Mingshan Mountains

Mount Mingshaan with dagger-shaped peaks stretches from the rock of the Mogao caves from south to north for 20 kilometers. The mountain is also called the “mountain of ringing sand”. This name it received from an unusual natural phenomenon: from touching the sand on the sandy slope of the mountain, its ringing sound is heard.

In the mountains of Mingshaan there are Mogao caves ("Caves of a thousand Buddhas") with a total length of 2 kilometers. The beginning of their construction dates back to 366. The cave reads over 700. Inside them are stored ancient wall paintings, occupying an area of 45 thousand square meters. In 492 caves there are colored frescoes and sculptures. In 1987, the caves were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as the most valuable Buddhist religious buildings.