Journey into the Desert
Day 1: Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Moon Spring — Mogao Caves — Dunhuang Grand Banquet
Day 2: Yardang Landforms — Shazhou Night Market
Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Moon Spring Scenic Area fully showcases the grandeur of the desert, where mountains and springs coexist, and sand and springs coexist. The textbook depiction of a desert oasis on the frontier unfolds before your eyes again. As a southerner, I was deeply impressed. At the entrance of the scenic area, you can also rent beautiful ancient-style dresses. The Crescent Moon Spring oasis is in full view; sitting on the mountaintop watching the sunset is a truly wonderful experience! The only difference between October and July–August is that the reeds at the foot of the dunes have turned yellow, adding an autumn feel. The Crescent Moon Spring looks like a small crescent moon, hence its name. The coexistence of sand and spring is hard to believe—it is truly a masterpiece of nature. Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring are one scenic area. With a student ID, the ticket is 60 RMB per person. I also rented a camel for an extra 100 RMB per person. Taking photos on the camel costs 20 RMB per person, and the scenic area shuttle bus costs 10 RMB per person.
Upon entering, we first watched two movies—one flat-screen and one hemispherical—each lasting twenty minutes. They introduced the history of Dunhuang and the murals of the main caves, with very realistic effects that left a deep impression. After the movies, we took a shuttle bus to visit the Mogao Caves. An audio receiver was provided for each person to listen to the guide’s explanations. Dunhuang has over 700 caves, of which more than 400 contain murals or sculptures. Each guide takes visitors to different caves, but several famous ones must be visited, such as the second-largest Buddha of Mogao and the Nirvana Buddha. The tour lasted about 40–50 minutes. Afterward, we were free to explore on our own. There is a library museum of a Daoist priest named Wang that tells how the scriptures were dispersed, and a Mogao Caves museum that recreates some caves and provides free guided tours at 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:00 PM (three sessions per day). Photography is prohibited inside the Mogao Caves because camera flashes can damage the murals, but you can take photos outside the caves. I hope everyone can travel courteously and help protect this thousand-year-old culture together.
The Dunhuang Grand Banquet is performed outdoors with the desert as the backdrop. The lighting effects are excellent, and the iron fireworks look just like real fireworks—the show is absolutely fantastic. The actors come out into the audience to advance the plot, which is very impressive. Because it is outdoors, there are many mosquitoes, so please prepare insect repellent in advance. Also, bring a jacket at night as the temperature difference between day and night in Dunhuang is large. Don’t forget to look up at the starry sky during the show. It is rich in Dunhuang characteristics, showcasing local customs and the bustling prosperity of the Silk Road.
That day, the sun was scorching and waves of heat rolled in; every grain of sand and pebble reflected dazzling light. We boarded a sightseeing car. Outside the window, gray pebbles were evenly scattered across the Gobi Desert. From a distance, they looked like dust in an old house that nobody wanted to clean. Strange rocks rose abruptly from the vast Gobi, dense in some places and sparse in others—no pattern at all. They formed in all shapes, as if casually pinched by a child, their surfaces covered with marks carved by the wind, each stroke brimming with the vicissitudes of time. A huge rock stood towering high—wasn’t it just a majestic golden lion? That golden lion sat regally on the rock, dignified and solemn. It gazed into the distance, as if welcoming tourists from all over the world. Its muscles were strong and full, and its eyes were full of respect for every visitor. The sun bestows infinite vitality on this stone, and the wind grants it the majestic appearance of a lion—after tens of thousands of years of tempering, it miraculously stands towering here. No matter how long it’s been, the magnificent and majestic scenery of the Dunhuang Yardang will be deeply etched in my memory!
Shazhou Night Market—as soon as I arrived here, I immediately felt the city’s warmth and character. It is a famous local snack street, offering many local specialties. Personally, I like the stewed mutton with flatbread (huyang men bing). There are also many handicrafts: handmade camel figurines, sand bottles, wood carvings, luminous cups, etc. They make great souvenirs for yourself or gifts for family and friends. Don’t miss this place when you come to Dunhuang!
