A Travel Guide to Eating and Exploring Dunhuang!

The name Dunhuang has lingered in my mind for years.

The vast desert, swirling sand, grottoes, Buddha statues, murals, and apsaras,

have always filled my mind—this is the charm of Dunhuang.

Desolation and solemnity are its characteristics.

◆ Donkey Meat Yellow Noodles

Donkey Meat Yellow Noodles are a signature dish of Dunhuang, available in almost every restaurant. The noodles are named for their bright golden color, as fine as dragon whiskers, soft yet resilient, and chewy. What makes Dunhuang's yellow noodles delicious is the mushroom sauce. This sauce is made from minced mushrooms, diced donkey meat, and firm tofu, served with broth. The tofu is cut into small cubes, slightly firm, and offers a bit of chewiness.

◆ Donkey Meat Spring Rolls

Donkey Meat Spring Rolls are deep-fried to a golden and crispy exterior, fluffy and fragrant without being greasy. The donkey meat inside is marinated and grilled, making it exceptionally flavorful.

Dunhuang Liangpi (cold noodles) come in translucent golden or jade-like forms, dressed with special seasonings that give a sour and spicy taste, smooth and chewy. They are especially suitable for hot summer days, as they are refreshing, sour, spicy, and appetizing. Liangpi is sold at almost every roadside stall in Dunhuang.

Jiaoshui is made by fermenting celery and cabbage in noodle broth with a fermentation starter, stored in a jar in a warm place for three days. Hand-pulled noodles are cooked, soaked in cold water, placed in a bowl, then topped with jiaoshui, stir-fried scallion oil, and chopped coriander—this is Jiaoshui Noodles.

◆ Dunhuang Saozi Noodles

Saozi Noodles are a traditional specialty in Dunhuang with a long history. They are known for being thin, firm, glossy, hot, sparse, oily, sour, spicy, and aromatic. The noodles are long and uniformly thin, the minced meat topping is savory, the red chili oil floats on the surface, the broth is sour and spicy, and the noodles are firm and chewy, suitable for all ages. Serving Saozi Noodles to guests is the best hospitality offered by Dunhuang locals.

Mogao Caves, a national key cultural relic protection site commonly known as the Thousand Buddha Caves, are hailed as the most valuable cultural discovery of the 20th century and the "Oriental Louvre." Located at the western end of the Hexi Corridor in Dunhuang, they are world-famous for their exquisite murals and sculptures. Mogao Caves consist of the Dunhuang Mogao Caves Digital Exhibition Center and the actual cave complex.

Mingsha Mountain is located at the northern foot of Sand-Singing Mountain, 6 km south of Dunhuang city. It gets its name from the sound produced when sand slides. Historically called "Sand Horn Mountain" and "Divine Sand Mountain." Since ancient times, water and fire have been incompatible, and desert and clear springs rarely coexist. But in Mingsha Mountain, you can see the wondrous sight of desert and clear spring side by side. Hence, "Sand Ridge in Clear Sunshine" is one of the "Eight Views of Dunhuang."

Renowned for the miraculous landscape of "mountain and spring coexisting, sand and water in harmony," it is hailed as "the best scenery beyond the Great Wall." The spring is surrounded on all sides by Mingsha Mountain, yet it is never buried by drifting sand and always remains clear and blue, with crystal-clear water. Its magic lies in the fact that shifting sand can never fill and cover the spring.

◆ Yadan National Geological Park

Yadan National Geological Park, also called Yadan Ghost City, features Dunhuang's large and uniquely shaped Yadan landforms. Over millennia, these landforms have been shaped by water erosion and wind action into various strange forms—some resembling animals, some buildings, some warships—creating a spectacular sight.

Yumen Pass was established when Emperor Wu of Han opened the routes to the Western Regions and set up the four commanderies of Hexi. It got its name because jade from the Western Regions passed through here. Yumen Pass is also called Xiaofangpan City, and together with Hecang City (Dafangpan City) and the Great Wall ruins of Han Dynasty, they share a combined ticket. A checkpoint stands before Yumen Pass, requiring a combined ticket to pass—somewhat like a toll. Going from Yang Pass to Yadan Ghost City, there is basically only this road. That is to say, whether or not you visit these three attractions, if you go to Yadan Ghost City, you must buy the combined ticket.

Yang Pass is located on "Antique Beach" in Nanhu Township, 70 km southwest of Dunhuang city in the Hexi Corridor. It was an important pass for the Han Dynasty to defend against nomadic invaders from the northwest, and also a vital gateway from the Central Plains to the Western Regions and Central Asia along the Silk Road. Built against the water and holding the strategic terrain, it coordinates with Yumen Pass from north to south.

◆ Dunhuang Film City

Film City was built in 1987 for the Sino-Japanese co-production of the historical film "Dunhuang," modeled after the Shazhou city of the Song Dynasty. Later, it became a filming location for many films, TV series, and variety shows, such as "The Investiture of the Gods," "New Dragon Gate Inn," and "Running Man." "Dunhuang" means "grand and prosperous," describing the ancient city's flourishing glory. Today, the Dunhuang Ancient City, situated 16 km west of Dunhuang city, recreates the city's former splendor and legendary tales.

◆ Shazhou Night Market

Shazhou Night Market is an important attraction on Dunhuang's premium travel route. Located on Yangguan East Road in Dunhuang, it is the city's largest night market. The market is a distinctive feature of Dunhuang, offering many local specialties, mainly barbecue and beer stalls. The street is divided into three sections, with specialty snacks such as raisins and dried apricots, as well as barbecue and handcrafts with Dunhuang characteristics.

Dunhuang is a node city on the Silk Road, world-famous for the "Dunhuang Caves" and "Dunhuang Murals." It is the location of the World Heritage Site Mogao Caves and the Han Dynasty border passes Yumen Pass and Yang Pass. In 2012, it was selected among the "2012 Top 200 Charming Cities with Chinese Characteristics" and is a national historical and cultural city. "Relics of Two Passes, Thousand Buddha Grottoes, Eastern Peak Standing Tall, Dang River Flowing North, Moon Spring Clear at Dawn, Ancient City in Evening View, Embroidered Fields in Spring Plowing, Sand Ridge in Clear Sunshine" are known as the "Eight Views of Dunhuang." Dunhuang, Pingyao, Fenghuang Ancient Town, Jiuzhaigou, Wuzhen, Lijiang Ancient Town, Wuyuan in ink-wash style, and Baihaba Village in Burqin, Xinjiang are jointly rated as the eight most beautiful towns for honeymoons in China. What are you waiting for? Come and have fun!