China (Dun Huang, Gansu) May 2006 D-13

Map of Dun Huang, Gansu

Our overnight train from Urumqi arrived in Liu Yuan station around 5.30am. It was cold in the early morning. As we were walking out of the train station, a taxi driver approached us offering to take us to Dun Huang town center. Together with an American tourist, three of us shared a taxi (Rmb20 per person) for this ride.

Together with the American tourist, our group checked into a hostel (Rmb70 twin bed) in down town Dun Huang.

As the major tourist sights in Dun Huang were far and apart, three of us decided to take the taxi driver's package tour offer (Rmb200 per car for 3) to 8 places 1) The tomb of Western Jin 2) Mogao Grottoes 3) White Horse Pagoda 4) Lui Yin Temple 5) Mingsha & Yueya Quan - Singing sand mountain & crescent moon spring 6) Dun Huang ancient city 7) West Thousand Buddha Caves 8) Yang Guan Dao or South Gate Pass.

1)) The Tomb of Western Jin, Dun Huang, Gansu - paid Rmb20 to enter. The inside area was dark so we had to rely on our guide's torchlight to look at the ancient art drawn on the caves.

2) Mogao Grottoes, Dun Huang, Gansu is a civilized wonder of the world. It used to be an important center for Buddhism learning and worship. Foreign tourists paid Rmb100 for entry inclusive of an English guide. We were able to see 7-8 caves which were opened for viewing during the day. These grottoes with wall mural painting on the roof and side walls dated back as early as AD366 . The color of some ancient cave art on the walls have fated, others are still intact. Some of the sculptures on Buddhist gods or figures had been ruined or pilfered especially the head portions. Most of the caves we visited comes under the Tang dynasty period. No photography was allowed.

3) White Horse Pagoda, Dun Huang, Gansu - This 9 story Pagoda was built by a senior monk in remembrance of his favorite white horse. This pagoda has a history of 1,600 years

4) Lui Yin Temple, Dun Huang, Gansu - a popular place for locals to worship and pray during festive occasions.

5) Mingsha Shan & Yueya Quan, Dun Huang, Gansu (Singing Sand Mountain & Crescent Moon Lake) is located about 6km, south of Dun Huang. Here I was able to see camel ride, sand dunes and oasis. Crescent Moon Lake has a small pool, a temple like building for resting. Visitors enjoyed climbing up the sand dunes under the hot scorching sun and slide their way down. A real fun but not for me as I could get cooked out pretty fast ! Entry fee was Rmb80

6) Dun Huang Ancient City (Rmb20) - this is just a touristy place and the building and the various fit outs had been used by film makers as background for production of some Kung Fu action or war movies in China.

7) Western Thousand Buddha Caves (Rmb30) are located about 35km, west of Dun Huang. We were able to see 6 caves out of the 16 caves which are still intact. The cave art dated back to the Northern Wei and Tang dynasty. After the cave visit, we took a short rest under a 100 year old tree !

8) Yang Guan Dao or South Gate Pass & Yang Guan Museum, Dun Huang (Rmb40) was a beacon tower and an outpost built during the Han dynasty. As a garrison town, all caravans heading south had to pass through the South Gate Pass. Inside the South Gate Museum and for a small fee (Rmb5), we were able to dress up in old traditional emperor and army general costume and posed for some interesting photography sessions. My brother dressed up as an emperor and my American travel buddy and myself wore the army general uniforms carrying ancient weapons - Am I look like a army general from the Han dynasty ? This place is about 60km from Dun Huang so not an easy place to visit unless by a hired car.

" For Rmb66 per person, our private day tour took us to 7 touristy places. Penny wise pound foolish if you are venturing on your own using public transport as some places are far and apart - so joining a day tour by a hired taxi on a cost sharing basis is a wise decision "