The mountain resounds with spirit, the water shines with divinity

Day 1: Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Moon Spring – Mogao Caves – Dunhuang Grand Ceremony

"Mountains resound with spirit, waters shine with divinity." These few words perfectly capture the magic and beauty of Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring. For thousands of years, the rare natural phenomenon of golden sand surrounding emerald water and clear springs reflecting singing sand has been hailed as a unique wonder beyond the Great Wall and a desert marvel. The reed sea at the foot of Mingsha Mountain is a boundless golden expanse; the mood under that starry night by Crescent Moon Spring is an endless light blue. There are many recreational activities in the scenic area, such as sand sliding, off-road buggies, and camel riding. I suggest sisters try camel riding and take a beautiful photo with the lovely camels as a souvenir.

The thousand-year-old cliffs of Mogao Caves are a vast golden expanse. I have a slight fondness for history and love places with splendid culture. Dunhuang, which has experienced the winds of the Han and Tang dynasties, risen and fallen several times, and traveled a long and winding journey for thousands of years, fills us with longing. Moreover, Dunhuang is home to the Mogao Caves, a treasure trove of Buddhist art, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Photography is prohibited inside the caves because the flash of a phone can damage the murals. You must make a reservation in advance to visit the Mogao Caves, as tickets are extremely hard to get.

The Dunhuang Grand Ceremony is exactly as everyone says – a touching story with strong immersion. I also watched the iron flower performance, which was incredibly beautiful. The most special moment was when entering the semi-enclosed cave; for an instant, I felt as if I were surrounded by Buddha statues. The experience was truly immersive. The actors were highly professional, the music was soul-stirring, the dance was exquisite and dynamic, and the lighting was brilliant and colorful. Through these elements, the thousand-year history and culture of Dunhuang were gradually brought to life. The theater’s style is very good – Han and Tang dynasty architecture fits Dunhuang’s historical and cultural landscape, portraying Dunhuang’s history and culture vividly. I personally loved it.

Day 2: Yumen Pass, Hecang City, Han Great Wall – Yadan Landform – Shazhou Night Market

Hecang City, also known as Dafangpan City, is located 15 kilometers from Yumen Pass. It was the granary for the soldiers guarding Yumen Pass during the Han dynasty. It is about 132 meters long from east to west and 17 meters wide from north to south, with the highest remaining wall reaching 6.7 meters. It is one of the oldest, largest, and most rare military supply depots still surviving along the Great Wall in northwest China. Only broken walls remain, but one can still see its former grandeur.

Walking along the ruins of Yumen Pass, to the west is the Han Great Wall, the best-preserved section of the Han Great Wall. This section of the Han Great Wall is built without bricks or stones. After millennia of erosion, Yumen Pass has lost its original appearance, now appearing as a pile of rammed earth ruins.

Standing in the Yadan Devil City feels like entering a world architectural art museum, dazzling and astonishing. These natural masterpieces are truly uncanny workmanship, incredibly wonderful, and awe-inspiring. We arrived at Yadan in the afternoon and happened to catch the sunset. It was truly beautiful, experiencing the wonders of nature.

Dunhuang Night Market is the largest night market in Dunhuang, a gathering place for Silk Road cuisine and crafts. Walking in the market, you can find poplar wood artworks, sand bottles, woodblock prints, flying apsaras figurines, and local dried fruits. We had donkey meat yellow noodles, poplar stewed flatbread, and Jingyuan lamb meat – truly delicious. After eating, we sat in the night market to have grilled skewers while enjoying the gentle breeze. There was also a dance performance at the southern archway of the market, which made me feel the city's sentiment and warmth. You must come to Dunhuang to experience the local customs and culture.