5-Day Dunhuang Zhangye Tour by High-speed Train

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Dunhuang Arrival

   Welcome to our 5-day private Dunhuang Zhangye tour. When you arrive at Dunhuang Airport or train station, a local driver will pick you up at the exit holding a welcome sign and take you to a comfortable hotel for check-in procedures. You can explore this Silk Road stronghold on your own for the rest of the day.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Dunhuang

2. Day 2: Dunhuang Exploration
   Enjoy Cave Masterpieces, Experience Sand Fun, Savor Silk Road Flavors

   After meeting with your tour guide, we will visit the Mogao Grottoes, a world cultural heritage site known as the "Pearl of Eastern Art". 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, we head to Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring Scenic Area. Mingsha Mountain starts from Mogao Grottoes in the east and extends to Danghekou in the west, stretching for 40 kilometers, with the main peak reaching an altitude of 1715 meters. Crescent Spring, located in the embrace of Mingsha Mountain, is named after its shape resembling a crescent moon. Here, you can experience many interesting activities such as camel riding, desert off-road vehicles, and sand sliding. If you are interested, your guide will help you buy tickets on site.

   At night, you can explore the nightlife of Dunhuang at the Shazhou Night Market. Also known as Dunhuang Night Market, this is a perfect fusion of Silk Road style and Northwest cuisine. The night market is divided into multiple areas where you can discover various authentic delicacies such as lamb skewers, Rang Pi, Apricot Peel Water, as well as mini Dunhuang sculptures, mural refrigerator magnets, and other souvenirs.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Dunhuang

   

3. Day 3: Dunhuang to Zhangye by High-speed Train
   Touch 900-Year History through Golden Buddha and Vibrant Murals

   Take the morning high-speed train to Zhangye. The train runs for about 4 hours, and you can enjoy the scenery of the Qilian Mountains along the way.

   After arriving in Zhangye, an English-speaking guide and a local driver will pick you up from the exit gate. Then start your visit directly to the Giant Buddhist Temple. The Dafo Temple was first built in the Western Xia Dynasty and is a landmark building in Zhangye. It has stood on the Silk Road for more than 900 years. Entering the temple, you can see the largest sleeping statue of Shakyamuni Buddha in Asia. The Buddha statue measures 34.5 meters in length and 7.5 meters in shoulder width. Its face is adorned with gold, and its head is resting on a lotus platform.

   The mural depicting the story of Journey to the West is also worth a visit. Mottled in color and covering an area of about 15 square meters, it consists of several independent stories, including dangerous mountains and strange rocks, towering ancient trees, rushing streams, misty clouds, and seas of fire.

   After the visit, you will be taken to the hotel for rest.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Zhangye

   

4. Day 4: Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park
   Explore Mineral Rainbows and Flame-carved Stone Pillars

   Today you will spend the whole day in Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park. This scenic area has two main attractions, known for its Danxia landform and colorful hilly landscape complex. Morning is the best time to visit Binggou Valley. You will see various uniquely shaped stone walls and pillars within 300 square kilometers. The guide will take you to visit some famous attractions such as "The Phantom of the Louvre", "Divine Camel Welcome", and "Yin and Yang Pillar". Prepare your camera and capture the continuous red peak clusters from the observation decks, which burn like flames in the morning light.

   

   Leave the afternoon time for the Rainbow Danxia Scenic Area. The rock layers here exhibit a rainbow of colors such as red, yellow, green, and purple due to the presence of different minerals, and were formed about 120 million years ago. You will take a sightseeing bus to visit four observation decks in sequence. Overlook the panoramic view of Danxia from the largest deck No.1. The No.4 viewing platform is the highlight, and the mountains here are particularly colorful under the sunset glow. In summer, the scenic area offers hot air balloon (optional, extra charge), allowing you to overlook the spectacular colorful Danxia landform landscape from a high altitude.

   After the tour, drive you back to your hotel.

   Notes:

   • You will walk a lot today, it is recommended to wear a pair of comfortable shoes.
   • Don't forget to bring sunglasses or a hat.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Zhangye

   

5. Day 5: Zhangye Departure (B)

   Free and easy on your own until the pickup time for departure. Our driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and transfer to Zhangye airport / train station to see you off.

   Accommodation: N/A