4 Days Zhangye Dunhuang Tour by High-speed Train

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Zhangye Arrival
   ‌Marvel at Golden Buddhas, Climb Sacred Grottoes

   After you arrive in Zhangye (please before 10 am), the driver and the tour guide will take you directly to today's first attraction. Giant Buddha Temple, also known as the Temple of the Sleeping Buddha, is named after the largest clay sculpture reclining Buddha in the country. The Buddha's body is 34.5 meters long, shoulder width is 7.5 meters, painted in gold, and the face is covered in gold. In addition, you can see the largest Western Xia Buddhist temple in the country, as well as appreciate some exquisite sculptures and murals.

   After lunch, we head to the Mati Temple Grottoes. Here, you’ll see amazing cave art, beautiful views of the Qilian Mountains, and experience local Tibetan culture. A highlight is the Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes. Climb through narrow paths to reach the top and admire the detailed statues.

   Meal: Lunch

   Accommodation: Zhangye

   

2. Day 2: Zhangye to Dunhuang by High-speed Train
   ‌Witness Earth's Painted Mountains from Ground and Sky

   After breakfast, spend your whole morning exploring Zhangye Danxia National Geopark. Known as the most beautiful landscape in the city, the Danxia landform has been named one of the "World's Top 10 Geographical Wonders."

   There are two main scenic area with different features, and you will visit The Rainbow Mountain Scenic Area. It is famous for its bright, colorful hills. From viewing platforms, you can see layers of red, yellow, and orange across the mountains. In summer, if you're interested, you can take a hot air balloon ride for a bird’s-eye view (extra cost).

   After the visit, you will be escorted to the train station for a high-speed train to Dunhuang. The city is not only an important node on the Silk Road, but also a crucial hub for cultural exchange between the East and the West. Upon arrival, the local drive will transfer you to the hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Dunhuang

   

3. Day 3: Dunhuang’s Highlights
   ‌Explore Amazing Buddhist Caves, Ride a Camel by Miracle Spring

   The guide in Dunhuang will wait for you in the hotel lobby around 8:30. Then go on a tour of Mogao Grottoes. Founded in 366 AD, the Mogao Caves have undergone thousands of years of construction to form a scale of 735 existing caves, known as the "Oriental Louvre" and the "treasure trove of Buddhist art in the world". The highlights include 45000 square meters of murals, 2415 colored sculptures, and over 50000 unearthed cultural relics. They demonstrated the evolution of Buddhist art from the Sixteen Kingdoms to the Yuan Dynasty.

   

   After the visit, we have lunch. You will spend the afternoon at Crescent Spring and Echo Sand Mountain, located 5 kilometers south of Dunhuang City. Renowned for the spectacle of "sand water symbiosis", this scenic area includes the 40 kilometer long Mingsha Mountain and the crescent shaped Crescent Spring. Although the Crescent Spring is surrounded by sand mountains, it has not dried up for a thousand years. Here, you can experience desert activities such as camel riding and sand sliding (optional, extra charge), as well as climb high to overlook the stunning panoramic view of the "Desert Jade".

   Leave the night time for Shazhou Night Market! As the largest food market in the Hexi Corridor, it is home to over 740 shops selling food and handicrafts. You can taste various Dunhuang snacks and observe the production process of Dunhuang colored sculptures (souvenirs) on site.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Dunhuang

   

4. Day 4: Dunhuang Departure

   This is the end of your 4 days Zhangye and Dunhuang tour by High-speed Train. Your driver will pick you up at your hotel and drop you off at the airport or train station. Safe travels!

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A