Dunhuang, a desert oasis on the old Silk Road - in pictures

Dunhuang, a city in Gansu Province, Western China was major stop on the ancient Silk Road. Now it's a tourist destination

Buddhist monk's cross the desert road in Yardang Geopark also known as Devils Town near Dunhuang. All photos by EPA

A man climbs dunes near Crescent Lake in Dunhuang.

A woman prays towards the sun in the desert in Yardang Geopark.

A road cuts through the desert.

A general view of the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang.

A Buddhist monk walks on the desert road.

Dunhuang has a considrable Uighur population.

Dunhuang has a considrable Uighur population.

A general view of the Crescent Lake oasis - a protected UNESCO site.

People rides camels on the dunes.

A man walks along the crest of a dune.

Camels stands near Crescent Lake.

Climbers scale a dune.

A general view of the Mogao Caves.

People ride camels.

People climb dunes near Crescent Lake.

A Pagoda near Crescent Lake.

Camel tracks in the sand.

Dunhuang was once a major stop on the ancient Silk Road, established in an oasis on a crossroads of the Southern Route of Silk Road and the main road from India through Tibet and Mongolia towards Southern Siberia.

It's now a significant tourist destination with 10 million travellers visting its best known attractions; the Crescent Lake, the Mogao Caves, Yardang Geopark and a desert with sand dunes as far as the eye can see.

In winter, temperatures drop to -25°C and the dunes freeze with the crests covered in snow.

About 25km from Dunhuang is the Buddhist Mogao Caves. The grottos are famous for their art, statues and manuscripts hidden in a sealed-up cave.

The Crescent Lake can be found six kilometres south of the city.

Yardang Geopark, known colloquially as Devils Town, is home to a number of UNESCO-protected rock formations located about 180 kilometers northwest of Dunhuang.

When there are no wind visitors experience soundless environment.