The national, historical city of Dunhuang is a renowned tourist city famous for the Mogao Caves. It is situated in the common boundary of Gansu Province, Qinghai Province and Xinjiang Province.
Dunhuang, long ago referred to as 'Sha Zhou' (beautiful desert oasis), was the hub of middle and eastern silk routes in ancient times. The city landmark is an attractive statue, the idea of which comes from the mural in Mogao Caves, a shrine to the culture and arts of Dunhuang.
From Mt.Qilian in the south, Mt. Mazong in the north and desert from east to west, the landform of Dunhuang City is a declining basin-plain from west to northeast, high in the north and south, and low in the middle. The western cities of China, especially those in the desert, are known for their sandstorms, so tourists should protect themselves with glasses, hats and gauze kerchiefs, etc.
In ancient times, Dunhuang was the center of trade between China and its western neighbors. At that time, it was the most westerly frontier military garrison in China. With the flourishing of trade along the Silk Road, Dunhuang was prompted to become the most open area in international trade in Chinese history. It provided the only access westward for the Chinese Empire and eastward for western nationalities.
Today, as a reminder of this historical area, we are left with the Mogao Caves, Yangguan Pass, Yumenguan Pass and many wonderful Chinese poems depicting the time. Although what remains of the two Passes are crumbling walls, one can still experience the atmosphere of that time while visiting in person.
Because of its splendid stone caves, tourism has become an indispensable industry to Dunhuang City. Surrounding establishments include various classes of hotels and restaurants for your choosing.
For a western city in China, it has become more accesible for people to come and go as they please. Transportation is much more efficient, ensuring that your wonderful trip runs smoothly.
May to September is the best time to visit, so be sure to plan your trip during these months. Including Dunhuang City in your tour is a decision you won't regret!
Location
Situated east of Dunhuang City, Dunhuang Airport is about 13 km (about 8 miles) from the downtown area. The Mogao Caves are closer to the airport than to the downtown area. If you are pressed for time, you can go to the Mogao Caves directly from the airport.
Weather
If you bring western China to mind, it is likely that most people have an impression of deserts, bad weather like sand storms and a harsh, arid environment and maybe the mysterious murals in the Dunhuang rock caves, etc. However, most people have gained such an impression from TV or books, in fact, most of the time, the weather in Dunhuang City is not so bad. The charm of western China is a special kind of desolate ruggedness. If you want to sample the unique appeal of Dunhuang, you should base your trip in around the features of western China, but not the weather.
Gansu Province, with great length, has a pronounced difference between the climates of north and south. Dunhuang City, situated in the north of the Province is land locked, and surrounded by high mountains, its great distance from the moist sea breezes helped form its arid continental climate. The annual average temperature is 9.3C (48.74F), but ranges from 24.7 C (76.46F) in July to -9.3C (15.26F) in January. Dunhuang is fervent in summer and bitterly cold in winter with precipitation outstripped by evaporation. The fluctuation in temperature between day and night suggest tourists should bring a warm, winter clothing for use in the morning and evening. Other essentials are sunglasses, caps, sunscreen and gauze-kerchiefs.
Winter is bitingly cold season and is not suitable for traveling. March to October is suitable for visiting, with May to September offering the most clement weather, especially for visiting the caves, as there are no lighting facilities inside but the sunshine perfuse the caves with radiance at this time.
Dunhuang City general
Location: Situated in the common boundary of Gansu Province, Qinghai Province and Xinjiang Province, the far west of the Hexi corridor west of the yellow river of Gansu Province
Population: about 180,000
Area: 31,200 sq km
Nationalities: Han, Mongolian, Tibetan, Manchu, Kazak, Tu, Hui, Yugu and Korean, etc.
Postcode: 736200
Area code: 0937
Bank: Dunhuang Subbranch of Bank of China
Address: 1/F, Zhongyuan Hotel, in Yangguan Zhong Lu (Middle Yangguan Rd.)
Telephone: tourists can easily find telephone booths on the main streets and historic sites. The stores, and stalls along the roads also have privately operated public telephones.
Post office:
Dunhuang Post Office
Address: No. 1 on Yangguan Zhong Lu (Middle Yangguan Road)
Hospital:
Dunhuang People' Hospital: 0937-8822137
Address: No.20 in Dong Da Jie (East Street)
Dunhuang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital: 0937-8822396
Address: No. 6 in Shazhou Nan Lu (South Shazhou Rd.)
Emergency:
Fire: 119
Police: 110
Ambulance: 120
Useful numbers
Dunhuang Red Cross Mogao Caves Aid Post: 0937-8869012
Address: inside Dunhuang Academe new work area
Dunhuang Red Cross Crescent Lake Aid Post: 0937-8825461
Address: inside Crescent Lake Yuequan Pavilion
Tourist Complaint: 0937-8821303
Address: No. 13 in Yangguan Dong Lu (East Yangguan Rd.)
Bookstore
Dunhuang Xinhua Bookstore
Address: Yangguan Dong Lu (East Yangguan Rd.)
Food
Three Treasures of Anxi - Suoyang Wine, Guazhou Melon and Shuangta Fish, is source of Anxi dining culture. Tourists should try them; otherwise your Dunhuang trip will be not complete.
Fry Oil Cake
Stuffed sugar candy, rose-essence, walnut and sesame in an oil flour skin that are rounded, and then fried. The cake tastes fragrant, sweet and crisp.
Yellow Noodles
It is a kind of Lamian (dough stretched to form fine noodles). Yellow Noodles look like golden threads, tastes delicious and have a soft texture. They can be added to soups, or mixed with cooked vegetable dishes, and being savoury, makes a good appetitive. From the vivid painting in the Mogao Caves, we may know Lamian is a traditional food with long history.
Niang Pi Zi
It is a kind of traditional popular fast food that is both a little spicy and vinegary. Mix flour and water together into a bowl, then ladle the mixture onto an iron plate, after steaming one minute, the mixture become a wafer thin cake. Cut the cake into strips, leave until cool and flavor with mustard, garlic, capsicum, sauce and vinegar. It is similar to the tasteful Liang Pi of Xian.
Apricot Peel Water
It is a popular drink in Dunhuang City, with a sweet and sour taste like syrup of Plum. It is the cooled boiling water of dry apricot, which is very refreshing, especially for tourists.
Shazhou Night Market on Yangguan East Road is the best place to try these local flavors, such as lamb shashliks and Lanzhou (the capital city of Gansu Province) Lamian (a kind of noodles).
