In Chinese, mingsha means singing sand. Whenever wind blows across the land, the countless sand grains that cover it rub against each other, producing a deep, resonant sound. Sometimes, it's a hum; other times, a roar.

"Ever-conscious of the Silk Road's perils, ancient travelers would sometimes commission the carving of a Buddhist grotto in Dunhuang before venturing into the unknown, offering prayers in exchange for divine protection," says Zhong Na, a veteran guide.

"In this way, the grottoes, which probably wouldn't have existed if not for the Silk Road, became its guardian, offering comfort and spiritual strength — gifts as vital to a traveler as water."

Today, visitors emerge from the shadows of the caves to watch dance performances inspired by the grotto paintings. With each twirl, the dancers seem to blur the passage of 1,000 years, dissolving the line between history and the present.

And the audience is left in wonder, unaware that they have become part of this eternal dance — a timeless cycle of culture, faith and discovery as enduring as the wind itself.

Tong Yunshan contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at zhaoxu@chinadaily.com.cn

Must visit:

? Tianti Mountain Grottoes: Dengshan village, Wuwei city, Gansu province

? Mati Temple Grottoes: Sunan Yugur autonomous county, Zhangye city, Gansu

? Mogao Grottoes: Dunhuang city, Gansu

? Baita Temple: Baita village, Wuwei city, Gansu