The renowned Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang City, Northwest China's Gansu Province, will launch new tour packages starting from April 1 to better meet the needs of tourists.
According to the Dunhuang Research Academy, which is responsible for overseeing the UNESCO World Heritage site, full-price tickets for the six types of packages will range from 50 yuan to 238 yuan (35 U.S. dollars) and the discount fare will be between 20 yuan and 148 yuan. Children under four years old will enjoy free admission.
The Mogao Caves, also known as the Thousand Buddha Grottoes, are the best known of the Chinese Buddhist grottoes and, along with Longmen Grottoes and Yungang Grottoes, are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage. /VCG Photo
Luo Huaqing, deputy chief of the academy, said the new plan aims to adapt to rising visitor numbers and more diversified tourism needs, while also ensuring sustainable development of the tourist attraction.
Tourists can visit eight caves and four museums and also watch two films during the peak season from April 1 to November 30 for 238 yuan, or four more caves in the off-season.
Situated at a strategic point along the Silk Route, at the crossroads of trade as well as religious, cultural and intellectual influences, the cells and cave sanctuaries in Mogao Grottoes are famous for their statues and wall paintings, spanning 1,000 years of Buddhist art.
Visitors can book tickets one month in advance through the official website or on the social networking app WeChat.
(Cover: Mogao Grottoes, Dunhuang, Gansu Province, China. /VCG Photo)