Halting places; generally styled caravanserai in Turkish and Persian; were established by rulers to promote and protect the trade that enriched their kingdoms. Ideally these were roadside inns placed a day apart where travellers could eat; sleep and recover from the day's journey; with their animals securely tethered; watered and fed; and their precious goods safely within walls.

Mingsha Shan (Singing Sand Dunes) are situated about 4km south of Dunhuang. They are the largest and most impressive sand dunes in China. The main dunes rise to between 250m and 300m. They are called 鈥楽inging Sands' because the shifting grains of sand make a humming noise in powerful winds.

The Kumtagh Desert is a section of the Taklamakan Desert which lies east-southeast of the Desert of Lop.