Dunhuang, a city of history and culture, is so captivating and enchanting.

Day 1: We visited the world-famous Mogao Caves, which was awe-inspiring. We went to the ancient-style old town, and in the evening we went to a desert campsite, a stunning place for stargazing.

The Mogao Caves are a profound poem; the Mogao Caves are an ancient melody lingering in the air; the Mogao Caves are an eternal myth.

The Mogao Caves are an artistic palace combining ancient architecture, sculpture, and murals, especially renowned for their rich and colorful frescoes. The vastness and richness of Dunhuang murals cannot be matched by any religious cave, temple, or palace in the world today. Looking around the cave walls and ceilings, everywhere are painted Buddha figures, flying apsaras, celestial musicians, and fairies. There are paintings of Buddhist stories, sutra illustrations, historical Buddhist sites, as well as mythical figures and portraits of donors, and all kinds of other subjects. Since photography is not allowed inside the Mogao Caves, there are no pictures. But you can go and experience it yourself – it is truly awe-inspiring.

The architectural style of the Dunhuang Ancient City has a strong Western Regions flavor. The city has three gates — east, west, and south — with towering gate towers. There is no public transportation in the ancient city; most tourists pass by here when chartering a car to visit the western route of Dunhuang. Chartering a car for the western route from downtown Dunhuang is very convenient. You can carpool at the hotel or hostel where you stay. A round trip usually takes one day and costs about 100–150 yuan per person. The Dunhuang Ancient City is a filming location for many movies and TV dramas. You can rent ancient costumes there and take photos. I personally really like this full sense of antiquity.

In the evening, we went to the desert camping base, a collision of Eastern and Western civilizations. At night, we watched the Milky Way and stars, experiencing a pollution-free, super-clear night sky. We did a desert crossing, letting us feel the poetic scene of 'a solitary smoke straight in the vast desert.' In the desert, we danced, sang, ate hot pot, and enjoyed a bonfire party with strangers. I wore my favorite dress for photos. Afterward, we could also sleep out in the vast desert. The feeling was absolutely wonderful.

Day 2: Early in the morning, we took a bus from downtown Dunhuang and drove across a large expanse of Gobi desert. After about an hour, we arrived at the renowned Yumen Pass. Then we traveled another 85 kilometers west to reach the Yadan Landform. Upon arrival, the inn had places for visitors to rest, a museum, a restaurant, and a screening room. The sunlight at noon was particularly bright. Up close, the Yadan Landform looks like millions of castles of different forms; from a distance, it resembles a demon weeping. The sunlight spilling over the clustered rocks was breathtaking, as if we were standing in the middle of Mars.

In the afternoon, we returned to the city and went to Dunhuang's internet-famous spot – the Shazhou Food Station Night Market. The 'Extreme Challenge' boy band recorded their show here. There are all kinds of snacks: Dunhuang Three Treasures, lamb rib soup, roujiamo (Chinese hamburger), Li Guangji's apricot peel water, donkey meat spring rolls, grilled pig trotters, and so on. They were incredibly delicious. 'The only thing I can never put down in my life' are the chopsticks of Dunhuang.

In the evening, we watched the Dunhuang Grand Ceremony, an outdoor performance set against the desert landscape. The lighting effects were fabulous. The iron fireworks were just like regular fireworks. The show's effect was really amazing. The actors would appear in the audience to drive the plot forward, which was very impressive. Since it was outdoors, there were many mosquitoes, so be sure to prepare insect repellent in advance. Bring a jacket in the evening, as the temperature difference between day and night in Dunhuang is large. And while watching the performance, don't forget to look up at the starry sky.