Huyang Forest is a small stand of desert poplar outside Dunhuang, with some trees old enough to feel almost sculptural against the dry Gansu landscape. It is a quieter outing than the dunes and cave sites, good for a short walk and a look at the stubborn vegetation that survives at the edge of the desert.
Do not confuse it with the larger Huyang Forest in Jinta County. This one is modest, but worthwhile if you want a breather from Dunhuang's headline sights.