Leisurely Travels Through the Four Seasons: Northwest by West (6)

The Desert and the Crescent Moon Spring

If it were merely a spring, the Crescent Moon Spring might be unremarkable, but when it lies deep in the desert, you cannot help but see it in a different light. Surrounded by thick, endless yellow sand, save for a few artificially planted vegetation in the scenic area, only when you climb to the top of the sand dunes can you see the green trees of Dunhuang City in the distance. The Crescent Moon Spring exists quietly amidst this entire expanse of yellow sand, without waves or ripples, no birds flying over the water, no cattle or horses drinking and frolicking. Only a few poplar trees that have grown for decades accompany it day and night, warmly and elegantly watching the visitors who come attracted by its fame, day after day, year after year.

For Mingsha Mountain (Singing Sand Mountain), the Crescent Moon Spring is a life-like existence. With the spring, the whole desert becomes lively. What rises with the wind is no longer the blinding yellow sand, but the dance and song of life.

Legend has it that Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring have coexisted here since the Han Dynasty. Now as a tourist destination, they are even more interdependent and complementary. To capture the full view of the Crescent Moon Spring, standing at the top of Mingsha Mountain is the best angle. Looking down, the entire spring looks like a crescent-shaped emerald perfectly set in the boundless yellow sand. Yellow and green, desolation and vitality, bring you a strong and striking visual impact.

Rarely coming here, we experienced riding camels in the desert. Camels are gentle by nature, let alone those in the scenic area that have seen countless people, so you can rest assured to be with them. During the ride, several times my camel walked on the edge of sand dunes, and I was nervously worried that it might accidentally slip. But every time it was unnecessary concern; the camel's steps were steady and powerful. Some companions even made small movements while on the hump, and everything was safe.

Riding on the friendly camel, I closed my eyes and meditated, imagining myself walking alone in the desert, feeling the vastness and desolation of the great northwest. I wondered, would Master Xuanzang back then have felt the same?