Approaching Mogao Grottoes for the First Time at Ru Shi Mogao

Visiting "Ru Shi Dunhuang" with friends was my first close encounter with the Mogao Grottoes. Previously, my understanding mostly came from documentaries. No more chit-chat, let's get to the essentials! Ru Shi Dunhuang is divided into three halls: A, B, and C. Hall A replicates seven special caves from the Mogao and Yulin Grottoes, which are opened in batches at Dunhuang and require an additional fee to visit. Among them is the very famous "Cave 220 of the Zhai Family," which was mentioned in episode four of "Hexi Corridor." Halls B and C feature the historical corridor of the Mogao Grottoes, exquisite mural exhibitions, and the Sutra Library. This time, we hired a guide who was excellent, very detailed, and provided a lot of cultural insights. Many details and cultural aspects of the murals in the caves are really hard to understand without a guide. Our guide said that if time allows, one hall can be explained for 30-40 minutes, and the entire visit takes about 4 to 4.5 hours. I recommend visitors find a guide to make the experience richer. Many friends want to bring their children, but honestly, this exhibition is not suitable for all kids. One reason is the heavy cultural content that children might not understand; another is that many murals are damaged—headless, blackened... kids might not appreciate them. The adult ticket for "Ru Shi Dunhuang" is 128 yuan, and the children's ticket is 9.9 yuan. Tickets can be purchased on-site. For those buying tickets online, don’t forget to exchange for a paper ticket, as you need to show it to enter these halls, so don’t throw it away after entering Hall A. Special reminder: No water is allowed inside the halls; cups and such must be left at the entrance and picked up when you exit. The whole visit is physically demanding, with restrooms and seats only near the exit. If you have low stamina or are prone to low blood sugar, prepare some portable snacks in advance. Please be civilized during the visit, do not leave trash, and avoid disturbing the environment and other visitors.