敦煌之旅：Trip of Dunhuang

　　For many years, Dunhuang has fascinated travelers with its 45,000 square meters of breathtaking murals and more than 3,000 painted statues. If the ancient Silk Road is splendid, then the 492 grottoes on the mountain cliff are sensational.

Located at the west end of the “hexi Corridor” in Gansu Province, Dunhuang has a glorious history and culture. Dun － means large, Huang － means prosperous. This large and prosperous ancient town is the center of various ethnical peoples and became an important trading and cultural center in Silk Road.

Muogao grottoes are famous for the amazing art works that created about 2,000 years ago. It well represents the history of communication between west and east. For instance, the feature of Buddha's face has changed dramatically from time to time. In the early age, Buddha looked more Western feature in body structure.

In 366 A.D. a monk named Yuezun had a vision of the Buddha over the Sanwei Mountain opposite the cliff of the Mingsha Mountain,so the devout believer set to build the first cave on the cliff. Since then more and more caves have been excavated over a thousand year. The caves range in size from small chambers of a few meters across to huge halls of tens of meters. Other than paintings they contain also sculptures, here mostly Buddha and his disciples, or a flying deity. One type of creatures depicted angels, who however do not carry wings, but fly amidst colored ribbons as if by their own lightness. The lightness and worldly beauty of the creatures remains fascinating. They capture the feeling flying, which many know from their dreams, in a painting.

The images floated around us in the twilight coming from the caves' entrances and the spots of our flashlight highlighted a face there, a horse there, a fish, a castle, or a daemon. Serving as the westernmost fort of the early Tang Dynasty, Dunhuang was not only a key trading post situated on the “Silk Road” but also the military headquarters for the operations in the Western Regions. Foreign merchants and monks from the West as well as officials and soldiers from central China brought their own cultures to Dunhuang and made the trading center a cultural “melting pot.” However there are certain rules and regulations here. Certain items are not allowed to carry in such as cameras, any electronic recorders or even personal bags. This is a must though , English call it torch, American call it flashlight, Chinese call it Shoudian, you should have one too.

Dunhuang paintings were executed during a period of 600 years under several different rules for people of many different ranks and professions. The artists are not known by name and we did not have a chance to learn anything about their conditions of production. I would not remember any painting that could be called primitive or unskilled , all are the works of masters. Even today, artists still following the traditional foot step of painting. The technique is mostly al fresco. One finds caves painted in dark tones of black, blue, and white, showing figures in vigorous motion executed in equally vigorous expressive strokes, jumping and dancing on the walls.

The Dunhuang grottos at one point gathered many ancient artists in the history. Today, a great number of anxious young artists in China still look up those wonderful art works and continue to develop its value through the study. There are two significant exists from Dunhang to the west, they are Yangguan and Yumenguan. Guan means post or military station. Both passes were built in Han Dynasty before 111 B.C. Out of the post, it is the secret place that locals call it 'the antique market'. In the past, there were so many military battles and territory negotiations had happened in this landscape. Therefore material evidence such as metal error head, copper coins from hundreds of years can be discovered on the ground if the visitor is lucky.

Millions of years ago this land was all covered by water. And now people call it 'The Devil's Town' since the stones and hills are all formed in horrified shapes. Yadan, meaning Steep Mounds in Uygur, now refers to the special topography in this dry region. The clayish rock became a series of ditches and ridges aligned in the direction of the prevailing wind, as an effect of strong water and wind erosion. These marvelously shaped ditches and ridges, usually extending for many meters, even hundreds form a spectacular view.

It was not hard to find a lift took me to the downtown of Dunhuang. People are also very friendly to tourists. Feitian dance performance in Dunhang hotel is a must-see program for first time visitors. Night market is quite interesting; bargain is fun if you know how. However, antique is the common term that locals name all merchants. Dunhuang Hotel offers guests special arrangement for breakfast. It started with camel back riding, sand mountain climbing, at the top of the mountain a fire was lighted up for warm up, then the waitress brought hot coffee and continental breakfast as the phenomenal.

It was a completely four hours procedure, but it's an incredible experience. Sha Jiao Mountain in East Han Dynasty (24-220), it is 800 square kilometers in size, stretching 40 km from east to west. Within the Mingsha Mountain lies the Crescent Spring (Yueyaquan). nt. It received its current name in the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). The Crescent Spring has an average depth of 3.2 meters. The water is sweet and crystal clear. The sand never gets into spring, and the water is never muddy or dry up. It is so named because of its shape as a crescent. It received its current name in the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). The Crescent Spring has an average depth of 3.2 meters. The water is sweet and crystal clear. The sand never gets into spring, and the water is never muddy or dry up. Sand skiing is a wonderful pastime if you are ready for a fast speed ride.

Trip tips of Dunhuang

a ） The authority strictly controls Dunhuang grottoes security. Visitors cannot take certain items into the caves such as camera, any recorders even personal bags. Flashlight is a must.

b）Dunhuang Resort offers romantic breakfast trip. Hotel guests can reserve seat in advance for dinning on the top of Mingsha Mountain. It costs $800 rmb per person.

c）Due to the strong sunbeam and wind chill,visitors should have scarf or cloth ready for blocking the sand wind and avoid direct contact with sunshine. Sun block lotion is helpful.