Local Cuisine

Dunhuang's cuisine reflects its nomadic and Silk Road heritage, featuring mutton, handmade noodles, and local melons/fruits. Flavors are robust and aromatic. Shazhou Night Market is the top foodie spot.

【Highlights】

uDonkey Meat with Yellow Noodles: The iconic local dish. Chewy, hand-pulled wheat noodles served with sliced, braised donkey meat in a savory sauce.

uMutton Soup with Vermicelli: A comforting, clear broth soup with tender mutton, transparent vermicelli, and green garlic shoots—perfect for cool desert nights.

uApricot Skin Water: The signature local drink. A sweet-and-sour beverage brewed from dried apricots, served chilled to quench thirst.

uLamb Stew with Flatbread Strips: A hearty stew where tender lamb is slow-cooked and then topped with wide, hand-pulled noodles that steam and absorb the rich broth.

Pro Tips:

uShazhou Night Market offers a wide variety of snacks in a lively atmosphere.

uIf hesitant about donkey meat, order the yellow noodles alone with other dishes.

uA bowl of hot mutton soup is perfect for Dunhuang's cool evenings.