China

A trip to the oasis and dunes near Dunhuang

The center of the Northern Silk Road

Petr Liška
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A trip to the oasis and dunes near Dunhuang
Inserted: 17.02.2018
© gigaplaces.com

In the province of Gansu, in the north of China, you will find the city of Dunhuang (1,150 m above sea level), which was an important center of the northern branch of the Silk Road. Today it is the center of tourism, thanks to the massive dunes south of the city, which hide a beautiful oasis. The crowds of local tourists head only to Cresent Moon lake, so just connect a little further to the dunes and you will be completely alone.

The first view of the dunes

Dunhuang lies essentially on a plateau in a large oasis. Behind the last houses and trees rise huge dunes, up to three hundred meters high. The visitor center is quite monumental to handle the crowds of local excursionists. There are significantly fewer foreigners here, mostly almost none, after all, Dunhuang is a bit out of hand for the main itineraries in China. Behind a huge paved area lies this photogenic stone and then only an unimaginable desert.

The first view of the dunes
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Camel field

Although it is less than a kilometer and a half from the entrance to the desert to the oasis, few Chinese go on foot. There are hundreds of camels here

Camel field
Author: Jiří Klečák © gigaplaces.com

The direction of the oasis

You can set off in the direction of an oasis along a wide path or directly on the sand

The direction of the oasis
Author: Jiří Klečák © gigaplaces.com

The first view from the dune

We disconnect from the crowds and climb the dune. The views from the top are just as beautiful

The first view from the dune
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

The unfathomable world of dunes

Climbing the dune is no honey, anyone who has tried so knows. In addition, you can still see some higher than where we are.

The unfathomable world of dunes
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Wide view of the oasis

The higher we are, the wider the view. In the distance you can see the endless green oasis of Dunhuang and directly below us both places surrounded by sand

Wide view of the oasis
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

The highest dune far and wide

Our goal is the highest dune far and wide

The highest dune far and wide
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Ascent along the dune ridge

The ascent to the highest dune is tiring, but amazing at the same time. Their height above the surrounding landscape is really great

Ascent along the dune ridge
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Peak

Finally we are up and crowds of Chinese tourists for miles

Peak
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Crescent Moon Lake

The descent back is already significantly faster. We are finally going to look at the official destination of this trip – a pagoda and a lake

Crescent Moon Lake
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Dune ladder

In a few places you will also come across a dune ladder

Dune ladder
Author: Jiří Klečák © gigaplaces.com

Temple

The temple and the lake are worth walking around from all sides, because the view is always different and always great

Temple
Author: Jiří Klečák © gigaplaces.com

The lake

The oasis is really perfect

The lake
Author: Jiří Klečák © gigaplaces.com

View from the opposite dune

You won't find a livestock further north on the dune

View from the opposite dune
Author: Jiří Klečák © gigaplaces.com

Chinese tourists

Sun and sand protection must be provided

Chinese tourists
Author: Jiří Klečák © gigaplaces.com
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Petr Liška
17.02.2018 12:08
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