Buzz
During the ancient Silk Road era, Don Huang served as the pivotal town for Central China before venturing into the Western Regions.
For traders coming from Chang'an, Don Huang was not only a trading hub for gathering goods and products from China's western states but also a place to prepare for the arduous journey across the Taklamakan Desert, high mountains, and deep valleys towards Kashgar, Central Asia, India, and the Mediterranean. Merchants from the Western Regions, after their long and challenging desert journeys to Don Huang, would rest and rejuvenate before exploring the scenic landscapes and purchasing Chinese products. For foreign traders, Don Huang was an obligatory trading post on their way to Chang'an. All three routes of the Silk Road through Xinjiang started from Don Huang. Regardless of the direction travelers and traders took, they all passed through Don Huang.
All Roads Lead to Don Huang
Through the Silk Road, missionaries, merchants, craftsmen, and Buddhist devotees from across Persia, Central Asia, Western Asia, India, and Europe ventured into Don Huang. Therefore, Don Huang became a crossroads of religions, a trading hub, a storage and exchange center for Chinese, Central Asian, and Western cultures, arts, and literature. The system of rock-cut cave temples in Don Huang is the largest and most magnificent among the Buddhist cave complexes along the Silk Road with a history spanning thousands of years. Don Huang is a collection of unique natural and cultural wonders, marking the departure point of Xuanzang from Han territory into the Western Regions, featuring Ngoc Mon Quan, Yangquan, and more. These heritages have proven that Don Huang can be seen as a perfect miniature model of ancient Chinese culture.
Mac Cao Cave - The Treasure of Humanity
Mac Cao is a complex of Buddhist caves carved straight into the rocky mountain
Located 25km from Don Huang, Mac Cao Cave is a complex of Buddhist caves carved straight into the rocky mountain. Built during the Southern and Northern Dynasties and flourished during the 4th to 14th centuries. During the Tang Dynasty, when Chinese feudal culture reached its peak and the Silk Road also developed vigorously, Mac Cao flourished with 492 caves, 45,000 square meters of murals, and over 2,000 stone sculptures. Each dynasty constructed new caves, each succeeding one more splendid and exquisite than the last. There were many wealthy patrons who contributed funds to Mac Cao, with the most famous patron perhaps being Empress Wu Zetian, who had the largest seated Buddha statue in Mac Cao built in 695 – a 30m tall statue carved directly into the rock. In 1987, Mac Cao Cave was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Mac Cao serves as a perfect repository of wall paintings and sculptures spanning over 1000 years (source: Mac Cao Weibo)
Mac Cao stands as an impeccable repository of wall paintings and sculptures depicting religious and historical themes, as well as the techniques and artistry spanning over 1,000 years of Chinese art. Stepping into Mac Cao, you'll witness thousands of Buddhas gleaming on the cave walls, their robes shimmering in golden hues. Celestial musicians hover gracefully on the ceiling in azure robes of lapis lazuli. Central Asian merchants don doppa hats, Indian monks wear white robes, farmers toil in the fields, princes and princesses adorn themselves in resplendent court attire.
The ingenious feat of the ancient people in constructing Mac Cao lies in precise calculation. Don Huang, predominantly desert terrain, how to construct Mac Cao to fend off sand encroachment, burying everything? The ancients chose to build Mac Cao on the slopes of the Ming Sha rock mountain, the cave's topography facing 'West to East.' In the middle lies a river, and opposite Mac Cao is the Tam Nguy mountain range. No cave in Mac Cao exceeds 40m and they're carved closely together like beehives. In summer, when winds blow fiercely, the Tam Nguy mountain acts as a shield, preventing sand-laden winds from entering the caves. In winter, winds carrying sand from the West glide over the cave's peak, unable to deposit a single grain inside. Thanks to the ingenious wisdom of the ancients, we can still marvel at such a perfect Mac Cao until now.
Nguyet Nha Tuyen - Oasis amidst the desert
Amidst the rolling sand dunes, seemingly devoid of life, trees, or water. But miraculously, amidst the arid desert in Don Huang, emerges an oasis of lush greenery and a crescent-shaped freshwater lake that has never dried up for nearly 2,000 years.
Nguyet Nha Tuyen - Oasis in the desert
Nguyet Nha Tuyen is the primary stop for merchants trading along the Silk Road when crossing the desert. To cater to the needs of travelers, a temple was built by the lake since the Han Dynasty, rendering the oasis landscape mystical and sacred. The architecture of the temple resembles that of ancient costume dramas with its arched gate, double-layered tiled roof, and a spacious courtyard with inner and outer chambers. Now, aside from worshiping and exhibiting artifacts, the temple also sells exquisite handicrafts and souvenirs.
The temple, built since the Han Dynasty, renders the oasis landscape mystical and sacred
Surrounding Nguyet Nha Tuyen are the Minh Sa sand dunes. Minh Sa translates to 'singing sands.' When the wind blows strongly, you can hear loud sounds like roaring; when the wind blows lightly, your ears are filled with whispers, the sand sings like a gentle flute. Perhaps because the Minh Sa sand dunes resemble scenes from ancient times, there are camel riding services through the desert, allowing you to immerse yourself in the footsteps, transforming into a caravan trader along the Silk Road. Additionally, you can experience adrenaline-pumping activities like desert racing or sandboarding down the dunes.
Camel riding is an unmissable experience when visiting Don Huang
Ngoc Mon Gate and Han Citadel
In ancient times, the small countries to the west of China such as Vu Dien, Cao Xuong, and Dot Quyet were collectively referred to as the Western Regions. To defend and tightly control security, economy, and governance, numerous fortifications were built from the capital to the borderlands. Ngoc Mon Gate was the last bastion separating Central China from the Western Regions. Just beyond Ngoc Mon Gate lies a desolate, harsh, and perilous land. During the heyday of the Silk Road, Ngoc Mon Gate bustled with activity as thousands from the Western Regions and Central China converged here for trade. Ravaged by sun, wind, desert sands, and time, Ngoc Mon Gate now stands as a lonely remnant amidst the sea of sand. Nearby is a segment of the Han Citadel from the Han Dynasty that still stands. These relics silently endure, bearing witness to the glorious history of thousands of years.
Ngoc Mon Gate is the final bastion separating Central China from the Western Regions
Yardang Ghost City
Yardang National Geopark is located 200km from Don Huang on the border between Cam Tuc Province and the Duy Ngo Nhi Autonomous Region in the far northwest of China. The term 'yardang' originates from the Duy Ngo Nhi people, meaning 'a small hill with steep walls'. Yardang terrain is formed by wind erosion in arid regions. Don Huang's yardang comprises light red sandstone mountains, shaped over thousands of years by bending or forming peculiar shapes due to winds.
Yardang terrain is formed by wind erosion in arid regions
In his book 'Great Tang Records on the Western Regions,' the renowned monk Huyen Trang wrote about this desert region, where travelers often hear singing, shouting, and crying. They wander, lose their way, and die of thirst. In the 13th century, Marco Polo also described a similar phenomenon. In reality, it's just the sound of wind blowing through the mountains with echoing characteristics. Since no humans inhabit the area, it's dubbed the Ghost City.
Yardang formations in Don Huang are peculiar light red sandstone mountains.
Travel Information
Best Time to Visit
Don Huang experiences a dry climate with little rainfall, dry air, and significant temperature differences between day and night. July is the hottest month with temperatures reaching up to 38 degrees Celsius, while January is the coldest period with temperatures dropping to -1 to -15 degrees Celsius. Winter sees snowfall and spring may bring sandstorms.
The period from May to November is the best time to visit Don Huang as temperatures are not too hot or too cold during this time. The sky is clear, and nature is at its most beautiful. Particularly in autumn, when the leaves turn golden, Don Huang resembles a romantic and vibrant painting.
The period from May to November is the best time to visit Don Huang.
Means of Transportation
Airplane:Train: Bus:Renting a private car:Accommodation
Don Huang is one of the most beloved destinations along the Silk Road. There are plenty of hotels, guesthouses with corresponding prices and facilities for you to choose from. Most tourists prefer to book hotels in the downtown area, especially near the Shazhou Night Market, around the Nguyet Nha Tuyen area or near Don Huang airport or train station.
Cuisine
As one of the bustling cities along the Silk Road, a cultural crossroads, Don Huang offers a rich variety of cuisine, featuring many signature dishes from the Northwestern region of China.
Golden Noodle with Camel Meat:
Golden Noodle with camel meat is a must-try specialty in Don Huang.
Niang Pi Zi:Apricot Tea:Lamb Soup:Dried fruits:
Dried fruits are widely sold in Don Huang.
Some other information:
Reunion in Don Huang is a very interesting show in Don Huang.
When visiting the desert, remember to wear long-sleeved, sweat-absorbing clothes, sunscreen, and a wide-brimmed hat. Avoid desert activities at noon; instead, opt for early mornings or cool evenings. The sunrise and sunset on the sand dunes are truly magnificent.
This article is a collaboration between Mytour and blogger Trần Hồng Ngọc.
All content and images in the article are owned by Mytour. Please do not copy or use in any form without the consent of Mytour.
