Crescent Spring

Crescent Spring: Dunhuang’s Desert Oasis

When you are traveling through Dunhuang, you may be able to chance upon a special scene: a spring in the midst of a desert! Crescent Spring and Echoing-sand Mountain are located nearly 4 miles (6 kilometers) south of Dunhuang in China’s north-central Gansu province, Crescent Spring has been one of the Eight Must-see Scenic Spots in Dunhuang from the days of the Han dynasty. Crescent Spring is known as a natural wonder within the boundless desert in Dunhuang and is indeed worth your time during your Dunhuang travels.

Surrounded by the Echoing-Sand Mountain, the Crescent Spring resembles the delicate lips of a beautiful woman if seen afar. It also looks like a crescent fallen down from the sky into the boundless desert, just like a sparkling pearl embedded on the Gobi desert, hence the name Crescent Spring. When travelers are sliding from the Echoing-sand Mountain, they can see this beautiful spring clearly. Although weathered by sandstorm attacks for thousands of years, Crescent Spring still gurgles and its water is crystal clean, so it also has the fame of “The First Spring in Desert”.

Riding a camel to climb to the top of the Echoing-Sand Mountain is the best way to discover the beauty of Crescent Spring, where the panoramic view of Crescent Spring would be your reward.