Echoing Sand Mountain


  • echoing sand mountain
  • echoing sand mountain
  • echoing sand mountain
  • echoing sand mountain
  • echoing sand mountain
  • echoing sand mountain
  • echoing sand mountain
  • echoing sand mountain
  • echoing sand mountain
  • echoing sand mountain
  • echoing sand mountain
  • echoing sand mountain
  • echoing sand mountain
  • 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

  • Chandiandy

    Chandiandy

    Reviewed 11thSeptember2013

    always thought deserts are forlorn sandy places with only camels but this is an experience never to forget. Have climbed mountains, rocks but never a sand mountain and the incredible sight after you get on top of this is exhilarating. If not for the people...More

  • countingstars

    countingstars

    Reviewed 23rdDecember2016

    Great chance to ride camels too! The crescent moon lake is anti-climactic as it has shrunk over the years, but it's included, so worth a see.

  • TheTravelPirate

    TheTravelPirate

    Reviewed 14thNovember2017

    This really is a whole complex of things to do not far from the crescent lake. there is camel riding, helicopter rides, and dune surfing just to name a few. It can get really crowded especially during holiday times.

  • Jeff C

    Jeff C

    Reviewed 30thSeptember2017

    Highly recommend to climb up the hill and rent the ATV to climb further up to view the sunset. Fantastic view.

  • vaniaking

    vaniaking

    Reviewed 9thJuly2017

    I felt like this was a cross between a natural park and an amusement park. You can ride camels (100RMB), slide down the dune (15 RMB), "hike" (just a walk up the sand dune with wooden stairs to help you) to have a great bird's...More

  • TripAway7

    TripAway7

    Reviewed 21stAugust2016

    Almost Disney,and version of sand dunes, certainly not romantic. It was raining while we were there, and or was still crowded. It was interesting to see the huge number of camels, over 1000. Apparently they are like owned by local families, 2-3 per family, which...More

  • garylow

    garylow

    Reviewed 20thJune2017

    Few places in the world have sand dunes as tall and impressive as Dunhuang's Echoing Sand dunes. But the Chinese have capitalised on this with an expensive entrance fee (120 Yuan), loads of 'add-ons' (shoe voers 5 Yuan, camel rides 100 Yuan, helicopter rides considerably...More

  • Ricarda N

    Ricarda N

    Reviewed 26thApril2016

    at 120 RMB the ticket this is a complete rip off for seeing some dunes you can see for free everywhere and taking a picture of a pond in the desert. The ticket is valid for three days but there is not enough to do...More

  • puvan73

    puvan73

    Reviewed 1stSeptember2017

    Visited the Singing Sand Dunes (part of the Taklamakan desert) and although it is very touristy it is a beautiful place to visit. Took a jeep ride to the quite parts of the desert. Great views!! Richard Yue our guide got us there safely all...More

  • paiges252

    paiges252

    Reviewed 19thMarch2017

    As the only westerner in the whole park that I could see, understanding the camel guide was a bit difficult. All I can say is just do it. The guide takes you on a camel up to near the top of a sand dune. You...More

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