Dunhuang is a famous tourist city, where the landmark is an attractive statue called "Playing Pipa (a Chinese musical instrument) in a Reverse Direction", the idea of which comes from the mural in Mogao Caves, a shrine to the culture and arts of Dunhuang.
In ancient times, Dunhuang was the center of trade between China and its western neighbors. At that time, it was the most westerly frontier military garrison in China. With the flourishing of trade along the Silk Road, Dunhuang was prompted to become the most open area in international trade in Chinese history. It provided the only access westward for the Chinese Empire and eastward for western nationalities. Today, as a reminder of this historical area, we are left with the Mogao Caves, Yangguan Pass, Yumenguan Pass and many wonderful Chinese poems depicting the time. Although what remains of the two Passes are crumbling walls, one can still experience the atmosphere of that time while visiting in person.
Today, Dunhuang is a typical tourist city, clean and beautiful. Because of its splendid stone caves, tourism has become an indispensable industry to Dunhuang City. Surrounding establishments include various classes of hotels and restaurants for your choosing. As well, tourism personnel are knowledgeable and well trained these days. For a western city in China, it has become more accesible for people to come and go as they please. Transportation is much more efficient, ensuring that your wonderful trip runs smoothly. May to September is the best time to visit, so be sure to plan your trip during these months. Including Dunhuang City in your tour is an ideal decision and you won't regret! Dunhuang City, an obvious pearl on the Silk Road, opens her arms to welcome tourists from all over the world.
Geography : Dunhuang is situated in the common boundary of Gansu Province, Qinghai Province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China, with a total area of 31,200 sq. km. Dunhuang, long ago referred to as "Sha Zhou" (beautiful desert oasis, for which the sand dune and the oasis sceneries are very nice in appearance), was the hub of middle and eastern silk routes in ancient times. From Mt. Qilian in the south to Mt. Mazong in the north, and from Mt. Sanwei in the east to Taklamakan Desert in the west; the landform of Dunhuang City is a declining basin-plain from west to northeast, high in the north and south, and low in the middle. The land is very fertile and irrigated by the melted ice water from the glaciers on nearby mountains.
Climate : The climate in Dunhuang belongs to warm temperate zone with abundant sunshine, very low relative humidity and long frost-free period. The average annual precipitation is only about 39.9 mm, but the amount of evaporation is reached to around 2,400 mm per year. The hottest month in Dunhuang is July, which the daily temperature is ranging from 12.6 to 38.3 degrees Celsius, while the coldest month is January, which the daily temperature is ranging from -21.4 to 1.5 degrees Celsius. It should be noticed that the worst thing for a Dunhuang tour is not the temperature matter but the terrible sandstorm, where this may often happen between March and May, so tourists should protect themselves with glasses, hats and gauze kerchiefs, which are the common precaution tools for tour in western China.
Population : Due to its special geographical location, the structure of the population (estimated around 130,000 people) in Dunhuang is very mixed. Apart from the majority Han Chinese, there are ethnic minorities like Hui, Tibetan, Mongolian, Kazak, Turkmen, Tong, Miao, Manchu, Yugu and so on. It seems so exotic on Chinese soil!
Related source:
Dunhuang on Wikipedia
Dunhuang on Youtube
Dunhuang on Flicker