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Embark on a Timeless Journey - Explore the Wonders of the Silk Road to Gansu in 6 Days

Overview

Embark on a captivating journey through the ancient Silk Road, exploring the vibrant landscapes and historical wonders of Zhangye, Jiayuguan, and Dunhuang. From the stunning Rainbow Mountains of Zhangye and the majestic Giant Buddha Temple to the strategic Jiayuguan Pass and the artistic marvels of the Mogao Grottoes, this trip offers a rich tapestry of natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Highlights

  • Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park: Witness the spectacular “Rainbow Mountains” with their vivid ribbons of color.
  • Jiayuguan Pass and Hanging Great Wall: Explore the western starting point of the Ming Great Wall and marvel at its overhanging cliffs.
  • Mogao Grottoes: Discover the exquisite murals and sculptures of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Yardang National Geopark: Admire the unique wind-eroded landforms in this natural museum of sculpted rocks.
  • Echoing Sand Mountain & Crescent Lake: Experience the serene beauty and unique acoustics of the sand dunes and the enduring Crescent Lake.
  • Shazhou Night Market: Enjoy a vibrant evening exploring local cuisine and souvenirs in Dunhuang.

Tour Plan

Day 01 Zhangye Arrival

Take flight to Zhangye , you will be meet by your driver and guide, then transfer to hotel for check in

Start the sightseeing after a short break:

Zhangye is noted for its sheer color. It is the most colorful sandstone in China and probably in the world.

First go to visit the Binggou Danxia Geopark ,Binggou has red cliffs and pinnacles, but there is less color, and it looks like Red Rock Canyon in the US. This is desert land that lets you see the rock formations clearly.

Then go ahead to visit the splendid Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, which is the most typical arid area of northern China. Ribbons of reds, oranges and yellows slice through the rock, to create a rainbow vista contained only by the contours of the jagged mountain peaks. so many people also call it "Rainbow Mountain".

Overnight in Kaoshan Yurt

Day 02 Zhangye

The journey today will begin from the Mati Temple where were built in Jin Dynasty. A series of horse shoe prints are visible in Grotto 9, which are said to be left by a heaven horse. As a result, the temple was named for the horseshoe prints left by the legendary heaven horse, which become the treasure of the temple.

Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon, Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon is 56 kilometers away from the urban area. It is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Zhangye.Entering this rugged and labyrinth-like grand canyon, you will see the magnificent terrain, stone forest, the crisscross gullies, and forested peaks, that will feast your eyes.The scenery also incorporates new highlights such as the wonders of the stone forest, the snow-capped Gobi mountains, the primitive deep forest, sports climbing, and ethnic customs.

Overnight in Zhangye city

Day 03 Zhangye-Jiayuguan

In the morning go to visit the Giant Buddha Temple, which is an important place on the Silk Road.The Big Buddha Temple also preserves some precious historical relics.The biggest reclining Buddha in China is here.

Then transfer to Jiayuguan to visit the Jiayuguan Pass and the Hanging Great Wall

Jiayuguan Pass is not only the western starting point of the Ming Great Wall, but also a vital pass on the ancient Silk Road. It's the joining place of the cultures of the Silk Road and the Great Wall

The Overhanging Great Wall, was built on a steeply sloping valley mouth. When viewed from afar, the wall looks like a magnificent painting hanging over the cliff, which is how it got its name.Because it is very similar in appearance to the Great Wall at Badaling, it is also known as "Western Badaling".

Overnight in Jiayuguan

Zhangye-Jiayuguan : Drive 3hours

Day 04 Jiayuagun-Dunhuang

After the breakfast, we will travel to Dunhuang

On the way to Dunhuang visit the Yulin Cave in Guazhou

The Yulin Caves or Yulin Temple is a Buddhist cave temple site located about 160 km east of the oasis town of Dunhuang. It was named after the elm trees (Yulin in Chinese) lining the River, which flows through the cliffs from which the caves have been excavated. It was listed on the UNESCO World Heritage sites as part of the Chinese Section of the Silk Road.
There are 43 existing caves in the Yulin Caves, with a total of 5,200 square meters of murals and more than 259 colored sculptures.
Because the Yulin Caves are connected with the Mogao Caves, and the construction history, grotto architecture, colored sculpture and mural are the same. Therefore, it is called "sister caves" of the Mogao caves.

Arrive at Dunhuang you can enjoy a walking tour at the Shazhou Night Market, the most bustling place of Dunhuang at night, taste the local cuisine and buy some souvenirs for your family and friends.

Overnight in Dunhuang

Yulin Cave-Dunhuang : drive 2hours
Jiayuguan- Yulin Cave: drive 4hours

Day 05 Dunhuang Deep Exploration

Today’s sightseeing:

Yardang National Geopark is a wonderful park in Dunhuang with large scale yardang landforms, formed by wind erosion.It is located on the border of Gansu and Xinjiang provinces, close to the mysterious Lop Nur. It comprises a rare natural museum of naturally-formed sculptures, with ordered mounds in peculiar shapes.

Yumenguan ('Jade Gate Pass') served as a strategic fort along the ancient Silk Road. If you are really interested in Chinese history or the Silk Road, then the 3½-hour drive there from Dunhuang is worthwhile. The main things to see are the vastness of the desert scenery and a large gatehouse relic.

Hecang Ruins, According to the studies, from Han Dynasty to Wei and Jin Dynasty, Hecang City has been an important military warehouse for Grain Reserve in the border defense of the Great Wall. The officers and soldiers who are responsible for guarding Yumen Pass, Yang guan Pass, the Great Wall, Fengzhao and returning from the west to the east to received food, clothing and grass supplies from the warehouse to ensure their strong combat effectiveness. Hence, Hecang City is an ancient, large-scale and rare warehouse of military supplies left behind by the border defense of the Great Wall of Northwest China.

Dunhuang-Yadan: 2hours
Yumenguan-Dunhuang airport: 1.5hours

Overnight in Dunhuang

Day 06 Dunhuang Leaving

This morning we will visit Mogao Grottoes, this UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the great artistic and religious wonders of the world and it is famous for its exquisite murals and various sculptures inside the caves, which was built in different dynasties, spanning 1,000 years of Buddhist art.

we will head to visit the Echoing Sand Mountain&Crescent Lake. When there is wild wind, the sands will be blown up and make loud sound, while the sound sounds like being produced by some ancient musical instrument when blew by breeze, There is also a Crescent Lake that  has been in existence for hundreds of years without ever being buried by the sand. Riding the camel as the Silk Road Caravan in the vast desert is highly recommended (approximately 40mins). Please bring your sunglasses and mask to keep out the dust.

&Camel riding is included

Then transfer to airport/train for next destination ,we wish you a pleasant journey !

Package Rate

From 990€ p/p

Price based on a private tour for 2 people and varies depending on program, travel date, number of people and chosen hotel

INCLUSIVE: 

  • 3 nights hotel accommodation based on twin share
  • Daily breakfast
  • Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary
  • All land transfers on best-in-class local transportation indicated in the itinerary.
  • Experience English-speaking tour guide(other languages also available)
  • Drinking water throughout the trip
  • Travel Insurance
  • Government tax and service fee

EXCLUSIVE:

  • International & Domestic flight/train tickets
  • Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, drinks, tip…)
  • Tips and porters at the hotels
  • All other services which are not mentioned in INCLUDING

Tour Map

Hotel Accommodation

Let's Plan Your Trip

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