"Dun" means grandeur; "Huang" means prosperity. Dunhuang, a historic and cultural city located at the western end of the Hexi Corridor, shines like a brilliant pearl, radiating a unique charm through the long river of time. It boasts not only a long history and splendid culture but also magnificent natural landscapes, attracting countless tourists to explore its mysterious allure.
The Millennium Art Treasure—Mogao Caves
The Mogao Caves, hailed as the "Eastern Louvre," are the world’s largest and most richly contentful treasury of Buddhist art. Construction began during the Sixteen Kingdoms period, and after a millennium of excavation and renovation, 735 caves, 45,000 square meters of murals, and 2,415 painted clay sculptures remain today. Stepping into the Mogao Caves is like entering a mysterious artistic hall, where the exquisite murals and painted sculptures are breathtaking. The murals feature a rich variety of content, including Buddhist stories, sutra illustrations, and mythological tales, with vibrant colors and fluid lines showcasing the extraordinary skills of ancient artisans. The Buddha statues in the caves vary in form—some solemn and dignified, others kind and approachable—each seeming to tell the thousand-year-long tale of historical vicissitudes.
Desert Wonder—Singing Sand Mountain and Crescent Spring
The Singing Sand Mountain and Crescent Spring Scenic Area, located five kilometers south of Dunhuang, is a natural landscape renowned worldwide for its "desert wonders." Singing Sand Mountain gets its name from the sound produced when the sand moves. The entire mountain is formed by accumulated fine sand, which glitters with a golden glow under the sunlight. When you climb the sand dunes and slide down from the top, the sand beneath your feet emits a humming sound, as if nature is playing a beautiful melody. Crescent Spring, resembling a crescent moon, is nestled within the embrace of Singing Sand Mountain. "The spring reflects the moon without a speck of dust," and "since ancient times, the sand has never buried the spring, nor has the spring ever dried up." This miraculous coexistence of sand and spring is a truly unparalleled wonder. Here, you can ride a camel along the ancient Silk Road, feeling the grandeur of the vast desert, or climb Singing Sand Mountain at dusk to admire the stunning desert sunset, allowing your soul to be purified by the expansive sands.
Throat of the Silk Road—Yumen Pass and Yang Pass
"The spring breeze never reaches Yumen Pass" and "Beyond Yang Pass, you’ll find no old friends"—these timeless verses have made Yumen Pass and Yang Pass famous far and wide. Yumen Pass, also known as Small Square Pan Fortress, was a crucial throat along the northern route of the Silk Road to the Western Regions, located 80 kilometers northwest of Dunhuang in the Gobi Desert. With its strategically important terrain, it once served as a vital hub between the Central Plains and the Western Regions, witnessing countless merchant caravans and military conflicts. Today, although only remnants of walls remain, one can still sense the grandeur and desolation of its past. Yang Pass, located 70 kilometers southwest of Dunhuang, was a key pass along the southern route of the Silk Road. Standing on the site of Yang Pass and gazing into the distance, the vast Gobi Desert unfolds before your eyes, as if you can hear the camel bells and the shouts of soldiers from ancient times.
Yadan National Geological Park—Nature’s Astonishing Artistry
Yadan National Geological Park, commonly known as "Devil City," is located 158 kilometers northwest of Dunhuang. It is a world of wind-eroded landforms, where long-term wind action has created numerous strangely shaped geological landscapes, such as castles, warships, and pyramids, as if nature had meticulously carved them into works of art. When night falls, the howling winds produce various eerie sounds within the Yadan landforms, sending chills down the spine—hence the name "Devil City." However, under the glow of the setting sun, the Yadan landforms take on a mysterious and magnificent beauty, with golden sand dunes set against the blue sky, forming a breathtaking picture.
Cultural Heritage—Dunhuang Museum
Dunhuang Museum is a treasure trove showcasing Dunhuang’s history and culture, located at 1390 Mingshan North Road, Dunhuang. The museum houses a vast collection of cultural relics, including Dunhuang manuscripts, Han Dynasty bamboo slips, pottery, bronze ware, and jade artifacts. These relics bear witness to Dunhuang’s glorious history and the prosperity of the Silk Road. By visiting the museum, you can gain an in-depth understanding of Dunhuang’s history, culture, religious art, and folk customs, experiencing the city’s profound heritage.
Immersive Experience—"See Dunhuang Again" Performance
If visiting the sites offers a static understanding of Dunhuang’s culture, the "See Dunhuang Again" performance is a dynamic feast that immerses you in Dunhuang’s history. Located west of the Mogao Caves Digital Exhibition Center, the performance uses Dunhuang’s historical and cultural background, advanced stage technology, and brilliant acting to gradually unfold the thousand-year history of Dunhuang. Following the rhythm of the performance, you will travel through time and space, conversing with ancient Dunhuang residents, feeling their joys and sorrows, dreams and pursuits, as if you were in that prosperous era.
Dunhuang, this captivating city, enchants visitors with its long history, culture, and unique natural landscapes, making it a place where you’ll want to linger. It is a destination worth experiencing with your heart and exploring with your footsteps. Come to Dunhuang and embark on an unforgettable journey!
Best Time for a Hiking Trip to DunhuangTravel Preparations for Dunhuang in September
