China. Dunhuang

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Description

Crossing the Taklamakan desert is a demanding step. And only once the Silk Road caravans made it could they say they truly arrived in China. The Bactrian camel has become emblematic of the region: without it, trade could not have developed along the Silk Road. Between the Dunhuang oasis’ dunes, our guide meets a woman camel breeder. The oasis has become a popular tourist spot but its fragile ecosystem has to be protected. The valley of the 1,000 Buddhas stretches outwards from the edge of Dunhuang. This extraordinary archaeological site comprises no fewer than 492 caves, with cave-paintings dating from the fourth to the fourteenth century. One cave contains a 36 meters tall statue of Buddha—the biggest Buddha recorded in the history of China.