Crescent
Moon Spring is 6km south of Dunhuang in the Singing Sands Mountains
and is quite literally an oasis in the desert.
The Spring's name derives from the
crescent moon shape the small pool of spring water has taken between
two large sand dunes. Although the area is very dry, the pool doesn't
dry up as one might expect.
The Singing Sand Mountains are famous for
the sounds the wind makes when blowing over the dunes. Also, the sand
is said to be rather noisy when tread upon. The dunes are also famous
for their size, some reaching 100m or more, relatively stable despite
the fact that the dunes beyond the mountains shift frequently. Also,
the sands are said to regain form overnight if tread upon the day
before.
Activities in the dunes include camel
riding (RMB30-50, but bargain!), dune paragliding (RMB20, Foreigners
are asked to pay RMB50, don't!), sand sledding (RMB10). Climbing the
dunes is tiring and especially sweaty in the summer. There are wooden
stairs to the top of the dunes for a small fee. Most people visit the
dunes in the evening so as to avoid the hot sun!
How to get there: Minibuses from
Dunhuang will cost only RMB3 and a taxi will only set you back RMB 15
one way.
Opening hours: The evening is the most popular time to visit.
Costs: Entry fee of RMB20.
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The
Mogao Grottoes (Mogao Ku) also known as the Thousand Buddha
Caves, constitute one of the three major Buddhist grotto sites in
China, situated 25 kilometers southeast of Dunhuang city on cliffs in
the eastern Singing Sand Mountains.
Dating back to the Han Dynasty, the caves
contain buddhist sculpture and frescoes from ten dynasties ending with
the Tang. After the Tang Dynasty, the heyday of Dunhuang Mogao
Buddhist art, the local economy around Dunhuang went into decline and
production of Buddhist art lessened dramatically.
Despite the ravages of time, the winds
and sand, 492 caves still exist. These caves contain thousands of
square meters of frescoes, created with layers of cement and clay and
then painted. The various dynasties each feature different styles and
themes, and there is great deal of variety in the content of the
frescoes, although themes typically revolve around Buddha images. The
Mogao Buddhist sculptures were generally constructed with terracotta
and then covered with a carvable plaster surface that is painted after
being carved. Cave number 17 is particularly famous for its hoard of
buddhist scriptures and artwork.
Opposite the Mogao Grottoes at the foot
of Sanwei Mountain, the Dunhuang Art Exhibition Center was built by
the Dunhuang Art Study Institute with donations by Japanese
contributors. Replicated grottoes that have been made to recreate
destroyed or damaged caves can also be found here.
How to get there: The caves are 30
minutes by bus from Dunhuang (about 25km away). Minibuses leave from
various hotels in Dunhuang (the Dunhuang Hotel or the Feitian Hotel at
8am) for a one way fare of RMB10. Hiring a minibus yourself for the
trip about RMB80-100 for the roundtrip, depending on your bargaining
skills. If you'd like to head out in the afternoon, plan on getting
there around 2pm to 2:30pm. Before there aren't any guides available.
Opening hours: The caves are open from 8:30am to 5pm, but as
your ticket requires a guide, it is best not to get to the caves
between 10am to 2pm when guides are scarce.
Costs: Foreigners can only buy a RMB58 ticket that includes 58
of the best caves and this prices includes a English speaking guide
whether you want one or not. This is for the best as they have the
keys to the caves you'll be seeing. The tour is a full day activity
with a long lunch break. If you arrive in the afternoon after 2:30,
then you won't get the "full tour".
Note: It is best to bring a strong flashlight to enjoy the
caves and frescoes. There are some low-powered flashlights available
for rent outside the main gate, but you may be disappointed. Also,
cameras are not allowed into the Grottoes and you will be asked to
store your cameras and bags at the front gate for a small fee (RMB2).
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The
Ancient City of Dunhuang (Dunhuang Gucheng) is not what you may
think.Thsi is in fact, a huge movie set made to resemble the Song
Dynasty city of Dunhuang. The set was created to film the movie "Dunhuang"
in 1987 through a cooperation between Chinese and Japanese
filmmakers.
Located right smack in the middle of the
Gobi Desert about 25km southwest of Dunhuang, the surrounding
landscape gives the city an impressive feel. Scattered throughout the
streets of the small city are various temples, pawnshops, warehouses,
silk shops, bars, restaurants and residences all of which are used as
props and backgrounds.
Dunhuang Gucheng has become the largest
film and television film set in Western China. Besides the film "Dunhuang",
more than 20 films and television programs have been filmed here and
the set has become a major sight on the Dunhuang tour circuit.
How to get there: Either take a
taxi from Dunhuang city center for RMB30 or take a minibus from Dingzi
Lu for RMB10 each way. Another option is to join a tour for a day that
includes the Ancient City of Dunhuang and possibly other sites such as
the White
Horse Pagoda.
Cost: There is no entry fee, but you may like to do some
souvenir shopping.
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Sightseeing
Index
