Firstly built in 1730, the Xiyun Taoist Abbey remains to be the only Taoist construction in Dunhuang. It was said that the abbey was originally constructed in the southern suburbs of the county. After a whole night of pile driving construction in the great hall, the abbey automatically moved to the present site. People regarded that as a will of God, and feared not to move it back. During the construction, there came, from the west, several floating clouds to shadow the strong sunlight for workers, so the abbey was named Xiyun Abbey, i.e. the Western Clouds Taoist Abbey.
