Dunhuang Bohui Wenhua Hotel (Shazhou Night Market Branch)

Strolling through this market really changed how I saw the city. There’s plenty to eat, from scallion pancakes and drinks to traditional dishes, and it was a great experience. I’d gladly come back.

It’s easy to find halal food here, and there’s a live band among the varied goods for sale. The street is clean, lively, and the service is generally attentive. WeChat Pay and Alipay are commonly used, though cash is accepted too. For souvenirs, check the smaller shops in the back alleys. The stalls along the main street and inside the shops tend to charge more.

The sign at the entrance says Dunhuang Night Market（Dunhaung Night Market). We got there after 9 pm, when it was really crowded, and managed to look around at some local and traditional goods at the booths. There are souvenirs, handicrafts, clothes, wood carvings, luminous cups, paintings, calligraphy, and more. A lot of the merchandise repeats, and I noticed some tourists bargaining over their purchases. There are lots of food stalls and restaurants. Some sellers did try to hassle us into buying things or eating at their restaurants, but we walked past one place where the staff were really nice. The menu board caught our eye, so we sat down and tried the bbq Goat head. It tasted really good, and the service was attentive. They take WePay, Alipay, and cash. There’s shopping, beer, and countless food options here. A great place to try the food and experience the culture. Glad we came!

In January, most of the market was closed and deserted, with just a few stalls and restaurants open and a handful of tourists wandering around. It might be fantastic in season, but I wouldn’t bother visiting then. The yangrou chuan (lamb skewers) were delicious, and this is the place to get fresh lamb. I also tried camel skewers. They weren’t as good, but it was still an experience. I was hoping to find fried sandworms, but haven’t found any yet!