British historian films new documentary in Dunhuang

A new British-Chinese documentary featuring Dan Snow was filmed at the Yangguan Pass and Yumen Pass Tourist Area on Dec 4.

The tourist area served as a key pass of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220) Great Wall on the ancient Silk Road, preserving rich military, trade, and cultural heritage.

During filming, Dan explored the strategic importance of the Yumen pass through stories of Han Dynasty border defense and Silk Road exchanges. The production used drones and panoramic cameras to capture vivid scenes of the ruins blending with the Gobi desert landscape.

Dan said Dunhuang offers a unique chance to connect history with the future. Visitors can trace ancient footsteps in a Gobi oasis and also experience modern green living powered by renewable energy.

The documentary will air on British broadcaster Channel 5 and History Hit after production, reaching more than 45 million global users at launch.