To the west of Dunhuang, the valley gradually broadens and one quickly enters the largely barren waste of the gravel desert. There were to main defensive points on this side of the city, one (the Yümen Guan) controlling the major road west that led to Lou-Lan, and the other defending the road south to the mountains. Along this southern route, traces of the old Han wall can be seen, leading to a small oasis that was the focal point of a complex network of watch towers. Click here to bring up a topographic map, and then on its upper left portion a detailed sketch map of the fortifications and some photographs of the "Southern Gate."
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© 1999 Daniel C. Waugh