Gansu
is a rugged, barren province consisting mostly of mountains and deserts.
Threading its way through Gansu was the famed Silk Road. Merchants travelling
this part of China along the Silk Road used a string of oasis towns as steppingstones
through the barren landscape. Traditionally the towns of Gansu have been
established in the oases along the major caravan route where agriculture was
possible. On of such towns is Dunhuang, set amid towering sand dunes, where the
flat and barren desert landscape suddenly gives way to lush, green cultivated
fields with mountainous rolling sand dunes as a backdrop. Where the oasis meets
the desert, 6km south of Dunhuang, is the Crescent Moon Lake (Yueyaquan). Spring
water trickles into depression between huge sand dunes, forming a small,
crescent-shaped pond. Impressive sand dunes tower above, some as high as 1700m.
Dramatic views across the rolling desert sands towards the oasis make it
worthwhile to climb the top of the dunes.
