Desert discoveries are a history buff's dream

Coming from a country under 250 years old (the United States), living in China and discovering even just a tiny bit of its past is astounding; sometimes it is overwhelming.

Between learning about the various dynasties and ethnic groups, there are also arts, handicrafts, ancient sites, cuisines, policies, economics, and so much more. One of my favorite places to learn about China's ancient history is Dunhuang, a small, county-level city in Gansu province. After many visits, you still won't be able to grasp all there is to learn.

Dunhuang was the first trading town that foreign merchants reached on the ancient Silk Road as they entered Chinese territory from the west, making it a hub for cultural and commodity exchanges.

Situated in the desert, it is home to the fascinating Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are 735 caves dating back to different dynasties, housing the most exquisite and extensive Buddhist art in the world. Murals cover the walls and ceilings, each symbolizing Buddhist beliefs and the daily lives of various gods and common people. Statues populate nearly all of the caves. The most astounding fact: many of the paintings and statues are still preserved today, even after centuries of harsh weather conditions and human-inflicted damage.

Cave No 17 (the Library Cave) is the most fascinating of the 735 caves. When you visit, you may only get a tour inside 10 caves, and the Library Cave is open year-round. Accidentally discovered in 1900 by Taoist monk Wang Yuanlu, over 50,000 relics, including manuscripts, ritual objects, silk paintings, and much more, had been sitting in the cave, providing a rich source of invaluable historical data. Unfortunately, officials at the time hadn't realized the cultural significance of these relics, and thousands were scattered across the world, now housed in museums and private collections.