Dunhuang, Ancient Silk Road oasis city in Gansu Province, China
Dunhuang is an oasis in Gansu Province where the Daquan River irrigates dry landscapes between sand dunes and rocky outcrops. The town sits in a hollow surrounded by mountains and barren hills, with fields and tree lines along the riverbed.
The settlement was established in the 2nd century BC as a frontier post to secure trade routes heading west. Over centuries it grew into an important station for traders and monks traveling between China and Central Asia.
The name means "great and prosperous place" and refers to its role as a resting station for desert caravans. Today visitors come for the Buddhist caves carved into the cliffs on the edge of town.
The nearest airports are in the town itself or at Liuyuan railway station, about an hour and a half away. Visiting is possible year-round, though spring and autumn are often considered more comfortable seasons.
The caves in the surrounding area contain wall paintings and scrolls collected over more than a millennium. Many of these artworks and documents were rediscovered only in the early 20th century by European researchers.
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