Dun in Chinese means "grand", Huang means "prosperity". As an inland city of China, Dunhusng, located at the northwest of Gansu Province, is bordered by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Qinghai Province. Dunhuang with a population of 130,000 covers an area of 31.2 square kilometers.

During Han and Tang Dynasty, it served as a major point of interchange between China and other countries – a stopping-off post for both incoming and outgoing trading caravans. An administration was set up at Dunhuang in A.D. 111. Today, Dunhunag is a popular tourist attraction which attracts people with its numerous historic sites such as Yumenguan Pass, ruins of Yangguan Pass, Wuwa Pond, Sanwei Mountain, and Ringing-Sand Hill, Crescent-Moon Pool and the many grotto carvings and murals.

Dunhuang lives on agriculture. In recent years, tourism is booming fast and becomes a new economic propeller. Dunhuang's city centre is relatively highly developed, including much commercial activity and many hotels. Bookshops and other souvenir shops sell materials relating to the Caves and the history of the region. A night market is held in the city centre, popular with tourists. Many souvenir items, including jade, jewelry, scrolls, hangings, small sculptures, are all available for you there.