| Dunhuang has always served as a critical gateway leading to the west throughout the history of over two thousand yearsdue to its unique geographical location at the juncture of Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang. As a result, several China emperors throughout history have made western fortifications in Dunhuang.
Dunhuang, however,was also a regional cultural center of sorts. The Mogao Grottoes, also known as the Dunhuang Grottoes or the "Thousand Buddha Grottoes", is located on the western cliffs of the Singing Sands Mountains. Being one of the four most well-known grottoes, it is one of the most complete collections of Buddhist frescoes and sculpture from a period ranging over ten dynasties. |
