Mingsha Shan (Echoing-Sand Mountain) and Yueya Quan (Crescent Spring)

Situated in the wilds of the Gobi desert near Dunhuang, the twin scenic spots of Mingsha Shan and Yueya Quan have enchanted travellers and traders for centuries.

Mingsha is a mere 7 kilometers from downtown Dunhuang and the entire area covers about 200 square kilometers. A prominent mountain in the area is made up of mounds of shifting sand stretching 40 km from east to west and 20 km from north to south. The innumerable sand banks offer plenty of opportunity for visitors to stream down the slopes on sandboards or sledges.

Perhaps the most iconic image of a desert scene that the mind can conjure is an oasis. As far as oasis' go, Yueya Quan is one of the finest examples. Located to the north of Mingsha, the spring is 118 meters from east to west and 25 meters from north to south. Its crescent-like lake is surrounded by sand and is never void of clear water all year long. As spring time approaches, two types of traditional Chinese medicine - meddler and apocynum - can be found growing there.

Tourists ride camels on the Mingsha Sand Dunes during a visit to Crescent Moon Spring on the outskirts of Dunhuang county. [Photo by Fan Chen]

Edited by Jacob Hooson