Dunhuang Attractions
Dunhuang lies west of Gansu province, on the famous Silk Road.
Under the rule of Emperor Han Wudi Dunhuang was elevated to the status of a town in 111 BC. Its situation on the Silk Road, which divides here into two roads going north and south respectively, helped Dunhuang to enjoy an economic boom. Along this trade route new ideas, religious teachings such as Buddhism and scientific knowledge spread east and west. As a result Dunhuang has developed since the 4th C to become a center of Buddhism. In 619, when it was the seat of the administrative district of the same name, its name was changed to Shazhou; the remains of this old town lie to the west of present-day Dunhuang.
Under the rule of Emperor Han Wudi Dunhuang was elevated to the status of a town in 111 BC. Its situation on the Silk Road, which divides here into two roads going north and south respectively, helped Dunhuang to enjoy an economic boom. Along this trade route new ideas, religious teachings such as Buddhism and scientific knowledge spread east and west. As a result Dunhuang has developed since the 4th C to become a center of Buddhism. In 619, when it was the seat of the administrative district of the same name, its name was changed to Shazhou; the remains of this old town lie to the west of present-day Dunhuang.
Dunhuang Surroundings
Fortress Yumen Guan
The Fortress Yumen Guan (Pass of the Jade Gate) 80km/128mi northwest of Dunhuan, with its 10m/33ft high clay walls, is a remainder of the border fortifications which marked the western limits of China during the Han dynasty (206 BC-AD 220). All travelers had to pass border controls here.
Read More
Western Caves of the 1000 Buddhas
30km/19mi southwest of Dunhuang will be found the Western Caves of the 1000 Buddhas (Xi Qianfo Dong). These are of rather less importance. They contain paintings from the Northern Wei period (386-534), the Tang period (618-907) and the period of the Five Dynasties (907-960).
