敦煌Dunhuang

敦煌是中国历史文化名城之一，古称沙洲。她位于中国西北甘肃省河西走廊的西端，甘肃、青海、新疆三省（区）的交汇处。北纬40度10分，东径92度48分。南枕气势雄伟的祁连山，西接浩瀚无垠的塔克拉玛干大沙漠，北靠嶙峋蛇曲的北塞山，东峙峰岩突兀的三危山，地处青藏高原北部边缘地带，是一个高山和沙漠、戈壁环绕的小绿洲，以戈壁、沙漠和山地为主，绿洲面积占4.5%，平均海拔1100米。

煌最初立郡于汉武帝元鼎六年(公元前111年)，为汉河西四郡之一，史称“三危”、“瓜州”，自古为丝绸之路东、中段各线交汇的枢纽。丝绸之路进入新疆的三条路线，都以敦煌为出发点，不论东来或西去的商旅都经过敦煌，故史书上说，西域诸道，“总辏于敦煌”。自汉唐以来，敦煌成为东、西方政治、经济、文化交流的中心，华戎交汇的大都会。

敦煌历史悠久，文化灿烂，境内名胜古迹星罗棋布，自然风光奇特迷人。现存有石窟寺庙遗址、古墓葬群、汉长城、关隘、古城、烽遂、古驿站等文物景点241处。举世闻名的世界人类文化遗产莫高窟，千古绝唱的阳关、玉门关、非凡神奇的鸣沙山、月牙泉，具有传奇色彩的渥洼池、三危山、雅丹魔鬼城，尤其是莫高窟、西千佛洞、榆林窟的文化艺术和汉长城、悬泉置历史遗迹，无不令人心驰神往。

1986年敦煌被国务院命名为“中国历史文化名城”，1987年莫高窟被联合国教科文组织授于世界文化遗产证书，1998年敦煌市被评为“中国优秀旅游城市”。

在这个群山拥抱的天然小盆地中，党河雪水滋润着肥田沃土，绿树浓荫挡住了黑风黄沙；粮棉旱涝保收，瓜果四季飘香；沙漠奇观神秘莫测，戈壁幻海光怪陆离；文化遗存举世闻名，人才辈出……美丽的敦煌，她是飞天的故乡，是世界艺术宝库里的一颗明珠，她是一块富饶、神奇而又诱人的土地。

Called Shazhou in ancient times, Dunhuang is one of China's famous historical and cultural cities. Dunhuang lies at the western end of the Hexi Corridor in Gansu Province in Northwest China. Situated in the 40o10' of the north latitude and the 92o48' of the east longitude, Dunhuang connects Gansu, Qinghai provinces, and Xinjing Uygur Autonomous Region. With the Qilian Mountains to the south, the Takli-makan Desert to the west, Beisai (north area beyond the Great Wall) Mountain and Sanwei Mountain to the east, Dunhuang is an oasis surrounded by mountains, deserts and Gobis in the north edge of the Tibetan Plateau. The oasis area accounts for 4.5% of the land area with an average altitude of 1,100 meters.

Being one of the four cities west of the Hanhe River in ancient times, Dunhuang was established as a prefecture in the sixth year (111BC) of the Yuanding reign in the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-8AD). It was once called Sanwei or Guazhou. The ancient town used to be an important stopover point on the Silk Road. Dunhuang is the starting point of all the three routes to Xinjiang. Since the Han and the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Dunhuang became a metropolis and the communication center of politics, economy and culture between the East and the West.

With a long history and a splendid culture, Duhuang has an album including the best works representing different historical periods with brief introductions. There are a great many of places of interest and scenic spots, 241 of which are famous ones such as the relics of the grottos, the group of tombs, the great wall of the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD), the ancient city, the beacon fair and the relay stations. The world famous places are the Mogao Grottos, the Yumenguan Pass, ruins of Yangguan Pass, Wuwa Pond, Sanwei Mountain, Ringing-Sand Hill, Crescent-Moon Pool and the many grotto carvings and murals. The Ringing-Sand Area is one of China's key tourist attractions.

In 1986, the State Council proclaimed Dunhuang a Chinese historical and cultural city. The UNESCO put the Mogao Grottos on its list of world natural and cultural heritages in 1987. It was approved as an excellent tourist city of China in 1998. The melted snow water moistens the fertile land, and the forest prevents the sand and wind. Endowed by nature so much convenience, Dunhuang has good harvests of various kinds of fruits. With marvelous desert scenery and prestigious relics, Dunhuang is the homeland of the flying Aparas and the bright pearl of art in the world. It is a land of fertility and miracle.