Other animals are disappearing as well. The desertification is a serious problem for all Oasis Towns in the Hexi Corridor, but first and foremost for the Oasis of Dunhuang and the Mogao Caves.
With the desertification rate increasing with a drought in entire North China since 2004 AD, the desert is now moving faster at a rate of 8 to 10 meters per year. Sometimes wells are dug but local authorities have found out this only exacerbates the situation and has banned unauthorized digging. Soon Miqing County, of which Dunhuang is part will be covered by desert for over 90%, for the first time in recorded history connecting the Badain Desert in the West to the TengGer Desert in the East.
This page was last updated on: July 27, 2017
Welcome to China Report's Digital Introduction to the famed Mogao Caves, at Mogao Town & Township, South-East of Dunhuang in Gansu Province.

The encroaching Kumutage Desert is threatening the Magoa Caves at Dunhuang. The Shule River which runs through Dunhuang Oasis has so many dams put there for irrigation purposes that its waters are shrinking. Climate changes and shrinking gletsjers at the river source are another long term worry. The Desert has been growing at a rate of 1 to 4 meters each year since 2004 AD. At a distance of only some 50 kilomters from Kumutage Desert, Mogao is in trouble. Although the 1000 year old buddhist art-pices ar relics of the
Mogao Caves - Mogao Ku
(1) Directions to Mogao Caves - Arrival at Mogao Caves
DongCheng District Landmarks,Monuments, Hotspots Main Menu
Go to www.drben.net webring
Go to Next Page !
- Mouse over Image -
Head into the Extensive Central Market of Dunhuang !
All Online Sources used in the creation of this Report
Take your Time to Explore the Area
West inside the Park Grounds
Overview Map of Dunhuang Village
Return up the Road and turn to the East
Return up the Road to the Railway Station
- Mouse over Image -
Mouse over Image !!
- Mouse over Image -
caves are protected by steel doors and some caves are air-conditioned, the exteriors of the caves are increasingly damaged by desert sands carried on the strong winds frequenting this area (mainly in spring). In the Future the entire Cave complex could be buried under the Shifting Sands.

The Desert is expanding because the local Shule River holds less water, losing its grip on its banks and giving sand a chance to roam free. Increased population and agriculture since the 1960's have created a problem of desertification. Global Climate changes taking place since the 1990's have meant less and less water falling from the Sky and onto nearby Mountain slopes to eventually fill the River.
Tourist development of Dunhuang as the beginning of the Chinse Silk Road and the home of the most magnificent and unique buddhist art in the world has increased water concerns.More Desert means less vegetation and therefor less wild Camels, which were already rare in the area.

View Larger Map
Full Google Map of Mogao Caves, Mogao Town, Dunhuang City Prefecture, Gansu Province.
Dunhuang Maps
Dunhuang Landmarks
Dunhuang Hotels
Gansu Online Sources
Gansu Maps
Gansu Province
Baiyin Home
Gansu Province Home
China Offline Sources
AsiaReport.com Home
China Report Home
China Online Sources
China Online Store
China Maps
China
China Photo Galleries
China Report Club
Wuwei
Wuwei Home
Baiyin Prefecture
Zhangye
Zhangye Home
Tianshui
Tianshui Home
JiaYuGuan
JiaYuGuan Home
JiuQuan Prefecture
Aksay AC Home
Dunhuang City Home
JiuQuan Home
Dingxi Home
Dingxi Prefecture
Gannan Home
Gannan Prefecture
Lanzhou
Lanzhou Home
Huixian Home
Longnan Prefecture
Pingliang
Pingliang Home
Linxia (Hui) Prf.
Linxia Home
Qingyang
Qingyang Home
Jinchang
Jinchang Home
My Great Web page
To Main Menu of All Websites at DrBen.Net
ChinaReport.com at
Mogao Caves (1) Directions, Map and Main Gate
Mogao Caves (2) Eastern Stupa Field
Mogao Caves (3) Mogao Caves Park
Mogao Caves (4) 9 Story Pavillion (Cave 96)
Mogao Caves (5) South Rim Caves
Mogao Caves (6) South Rim Climb
Mogao Caves (7) North Rim Caves
-->> M) Dunhuang Schematic Map 01