Dunhuang
Architectural Landmark

China Mingsha Gansu Province Dunhuang
With just 200,000 residents, Dunhuang is hardly a major city by today’s standards. However, the city lies at the historic juncture of two major Silk Road routes and contains two of western China’s most incredible, underrated tourist attractions: Yueyaquan and the Mogao Caves. Yueyaquan, or Crescent Moon Lake, is a small oasis in the desert, and a sight unlike any other. The Mogao Caves, also known as the Thousand Buddha Grottoes, lie about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) from Dunhuang proper and are famous for their significant Buddhist art and Christian artifacts still being discovered within.