Cistanche, also known as Cistanche deserticola, resembles Cynomorium and has a slightly sweet, warm taste. According to the "Compendium of Materia Medica," cistanche is used to treat five types of exhaustion and seven types of injuries, tonify the middle energizer, alleviate cold and heat pain in the penis, nourish the five internal organs, strengthen yin, and enrich essence and qi. It is now being cultivated artificially and is a valuable traditional Chinese medicinal herb awaiting further development.…
Suzhou Mianpi is a beloved summer dish among the people of Jiuquan. The key to its preparation lies in the seasoning: vinegar broth (simmered with star anise, red chili peel, and starch thickened sauce, served in a hotpot, kept warm in winter and removed from heat in summer), ten-spice vinegar (simmered with star anise without thickening, and infused with a few cardamom pods), mashed garlic (garlic...
The production area of Hexi Corridor Wine covers: the production area of Hexi Corridor Wine includes Xiheqing Township, Qingshui Town, Jinfo Temple Town, Fengle Township, Zongzhai Town, Shangba Town, Huajian Township, Yinda Town, Dongdong Township, Guoyuan Township, Xidong Town, Sandun Town, Quanhu Township, Xifeng Township, the Science and Technology Demonstration Farm, Huangliangdun Forest… in Suzhou District, Jiuquan City, Gansu Province.
Sautéed Camel Hump is a delicacy that originated over 1,500 years ago during the Anlong era of the Jin Dynasty. It was created by a chef in Jiuquan for King Li Hao of the Western Liang when he relocated from Dunhuang to Jiuquan. Since then, the dish has spread across various regions of Gansu. Over the centuries, master chefs have continuously refined and improved the recipe, making its preparation increasingly delicate and the knife skills more refined—far surpassing the version enjoyed by King Li Hao back then.
This is a signature dish created by chefs at Jiuquan Hotel. It features the local specialty camel’s foot served alongside sea cucumber on the same plate. The camel’s foot is tender, yellow-hued, and soft to the bite, while the sea cucumber boasts a glossy, attractive appearance. Together, they are neither fishy nor greasy, offering a deliciously fresh and savory taste. Moreover, these two distinctive delicacies complement each other perfectly, resembling a devoted couple who have pledged eternal love and vow to be together for life—hence the name.…
Jiuquan Liquor. The name "Jiuquan" — both its origin and its lasting fame — are tied to the word “wine.” During the glorious Tang Dynasty, the great poet Li Bai wrote in his poem "Drinking Alone Under the Moon": "If Heaven did not love wine, then wine stars would not shine in the sky. If Earth did not love wine, then there would be no Wine Spring on Earth." Meanwhile, Du Fu also wrote in his "Song of the Eight Immortal Drinkers": "On the road, I spot a cart of brew and my mouth waters — wishing I could move my fief to Jiuquan." It’s clear that whether it’s Li Bai or Du Fu, their verses overflow with the rich, intoxicating aroma of Jiuquan’s fine liquors. The brewing of Jiuquan liquor uses pure water from the Qilian Mountains along with locally sourced high-quality sorghum, wheat, corn, and other grains, which has helped maintain its considerable sales volume. Currently, the region has seven liquor production enterprises, mainly producing brands such as "Han Wu Yu" and "Dunhuang," with total product output exceeding 3,000 tons. These liquors are sold across the country in large quantities, with some even exported abroad. As the culture of Jiuquan liquor gains renewed social recognition, the people of Jiuquan are elated: "Amidst the vastness of heaven and earth, what can last forever? Only our Jiuquan liquor."
Hand-pulled noodles are one of the staple foods in Jiuquan and can be found in many family-run eateries. When making the dough, an appropriate amount of salt is added, and after processes such as kneading, pounding, and resting, the dough is divided into portions. When ready to eat, the dough is rounded and stretched into thin strands before being boiled. It is then served mixed with various stir-fried dishes or meat sauces. When stir-fried with additional ingredients on the wok, it becomes stir-fried noodles. There are many varieties of hand-pulled noodles: thin and round ones are called “cháng” (intestine-like)...
Origin: Dunhuang. Features: Made from high-quality transparent natural quartz crystals sourced from the Altun Mountains, these glasses are meticulously polished. Even during the peak summer heat, wearing them keeps your eyes feeling cool and moist, making them especially popular among the elderly…
Origin: Nanhu Township, Dunhuang City (the site of the ancient Yangguan Pass) Features: A newly built 1,000-meter grape corridor equipped with stone benches and tables. Visitors can stroll through the corridor while admiring the view and tasting the grapes. Related products: Yangguan wine, raisins…
Origin: Mingshan Village, Yangjiaqiao Township, Dunhuang City. Characteristics: A superior variant of the Dunhuang jujube, distinct from other types. It is large in size, high in sugar content, and rich in nutrients, with an average fruit weight of 23.9 grams and a maximum of up to 42 grams. The vertical diameter is 4.8 cm, and the horizontal diameter is 3.6 cm. It was exhibited at the 1986 Moscow…
Desert Fruits Sweeter Than Honey: Dunhuang has been a land of fruits since ancient times. Watermelons and melons were introduced to China via the Silk Road around the Western Han Dynasty. Records from the early Eastern Han Dynasty mention that the imperial court received tribute melons from Dunhuang (formerly known as Guazhou). The *Taiping Guangji* states: "The honored consort Yang of Emperor Ming of Han dreamed of eating a delicious melon, so the emperor sent envoys to seek such melons from various regions. At that time, Dunhuang presented an unusual variety of melon..." (The variety was called Qionglong, also known as "Kabo"). The *Book of Han · Treatise on Geography* says: "In the ancient land of Guazhou grew fine melons; foxes would enter them to eat and their heads and tails would not be seen." The *Guangzhi* records: "Among all places that produce melons, those from Liaodong, Lujiang, and Dunhuang are the finest. The melons of Guazhou were as big as a hu (an ancient measuring unit)." Guazhou is the ancient name for Dunhuang. In 525 AD (the sixth year of the Zhengguang era of the Northern Wei Dynasty), the Dunhuang Commandery was abolished and replaced with the Guazhou Commandery, named after the region’s renowned melons. Dunhuang produces a variety of delicious fruits including grapes and jujubes, with the peak harvest season generally from June to October each year.
The cultivation area of Dunhuang Li Guang apricots covers 500 hectares, with an annual output of 2,800 tons and an annual output value of 4.2 million yuan. The Li Guang apricot has a bright golden-yellow hue, smooth skin free of fuzz, dense golden flesh, a sweet and juicy taste, sticky sweet pits, and a rich fragrance. Its edible rate exceeds 90%, making it an excellent-quality fruit known for its honey-sweet juice. It is hailed as a treasure among fruits…
The night-luminous cup is carved from jade stones sourced from the Qilian Mountains. It is called a "night-luminous cup" because it emits a faint glow in dark environments. As Wang Han wrote in his poem, “Grapes, fine wine, night-luminous cups” — this line reveals the secret: just as beauty is matched with a fair maiden and a fine sword with a hero, so too must fine grape wine be sipped from a night-luminous cup…
Suzhou onions are a specialty of Suzhou District in Jiuquan City, Gansu Province. The selection of seeds, seedling cultivation, transplanting, and the growth process of onions in Suzhou District are all well-managed, with no impact from pests, diseases, or natural disasters. Suzhou onions are among the best products in the world. The “Xinyu Brand” onions from Suzhou District have obtained “Green Product” certification. Suzhou District has…
Jiuquan Fukang Furniture has successively won titles such as “Gansu Provincial High-Quality Product,” “Gansu Provincial Famous-Brand Product,” and “Gansu Provincial Famous-Brand Product of Township Enterprises.” Its production capacity and product quality have reached the advanced level of the domestic industry (Jiuquan)…
When you visit Dunhuang in the depths of winter, you’ll come across a fruit that’s frozen as hard as stone, dark brown and gleaming. Plunge it into cold water for about fifteen minutes, and a thin layer of ice will form on the surface. Peel off the ice shell, remove the skin, and enjoy the flesh — sweet with a pleasant tang, and the lingering aroma is simply refreshing. This is Dunhuang’s unique defrosting perfume pear. The perfume pear is commonly known as the soft pear…
These Dunhuang-colored sculptures are replicas designed based on the samples of the Mogao Caves' colored sculptures. They include Buddha statues, Bodhisattvas, the Rebounding Pipa Dancer, muscular figures, and more. The craftsmanship is exquisite, the designs are elegant, the forms are diverse, and the sculptures are incredibly lifelike—winning the hearts of both domestic and international tourists. The most outstanding feature of Dunhuang-colored sculptures is the seamless integration of the statues and the murals, complementing each other in brilliance. They not only showcase the external beauty of painting art but also highlight the mastery of sculptural techniques. With rich imagination, the sculptors have created thousands of variations of the same deities, each with distinct appearances, spiritual expressions, and character traits. The sculptures are remarkably lifelike, possessing strong artistic appeal and high appreciation value.
Dunhuang crystal stone glasses are meticulously crafted from high-quality transparent natural quartz crystals sourced from the Altun Mountains. These glasses are known for their high hardness, excellent transparency, and UV protection. Even during the peak of summer heat, wearing these glasses will keep your eyes cool and moist, making them an ideal choice for eye protection while traveling...
Dunhuang carpets have a long history and have been passed down through generations. They are crafted using refined traditional techniques. The materials used are high-quality wool yarns with long fibers, moderate thickness, good luster, and strong tensile strength. Products made from this yarn feature harmonious colors, flexible patterns, glossy surfaces, soft texture, and elasticity. Through special processing, the appearance is classic and antique...
To make Jiangshui Noodles, you first need to prepare the Jiangshui (fermented brine). Put celery, arrowhead cabbage, or lotus-leaf cabbage into noodle soup, add Jiangshui starter, then pour it into a vat and let it ferment in a warm place for three days to produce a tangy and refreshing brine. It contains various beneficial enzymes that help relieve summer heat, stimulate appetite, and is a great summer dish. After boiling handmade noodles, rinse them in cold boiled water...