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By Dunhuang & Jiuquan Guide Team | Published 2026-07-01 | Updated 2026-08-07

Food & Drink

Dunhuang & Jiuquan Food Guide

What to eat along the Silk Road: must-try dishes, night market tips, and where to find the best lamb in Gansu.

Silk Road Food Guide

Must-Try Dishes

Donkey Meat Noodles (Lvrou Huangmian)

Dunhuang's signature dish. Tender braised donkey meat over hand-pulled yellow noodles. Found everywhere.

Lamb Soup (Yangrou Tang)

Rich, milky broth simmered with lamb bones for hours. Served with flatbread. A Gansu breakfast staple.

Apricot Drink (Xingpi Shui)

Local Dunhuang specialty made from dried apricots. Sweet, slightly tart, incredibly refreshing in desert heat.

Lamb Skewers (Yangrou Chuan)

Xinjiang-style grilled lamb skewers with cumin and chili. Ubiquitous at night markets. CNY 3-5 per skewer.

Lanzhou Beef Noodles (Niurou Mian)

Hand-pulled noodles in clear beef broth with chili oil. Excellent versions throughout Gansu.

Stuffed Buns (Baozi)

Steamed or pan-fried buns with lamb, beef, or vegetables. Cheap, filling, available everywhere.

Shazhou Night Market

Dunhuang's Shazhou Night Market (6 PM to midnight) is the region's best food destination. Rows of stalls sell grilled meats, noodles, dried fruits, and snacks. Divided into a food court section and a street food alley.

  • Go early (6-7 PM) to avoid worst crowds. By 8 PM the market is packed.
  • Prices are displayed. Bargaining not expected for food. Cash accepted at most stalls.
  • Gansu has abundant halal options. Look for green signs with Arabic text or Hui Muslim-run restaurants.

Hungry for more?

Our itinerary planner includes food stops for every day of your trip.

See Itineraries