Written by
Anthony
Dunhuang, also known as Shazhou, is located in the northwestern part of Gansu Province, at the westernmost end of the Hexi Corridor.
It is a county-level city under the administration of Jiuquan.
As of the end of 2023, Dunhuang has a population of 182,400 and covers an area of 26,700 square kilometers.
The city lies at the northern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, with a terrain sloping from southwest to northeast, forming the Dunhuang Basin.
It experiences a typical warm temperate arid climate with low rainfall.
The region has been inhabited since ancient times, with human activity dating back about 4,000 years.
Dunhuang became significant during the Han Dynasty when it was established as Dunhuang County in 111 BC.
If you want help choosing routes, trip length, and the best places to combine on a first visit, see our Dunhuang Travel Guide.
| Category | Detail | Category | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alias | Shazhou | Administrative Division | County-level City |
| Administrative Code | 620982 | Region | Jiuquan City, Gansu Province, China |
| Geographical Location | Northwestern Gansu Province | Area | 26,700 km² |
| Sub-districts | 9 towns | Government Office | 888 Yangguan Zhong Road, Shazhou Town |
| Telephone Area Code | 0937 | Postal Code | 736200 |
| Climate | Warm temperate arid climate | Population | 182,400 (2023) |
| Famous Attractions | Mogao Caves, Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake, Yumenguan | Airports | Dunhuang Mogao International Airport, Dunhuang Yadan Airport |
| Train Station | Dunhuang Station | License Plate Code | Gan F |
| GDP | 9.72 billion yuan (2023) |
Dunhuang has been a major gateway on the Silk Road since the Han and Tang Dynasties, serving as a key crossroads between the East and West.
The city boasts a long history, rich culture, and numerous historical sites scattered across its landscape.
As of March 2024, there are 265 cultural heritage sites, including the Mogao Caves, the Yumenguan ruins, and the Xuanquan ruins, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Dunhuang also features several national and provincial-level cultural heritage units.
In 2023, the city welcomed 16.83 million visitors, showcasing its popularity as a travel destination.
In Dunhuang, the local diet varies, with many dishes made from ingredients native to the region, forming unique customs.
The main staple food is wheat-based.
Breakfast and dinner are typically light, consisting of soup noodles, sweet rice, or mixed soup, often accompanied by steamed buns or baked flatbread.
Lunch is usually centered around noodles.
Flour-based foods are the most common, with over a thousand different varieties made from wheat flour.
In the lives of Dunhuang’s people, noodles, especially hand-pulled noodles, hold great importance, with a saying that goes, “Better to eat a noodle floating on water than one made with gas.”
Dunhuang is a pilot city for the construction of the intangible cultural heritage database designated by the Ministry of Culture of China.
As of May 2018, over 300 intangible heritage clues have been rescued and organized, with more than one million words of written materials, over 8,000 images, and 9,000 minutes of audio and video content.
Dunhuang has successfully applied for one international intangible cultural heritage item, 14 provincial-level items, 52 city-level items, and 68 county-level items.
By April 2022, there were 11 intangible cultural heritage protection projects in Dunhuang, including one national-level item (Dunhuang Quzi opera), three provincial-level items (Dunhuang folk songs, Dunhuang colored sculptures, Dunhuang paper-cutting), and eight city-level items.
Dunhuang is famous for its unique natural landscapes and rich historical and cultural relics, including the Mogao Grottoes and the Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring. It is also known for its intangible cultural heritage, such as Dunhuang Opera and Dunhuang paper-cutting, as well as local delicacies like donkey meat noodles and apricot peel tea.
The modern name of Dunhuang is still “Dunhuang.” It is a county-level city under the administration of Jiuquan, Gansu Province.
Historically, Dunhuang was predominantly Buddhist, with the art in the Mogao Grottoes being a significant reflection of Buddhist culture. Today, the population in Dunhuang practices a variety of religions, including Buddhism, Taoism, and Islam.
Dunhuang is not entirely a desert, but it is surrounded by large deserts, such as the Kumtag Desert. The region also features oases, offering a unique desert-oasis landscape.
The weather in Dunhuang during September is typically cool, with large temperature fluctuations between day and night. Daytime temperatures generally range from 25°C to 30°C, with plenty of sunshine, while nighttime temperatures may drop to 10°C-15°C. Warm clothing is recommended for the mornings and evenings.
Dunhuang clothing often refers to attire inspired by Dunhuang’s cultural elements, such as designs based on images like the flying apsaras depicted in the wall murals of the Mogao Grottoes. These clothes usually feature intricate patterns, flowing ribbons, and vibrant colors, reflecting the unique style and Buddhist cultural influence of the region. It may also refer to traditional local clothing worn by the residents, though nowadays, it is often blended with modern fashion.
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Hi there!
Just a quick heads-up — a helpful user named Volker let me know that some of the non-English content on this site may not be accurate.
This site is a one-person project I run part-time. I research and publish all the content myself, and the translations are currently done by machine (Google Translate). Balancing accuracy and accessibility across multiple languages is a real challenge.
If you spot any errors, I recommend switching to the English version using the button at the bottom left. I’ll continue working to improve the translations over time.
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— Anthony 2025.6.18
