An oasis in the immense gobi, it has been known as one of China's historical and cultural cities. During the Han and Tang dynasties, it was a pivotal point of interchange on the Silk Road.

Mogao Grottoes

Mogao Grottoes, also called Qianfodong (Caves of Thousands of Buddha Images), are situated 25 kilometers to the southeast of Dunhuang. The caves were opened on the cliffs of the eastern ridge of Mingsha Hill, extending to a length of 1,600 meters. The existing 492 caves boast more than 45,000 square meters of frescoes, 2,415 colored statues and more than 400 flying Asparas.

Mingsha Hill and Yueya (Crescent Moon) Spring

Mingsha Hill is about 5 kilometers to the south of Dunhuang City. The sands will buzz while tourists slide down a slope. Hence the name Mingsha (Buzzing Sands) Hill.

A 100-meter-long, 25-meter-wide pond in the shape of a crescent moon miraculously lies in the midst of the hills of sands, never getting buried despite the frequent sand storms in the locality.