An interesting place to visit with a perfect crescent lake. Good access and suitable for a range of accessibility needs but walking on sand is hard going for some.
Beautiful photographers dream
ALWAYS take your passport to ensure access/ability to buy a ticket in China
An oasis of beauty. You can not walk around the lake but make sure you go to the far right top corner for your pics - just stunning
We were rather surprised to see a lake in the middle of the desert, it is pretty but unfortunately it is starting to dry up and has apparently shrunk quite dramatically in the last few years. So hurry if you don’t want to miss it!!!
The crescent moon lake had a very interesting history. It was an easy walk and you could take your time to enjoy the sites.
If you're interested in the Silk Road and you want to replicate what the journey may have been like for travelers along this venerable path, then Crescent Lake in Dunhuang is a must-see attraction!
This is one of the last remaining Silk Road oases that is easily accessible and hasn't dried up. You can either get a bus directly from Dunhuang to the Crescent Lake Scenic Area or hire a taxi from the city centre, which will only cost around 15 to 20 RMB.
The lake itself is nestled within the Gobi Desert and requires some walking to get to. Be advised that temperatures during the day can be extremely hot, particularly during summer, and the heat of the sand can be so high that it will physically burn your feet, so don't wear sandals!
If you go during the day, we'd strongly recommend renting a pair of the orange heat-resistant shoes covers that are available at the front gate. They might look ridiculous, but you'll be thankful you have them once you feel the heat of the sand! Alternatively, wait by the edge of the desert near the entrance gate, as several kind people that are on their way out will often offer you the boot covers they rented for free.
Due to the heat during the day-time, the best time to visit the lake is at dusk (after 4pm), when there is still plenty of light but it is not quite so hot.
Once you have made your way into the desert itself, there are a plethora of activities on offer. You can take a camel trek through the desert, ride a sandboard down the dunes, take a helicopter tour, or hire a jeep to give you a tour of the desert. None of these activities, however, take you to the lake itself, so you'll want to walk there first and have a look at the main event.
The lake itself is located next to a pavilion, which you can go inside free-of-charge. You do, however, need to pay an extra fee to climb the pavilion, which we wouldn't recommend, as you get a great view of the lake and the desert from the free part of the pavilion. They also serve a variety of ice-cold drinks here, which you'll definitely need on a hot day.
If you want to get the best view of the lake possible, we'd recommend climbing the sand dune on its left-hand side. It's a harrowing climb, so be sure to use the ladder that's been laid out on the dune, otherwise you'll never make it up! Hiking up sand is extremely difficult, so it may take you up to 2 hours to climb up what is a relatively small sand dune. If you're looking for a beautiful panoramic shot of the lake, however, then it's definitely worth the effort!
