The Singing Sand Mountains
and the Crescent Spring
The Singing Sand Mountains
range from top of a cliff
on which Mogao grottoes
were dug to side of Danghe
River reservoir in west,
40km in length and 20km
in breadth. The mountains
consist of countless dunes
piled up with red, yellow,
blue, black and white sand.
It is very beautiful. It
is bright yellow like gold,
soft like silk and quiet
like a young girl. The ridges
surge wave upon wave. In
a fine day when the sun
is rising in the morning
and setting in the evening,
brightness and darkness
on slopes are clearly demarcated.
When climbers slide down
along the hill slope, sand
drifts buzzing. Hence the
name of Singing Sand Mountains
was called.
There is a clear spring
in a green basin surrounded
high dunes. It takes shape
of new moon, hence the name
of the Crescent Spring.
It is situated at the foot
of hills of the Singing
Sand Mountains, 300m in
length, 50m in breadth and
5m in depth. Dunhuang is
a windy and sandy place.
Sometimes there are sandstorms.
When it is blowing hard,
sand waves roll fast with
wind. To people surprise,
the sand on hills around
the spring does not drift
down. On the contrary, it
goes up. That is why It
has never been buried in
sand, and always keeps clear
and rippling, although it
nestles among sand. It does
not spill after heavy rain
and does not dry up after
lasting drought.
Ticket price: 80Yuang/per
