Buy tickets for Mogao Caves on place

Yes, you have to make a reservation online and pick up the tickets in the downtown ticket outlets. I know one outlet is located at No. 246 of Middle Yangguan Road.

okay, I just went to the caves and no reservation was needed. I took bus 12 (3 rmb) to the ticket office for the mogao and we bought the tickets there :)

If you want to go to the caves you have to book online in advance. The caves only permit 6000 tourist per day but daily there are around 8000 tourist coming to DH. If you forgot to book you can call or send and email to Richard ( 13993713080 / dunhuang.richard163.com) and he will help you get tickets without booking. He is a local certificated guide and driver that knows people that work at the caves. Also Richard can arrange the silk road itinerary from DH, Jiayuguan, Zhangye, Lanzhou, Xiahe and Xining. He is an excellent english speaking guide, very reliable and thoughtful. He picked me up at the train station on time and he prepared water and fruit for the journey to Jadan Park.

June 2019 - walked up to the ticket window at 9 am and got 3 tickets for me and my parents. No reservation needed. Apparently, although priced as high season, June is still pretty slow. She didn't even ask.