A group of friends and I enjoyed local specialties like sweet-and-sour apricot juice, grilled lamb skewers, grilled fish, beef patties and traditional snacks. There were also performers dressed in ancient costumes dancing at intervals on the quaint, antique-style pavilions along the street.

Beyond the food and performances, the most memorable feature of the night market is its restroom. According to local friends, visitors often take photos inside.

This two-story facility is so elegantly designed that it looks like a cafe from the outside. The first floor is styled after the Mogao Caves, while the second floor draws inspiration from the unique landscapes of the Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark. Visitors can relax by the floor-to-ceiling windows, sipping water and using charging stations to keep their devices powered.

At 12:30 am, my friends and I left the night market, which was still bustling and brightly lit. Over the three days of travel, the ancient ruins steeped in history, the vast starry sky over the dark Gobi Desert, and the lingering flavors on my palate have all been etched into my mind as eternal moments.