incompatible as fire and water,Crescent moon springYet it stands serenely amidst these sand dunes.Crescent moon springLocated at the foot of Mingsha Mountain and surrounded by sand dunes, due to the terrain, when the wind blows, the sand doesn't move downhill but flows upward instead.Crescent moon springNever buried by sand, it is hailed as the "eye of the desert". The Mingsha Mountain is formed by accumulated flowing sand, presenting a spectacular view of undulating dunes from afar. It's recommended to visit the attraction in the afternoon to avoid the midday desert heat and to climb to the summit at sunset for a distant view of the sand sea and the area below the mountain.Crescent moon springEnjoy the beautiful sunset. The attraction currently offers various entertainment options such as camel riding, sandboarding, grass skiing, desert motorcycles, archery, and helicopter tours. Among these, camel riding and sandboarding are particularly popular with visitors and are worth experiencing. After entering the attraction, visitors can climb the Mingsha Mountain directly. After enjoying the scenery, they can choose to slide down the sandy slope. When descending from the summit, you'll hear a "dong-dong-dong" sound resembling drums and gongs, creating a thrilling yet exciting experience. This is how Mingsha Mountain got its name.Dunhuang · 66.3 km from Subei
Mogao Grottoes
The Mogao Grottoes, also known as the Grottoes of a Thousand Buddhas, are located southeast of Dunhuang city. Construction of the Grottoes began during the Eastern Jin and Sixteen Kingdoms period and continued for over a thousand years until the end of the Yuan Dynasty. Boasting a vast collection of murals, grottoes, and artifacts, it is a world-renowned Buddhist art site. Here, visitors can admire the magnificent and richly detailed grottoes and murals, and learn about the thousand-year history of Buddhism in Dunhuang through buided commentary tours and films. It is a must-see for visitors visiting Dunhuang. The current Mogao Grottoes attraction consists of two parts: the Mogao Grottoes Digital Exhibition Center and the Mogao Grottoes themselves. A combo ticket is available for both; tickets are not sold separately. Since September 11, 2014, the attraction has implemented a reservation system. visitors must book admission ticket in advance by phone or online and visit according to their reserved time slot. The daily limit is 6,000 visitors. After making a reservation and collecting their tickets, visitors must first go to the Mogao Grottoes Digital Exhibition Center (they cannot go directly to the grottoes, otherwise they will not be allowed entry) to watch two 20-minute films about the Mogao Grottoes. One film, "A Thousand Years of Mogao," introduces the history and culture of the Mogao Grottoes, helping visitors gain a deeper understanding. The other film, "Dreamy Buddhist Palace," is a dome-screen movie showcasing many grottoes that are currently not open to the public, and it is very impressive. After watching the film, take the attraction 's shuttle bus to the grottoes. buided commentary are available, and buided commentary enter the attraction in groups to explore the grottoes, typically visiting 8-10 grottoes at a time, with each visit lasting about an hour. The Mogao Grottoes are renowned for their murals and sculptures, which are truly magnificent. Inside the grottoes, you'll find paintings of Buddhas, flying apsaras, musicians, and fairies everywhere, ranging from towering nine-story seated statues to tiny bodhisattvas just a few centimeters tall. There are quantity statues in various forms, and you can learn more about them with the buided commentary. After the tour, take the attraction shuttle bus back to the digital exhibition center near the train station to conclude your visit.Dunhuang · 59.3 km from Subei
Mengke Glacier
Transparent Mengke Glacier (also known as Tiger Valley) is located in the Great Snow Mountain in Subei Mongolian Autonomous County, Gansu Province. It is a complete small mountain formed by the interruption of the Qilian Mountains. It is bordered by the Changma Basin to the north, the Shule River Canyon to the east, the Yema River Valley to the south, and the Gongcha Daban Pass to the west. The Great Snow Mountain has an average altitude of about 4,000 meters. It is the mountain at the northern end of the Qilian Mountains and is also the largest valley glacier in the Qilian Mountains. It was discovered by experts from the Alpine Glacier Research Station of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1959. "Transparent Mengke" is Mongolian, meaning a tall and wide snowy mountain. The Transparent Mengke Glacier in Laohugou on the northern slope of the Great Snow Mountain in the Qilian Mountains has a wide snow accumulation area. The snow-capped peaks here are capped all year round, reaching into the sky; the sky is clear and quiet for a hundred years, and no one disturbs it. The slope of the snow mountain is very gentle. If it is developed into a ski resort in the future, it will be more interesting for both mountaineering and skiing!Subei · >100 km from downtown
Yeniugou
Subei · >100 km from downtown
Chaerhan Salt Lake
Located in Golmud City, Qinghai Province, the inland Chaerhan Salt Lake is huge and well known across the world. Qinghai-Tibet Railway runs through the lake. The lands around the lake are flat, with boundless desert and exotic landscape. On a clear day, the vast mirror-like lake reflects shimmering silver lights with steaming. It is like a green ocean.China · Golmud
Dachaidan Emerald Lake
Dachaidan Emerald Lake is located on the northeast side of Ike Qaidam Lake and ten kilometers northwest of Dachaidan Township. It belongs to the Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. It was originally the mining area of the Salt Lake Mining Team of Dachaidan Chemical Plant. Because the lake water is clear and blue in the sun, the color is like jade, so it is named "Emerald Lake". When the wind and waves are calm, Emerald Lake is scattered around like a mirror. The blue sky and white clouds and the snow-capped peaks of Qaidam Mountain are reflected in the water. The scenery is better than Chaka Salt Lake. feel.China · Haixi Prefecture
Jiayuguan Guancheng
Jiayuguan Guancheng is located 5 km west of Jiayuguan city, marking the western end of the Ming Great Wall. The Guan City was initially built during the Ming dynasty. It is located in the Jiayuguan cultural relics scenic area.The admission ticket serves as a pass for the entire attraction. The attraction isn't too large, with a perimeter of approx. 4 km, making it suitable for walking. Visitors with limited stamina can rent bicycles at the entrance for touring. The entrance is on the east side. Upon entering, you will first see the Heishan stone carvings, a modern replica by stonemasons showcasing the history and culture of Jiayuguan. There are seven themed gardens to explore: the celebrity inscriptions garden, ancient poetry garden, chronicle garden, story garden, guerrilla general stone carvings garden, Wei-Jin brick mural stone carvings garden, and Heishan stone carvings garden. Continuing forward, you can see the Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum, a museum dedicated to the history and culture of the Great Wall. It features advanced facilities and showcases the history, culture, artifacts, and scenery of the Great Wall and Jiayuguan. Moving forward will take you to the western core area. Before entering the fortress, you can visit Jiuyanquan Lake on your left.Jiuyan springThe area boasts lush water plants and picturesque scenery, making it an ideal location for ancient military horse breeding and border defense. Today,Jiuyan springThe water ripples with crystal clarity.Jiuyan springIts beauty lies in its tranquility, undisturbed by waves. The Guan City of Jiayuguan is divided into inner and outer cities, featuring three main grand gate towers. The city walls also boast structures such as arrow towers, enemy towers, corner towers, watchtowers, and sluice gate towers. Inside the Guan City of Jiayuguan, you'll find the Residence of the Guerrilla General, the Jiayuguan Cultural Relics Attraction - Jingting Pavilion, and the Jiayuguan Cultural Relics Attraction - Wenchang Pavilion. Outside the east gate, there are the Jiayuguan Cultural Relics Attraction - Guandi Temple, memorial archways, and opera stages. Each of these has its own history and unique characteristics, making them all worth visiting. From atop the city walls, you can gaze into the distance, where the Qilian Mountains stretch endlessly, and the vast Gobi grassland lies beneath your feet, evoking a profound sense of historical grandeur and tragedy. The attraction features numerous small stalls showcasing folk and historical characteristics, including opportunities for ancient costume photos, calligraphy, and painting sales. You can explore each one and purchase items that catch your eye. Additionally, the attraction offers a variety of entertainment options such as horseback riding, camel riding, dune buggies, and gliders.China · Jiayuguan
Dunhuang Museum
The Dunhuang Museum is located in the south of Dunhuang city. It is a museum mainly displaying historical artifacts of Dunhuang, a hub on the Silk Road, as well as precious relics from the Mogao Caves. The new museum opened in 2012. While not particularly large among national museums, its focus on showcasing Silk Road and Mogao Caves culture makes it an excellent place to learn about Dunhuang's history and Mogao art. Museum enthusiasts should not miss it. The museum's current exterior is quite distinctive, resembling the walls and beacon towers of the Han dynasty Great Wall. Stepping inside feels like entering a cave temple complex, with walls and corridors designed in the style of ancient grotto passages—a highly characteristic feature. The museum houses six exhibition halls, with its main display being the thematic exhibition "A city where Chinese and foreign cultures converge." A full tour takes approximately 1-2 hours. The exhibition "A city at the crossroads of Chinese and foreign cultures" runs through the entire museum building. It is divided into individual units by historical periods, allowing visitors to explore them floor by floor in chronological order. The exhibition covers Dunhuang's ancient history and its inhabitants, the significant development during the Han dynasty, continued growth in the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern dynasties, prosperity in the Sui, Tang, and Five Dynasties period, the rule of Dunhuang by the Shazhou Uighurs and Western Xia, Dunhuang during the Yuan and Ming dynasties, Qing dynasty development of Dunhuang, the discovery of the Library Cave, the anti-tax movement in the Qing dynasty, and ancient Silk Road coins. These units are primarily arranged chronologically, guiding visitors along corridor-like passages to experience Dunhuang's millennia of historical vicissitudes from ancient times to the present. The museum's exhibits are mainly divided into two categories. One focuses on the cave art of Mogao Grottoes, including a replica of the undeveloped Cave 45 from Mogao Grottoes, where visitors can see the legendary cave style reflecting musical themes. There are also some Dunhuang manuscripts, known as the famous "Dunhuang manuscripts," which are extremely precious. The other category features exhibitions centered on Silk Road culture, with elegant artifacts like the Northern Liang stone pagoda and pictorial bricks. Among them, the qilin brick is exceptionally rare nationwide and can be considered the museum's treasure—definitely not to be missed.Dunhuang · 71 km from Subei
Dunhuang Bookstore
Dunhuang Bookstore covers a total area of 806 square meters, with its exterior and interior designs inspired by Dunhuang murals. The collection is categorized into sections such as Dunhuang introduction, Dunhuang history, and Dunhuang murals, displaying over 2,100 categories and more than 25,000 books on Dunhuang themes. The scripture hall houses over 1,200 volumes of Dunhuang manuscripts, making it the most comprehensive offline public space in China for reproduced editions of these manuscripts. Dunhuang Bookstore also integrates Dunhuang calligraphy and paintings, 12 self-developed series totaling 50 themes and 5,000+ SKUs of Dunhuang cultural creative products, the brand coffee Dunhuang 1900, and Dunhuang cultural activities. It regularly hosts over 100 cultural activities such as research studies, elegant gatherings, forums, and book-sharing events, welcoming more than 200,000 visitors. The bookstore has been visited and studied by hundreds of institutions, including the Central Propaganda Department, the Economic Daily of the Propaganda Department, CCTV Video, and cultural tourism enterprises from various regions. It has also garnered continuous coverage from top-tier media outlets like CCTV News, Xinwen Lianbo, and The Paper, solidifying its status as a new landmark in Chinese cultural spaces.Dunhuang · 72.5 km from Subei
Wusute Yadan Geological Park
Wusute Yadan Geological Park is located in the northwest of Qaidam Basin, Qinghai, between Dongtai Jinaier Lake and Xitai Jinaier Lake. It is a rare water yadan view in the depths of the Gobi and a highly anticipated stop on the Greater Qinghai-Gansu Loop. This yadan cluster was originally a dry landform with mounds ranging from over ten to several dozen m in height, shaped like fleets, castles, and pyramids. Later, the Nalinggele River originating from the Kunlun Mountains changed its course due to mountain floods, and the water submerged the low-lying yadan area, creating the current wonder of turquoise waters embracing earthen mounds. As waterbirds and wild ducks gather in large numbers during spring and fall, locals call this water area "Duck Lake," also known as the "Lake of a Hundred Birds and a Thousand Islands." The park tour is connected by sightseeing buses, with stops including the sea-viewing platform, Penglai fairy island, West Sea fleet and golden beach. Among them, the "West Sea fleet" is a neatly arranged yardang cluster resembling a fleet formation, with extremely high recognition. The sea-viewing platform is ideal for overlooking the lake, especially during sunrise or sunset when sunlight turns the mounds golden, blending with their reflections to create a castle-like illusion floating on the lake—a prime time for photographers. Taking a cruise through the yardangs allows close observation of wind-eroded rock layers from the water, offering a "boat sailing through mountains" experience. Besides cruises, camel rides and desert off-road motorcycles are long-term activity options in the park. The park covers a vast area, ideal for slowing down and exploring at a leisurely pace. Don't miss the mornings and evenings when the light changes dramatically. The local plateau climate is dry with strong UV radiation and large temperature differences between day and night. Bringing sun protection and a windproof jacket before departure will make your experience more comfortable.China · Golmud
Experiences you can't miss in Subei
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What travellers say about Subei
E15***58October 25, 2026
5.0
The vast desert, with no concerts during the off-season, was filled with rolling sandstorms, giving it a bit of a "Dragon Inn" feel. Standing in the sandstorm, imagining the ancients traveling along the Silk Road was quite evocative. Even in the off-season, there were still quite a few people. It's a great place for taking photos and definitely worth a visit.
Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring
LysyaOctober 24, 2026
5.0
Tempatnya luas banget, jadi kalau beli tiket dari trip dot com harus ke hall 2 dulu utk tuker tiket fisiknya. Nukernya cukup kasih paspor, langsung kluar datanya di sistem mereka. Habis dapat tiket fisik lalu ke hall 1, nanti antri masuk utk nonton pemutaran 2 film. Film pertama tentang sejarah awa mula grotto nya, film ke 2 tentang isi mogao grotto dan dalam bentuk 360 jadi seru kayak lagi ada di dalam gua nya. Utk yg pilih bahasa english, akan dikasih audio oleh petugas saat antri mau masuk tempat pemutaran film. Selesai nonton film, kluar utk antri naik shuttle bus yg akan mengantar kita ke mogaocave. Nanti sampai di mogao cave setelah masuk kawasan langsung join antrian utk ke cave nya, nanti masuknya akan dibagi per group & dipimpin 1 tour guide. Utk turis internasional yg sudah pilih bahasa inggris saat beli tiket, ada antrian sendiri. Untuk tour guide nya ramah & penjelasannya cukup jelas.
Mogao Grottoes
魔力的风July 13, 2020
5.0
The transparent Mengke Glacier is located in Subei Mongolian Autonomous County, Jiuquan City, Gansu Province, at the western end of the Hexi Corridor on the Silk Road. Subei County is rich in tourism resources, with many natural scenery such as grasslands, Gobi, canyons, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, original ecological scenery and ethnic culture. The Mengke Glacier makes people linger and imagine the transparent glacier world...
Mengke Glacier
M11***87October 17, 2026
5.0
Qarhan Salt Lake is definitely worth a visit. The lake is so vast that the shuttle bus ride takes a long time. The water is such a beautiful green, it looks just like green apple juice. The various buildings and facilities along the lake shore are also very attractive. The photos taken there are absolutely gorgeous.
Chaerhan Salt Lake
Anonymous userOctober 20, 2026
5.0
I recommend entering the park around 4 PM; it's perfect for taking great photos, and the lake's color is almost like a filter. Taking the mini-train is also recommended to save energy. It can be windy by the lake, so remember to bring a jacket.
Dachaidan Emerald Lake
_TI***b2October 25, 2026
4.0
FOR NON-MANDARIN SPEAKERS: this attraction is badly explained in trip.com's description. There are THREE LOCATIONS here, and there are several kilometers in between each one. You have to take a taxi or some other form of transport you arrange yourself to get from one location to another. The 'round trip bus' in the description is literally a small tour bus that goes from the car park to the attraction itself within each location. No transport is supplied. I got very confused and the people at the ticket office weren't able to help me understand. I was using my Google translate and Amap apps to try to ask where the other attractions were, but the names I was using for the different locations from Amap english and chinese translation confused them. But once I figured it out I had a brilliant time! Just be aware that it's three different locations: 1. Jiayuguan cultural relics scenic area; 2. Overhanging Great Wall Scenic Area; and 3. The First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall Scenic Area.
Jiayuguan Guancheng
Anonymous userOctober 22, 2026
4.0
The most iconic exhibit at the Dunhuang Museum is undoubtedly the restoration of Cave 045 at Mogao Grottoes. The guide's explanations were very detailed and thorough. The exhibits are the best interpretation of history.
Dunhuang Museum
Anonymous userOctober 19, 2026
5.0
Dunhuang Bookstore is a great place to visit. It has a wide variety of books, the displays are unique, and the environment is quiet, perfect for peaceful reading. They also have some nice cultural and creative products, though a bit pricey, but I still bought several 😜. There are also intangible cultural heritage experiences, but I didn't have time for them. Maybe next time.
Dunhuang Bookstore
nature-volunteerOctober 16, 2026
4.0
I'd been to the Devil City in Dunhuang before, so I specifically wanted to see the Water Yadan landform. The scenic area shuttle bus goes all the way to the innermost part, then stops at various checkpoints. I walked along the lake for a while, and the weather was nice, so overall it was a good experience! The main problem is that it's too far from Golmud, which is inconvenient for tourists without a car!
Wusute Yadan Geological Park
