Located at the junction of the southern and northern trade routes that curve around the arid Tarim Basin, Dunhuang was one of ancient China's major trading posts. At present, many of the historical sites disappeared in the shifting sand dune and erosions by sand and wind. But there are still some very impressive places await the visitors to come: Mogao Grottoes, Crescent Moon Lake and Singing Sand Mountains.
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Mogao Grottoes (Mogao Caves) |
Situated 25 km southeast of Dunhuang city, Mogao Grottoes (also named the Caves of Thousand Buddhas) were built into the desert cliffs above a river valley. It is so famous as the world’s greatest treasure house of Buddhist art extant today. |
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Crescent Lake and Singing Sand Mountains |
6km south of the center of Dunhuang at the Singing Sand Mountains, the Crescent Lake is an oasis Gobi desert, which is surrounded the numerous sand dunes. The dunes reach a relative height of 250 meters (820 feet). |
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Yang and Yumen Passes |
Some 70km southwest of Dunhuang is the Yang Pass. It was first built by Wudi emperor in Han Dynasty. 98km northwest of Dunhuang, the Yumen Pass is also a well-known spot at the ancient Silk Road. |
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Dunhuang Photo Gallery
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