Echoing Sand Dune

Embraced by rolling ridges and precipitous cliffs, the Echoing Sand Dune is five kilometers away from the city of Dunhuang. Seen from afar, the dune is just like a golden dragon winding its way over the horizon, stretching about 40 kilometers from east to west, 20 kilometers from north to south. As you approach, you will notice that the sand is colorful with colors ranging from red to yellow, green, black, and white.

The Echoing Sand Dune is interesting and fantastic. On days when a strong wind blows, the fast shifting sand roars; but when the wind is little more than a light breeze, the sand produces gentle, dulcet sounds akin to music. It is the same when you are sliding down the mountainside. At first, the sand under your feet just whispers; but the further you slide, the louder the sound until it reaches a crescendo like thunder or a drum beat. Some say that the sand is singing, while to others it is like an echo and this is how the mountain gets its name. Why can the sand make different sounds? A legend says that in ancient time, a Chinese general leaded his army to fight with the enemy here. When the fierce battle was at its height, a gale blew up, filling the sky with sand and burying all the soldiers. Beneath the sand, the solders continued to beat drums, roar and fight. That is the sound we hear today. Actually, the real cause is the friction and static created as the wind shifts the sand or you slip down the mountainside.


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