Day 49: Dunhuang Night Markets

On both nights that we stayed in Dunhuang we ventured down the road to see the Night Markets. There is a pedestrian mall that during the day focusses on the shops that line the street, but at night the street fills up with a line of stalls as long as the eye can see!

There are all manner of items on sale: from the ubiquitous food stalls, local books, to local art (including paintings inspired by the fabulous Mogao Grotto Frescoes, wood-etched scenes of camels crossing the desert, to bottles with paintings skillfully done on the inside of the bottle...). There was silk scarves, mirror cases, beaded bracelets, pocket watches, Chinese name stamps -- etched to order before your eyes -- The sellers along here are quite pleasant though and we spent much time wandering along.

So, what did I buy? I bought a book on the Mogao and other local grottoes, impressed by the images inside. I was also intrigued by the beaded bracelets, and left with four: one carved from peach-stones, one a brilliant red, another a bright green, and lastly a light blue stone bracelet. The red bracelet turned out to be plastic: I know have a full understanding of the warning against 'shady dealers' (and the need to closely inspect what you buy!) The green bracelet was similarly disappointing in full light, being little more than painted glass beads. The blue stone bracelet was a gift from a friend (intrigue!) and was indeed the genuine article. The peach stone bracelet has the Chinese symbols 福， 寿 and 禄 etched onto each stone. 福 (fú) means 'happiness', 寿(shòu) means 'long life', and 禄(lù) means 'prosperity'. Indeed, this is what I wish for each of you!