Dunhuang, renowned for its culture and prosperity throughout history, is now a county-level city under the administration of Jiuquan City, Gansu Province. Evidence has shown that humans have inhabited the area since 2,000 B.C.

As a major stop on the ancient Silk Road, Dunhuang, with its literal meaning of "Blazing Beacon," formed a strategic garrison on the western borders of China, as well as a booming trade and cultural exchange center.

Situated in a rich oasis among the vast desert, Dunhuang is most famous for its Mogao Grottoes, which is filled with art treasures spanning a millennium. The area's representative scenic spots also include Crescent Lake and Mingsha Mountain, literally "Echoing-sand Mountain," which was named after the sound of the wind blowing across the dunes. Streams of visitors flock to the town every day.

The following are the top 10 must-sees in Dunhuang.

 Dunhuang Folk-Custom Museum (敦煌民俗博物館)

Dunhuang Folk-Custom Museum [Photo by Mi Xingang/China.org.cn]

The Dunhuang Folk-Custom Museum, covering an area of 7,920 square meters, is located at the foot of Mingsha Mountain. It contains 126 rooms created in an antique style to display the quadrangle dwelling form, the most typical Dunhuang folk house style with the function of shielding the home from bandits, thieves and sand. The exhibition halls display local customs such as those of marriage, funerals, birthday celebrations, worshipping ceremonies, trading, dining, celebrities' calligraphies and paintings, embroidery, etc., left behind by those who lived in northwestern China.