Places of Interest - China

"dunhuang"

introduction

Dunhuang is a city in an oasis in the province of Gansu in the middle-west of China. Dunhuang has been independent, but in certain times also belonged to both China and Tibet. It is located near a junction of the Silk Road and got its reputation and fame, and the military impact that came with it, because of it.

highlights

The sand dunes:

The sand dunes of Dunhuang are really an unique and unexpected sight to experience in the central part of this country. You expect to experience them in the Sahara in North Africa or in Australia but not in North China. Perhaps a better reason to visit i tand see them for yourself. They are located at about 6 km from the city and it is a less interesting route along the motorway but advantage is that you can not get lost. At the gate it is a circus with many Chinese people who are going to make a trip here on a camel and salesman that try to get you on a camel or make some money otherwise. Much better you can walk a bit further and enjoy the empty "sand peaks" in the distance.

"Mogoa" caves:

The caves of Mogao are possibly the most impressive pieces of Buddhist art in the world. The first (full) cave would have been realized around 366 BC and at its peak there were about 18 monasteries, filled with more than 1,400 monks and nuns and numerous artists, artists, translators etc. Rich traders and important notables were the main donors to create new caves. The caravans came here with people to pray and then travel further to the West, unscathed. When the Silk Road lost its value, the caves fell into oblivion and were forgotten for centuries along the Gobi desert until they were "rediscovered" by foreign adventurers. At the head of the raid was the discovery of cave number 17 in the year 1900: the library. In it, a Chinese man found tens of thousands of unique material in manuscripts and paintings from far before the time of Christ. He also found texts in rare Central Asian languages, military reports, music magazines, medical prescriptions and many other things, including the world's oldest printed book "The Diamond Sutra". All this was sold to two Western archaeologists who then smuggled them out of the country and sold them to museums in England. The man received a donation of 220 pounds. The cave temples are now on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

You can go to the caves on your own (for the hotel a van leaves at 8:30 for 20 Yuan for the 25 kilometers). Back you have to get the bus from 13:00. Entrance is 100 Yuan.

tips & advice (2009)

The best to travel in these regions is the train - unfortunately the train station is not in "Dunhuang" so you first have to take the bus to "Liuyuan". The bus station in Dunhuang is centrally located and close to the hotel (see below). It is very sensible to book your train ticket as soon as possible because these night trains are booked full fast.

Dunhuang - Liuyuan: there is a bus at 18:00 and it takes about 2 hours. Costs are 20 Yuan

Liyuan - Turpan: you can get the night train that leaves at 21:25. You will arrive at 06:20 the next morning (if all goes well). Price is 130 Yuan + 30 Yuan commission for a hardsleeper (middle bed).

You can order a good and relatively cheap bite at "Shirley's" café across the street from our hotel (see below). It is a cozy café and English language menus are available.

Name: Hotel "Feitian Binguan"

Address: 22 Minghsan Lu

Price: 70 Yuan (double)

Phone nr. : 882 2337 22

Content:

This is a perfect hotel - you have to do your best but you can get a discount for a room. We had a perfect "double" with shower and toilet, super clean. It looked like a really big star hotel even though it is just a two star hotel. Breakfast is unfortunately not included. There is a hot shower, a reception-counter where you can try to get some information and sometimes there is even an English speaking staff member. The hotel is centrally located but still quiet.

Places of Interest - China

"dunhuang"

introduction

highlights

tips & advice (2009)

see also:

LANDEN: