5 Days Essence Silk Road Tour from Dunhuang to Turpan

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Dunhuang Arrival

   Hi, welcome to the 5-day Dunhuang and Turpan tour by high-speed train. When you arrive at Dunhuang airport or train station, a local private driver will meet you at the exit holding a welcome sign with “China Xian Tour”. Then you'll be sent to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore on your own.

   If you are interested, you can go to the Shazhou Night Market in the evening. There are many Silk Road style snacks and handicrafts.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Dunhuang

   

2. Day 2: Dunhuang’s Highlights
   Witness 2,000-Year-Old Pass and Nature’s Surreal Desert Wonder

   After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel. This morning, you will explore some ruins near Dunhuang that date back over two thousand years. Jade Gate Pass is located 90 kilometers northwest of Dunhuang city and was an important pass on the northern route of the Silk Road during the Han Dynasty. The existing site is a small square city, with residual walls made of rammed earth that is about 10 meters high. One climbing up the city gate can enjoy the vast landscape of the Gobi Desert and wetlands.

   The adjacent Great Wall of the Han Dynasty stretches across the desert, constructed of reeds, sands and gravels. Although the site is severely weathered, we can still glimpse the military wisdom from 2000 years ago.

   

   Next, we will drive to "Devil City", which is the Yardang National Geopark. There are countless mounds formed by wind erosion, with various shapes such as castles, fleets, peacocks, etc., especially the "West Sea Fleet" group is the most spectacular.

   Your afternoon will be spent at Crescent Spring and Echo Sand Mountain in Dunhuang city. They are a collection of miraculous companions created by nature. Mingsha Mountain winds its way like a giant dragon. The spring water is embraced by the sand mountains. This scenic area offers desert entertainment activities, including sand sliding and camel riding, which you can choose according to your interests. The guide will help you buy tickets on site.

   After the tour, we return to the hotel to rest well.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Dunhuang

   

3. Day 3: Dunhuang to Turpan by High-speed Train
   Appreciate World-renowned Buddhist Art at Mogao Caves

   After breakfast, you will be led to visit the Mogao Grottoes, a world cultural heritage site! This is a treasure trove of Buddhist art that was first built during the Sixteen Kingdoms period (366 AD). Among the 735 existing caves, there are 45000 square meters of murals and 2415 colored sculptures. Among the caves, Cave 96 and Cave 45 will leave a deep impression on you. Cave 96 is the largest and most iconic cave, known for its 35.5-meter-high indoor Maitreya Buddha statue and nine storey tower architecture. Cave 45 is one of the representative caves of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, famous for its exquisite colored sculptures and murals. (Reminder: Photography is prohibited inside the caves).

   After the visit, we will have lunch. In the afternoon, the guide will transfer you to take the high-speed train to Turpan. After arrival, the local driver sends you to the hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Turpan

   

4. Day 4: Turpan’s Ancient Sites
   Explore Ancient Caves, Uyghur Roots, and Flaming Mountains

   Today, we’ll drive about 55 kilometers east to visit Tuyoq Valley. This valley is a meeting point of different religions and cultures from around the world. Inside the valley, you’ll find Mazha Village, the oldest Uyghur village in Xinjiang, with more than 1,700 years of history. The people there still keep their traditional Uyghur customs. In the middle of the valley is the Thousand-Buddha Cave, one of the top three Buddhist cave sites in Xinjiang. You can still see parts of ancient wall paintings that have lasted for centuries.

   Next, transfer to the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves. These caves were once the most beautiful and important along the Silk Road. They served as royal temples for the Gaochang Kingdom. Sadly, many caves were damaged and looted. Even though some parts are destroyed, you can still imagine how stunning the original artwork must have been.

   

   On the way back to city center, we will stop at the Flaming Mountains. You’ll see why they’re called that - because the red color of the rocks looks like burning flames. There’s even a giant thermometer at the entrance showing the hot temperature. A fun thing to try: if you bury an egg in the sand for a few minutes, it will cook. Pretty cool, right?

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Turpan

5. Day 5: City Exploration in Turpan
   Visit Underground Water Tunnels, Stroll around Time-worn Ruins

   Today is the last day of your 5-day Silk Road tour to Dunhuang and Turpan. After breakfast, the guide will first take you to visit the Karez Irrigation System, a special underground water project in Turpan. It’s one of China’s three great ancient engineering achievements, along with the Great Wall and the Grand Canal. You’ll go about 6 meters underground to see how it works.

   Next, we head to the Sugong Pagoda, built in 1778. Aka Emin Minaret, it is the largest old Islamic-style tower in Xinjiang. The brick pagoda stands 44 meters tall and has a warm orange-yellow color, decorated with 14 kinds of red brick patterns.

   

   Jiaohe Ruins date back to the 2nd century BC. It was once a key military town on the Silk Road. Because of the dry weather and unique building method, the city has stayed well-preserved for over 2,000 years. You’ll see the remains of government buildings, temples, houses, and pagodas. It is a living museum of Han Dynasty city life.

   In the afternoon, we’ll take you to the Turpan train station for your departure.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: N/A