敦煌位於一片引水灌溉而成的棉產區中，是一個綠洲城。

敦煌是漢代河西四郡之一，位於河西走廊的最西端，是漢朝經營西域的橋頭堡壘，唐朝時，敦煌名沙州。

由於天山南北的三條古絲路都匯集於此，所以敦煌是前往西域最後的補給站，也是從西域越過戈壁沙漠歸來的休息站。


Dunhuang is a small oasis town located in the northwest of Gansu province near the Xinjiang border.

Dunhuang was once the westernmost outpost of the Chinese empire and during the 1st century BC
it became an important trading and military town.
Silk Road travelers used to stop at Dunhuang to gather food and supplies before venturing further into the Gobi desert.

Dunhuang today is a relaxed place, trips out to the sand dunes, the beautiful Crescent Moon Lake and camel riding
provide a glimpse into the life of the trading caravans in centuries gone by.