Dunhuang
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Northwest China (西北) » Gansu (甘肃) » Dunhuang (敦煌)
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[edit] Overview
Dunhuang (敦煌), literally "to flourish and prosper" in Chinese, is the city where the Mogao Grottoes (莫高窟) resides. It has an population of about 100,000, and is located in Gansu (甘肃) province, on the Silk Road (丝绸之路) on the edges of the Taklamakan Desert.
[edit] History
Emperor Han Wudi of the Han dynasty in 111 BC established Dunhuang (敦煌) to serve as the place to connect the Northern and Southern Silk Roads. It was also a town of military importance. Today it exists mainly because of Mogao Grottoes (莫高窟).
Buddhist monks in that era came to Dunhuang through the Northern Silk Road, which starts from Mediterranean, passes through Kashgar (喀什) of today's Xinjiang (新疆), Dunhuang, Wuwei (武威) of Gansu Province (through Wushao Ling Pass), and terminates at Xi'an (西安), the ancient Chinese capital. Many Buddhist monks, pilgrims passing through the area brought in scriptures they collected from the west, and painted murals inside the Mogao Grottoes.
[edit] Getting in & Getting out
[edit] By Air
Dunhuang Airport (IATA code: DNH) is about 13 km east of downtown Dunhuang. There are flights available to Lanzhou (兰州), Urumqi (乌鲁木齐), Xi'an (西安), and Beijing (北京) (via Lanzhou).
[edit] By Train
Dunhuang Railway Station (柳园站) is located at the northeast suburb of the town, about 128 km from the city center.
- Jiayuguan (嘉峪关) - takes about 6 hours
- Lanzhou (兰州) - takes about 14 hours
- Urumqi (乌鲁木齐) - takes about 15 hours
- Xi'an (西安) - takes about 24 hours
- Yinchuan (银川) - takes about 19 hours
[edit] By Bus
There are 24-hour buses to the city from the Dunhuang Railway Station (柳园站). The mini-bus takes about 2 hours to get to the city for about 15 yuan. The buses leave as soon as it gets full. Taxis takes about 1 hour for 30 yuan.
[edit] Weather
Dunhuang's inland location means the city is characterized by a very dry climate with lots of sunshine. Each year in Dunhuang can be divided into four distinct seasons, with vast temperature differences between winter and summer months. Sandstorms can be a problem in Dunhuang, with wind gusts sometimes reaching speeds of 3 meters per second. Edges of the city are threatened with being engulfed by the expansion of the Kumtag Desert, a result of longstanding overgrazing of surrounding lands.
May to September is the best time to visit.
| Weather averages for Dunhuang | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Avg high °C (°F) | 0 (32) | 5 (41) | 13 (55) | 21 (70) | 27 (81) | 31 (88) | 32 (90) | 32 (90) | 27 (81) | 19 (66) | 9 (48) | 0 (32) | |
| Avg low °C (°F) | 14 (57) | -10 (14) | -3 (27) | 4 (39) | 10 (50) | 14 (57) | 17 (63) | 15 (59) | 9 (48) | 1 (34) | -5 (23) | -12 (10) | |
| Rain cm (inches) | 0.05 (0) | 0.03 (0) | 0.19 (0.1) | 0.2 (0.1) | 0.37 (0.1) | 0.54 (0.2) | 1.03 (0.4) | 0.38 (0.1) | 0.17 (0.1) | 0.06 (0) | 0.11 (0) | 0.11 (0) | |
| Source: per MSN 2008 | |||||||||||||
[edit] Attractions
A street lined with souvenir stalls leads up to the entrance to the complex. Along the side of the Crescent Lake is a pagoda in traditional Han Chinese architecture.
- East side
- Mogao Grottoes (莫高窟) (25 km from city center)
- Shazhou Film Studio (沙洲影视古城) (18 km from city center)
- Crescent Moon Spring (月牙泉) (6 km from city center)
- Mingsha Mountain (鸣沙山) or Echoing-Sand Mountain (6 km from city center)
Crescent Moon Spring (月牙泉) is an oasis surrounded by high dunes. Mingsha Mountain (鸣沙山), or Echoing-Sand Mountain, are in the same area (沙泉共处千百年，水光山色映成趣), and named after the sound of the wind whipping off the dunes. Tourists can ride camels, guided by a local camel guide, to reach the sand dunes. Once at the top of the dunes, visitors can ride sleds down the sand slopes, much like snow-sledding during winter season in skiing area.
- West side (farther away than spots in East side)
- Jade Gate Pass (玉门关)
- Sun Pass (阳关), last Han outpost on the Great Wall of China.
- West Thousand Buddha Cave (西千佛洞)
- Ancient Dunhuang City (敦煌古城)
- Yadan Physiognomy (雅丹国家地质公园)
- White Horse Pagoda (白马塔) built by an India monk in honor of his horse, which died en route to China.
[edit] Video
| Dunhuang |
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[edit] Hotels
[edit] Budget
[edit] Mid-range
[edit] Luxury
[edit] Restaurants
- Cai Gen Xiang Restaurant (菜根香酒店)
- Xian Dai Restaurant (现代大酒店)
- Xi Bu Restaurant （西部大酒店）
[edit] Cuisine
- Northwestern Chinese food. Gansu and Xinjing snacks. (地方名菜：烤全羊、驼峰、驼掌等)
- Lanzhou Lamian Noodles (兰州拉面). Small bowl for about 1.8 Yuan.
- Grapes: The second largest grape-producing area after Xinjiang's Turpan (吐鲁番). Seedless grape at 0.40 Yuan per pound.
[edit] Shopping
Downtown Dunhuang has many shops selling books and other souvenirs about the Grottos and the history of the region, as well as other commercial activities. Those souvenirs include things like sculptures, jade (夜光杯), camel (工艺骆驼), jewelry (祁连玉), hangings, and scrolls (莫高窟飞天金泊画).
There is also a popular night market in the city center. Many items are sold by Chinese Hui people, a major ethnic minority in that area. Things like dessert, sweets, nuts and dried fruit from Central Asia can also be found here.
[edit] Night Life & Entertainment
- Film Studio Show: 大漠孤烟直、长河落日圆
- Show: Play of Dunhuang, Flying Angels Paradise, South Building, Dunhuang Hotel （敦煌宾馆南楼乐舞宫：敦煌飞天歌舞）
- Campfire Party （大型篝火晚会+歌舞+烤肉+啤酒）
[edit] Excursions & Day Trips
[edit] Tips & Practical Info
- Remember to haggle when buying souvenirs from the night market. As for jade (夜光杯), better to buy it directly from Jade factory outlet (to the east of Shazhou Market).
- No restaurants in Mingsha Mountain (鸣沙山) area. Bring your own food.
- Bring your own water. You are not allowed to drink water in the Crescent Moon Spring (月牙泉).
- Camping to watch for sunset and sunrise are all popular activities.
- Ride a bike along the road is also a good idea. Don't foget to take water with you.
- No photography is allowed inside the Mogao Grottoes. So bring your own flashlight.
