Arriving just after 9 pm, as the last hues of sunset vanished, I rented an off-road vehicle at the park to explore its iconic sandstone formations — towers, walls and pillars sculpted by desert winds into eerie, fleet-like shapes.

As night fell, stars appeared across the sky, with the Milky Way forming a clear, sweeping arc. The desert was quiet, interrupted only by the crunch of sand underfoot and the two friendly cats — pets of the park staff — that followed us, adding a small, unexpected charm to the stillness.

The tour guide explained that the kittens are fed by park staff. They rarely venture far into the desert at night and often stay close to tourists for safety.

Weary but mesmerized, I settled near a tent area with telescopes for closer celestial views. Gazing up, I wished time would stand still, allowing me to lose myself in the cosmos, far from urban chaos.

Eventually, the night came to an end, and our drive back through the remote, signal-free Gobi Desert was a striking reminder of the region's untamed natural beauty.

The next day, after exploring the region's history and landscapes, it was time for some culinary delights at Dunhuang's famed Shazhou Night Market — the cleanest and most vibrant night market I've ever seen. Even at midnight, the place buzzed with energy, with long lines still forming in front of food vendors.