4 Days Urumqi and Dunhuang Exploration Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Urumqi Arrival

   When you arrive at Urumqi airport or train station, a local driver will be waiting for you at the exit, holding a sign with your name or “China Xian Tour”. You will be taken to your hotel to check in. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore on your own.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: Overnight in Urumqi

2. Day 2: Essence of Urumqi
   Embrace Alpine Beauty and Legends, Stroll around "Window of Central Asia"

   After breakfast today, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby. Then drive for about 2 hours to reach Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) in Tianshan Mountains. This is a high mountain lake with an elevation of 1910 meters above sea level. In ancient China, Tianchi was known as the Goddess Lake and Dragon Pool. This scenic area gathers various natural landscapes: snow-capped peaks, forests, lakes, grasslands, and flowers. There is also a mysterious legend about the Queen Mother of the West. Your eyes and soul will be intoxicated by the pure beauty here. If you are interested, you can take a boat tour in the lake (for an additional fee).

   

   Afterward, we return to Urumqi to visit the Xinjiang Regional Museum. As a national first-class museum, it houses over 60000 cultural relics, including precious items such as Han Dynasty brocade and Tang Dynasty paintings of Fuxi and Nuwa. The Loulan female corpse in the museum is a highlight, with a history of about 3800 years and well preserved.

   Finally, visit Xinjiang International Bazaar. It is one of the largest markets in the world, blending Islamic architectural style with Silk Road commercial culture. Covering over 3000 shops, this market is known as the "Window of Central Asia". After the tour, drive you back to the hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Urumqi

   

3. Day 3: Urumqi to Dunhuang by High-speed Train
   Marvel at the Desert Wonder and Try Interesting Activities

   Say goodbye to Urumqi, Xinjiang after breakfast. The driver will take you to the railway station to take the high-speed train to Dunhuang. In about 4.5 hours, we arrive at Liuyuan South Station. An English-speaking guide and a local driver will transfer you to your hotel in Dunhuang.

   After lunch, we head to one of the most popular attractions in Dunhuang – Echoing Sand Mountain and Crescent Spring. As the name shows, this place has two main sights. Echoing Sand Mountain stretches about 40 kilometers from east to west, with its highest point reaching 1,715 meters. Crescent Spring lies in the middle of the mountain and has a moon-like shape, which is how it got its name. Here, you can enjoy fun desert activities like sliding on the sand, riding camels, or trying desert off-road vehicles (at your own expense).

   

   In the evening, you will be guided to Shazhou Night Market to try some tasty local food. This market is a popular spot for experiencing Dunhuang’s nightlife. You can sample special snacks like Dunhuang Niang Pi Zi, Apricot Peel Water, and Yellow Noodle with Donkey Meat. You’ll also find traditional handmade crafts.

   After that, we drive to the hotel in Dunhuang for check-in.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang

    

4. Day 4: Departure from Dunhuang
   Appreciate the Colorful Statues and Wall Paintings

   Today is the last day of your 4-day Urumqi and Dunhuang tour. After breakfast, the guide will lead you to see the top attraction in Dunhuang - Mogao Grottoes. It is one of China’s 4 major caves and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

   These grottoes were built over a period of 1,000 years, from the Sixteen Kingdoms period (304-439) to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). This is quite rare among Chinese grottoes. The site was a key location along the ancient Silk Road and shows how different cultures met and influenced each other. With your knowledgeable tour guide, you’ll appreciate many great Buddhist artworks, such as colorful statues and wall paintings.

   In the afternoon, you will be dropped off at Dunhuang airport or train station for departure.

   Friendly tip: It’s recommended to depart after 3:00 pm so you can enjoy the tour without feeling rushed.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: N/A