Xi’an, known as Chang’an in history, is the capital of Shaanxi Province. Having served as the capitals for 11 dynasties over 1,100 years in Chinese history, it is acclaimed as the oldest among the four ancient capitals (Xi’an, Beijing, Nanjing, Luoyang). The history of the city can be traced back to three thousand years ago. It is regarded as a natural history museum in China with over 73 identified emperors’ tombs and numerous historic sites in the area. It was the starting point of “the Silk Road” and was the trading center which witnessed the prosperity of trade between China and the rest of the world from the 2nd century BCE to the 14th century. The Ming Dynasty city wall, built partially on the ruins of the Tang imperial city wall, is so far the best preserved city wall in China to demonstrate the city defensive system in ancient China.

Dunhuang, an oasis in the middle of the Gobi Desert in Gansu Province, was the most important post station along “the Silk Road” for caravans to get necessities and take a rest before and after they crossed the Taklamakan Desert. People gathered here to do business, perform religious activities. Dunhuang flourished economically and culturally as a result of these activities. Buddhism came with most caravans becoming the most influential religion and some better-off caravans and local merchants began to make beautiful Buddhist caves with statues and wall paintings to offer thanks to Buddha for blessings. From the 4th century to 14th century, over 492 Buddhist caves had been made. As the Maritime Silk Road flourished from the 14th century, the comparative difficult land silk road declined and Dunhuang was deserted ever since Marco Polo’s travel. In the beginning of the 20th century, an unexpected discovery of the Sutra Cave in Mogao Caves caused a sensation around the globe, and the British, French, Russian, Japanese, German and American explorers rushed in to dig the treasures. The 492 caves with Buddhist statues and wall paintings from different times in history became a live show of the development of arts, architecture, culture and people’s livelihood in history. Dunhuang, a hidden gem along the ancient Silk Road, boasts mesmerizing landscapes and cultural wonders.