Dunhuang is quite different from other tourist cities in China. It has evident local characteristics. The night life in Dunhuang is peculiar and colorful. With few sparkling bars, discos or clubs, etc., the main attractions for Dunhuang night life are the night markets. Some of the most popular night life attractions are as below:
Dunhuang Night market - Shazhou Market
Shazhou Market is a wonderful place for visitors to learn about Dunhuang folk-customs and life. The market is divided into several areas, devoted to snacks, art ware, Sanpaotai (a kind of drinking vessel), Tea House area and a special ethnic products area etc. Tourists can stroll freely along the street. There are also local opera street shows performed by amateurs for entertainment and fun.
Dunhuang Musicians and Dancers
During a long period in Chinese history, Dunhuang used to be a melting pot for both song and dance of western and eastern cultures and developed a school all its own, the Dunhuang Folk Musicians and Dancers. Programs of the Feitian Song and Dance Group of the Dunhuang Hotel will bring to you the scene of the prosperous Tang Dynasty (618-907).
Summer of Dunhuang
This is a grand song and dance performance with abundant cultural references to the Silk Road. Performed in the ethnic art of song and dance. The performance gets the inspiration from the murals in Mogao Grottoes, and portrays the dancing, finery and music of the ethnic groups along the Silk Road.
Such performances can be viewed from June to October at the Conference Center of Dunhuang Hotel, from 20:00 to 21:10.