Ancient Chinese desert city delivers modern experiences, drawing huge concert crowds
The ancient desert city of Dunhuang in northwest China’s Gansu Province has integrated modern technologies with its spectacular landscape to craft a memorable journey for enormous crowds of holidaymakers who flock to the stunning location to enjoy nightly concerts under the stars this summer.
Lying in an oasis at the edge of the expansive Taklamakan Desert, Dunhuang was once a major stop on the ancient Silk Road that helped link the East and West through vibrant trade.
One of its most famous attractions is the Yueya Spring, a crescent-shaped lake surrounded by giant sand dunes located on the Mingsha Mountain or the “Singing Sand” Mountain. According to ancient historical documents, the dunes and the lake have coexisted for at least two millennia. The sand has never moved into the spring, and the water has always kept a sweet and crystal-clear texture, making it a world-renowned scenic site.
Every evening since mid-June, the lake grounds are turned into a lively concert stage, coupled with drone and light shows along with a firework display to create an unforgettable memory for the many visitors who descend on the historic location.
As night falls, the concert begins, with more than 20,000 attendees swaying to the rhythm of the music while waving colorful glow sticks and shining their cellphone flashlights as they sing along under the starry sky.
In another instance of performance magic, Dunhuang has added matinees to its four themed shows displaying local history and culture, which serve to entertain a surging number of audience members during the holiday.
The city has also been keeping visitors well-fed, preparing local foods such as lamb skewers, grilled fish, apricot peel tea and scallion beef patties to create an authentic culinary experience for travelers from across the country at its night market.
