Dunhuang's distinctive fruits owe much to the region's unique natural environment. Located in an inland desert oasis, Dunhuang in Gansu province enjoys abundant sunshine, very low rainfall, and large day-night temperature differences. These conditions help fruit accumulate high levels of natural sugars, giving them a notably sweet and rich flavor. When visiting this oasis city, remember to treat your taste buds by sampling some of its local specialties.
1. Li Guang Apricot |李广杏
Named after the legendary Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) general Li Guang (184-119 BC), the famous Li Guang Apricot is closely tied to local folklore. According to legend, Li Guang planted apricots near the oasis where his troops were stationed in Dunhuang. The fruit was said to be exceptionally sweet, and the trees soon spread across the region, giving rise to the name that remains popular today.
In fact, the variety traces its origin to the 1920s when apricot saplings from Hotan in Xinjiang were successfully grafted and cultivated in Dunhuang. Over time, the fruit became widely grown in the oasis and is now regarded as one of the city's signature specialties.
Li Guang Apricot features smooth, glossy skin completely free of fuzz, and is yellow with a hint of green when ripe. Bite into one and you'll find juicy flesh bursting with high sweetness, feeling like sinking into a gentle wave of honeyed flavor.
Li Guang Apricot ripens in early to mid-summer, usually from late June to early July. Because the harvest season is relatively short — often only about two to three weeks — late June is considered the best time for visitors to taste the fruit in Dunhuang. Local orchards and markets often sell them during this brief peak season.
Be sure to try one of Dunhuang's signature drinks — apricot peel tea（杏皮水）. Made by simmering dried apricots, it offers a perfectly balanced sweet-and-sour flavor and is refreshing after a rich meal. You'll find it everywhere, from local restaurants to the bustling Dunhuang Night Market.
If you enjoy the apricot's taste, don't miss the chance to take some home — dried apricots and preserved apricot snacks make delicious souvenirs.
2. Ziyan (Purple-Blush) Peach |紫胭桃
Peach cultivation in Dunhuang has a long history, with records appearing in murals of the Mogao Caves and in manuscripts discovered in the Library Cave. Ziyan Peach is a prized cultivar of the local Li Guang Peach (nectarine), cherished for its vibrant color, juicy flesh, rich sweetness, and intense flavor. A local saying captures its charm perfectly: "Even the most beautiful days of August cannot compare to the fresh taste of a bite of Ziyan Peach."
The peach ripens from mid-August to early October, with the main harvest period concentrated in late summer and early autumn — also an ideal time to visit Dunhuang — when luscious peaches fill local markets and fruit shops, where you can buy some and have a bite.
For a more immersive experience, head to Qili town in western Dunhuang, the heartland of Ziyan Peach cultivation. Wander through sunlit orchards and pick your own fruit straight from the trees.
If you'd like to take this flavor home, stop by specialty stores or dried fruit shops at Dunhuang Night Market. Dried peaches make a delightful souvenir — perfect for snacking or steeping in water for a subtly sweet, refreshing drink.
3. Dunhuang grapes
Dunhuang is one of China's important production bases for high-quality grapes. The cultivation of grapes here dates back centuries, as clusters of crystal-like grapes appear in the murals of the Mogao Caves.
Grapes in Dunhuang ripen during mid-August and early October, with September marking the peak for both flavor and quantity. You can easily buy fresh grapes at fruit shops downtown or head out to vineyards in nearby towns for a hands-on experience, especially around Yangguan town. You can wander through the vines, picking and tasting.
Common local grape varieties include: White Seedless, oval green grapes with thin skins, tender flesh, and a refreshing balance of sweetness and acidity; Red Globe, large, purplish-red grapes with crisp flesh and a sweet taste, great for storage and travel; Rizamat, long, plump grapes with a thin, purple skin, crisp and sweet, but best enjoyed fresh; Muscat, purplish-red skin, soft, juicy flesh, with a delicate rose-like aroma; Xinyu, evenly shaped, thick-fleshed grapes with a fresh sweetness, resistant to storage and transportation; and Shine Muscat, vibrant green, juicy, tender, and sweet, with a signature rose note.
If you're a true grape lover, don't miss the grape milk drink at "Mo Ter" (莫茶) inside the Mogao Caves scenic area — light, flavorful, and the perfect way to cool off after exploring.
4. Mingshan Jujube |鸣山大枣
Mingshan Jujube is a specialty unique to Dunhuang in Gansu province, growing in the sandy soils at the foothills of the famous Mingsha Mountain, from which its name derives. Ripening in mid-September, Mingshan Jujubes are renowned for their large size, natural sweetness, and rich nutritional value. The fresh fruit has smooth, red skin and crisp, juicy flesh with a green-white hue.
Left to dry on the tree, the fruits turn into dried, chewy red jujubes — one of Dunhuang's most prized local products. You can easily find and buy them in dried-fruit and specialty shops. They are believed to help nourish the blood, boost vitality, support kidney health, and calm the mind. Other tasty treats like jujubes shrouded with milk powder (called naizao in Chinese) are also available.
For a local dining experience, don't miss the beautifully presented Mingshan Jujube dish served at the Dunhuang Hotel’s Dunhuang banquet — both eye-catching and delicious.
Another unique delicacy is Dunhuang liquor-soaked jujubes, one of Dunhuang's famed "Eight Oddities" (eight special delicacies in Dunhuang). Fresh, crisp dates are steeped in strong liquor and sealed in jars, where they last for a long time. If you want to try a distinctive aroma where fruity sweetness meets a hint of spirits, you can find them at the Dunfeihuang Specialty Store (敦飞煌特产超市) around downtown Dunhuang.
Many shops also offer delivery or air shipping — perfect if you'd like to bring a taste of Dunhuang home, though air freight may be relatively costly.
5. Fragrant-Aroma Pear |香水梨
The local Fragrant-Aroma Pear, also known as Ruan'er Pear (软儿梨), ripens in early to mid-October. Fresh off the tree, it's wonderfully aromatic — but the real magic happens in winter.
If you visit Dunhuang in winter, be sure to try the local specialty known as frozen pears. Having been repeatedly frozen and thawed, the pears' flesh darkens, sugars deepen, and a uniquely rich, mellow sweetness emerges. "Fragrant-Aroma Pear is sold black" is also one of Dunhuang's "Eight Oddities".
Before eating, the frozen, ice ball-like Fragrant-Aroma Pears are soaked briefly in cold water. A thin icy shell forms on the surface, which is then peeled away along with the skin. Then you can enjoy the tender, juicy flesh.
Besides its good taste, the frozen pears are also believed to help soothe the lungs, relieve coughs, clear stomach heat, and even ease the effects of alcohol.
You can find both fresh and frozen pears at Jianrong Market (建荣市场) in downtown Dunhuang or from street-side fruit vendors.
Delicate and difficult to store or transport, Fragrant-Aroma Pears are best enjoyed right in Dunhuang — at their most authentic and flavorful.
6. Dunhuang Honeydew Melon |敦煌蜜瓜
A true taste of Dunhuang's irresistible sweetness comes in local melons. Dunhuang is home to the classic Yellow River Honeydew Melon — small in size, golden-skinned, and wonderfully fragrant, ripening in June.
If you want to get a refreshing treat during the summer harvest, head to local markets such as Longdesheng Market (敦煌龙德盛市场), where you'll find fresh melons at affordable prices. Street-side fruit stalls are also a convenient option. Fresh melons can keep for around two weeks, but if you're traveling long distances, it’s best to store them in a cool place.
Locals also turn melons into dried fruit for easier storage and transport — perfect as a sweet souvenir. Dried melons can be found at markets, like Jianrong Market.
