Mingsha Mountain Guide: Must-See Attraction on the Silk Road
Echoing-sand Mountain, or Mingsha Mountain, locates 7km south to Dunhuang City. Named for the sound made by the shifting sands, it is one of the top attractions along Silk Road. The hill is close to Crescent Lake that nestled within the embrace of Mingsha Mountain. The whole area consist the Echoing Sand Mountain & Crescent Moon Spring. It is a must-go place for both domestic and international tourists in Dunhuang.
The Mingsha Shan stretches some 20 kilometers from east to west and more than 20 kilometers from south to north. The highest peak is over 170 meter tall. From April to November, Echoing-Sand Hill receives thousands of tourists every day. For everyone interested in a unique blend of desert adventure and cultural history during a Silk Road travel, Mingsha Mountain is something you should not miss. No matter how many people left their footprints in the hill, the hill will recover its even surface in the following morning. That is the gift to future tourists from the night wind.
Fast Facts about Mingsha Mountain
- Location: 5 kilometers south of Dunhuang City
- Chinese name: 鸣沙山
- Opening hours: 7:00 – 19:00
- Entrance fee: 120 yuan for peak season, and 80 yuan for off-peak season
- Time needed: 3 – 4 hours
Why People Call It “Echoing Sand”
The hill was named so because when the wind blows, the sand particles fly and make the sound like singing. When the light breeze arise, the hill will sing like the sound of orchestral music instruments. But when the wind blows, the singing sand dunes becomes a crazy guy. Such unique phenomenon can make your Silk Road tour more brilliant.
What to See at Mingsha Mountain
Unique Mountain-Spring Landform
Since the Han and Tang dynasties, Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake have been popular tourist destinations. At Mingsha Mountain, you can witness the unique spectacle of a clear spring coexisting with the desert.
Surrounded by shifting sands, the spring has remained clear and undiminished for thousands of years, with the wind blowing the sand without it falling into the water. Scholars and literati throughout the ages have praised this unique mountain-spring landform and desert wonder. Therefore, “Moonlit Spring at Dawn” has long been one of the eight scenic views of Dunhuang that will definitely add new lustre to the Silk Road trips in China.
Wonderful Pyramid-Shaped Sand Dunes
From above, Mingsha Mountain’s shape is winding and well-arranged, with broad and sharp ridges like blades. From below, the body of Mingsha Sand Dunes resembles ancient Egyptian pyramids, resplendent and majestic. The ancient name of Dunhuang, “Shazhou” (Sand State), is derived from this. Such a magnificent group of sand mountains is rare in the world, and thus it is acclaimed as one of the five most beautiful deserts in China.
Top Things to Do
Besides the sightseeing, if you like, there are many amusement activities in the Echoing-Sand Hill.
Echoing-Sand Hill Climbing
The hill body is a huge sand drift whose surface is soft. Hiking upward the Mingsha Mountain you will see the different beauty of the hill. Some people prefer climb with bare feet so to get closer to the sand hill and the natural environment there.
Camping
Echoing Sand Mountain Camping is a good chance to escape from the bustling city life. You will witness the broadness and tranquil of the desert at night and appreciating start in the sky above desert. Desert parties is also worthy of expectation for most of tourists.
If you do the camp, you will experience a special day, like a local saying “Wearing fur jacket in the morning while fine gauze at noon time, and eating watermelon by sitting around the stove”. That is maybe a little exaggerated, but it hints at the big temperature difference there. Whenever you go there please make sure to prepare something for the strong sunlight.
Camel Riding
The camel is praised as the ship in desert. So almost each tourist to Echoing Sand Mountain will try camel riding. In high season, the camels are very busy to carry curious tourists while in low season, tourists could find groups of camel crouching in desert and waiting for tourists. Taking a camel to visit Echoing-Sand Hill you will see the ruins of ancient trading route and more grand desert scenery.
Appreciating Sunrise in Desert
That is the welfare for campers especially. It is difficult for other tourists to arrive there before sunrise in the early morning. The morning Sun rise up slowly and take the boundless desert as the background. The Sun of that time looks much like the big egg yolk.
Sand Sliding
Sand Sliding is a most welcomed activity among young guys. Sitting on the sand-sliding board and sliding along the 45° slope down to the sea of the sand. The sand-sliding boards are made of bamboo, which is light and runs fast. The sliding speed is about 20m/s and with the increase of inertia when sliding down, the speed is increasingly fast.
Desert Exploration by Self-driving or Walking
Renting a desert off-road vehicle or walking to cover the 800 kilometers Echoing-Sand Mountain will bring you some quite special experiences. You will truly feel the hollowness of the desert world. And, if by walking, it will be a challenge to your courage and energy. That activity is loved by adventurous minds.
Best Time to Visit
The comfortable weather in May and June makes the two months very suitable for experiencing the desert charm of Mingsha Mountain. August and September, on the other hand, offer a pleasant weather and a variety of fresh melons and fruits during this period.
The best time to visit Mingsha Mountain during the day is in the afternoon. This way, you can avoid the intense heat of the desert at noon and, and climb to the top of the mountain to look out over the distant sea of sand and Crescent Lake below as the sun sets.
How to Get There
After arriving in Dunhuang City, you can reach the scenic area by taxi, bus, or tourist coach:
- Taxi: The starting fare for a taxi in Dunhuang is 5 yuan, and the charge is based on the meter.
- Bus: There are very few bus routes in Dunhuang, with a total of three lines. You can take bus No. 3 to the terminal station. There is a bus about every 10 minutes on average.
Essential Travel Tips
- Sand proof shoe covers are a must. You can prepare them before entering the park, or you can buy a pair for 5 yuan on the roadside. You can also rent them for 20 yuan per pair inside the park. The 5-yuan shoe covers are the laced type, which is relatively loose and offers average sand protection. Some of them may worn out at the toes during the climb.
- Hats, gloves, and scarves are all necessary. The wind on the mountain is strong, and it can blow fine sand into your backpack, clothes, face, and ears.
- There is a small-item storage area at the scenic area’s visitor center. Larger items can be stored at the scenic area’s information desk.
- Best angles for photographing Crescent Lake: One is to climb to the top of the sand dune and look down at Crescent Lake; the other is to get a close-up, eye-level view of Crescent Lake.
Nearby Attractions
- Mogao Caves: Located in Dunhuang at the western end of the Hexi Corridor, Mogao Caves are a dazzling treasure trove of ancient Chinese civilization, representing a three-dimensional art form that integrates architecture, sculpture, and mural paintings.
- Jiayuguan: Known as the “First and Greatest Pass under Heaven,” it is situated in the middle of the narrowest valley. It is the westernmost pass of the Ming Great Wall and a strategic point on the ancient “Silk Road.”
