 Journey into Gansu Province |
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 | | Mingsha (Echoing Sands) Mountains |
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The sands surrounding the Yumen Pass, also known as the Jade Gate Pass, are vast and reminiscent of the colorful sand in bottles received from friends who vacation on the beaches of coastal cities in the US.
The expanse of these sands begins as soon as one departs from Dunhuang, Gansu Province, in northwestern China. Dunhuang was once a very important water supply and battle site along the Silk Road. It lies between Yumen in Gansu, and Urumqi in Xinjiang Autonomous Region, in the Gobi Desert.
Yumen Pass, also known as the Jade Gate Pass
The road out to the Yumen and Yangmen Passes runs parallel to the Mingsha (Echoing Sands) Mountains. On one side of the road, one can see the 40 km long natural barrier of sandy mountains. On the other, the end of the desert plains is invisible. From far away, both gate passes look like insignificant piles of rock.
The Mingsha (Echoing Sands) Mountains
However, from a historical perspective, the two sites were of great significance during the era of the Silk Road. After taking a closer look, one can see the value in each, riding camelback along the dunes, in 90ºF weather at high noon.
At Yangmen Pass, there is a museum housing a replica of the old fort. There, one can learn the stories of the Han and Tang Dynasties as people traveled along the Silk Road. Also noteworthy are the clear blue skies and scattered patterns of white clouds.
The temperature in the Gobi desert drastically rises and falls and is only predictable to those who have lived there for many years.
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
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| Agatha So |
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| Agatha So is an American living and working in Beijing. She has been working with PD Online since September 2007. After traveling throughout China and within Beijing for almost two years now, this country still remains fascinating to her in so many ways. She has spent more than a year traveling throughout China and within Beijing. She would like to share her experiences with you, and welcomes any comments or feedback you may have. |
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