Dunhuang on the Silk Road
The Mogao Caves, crowned with titles such as World Cultural Heritage, a Key National Cultural Relic Protection Unit, and one of the Four Great Grottoes of China, are also a world-famous art treasury, naturally becoming the highlight of our Dunhuang trip. During the visit, we felt constant awe and admiration for the exquisite artistry here. Tickets for the Mogao Caves are divided into Category A and Category B, with different queues. The difference lies in the number of caves you can visit. Because the murals and Buddha statues inside the caves are extremely precious and fragile, sensitive to light and humidity, photography is prohibited inside. There are QR codes at the entrance of some caves that allow you to view introductions and photos. Once inside, it was still breathtaking. Seeing the mottled, oxidized, and faded murals covering the walls, and the countless caves, I couldn't find words to describe my amazement.
Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring are two inseparable names, like a couple deeply in love. Sand and spring coexist in perfect harmony, known throughout history as a "desert wonder." Crescent Moon Spring lies to the right of Mingsha Mountain. It is very small, only the size of a pond, but the water is clear and transparent. Its two ends are pointed, the middle slightly full, resembling a crescent moon. It is the most enduring miracle in this vast desert. In the scenic area, you can sand sled, ride camels, drive off-road motorcycles, etc., all for a fee—free to choose. Taking photos at Mingsha Mountain is extremely beautiful, with a cinematic feel.
In the evening, we went to Yuequan Town (Mingsha Mountain, Crescent Moon Spring, Yuequan Town, and the Dunhuang Grand Ceremony are all along the same route, very convenient). Because we had a show to watch at 9:30 pm, we chose to have dinner here. Arriving at the town, we found it to be a desert frontier town. Not only are the inns well-equipped, but the whole town is a small world, combining food, drink, entertainment, and accommodation, while also bearing the responsibility of Dunhuang studies and intangible cultural heritage preservation. All basic travel needs are fully taken care of. For food, there are local specialties like braised pie, donkey meat with yellow noodles, apricot peel water, as well as more common items like minced noodles and wide noodles. When we wanted to leave, there were also cultural and creative products to choose from, perfect as gifts for family and friends.
After dinner, we watched the Dunhuang Grand Ceremony, set against the backdrop of the Mingsha Mountain range. The audience seating can accommodate over a thousand people. The moonlit night sky became part of the performance, blending nature and human art perfectly, showcasing the prosperity of ancient Dunhuang. The audience seats rotate 360 degrees and move forward and backward. We watched iron flower performances, felt like being inside caves, experienced a performance that transcends time, and gained a deeper understanding of Mogao Cave culture. Watching the Dunhuang Grand Ceremony gave me a profound sense of the vast desert's vicissitudes.
Day 2: Ancient City – Yangguan Pass Ruins – Yumen Pass – Yardang Landform – Dunhuang Night Market
Ancient City: Located on the southern side of the road from Dunhuang to Yangguan Pass, on the vast desert gobi, 25 km from the city center. In my memory, youth was a dream of martial arts and chivalry, not because it fulfilled many fantasies but because it was pure. The ancient city opens at 8 am, and the costume shops also open around that time. There are many costume shops with plenty of clothes. The shop owners (aunties) can help with styling and even makeup. Hanfu experience costs 50 yuan; taking photos (unlimited poses) costs 100 yuan. You can also take photos yourself. There aren't many tourists here, so photo enthusiasts can pose freely.
It’s like a dragon swimming across the vast sea. Looking out over the pass, the land is vast and desolate, with few traces of humans. Hence, the Tang Dynasty poet Wang Zhihuan wrote, "The spring wind never crosses Yumen Pass."
At Yumen Pass, wear Hanfu, eat Han cuisine, and write on Han bamboo slips to personally experience the Han culture at the Yumen Pass ruins. Visit the Dunhuang cultural and creative shop, travel through a thousand years, and feel the frontier atmosphere of the Han Dynasty.
The Yardang landform is called the Devil City because it is located in a wind gap, with strong winds all year round. The fierce northwest wind gives the Devil City its name and also its devilish shapes, making it grotesque. Looking from afar, it resembles a large medieval European castle with numerous castles standing here. There are replicas of many famous world buildings: Beijing's Temple of Heaven, Tibet's Potala Palace, Egypt's pyramids and Sphinx, Mongolian yurts, Arabian mosques... The sunset at Yardang is also very beautiful, worth a visit.
