Introduction of Dunhuang

With over two thousand years’ history, Dunhuang has always served as an important gateway leading to theWest due to its unique geographical location at the juncture of Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang. As a result, several emperors throughout Chinese history have made improvements these western fortifications. However, Dunhuang was also a regional cultural center of sorts. Mogao Grottoes , also called the "Thousand Buddha Grottoes", is located on the western cliffs of the Mingsha Hill. Being one of the four most well-known grottoes, it is one of the most complete collections of Buddhist frescoes and sculpture from a period ranging over ten dynasties.

Main attractions in Dunhuang

Mogao Grottoes: 

The Mogao Grottoes (Mogao Ku) also known as the Thousand Buddha Caves, constitute one of the three major Buddhist grotto sites in China, situated 25 kilometers southeast of Dunhuang city on cliffs in the eastern Singing Sand Mountains. The caves contain Buddhist sculpture and frescoes from ten dynasties ending with the Tang.

After the Tang Dynasty, the heyday of Dunhuang Mogao Buddhist art, the local economy around Dunhuang went into decline and production of Buddhist art lessened dramatically.  Despite the ravages of time, the winds and sand, 492 caves still exist. These caves contain thousands of square meters of frescoes, created with layers of cement and clay and then painted. The various dynasties each feature different styles and themes, and there is great deal of variety in the content of the frescoes, although themes typically revolve around Buddha images. The Mogao Buddhist sculptures were generally constructed with terracotta and then covered with a carvable plaster surface that is painted after being carved. Cave number 17 is particularly famous for its hoard of Buddhist scriptures and artwork.

Mingsha Mountain:

Situated 5 km south of Dunhuang, the Mingsha (Singing Sand Dunes) Mountain is celebrated for the sound of the moving sand. It is 800 square kilometers in size, stretching 40 km from east to west and 20 km from south to the north. The main peak is 1,715 meters above sea level. Its ridges and peaks are known to be as sharp as a knife. Stepping on the sand may change its shape temporarily, but the sand always returns its original shape the next day. Walking on the sand, one can also hear a sound that could be as light as bamboo instrument or as heavy as thunderous drums.

Crescent Spring (Yueyaquan) :

Within the Mingsha Mountain lies the Crescent Spring (Yueyaquan). It is so named because of its shape as a crescent. At various times in history, it was once called Sand Well, Yao-Quan (Medicine Spring), or Wo Wa Pool. It received its current name in the Qing Dynasty (1644 –1911). The Crescent Spring has an average depth of 3.2 meters. The water is sweet and crystal clear. The sand never gets into spring, and the water is never muddy or dry up.

Yumen Pass:

The Yumen Pass, 101 kilometers northwest of Dunhuang, was once one of two critical defensive passes protecting Dunhuang from invasion from the West about two thousand years ago. At that time, anyone in China wishing to take the Silk Road west (or east into China through Dunhuang) had to pass through this spot. Today, there are two gates at the western and northern sides of the pass built with yellow clay. Owing to severe erosion, some parts of the walls have collapsed, forming huge holes.

Climate in Dunhuang