For those who thirst for ancient frontier tales, the windswept Yangguan and Yumen passes are unmissable bookends to Dunhuang's storied past. These two formidable guardians, standing to the south and north, respectively, were the pivotal western gateways of the ancient Silk Road, where caravans departed from China for the vast unknowns of Central Asia. Yangguan Pass is near present-day Nanhu village. It was established by the Han Dynasty (206 BC to AD 220) as a military stronghold. Its sunbaked earthen walls, preserved remarkably by the arid climate for nearly 2,000 years, whisper stories of farewells.

Yumen Pass to the north earned its name as the key conduit for international jade in China. More than a trade checkpoint, this massive, square, fortress-like structure was a critical military shield along the Han Great Wall. Its imposing ruins still evoke its dual role: a gateway for international commerce and a bulwark against northern invasions.