And it's not only a documentary, it also serves as the best promotion for tourism. During the Spring Festival holiday, tourism in China's northwestern province of Gansu boomed. People crowded local visitor attractions, largely thanks to heightened awareness resulting from the TV documentary on Dunhuang.

Like most people interested in the history of Gansu, Mr. Li and his friends from Shanghai came to view the ancient sites of the northwest province formerly known as River's West. Among the highlights are the Buddhist sculptures and wall paintings at the Mogao Grottos and the nationally acclaimed resort of the Crescent Fountain.

Li Dasheng, tourist, said, "This place has been so familiar to me thanks to the classical poetry. And winter is a good time to see these natural views here."