Northwest by Northwest: A Travelogue of Dunhuang
Summer is a hot season. The scorching sun makes one restless, yet it always ignites an irresistible desire to travel. It is said that summer is the season for nationwide travel; everyone can't help but release the pent-up emotions of a season hidden in their hearts, seeking a different kind of fun in life, adding a touch of uniqueness.
But the high temperatures of June and July fill me with trepidation towards southern cities. Compared to summer, I prefer Hainan in January and February, or Shanghai, Wuhan, and Chongqing in April and May. Seeing June pass and July arrive, the urge to travel grows stronger and stronger. That nameless impulse actually made my heart yearn for the Great Northwest once again.
This travelogue only covers the trip to Dunhuang.
From a distance, it looks like a stone mountain. Without that iconic entrance building, we might have easily passed it by. From the outside, it is plain and unadorned, with exposed loess cliffs, raw and unpolished—but this is the Mogao Caves itself.
Queuing to enter was inevitable. While waiting in line, we took many photos, but these external pictures are far from capturing the artistic and cultural charm of the Dunhuang Mogao Caves. As a cultural treasure with a history of nearly 2,000 years, the Dunhuang Mogao Caves are incredibly captivating. Countless celebrities and figures have come here seeking creative inspiration, absorbing the artistic essence of these cultural works from 2,000 years ago—the number is undoubtedly endless.
To protect this cultural gift from our ancestors, photography is strictly prohibited inside the Mogao Caves. The murals with their graceful lines, wonderful colors, and vivid figures, as well as the lifelike sculptures, can only be fully appreciated in person.
Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring
What is Mingsha Mountain? In deserts or sand dunes, due to various climatic and geographical factors, fine sand grains mainly composed of quartz, when blown by wind, sliding or rubbing against each other, many sand grains rotate in the air currents. The hollow surfaces create a "diabolo" effect, producing a buzzing sound—such places are called "singing sand" areas. In western China, these singing sand areas are mainly deserts, with dunes piled up like mountains, hence the name Mingsha Mountain (Singing Sand Mountain). The Mingsha Mountain in Dunhuang is famous for two reasons: first, the Mogao Caves, and second, the crescent-shaped spring at its summit. Arriving at Mingsha Mountain, as far as the eye can see, there are desert and blue sky.
When coming to the desert, retracing the Silk Road inevitably brings along our old friend and helper—the camel. From the entrance of Mingsha Mountain to Crescent Moon Spring, it's still 4 kilometers away. At this point, we chose to ride camels (100 yuan is a bit pricey, but since it takes over an hour, we obediently bought tickets).
In the vast desert, having such a clear spring is truly miraculous. According to legend, the Crescent Moon Spring used to be crystal clear and bright, and never dried up for a thousand years, which is astonishing. Unfortunately, since the 1990s, the flow between the Dang River and Crescent Moon Spring has been cut off, so artificial methods are now used to maintain the spring's current state.
As pavilions and terraces have been built around Crescent Moon Spring, along with the undulating sand dunes, clear spring water, and brilliant sunset, the scenery is quite pleasant.
Friends visiting Dunhuang must have heard of it: Dunhuang has several famous performances, such as "See Dunhuang Again", "Silk Road Flower Rain", and "Dunhuang Grand Ceremony". My friend and I deliberated for a long time about which one to choose, and finally picked "Dunhuang Grand Ceremony". It is a desert outdoor live performance. My friend and I chose not to watch an indoor performance to avoid feeling stuffy. After a day of sightseeing, we were quite tired, and watching a show also allowed us to relax.
Overall, the performance was excellent, whether in terms of lighting, stage design, or the completeness of the plot. The audience seating of "Dunhuang Grand Ceremony" is movable. As we sat and watched, it felt as if we were immersed in the story, giving us a strong sense of involvement—it was a fantastic viewing experience. I recommend it to everyone. After the show, it wasn't too late, so we could also stroll through the night market and have some late-night snacks before returning to the hotel.
Finally, we bid farewell to Dunhuang with a sense of happiness and satisfaction. This city in the desert has a profound historical heritage, vast and boundless scenic views, and unforgettable humanistic sentiments. Seeing the endless desert and the thousand-mile Gobi, experiencing the yellow sand stretching for miles, and watching the sunset over the western horizon... this miraculous creation of nature truly inspires awe. Perhaps this is the charm of the Northwest. If you have the chance, you must come and personally experience the boldness and tenderness of the Great Northwest.
