By the early 16th century, Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty closed the gate of the Jiayu Pass to resist invasion by alien tribes, leaving Dunhuang thoroughly out of its jurisdiction and exposed to the fury of the elements.

• 到了十六世纪初叶，明朝嘉靖皇帝为抵御异族入侵，轰然紧闭了嘉峪关大门，将敦煌彻底遗弃在管辖之外，一任星霜剥蚀和风沙沉埋。