Echoing-sand Mountain

Dunhuang’s Loudest Attraction

Echoing-sand Mountain (Mingsha Shan) is perched almost four miles (six kilometers) away from the city of Dunhuang in Gansu province, which definitely needs to be seen along a perfect Dunhuang excursion. Echoing-sand Mountain is shrouded by golden sand, which resembles a golden dragon winding its way over the horizon if seen from afar. If you look carefully, you can see that the sand has five colors, ranging from red, yellow, green, to white and black. Around the Echoing-Sand Mountain, visitors could see a beautiful crescent-shaped lake, the famous Crescent Lake. It is just like a sparkling emerald embedded on the Echoing-sand Mountain.

The mystery of the Echoing-sand Mountain lies in its sand. When a gale comes, the sand will roar, while if a breeze comes instead, the sound would be gentle, like orchestral music. Travelers can clearly hear such sounds if they are sliding down the mountainside. At first, the sand under the feet just whispers, but the sound will become louder and louder as you slide, and it can become as loud as thunder or a drum beat!

Many travelers say the sand is singing, while others think it is echoing, whence the name Echoing-sand Mountain. Travelers can explore the Echoing-sand Mountain by camel, electric car, quad bike or on foot, but riding a camel is the favorable way among travelers as it is a one-of-a-kind experience. Riding a camel in the desert, travelers can indulge themselves in the boundless desert, mysterious sand-echoing, breathtaking desertscape, azure blue sky and crisp clean air heartily.