OVERVIEW

This 6-day Silk Road tour takes you to explore the Hexi Corridor on the ancient Silk Road including Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan and Dunhuang on a budget way. You will view the Zhangye Rainbow Mountains, Jiayuguan Fort, Mogao Caves, and Mingshan Sand Dunes etc. This is one of the must-do tours in China to explore the historical route.

Note: Due to the limited entrance tickets to the Mogao Caves, we will arrange you to visit Western Mogao Caves intead of if we can not get the tickets particularly in July and August.

ITINERARY

Day 1Arrival Lanzhou

Welcome to Lanzhou, the capital city of Gansu Province in China. Today is arrival day, you can take fast train or airport bus from Lanzhou airport to city center, then check in the hotel with you ID. Enjoy your free time in Lanzhou.  If you need airport transfer, please contact us.

Transport: N/A
Accommodation: Overnight in Lanzhou

Day 2Lanzhou to Zhangye by bullet train, visit Dafo Temple

Today you will be transferred to Lanzhou railway station to catch 3-hour bullet train to Zhangye, an important hub on the Silk Road in the history. Enjoy the fantastic views among the snow-capped Qilian Mountains on the train. 

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to visit Dafo Temple, or Giant Buddha Temple. Located in the city center of Zhangye, Dafo Temple has a history more than one thousand years. There is a huge 34.5-meter sleeping Buddha statue in the temple, which is hence the temple name comes from. Moreover, there are old paintings, stupas, and exhibitions in the temple, which are interesting to explore and learn the culture in Zhangye on the ancient Silk Road.

Later, you will check in the hotel in Zhangye.

Transport: Private Vehicle + Bullet Train
Accommodation: Overnight in Zhangye
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3Zhangye to Jiayuguan by Car after sighsteeing Danxia Mount

Today you will head to Zhangye Danxia Mountain, or Zhangye Rainbow Mountain in English, to view the colorful mountains, which is a very popular site recent years on the Silk Road for its impressive red, yellow, white and black clays on the mountains. You will take the sightseeing bus from one spot to another one to view the fantastic colorful clays. Moreover, the mountains are in all sorts of forms to display the colorful clays.

Later, you will take 3-hour car ride from Danxia Mount to Jiayugan where you will check in the hotel.

Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Jiayuguan
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4Jiyuguan to Dunhuang by car after sightseeing Jiayuguan Fort

Today you will visit the western end of the Great Wall, Jiayuguan Fortress, which was built on the narrowest area in the Hexi Corridor between Qilian Mountain and Black Mountain. It is a renowned world heritage on the Silk Road. 

Later, you will take 5-hour car ride from Jiayuguan to Dunhuang via the large Gobi desert along the Hexi Corridor.

Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5Dunhuang: Mogao Caves and Minsha Shan

In the morning, you will visit Mogao Caves, the gem of the ancient Silk Road. The early history of Mogao can be traced back to the 4th century, and built many times in the history. The colorful fresco, statues in Mogao Caves display various stories about Buddhism.

Afterwards, you will visit the Minsha Shan or Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Moon Spring this afternoon, where you have opportunity to ride the camel.

In the evening, you can explore the night market or watch the Dunhuang performance at the theater.

Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6Departure from Dunhuang

Today is departure day, the wonderful Hexi Corridor tour concludes on the Silk Road. You can check out before noon, and depart on your own. Please conctact us if you need airport transfer service.

Transport: N/A
Accommodation: N/A
Meals: Breakfast

INCLUDED

Group Size: 2--15 Travelers 

Travel Season: Year around

Accommodation: 3-star hotel

Transport: Chartered car or public bus

Train:

   Bullet train Lanzhou/Zhangye(Second Class)

 Meals: 5 Chinese breakfasts listed in the itinerary

Guide: English-speaking local guides

Entrance fees: Sites listed 

EXCLUDED

- Dinners and lunches

- Arrival/Departure transfer

- China Visa 

- Gratuity

TRIP NOTES

China Visa required

Difficulty: Easy

Tour days: 6

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The tour can be tailored.