Dunhuang Melons and Fruits

Last updated 2026-11-13 — 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.