Echoing Sand Mountain


Echoing-Sand Mountain ('Mingsha Shan' a mountain echoes to the sound of sand in Chinese) is five kilometers (about three miles) away from the city of Dunhuang. Seen from afar, the mountain is just like a golden dragon winding its way over the horizon. As you approach you become aware that the sand has many colors ranging from red to yellow, green, black and white.

On days when a strong wind blows, the fast shifting sand roars; but when the wind is little more than a light breeze, the sand produces gentle, dulcet sounds akin to music. It is the same when you are sliding down the mountainside. At first, the sand under your feet just whispers; but the further you slide, the louder the sound until it reaches a crescendo like thunder or a drum beat. Some say that the sand is singing, while to others it is like an echo and this is how the mountain gets its name. You may wonder why the sand makes these different sounds.

An old legend said that a general and his soldiers meet a fierce battle with their enemies here. As the two sides were deep in fighting each other and the battle was at its height, a large wave of quicksand suddenly came with a great gust of wind. All the warriors were buried in the sand and the sand mountain was formed. Thus, the sound you hear is said to be the roar of the soldier ghosts who have gone on the fight for such long beneath the sand. However, the real cause is the friction and static created as the wind shifts the sand or you slip down the mountainside.


Client’s Reviews

  • John H

    Reviewed 5thOctober2019

    Huge playground of activities offered among the gigantic sand dunes. Well attended by nationals but had camel rides (2,000-5,000 camels available depending on tourist demand!), sliding down sand dunes on furnished sleds, dune buggy drives, ATV rentals / drives, nice tea room in former Buddhist...More

  • Monika1958

    Reviewed 1stOctober2019

    In all I am torn in how to rate that site. The Nature side of this tourist attraction deserves 5 stars. If you have never seen dunes and or an oasis it's quite fascinating. Even though from what I understand the Crescent Moon Lake is...More

  • Andrew M

    Reviewed 27thAugust2019

    The Mingsha Scenic area is easily reached by taking bus # 3 from the center of town. This is the last stop for the bus. After disembarking the bus, walk to the right where the ticket office is located. The ticket for the scenic area...More

  • familytravel4um

    Reviewed 20thAugust2019

    Well, it was not like any "national park" we Americans had visited but we had a blast at Echoing Sands, where in addittion to gorgeous huge sand dunes and a lovely tiny lake in this desert oasis, there are thousands of Chinese families. In summer,...More

  • alisonpriceLeeds

    Reviewed 3rdJuly2019

    A well organised snippet of desert! Good set up - but don’t forgot your passport as needed to access all attractions/buy ticket Riding a camel is good fun for all ages - expect to taken back to scenes from the bible!

  • fesss2018

    Reviewed 3rdJuly2019

    It costs CNY 110 to enter the site and your ticket is valid for 3 days. If you wish to return when you exit make sure prior that you take your picture and when you return it recognizes your face! The site is open 5:00-20:30....More

  • lovetoootravel

    Reviewed 27thJune2019

    To walk on the sand dunes, to climb the sand dunes is awesome. The climb was made easier because the Chinese authorities had installed a ladder going up the sand dune - 105 meters in elevation. When you are up the top, looking down on...More

  • BARBKIEK

    Reviewed 22ndJune2019

    Wonderful to see the Sand Mountain at the end of the main Street in Dunhuang Adventurous people were climbing to the top . The camels also provided an excellent experience for other travellers

  • RitaM0919

    Reviewed 14thJune2019

    The sand dunes are magnificent. You can climb them on foot, on camel, in a dune buggy, or in a jeep. you can take a helicopter or a glider to see them from above. They are massive - 25 km by 40 km... it wasn't...More

  • VoonLoe

    Reviewed 13thJune2019

    The desert and sand dunes is very pretty. I think prettier desert than the Egyptian desert where the Pyramid situated. It is along the Silk Route and easy assess. The best time to visit is either in the morning or evening. If you are going...More

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