On the Chinese lunar calendar, April 8 is the birthday of Sakyamuni. On this day every year, there will be a grand temple fair to celebrate the Buddha’s birthday in the Mogao Grottoes.

Starting April 1^st (by the lunar calendar), people walk uphill to the Mogao Grottoes. On the 8^th, the number of people reaches its highest point. They worship the Buddha and thank him for their fulfilled wishes, and pray for their peace and welfare.

There are also dealers sealing snacks and folk artists playing the Sanxian, a three-stringed plucked instrument, the Erhu, a two-stringed bowed instrument, and singing special Dunhuang folk songs under the trees and beside the creeks. The atmosphere is always fun and lively.

By: Jiang Haiwen

Tea   West Lake   

Temple      Su Dongpo 

zhouzhuang

Fans   Embroidery

Garden     Fuzimiao

Zhonghua Gate

Nanjing Salted Duck