UNESCO World Heritage site Mogao Grottoes closed due to sandstorm

LANZHOU -- The UNESCO World Heritage site Mogao Grottoes in Northwest China's Gansu province was closed to the public on March 16 after the province was hit by the heaviest sandstorm in 10 years on Monday.

In order to ensure the safety of tourists and the cultural relics, Mogao Grottoes decided to temporarily close, said the Dunhuang Academy, adding that the reopening time will be announced at a later date as the storm passes.

According to the Gansu provincial department of ecology and environment, the dusty weather lasts until around March 18.

The Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, a 1,600-year-old UNESCO World Heritage site, is located in the Gobi Desert, and the damage caused by wind-blown sand is one of the main environmental problems facing the world heritage site.