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Dunhuang Travel Guide
Lies at the western end of the Gansu Corridor, Dunhuang is one of China's famous historical and cultural cities. Called Shazhou in ancient times, Dunhuang was established as a prefecture in the sixth year (111BC) of the Yuanding reign in the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-8AD). Dunhuang City is famous for its historical culture of China and an important ancient city on Silk Road in ancient time. Dunhuang is the starting point of all the three routes to Xinjiang. Since the Han and the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Dunhuang became a metropolis and the communication center of politics, economy and culture between the East and the West. Being as a gate of the Central Plains, Dunhuang received monks and priests of preaching religions from the west and Chinese monks seeking Sutra to India. At that time many temples and churches were established and the cave arts were introduced from India. Charactered by splendid stone caves, Dunhuang city attracts tourists all over the World. In 1986, the State Council proclaimed Dunhuang a Chinese historical and cultural city. The UNESCO put the Mogao Grottos on its list of world natural and cultural heritages in 1987. It was approved as an excellent tourist city of China in 1998.
The annual average temperature is 9.3 C (48.74 F), but ranges from 24.7 C (76.46 F) in July to -9.3 C (15.26 F) in January. 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 perfuses the caves with radiance at this time. However, winter is a bitingly cold season and is not suitable for travel.
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Dunhuang Rangpi
Dunhuang Rangpi (Rangpi) is a famous local snack food made of flour. Some varieties are yellowish while others are white. With special seasonings, this dish tastes slightly spicy. This noodle-like dish is typically served cold.
Unlike Dunhuang yellow noodles, Rangpi is fairly easy to make. First boil some flour in water and stir until the starch and protein separate. Then remove the starch and boil it again. After all the water evaporates, cut the solidified starch into thin strips and add seasoning. It is quite tasty.
Yellow Noodles
Yellow Noodles 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 appetiser. From the vivid painting in the Mogao Caves, we may know Lamian is a traditional food with long history.
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.
By air
Situated 13 kilometers (about 8.1 miles) east of Dunhuang City is Dunhuang Airport (DNH), a small airport that offers only a domestic service. Tourists can fly to Dunhuang from Lanzhou, Xian, Beijing, Jiayuguan, Urumqi, etc.
By train
There are now two railway stations available for your trip to and from Dunhuang: the Dunhuang Railway Station and the Liuyuan Railway Station. Dunhuang Railway Station is located 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) away form the city center. At present, trains connecting Dunhuang with Jiayuguan, Xian, Lanzhou, and Yinchuan leave from the station. Liuyuan Railway Station is about 128 kilometers (79.5 miles) north of the downtown area. Tourists can travel directly by train to Liuyuan Railway Station from Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Lanzhou, Urumqi, Chongqing, Lianyungang, Zhengzhou, Hankou, etc.
Dunhuang Musicians and Dancers (Dunhuang Dancing Show)
In ancient times, Dunhuang was a melting pot for both song and dance of western and eastern cultures and developed a school all its own, the Dunhuang Folk Musicians and Dancers. After the arrangement of the Feitian Song and Dance Group of the Dunhuang Hotel, the programs well represent the rich Dunhuang cultural atmosphere and takes you back to the scene of the prosperous Tang Dynasty (618-907).
Summer of Dunhuang
This is a large song and dance performance with rich cultural references to the Silk Road, reflected in the ethnic art of song and dance. The performance, inspired by the content of murals in the Mogao Caves, portrays the dancing, finery and music of ethnic groups along the Silk Road.
From June to October, tourists can experience these performances on the second floor of south building (Conference Center) of Dunhuang Hotel (Address: No. 14 in East Yangguan Rd.), from 20:00 to 21:10.
Dragon Boat Festival
Annually, at the start and end of the Dragon Boat Festival which is on May 5th of the Chinese calendar, there are the Dragon Boat festival" and" the Dragon Boat race" of different sizes in each town and district of the whole city, for example the Stone Dragon Town, Zhaochun District, Wanjiang District, Daoyao Town, Mayong Town, etc.
Litchi Festival
The litchi of Dunhuang is called the first article in Nanling" and "the king of fruit". The harvest of ripe litchi is from June to July every year, each town in whole city one after another holds the litchi festival. During the festival there are cultural and business activities, etc. The most stirring thing is that visitors and guests go to the litchi park to taste the fresh litchi. The main production areas are Dalong Town, Liaobu Town, Dalingshan Town, Changping Town, Shijie Town, Shilong Town.
