Our Chinese History Study Tour recently took student participants to Dunhuang, where we explored the ancient Silk Road and gained hands-on learning experiences connected to China’s cultural, historical, and religious development.

We began at the scenic Mingsha Mountain (鳴沙山) and Crescent Lake (月牙泉), where students also tried sand sliding (滑沙). To deepen their understanding of the region’s cultural and religious history, we visited the famous Mogao Caves (莫高窟) and Yulin Caves (榆林窟). We then traveled to the historic frontiers of Yangguan Pass (陽關) and Yumen Pass (玉門關). The trip concluded with two immersive activities: watching the Dunhuang theater show, 《又見敦煌》劇場, and participating in a cultural workshop to try mural mud-plaque painting (泥板畫臨摹).

Overall, this study tour delivered a multi-sensory, classroom-connected learning experience that strengthened students’ curiosity, expanded their historical perspective, and nurtured a lasting appreciation for China’s cultural heritage. By observing the sites firsthand, interpreting what they saw thoughtfully, and creating through hands-on practice, students gained deeper understanding and more meaningful connections to the past.