10 Days Hexi Corridor Silk Road Tour: Dunhuang-Jiayuguan-Zhangye-Xining-Lanzhou

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Dunhuang Arrival

   Welcome to Dunhuang, a transportation hub on the Silk Road connecting East and West in ancient times. Upon your arrival at Dunhuang airport / train station, the local driver will pick you up from the exit gate and transfer you to a local hotel for check-in. Free and easy on your own for the rest of the day.

   Recommended Activity: You can take a time travel at the Dunhuang Museum. Explore ​​millennia of Silk Road history​​ through galleries (free entry with passport, open until 6:30 PM) Key highlights here are full-scale replica of Mogao Cave 45​​ (photography allowed!), 2,000-year-old Han Dynasty bamboo slips​​, and interactive ​​3D Silk Road trade route map.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang

2. Day 2: Dunhuang Essence
   Explore Buddhist Art and Desert Landscapes

   In the morning, meet your private guide and start your Dunhuang exploration at the amazing Mogao Grottoes. It is an important witness to the exchange between different civilizations on the ancient Silk Road. After a thousand years of construction, the scenic area now has 735 caves, 2415 colorful sculptures, 45000 square meters of murals, and 5 wooden buildings from the Tang and Song dynasties. The guide will explain some important murals and Buddha statue stories to you.

   In the afternoon, continue your visit to Crescent Spring and Echo Sand Mountain. Mingsha Mountain stretches 40 kilometers from the Mogao Grottoes in the east to Danghekou in the west, with its highest peak reaching 1,715 meters. Nestled within the dunes is Crescent Spring, named for its moon-like shape. Visitors can enjoy fun desert activities here, including camel rides, off-road driving, and sand sliding. The guide can help you buy the tickets on site.

   Last, enjoy relaxing sightseeing in the Shazhou Night Market. As the epitome of prosperity on the Silk Road, this place brings together a wealth of food and culture. You can savor authentic Northwest-style snacks such as lamb kebabs and roasted lamb legs, as well as enjoy exquisite handicrafts and local specialty artworks.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang

   

3. Day 3: Dunhuang to Jiayuguan by Van
   Visit the Great Wall's Western End, Explore Historic Tombs

   After breakfast, drive around 3.5 hours to Jiayuguan to visit its best sights.

   After driving through the yellow sand of the desert, you will come to Jiayuguan Pass, also known as the "First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven", "the Throat of Hexi Corridor". As the western end of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, it played a key role in both military defense and cultural exchange along the ancient Silk Road. Next, go to visit the Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum, located within the scenic area. This is the first museum in China focused on the Great Wall, with seven main halls showing detailed history and facts about this great structure.

   Driving through the wild Gobi about 20km from Jiayuguan City, come to the famous "underground gallery", Weijin Tombs. Underneath the yellow sand were about 1,400 ancient tombs buried and only No. 6 tomb is open to the public today. It's definitely a surprise discovery process when beholding the paintings with bright colors vividly depicting the scholars' and officials' lives in Weijin Time (220-420). After the visit, go to the Jiayuguan hotel for check-in.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Jiayuguan

   

4. Day 4: Drive from Jiayuguan to Zhangye
   Marvel at the Colorful Danxia Landform in Rainbow Mountains

   Today, you will head to another important city along the ancient Silk Road - Zhangye to continue your Silk Road trip.

   Driving around 2.5 hours, follow your guide to explore the exciting Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park. The Danxia landform is the most famous natural attraction in Zhangye City. In 2011, National Geographic News listed it as one of the "10 Wonders of Nature in the World," a title it truly deserves. Zhangye Danxia has two main scenic spots with unique landscapes, and today you’ll explore the colorful Rainbow Mountain Scenic Area.

   Located in Linze County, Rainbow Mountain features its bright color and is better for enjoying the sunset, which is chosen by most travelers. Seen from the high platform, the rising layers of mountains in beautiful red with different saturation are bathed in rosy sunlight, depicting a gorgeous picture for visitors.

   After the visit, transfer to visit the Giant Buddhist Temple. Built during the Western Xia Dynasty (1038–1227), this temple has stood strong on the Silk Road for 900 years. Inside, it houses a reclining statue of Sakyamuni, the largest of its kind in Asia, which gives the temple its name. The detailed wood carvings, paintings, statues, and rich history and culture will leave a deep impression on you.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Zhangye

   

5. Day 5: Zhangye to Xining by High-speed Train
   Learn about the Tibetan Buddhism Culture

   In the morning, your private driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby and drop you off at Zhangye train station for the morning high-speed train to Xining. The train ride is around 2 hours, which would be a good chance for you to enjoy the urban scenery on the way.

   When you arrive, your English-speaking guide in Xining will take you to visit Ta'er Monastery, one of the six main monasteries of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism. This temple features a mix of Chinese and Tibetan architectural styles. Inside, you’ll find a collection of Buddhist scriptures and the famous “three artistic treasures” — butter sculptures, colorful murals, and barbola (relief embroidery).

   Afterward, move on to Dongguan Mosque, the largest mosque in Qinghai Province, gaining the title of "Four Greatest Mosques in Northwestern China" together with Xian Great Mosque, Lanzhou Qiaomen Mosque, and Kashgar Id Kah Mosque. Built in the Ming Dynasty, the mosque has stood in the Dongguan District of Xining for 600 years. The beautiful calottes, gorgeous pillars, and praying Muslims form a bright scenery line here.

   After the visit, check in at the local hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Xining

   

6. Day 6: Xining to Qinghai Lake
   Discover Diverse Landscapes, Wildlife, and Summer Blooms

   After breakfast, drive around 2.5 hours to the amazing Qinghai Lake.

   You’ve probably heard of the famous Qinghai Lake before your trip, and it is truly popular both in Qinghai and along the Silk Road. Why? Because it offers a mix of beautiful landscapes all in one place: a vast, ocean-like lake, stretches of desert, green grasslands, and bright yellow fields of blooming rapeseed flowers. Every summer, especially from June to August, the area reaches its peak season with the flower blossoms and a scenic cycling route around the lake.

   The Birds Island here is a paradise for many kinds of birds. Each summer, thousands of birds fly to Qinghai Lake to escape from the hot summer. And in August, the lake area will be covered by golden rape flowers. You could optionally take a cruise ship to have an exciting time there. And if you are a photography lover, Qinghai Lake will be a great place to take some wonderful photos.

   After finishing the sightseeing, you will be transferred to a local hotel.

   Travel Tips:

   1. The sunlight in Qinghai Lake is very strong, especially in summer (June to August). So you are advised to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, hats, etc. to protect your skin from UV.
   2. Few people experience severe altitude sickness at Qinghai Lake. But you must avoid strenuous exercise if it is your first time to enter the plateau.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight Near Qinghai Lake

   

7. Day 7: Xining to Lanzhou by High-speed Train
   Gain an Insight into Lanzhou's History

   If weather permits, get up early to appreciate the gorgeous sunrise in Qinghai Lake. Later, drive around 2.5 hours back to Xining and catch a noon high-speed train to Lanzhou. The train rides for around 2.5 hours.

   Upon arrival in Lanzhou, your private guide and driver will meet you and directly transfer you to start today's Silk Road adventure in Lanzhou with Gansu Provincial Museum. This is the largest one in the whole Gansu with abundant collections reflecting local culture and Silk Road's history and culture. The famous Bronze Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow, exhibited in the Silk Road Hall on the second floor, is the most precious treasure of the museum.

   Later, move on to the Huanghe River Custom Tourist Line, which is considered "the Bund of Lanzhou City", taking Zhongshan Bridge as the axis to stretch out along the Yellow River. The sites to visit on the Tourist Line are distributed on the Road River, including Yellow River Mother Sculpture, Zhongshan Iron Bridge, White Pagoda Hill Park, Waterwheel Park, and so on. A stroll bathed in the rosy light of dusk is a top thing to do in Lanzhou.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Lanzhou

   

8. Day 8: Lanzhou to Xiahe
   Explore Cliffside Grottoes and Enjoy the Buddhist Art

   Today, you will head to Xiahe. On the way, making a stop at Bingling Temple will be a perfect chance to further learn Chinese grotto culture. Although the name "temple", it is actually a series of grotto complexes featuring Buddhist elements and engraved on the mountain cliffs. Considering Bingling Temple stands on the cliff along Liujiaxia reservoir, people need to take a speedboat to approach the grottoes to have a better visit.

   After the visit, continue driving to Xiahe County for an overnight stay.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Xiahe

   

9. Day 9: Xiahe Back to Lanzhou
   Experience Buddhist Treasures and Grassland Beauty

   Today, you will visit the must-see sights in Xiahe before driving back to Lanzhou. The first stop is the impressive Labrang Monastery, one of the Six Great Monasteries of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It is also a well-known Tibetan Buddhist university, known for having the most complete teaching system. Inside this large temple complex, admire beautiful Buddha statues, religious paintings, and many other cultural treasures.

   In the afternoon, transfer to relax at Sangke Grasslands. Distinct from the spiritous touch at Labrang Monastery, Sangke Grasslands appeals to endless people to cry out mental pressure built up from busy life. On the plateau at an altitude of 3,000 meters, lush green grass sways, and distant flocks and herds of sheep and cattle roam freely, creating a stunning pastoral scenery that drives travelers crazily to click the shutters.

   More "wow" moments here are from those interesting activities at local families, like sampling local foods and appreciating their ethnic dances. After the visit to Xiahe, we drive back to Lanzhou for the night.

   Friendly tip: The best visit time to Sangke Grasslands is from June to September.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Lanzhou

   

10. Day 10: Lanzhou Departure

    Free and easy on your own until the pick-up time for departure. Your private driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and transfer you to Lanzhou airport/train station to see you off. Your 10-day Silk Road tour of Dunhuang Jiayuguan Zhangye Xining Lanzhou comes to a perfect end. Safe travels!

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A