What did I do?
I had heard about the challenging conditions in Dunhuang long before, but upon my arrival, I truly realized the harshness of this place. The moment my plane touched down, the scorching sun beat down, and the locals mentioned that these were considered relatively cooler days. Taking a bus to my hotel, all I could see along the way was vast stretches of sand, an endless expanse of it. The locals even remarked that this was a period with minimal sandstorms.
Once on-site, my team and I learned how to construct a square of hay to increase ground resistance. This method effectively secured the sand to the ground when the wind blew, minimizing sand drifts. Later, we enjoyed local performances that depicted the history of Dunhuang, providing a glimpse into the charm of the region. Finally, we interviewed locals and our accompanying teachers to gather their perspectives on Dunhuang. If you're interested, you can watch the video below.