5 Days Zhangye Dunhuang Tour by High-speed Train

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Zhangye

   Welcome to the 5-day private Zhangye and Dunhuang tour! When you arrive at Zhangye airport or train station, our local driver will meet you at the exit holding a sign with your name. You’ll then be taken to your hotel to check in. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore freely.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: Overnight in Zhangye

2. Day 2: Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park
   Take Amazing Pictures of Rainbow Danxia Mountains

   Today, you will spend the whole day fully experiencing the highlights of Zhangye - Zhangye Danxia National Geopark. The Danxia landform is undoubtedly the most attractive landscape in Zhangye City. It has been rated as one of the "Top Ten Geographical Wonders of the World". The park is mainly divided into two scenic areas, each with its own characteristics.

   We first visit the Binggou Danxia Park, which is famous for its beautiful appearance. The sunrise scenery here is very spectacular. Although the colors of the mountains may not be as vivid, their unique forms always stimulate tourists' imagination, some resembling camels, the Louvre, torches, and golden toads.

   In the afternoon, we transfer to Rainbow Mountain Scenic Area. As its name suggests, this scenic area is characterized by vibrant colors. From high platforms, the mountains appear in different saturation levels of red, including yellow and orange. At sunset, the colors will become more vibrant. In summer, if you are interested, you can take a hot air balloon ride to overlook the panoramic view (for an additional fee). After the tour, we drive back to the hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Zhangye

   

3. Day 3: Zhangye to Dunhuang by High-speed Train
   Marvel at Huge Sleeping Buddha Statue and Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes

   After breakfast, continue your Zhangye visit to Dafo Temple, aka Giant Buddhist Temple. Built during the Western Xia Dynasty (1038-1227), this temple has stood along the Silk Road for over 900 years. Inside, you’ll see a huge statue of the sleeping Buddha, the largest of its kind in Asia. That is why the temple got its name. You will be impressed by the colorful paintings & statues and detailed wood carvings, along with the rich history and culture.

   After lunch, we drive to the Mati Temple Grottoes. Here, you will enjoy stunning grotto art, the stretching scenery of the Qilian Mountains, and the rich Tibetan customs. The Thirty-Three Heavens Grottoes are a highlight, with five storeys and twenty-one caves carved in the shape of a pagoda on the cliffs. You will climb to the top through narrow passages and enjoy the exquisite statues.

   The Thousand Buddha Cave located at the entrance of the scenic area has over 500 cliff Buddha niches. Some of them require both hands and feet to climb up and see. After the visit, you will be sent to the train station to take a high-speed train to Dunhuang. Upon arrival, the driver from Dunhuang will escort you to the hotel for check-in.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang

   

4. Day 4: Dunhuang Exploration
   Explore Ancient Sites around Dunhuang

   After breakfast, meet your Dunhuang guide and be led to visit some ancient sites around Dunhuang. Yumen Pass was an important entrance to the Western Regions in Han Dynasty times. The area mostly has Gobi desert landscapes. The remaining walls of Yumen Pass are still in good shape - they form a square, 24 meters east to west and 26.4 meters north to south, with walls standing 9.7 meters tall, all made of yellow clay.

   Next, go to visit the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty, constructed more than 2,000 years ago, stretching from Dunhuang to Pingrang (in North Korea). Historically, it played a key role in defending against the Hsiung-Nu and bringing the Western Regions under control. Later, head to Yardang National Geopark, home to the world’s biggest and most impressive Yardang formations. The park has a huge variety of geological features, with over 5,000 Yardang structures of different sizes and shapes.

   

   In the late afternoon, you will have fun at the Echoing Sand Mountain and Crescent Spring. Echoing Sand Mountain runs 40 kilometers from east to west. When the wind blows or people slide down, the sand makes a mysterious humming sound, which is why it’s called "Echoing Sand."

   Right in the middle of the dunes, you’ll find Crescent Spring, a small, clear lake shaped like a crescent moon. It’s a rare natural wonder because, despite being surrounded by desert, the spring never dries up. You can try exciting activities here, such as sandboarding down the dunes, riding camels across the desert(extra fees apply). After the tour, send you back to your hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang

   

5. Day 5: Dunhuang Departure
   Enjoy the Lifelike Painted Sculptures, Intricate Murals

   Today you are going to leave Dunhuang. In the morning, be guided to the last attraction in Dunhuang trip - Mogao Caves. Also known as the "Thousand Buddha Caves," this site is one of China’s four greatest Buddhist cave complexes.

   What makes Mogao Caves special is its long history - construction began over 1,600 years ago during the Sixteen Kingdoms era and continued for a millennium until the Yuan Dynasty. Few other caves in China took so long to build! Located along the Silk Road, these caves were a melting pot of cultures, blending Chinese, Indian, Persian, and Central Asian influences. Inside, you’ll see stunning Buddhist art, including lifelike painted statues, intricate murals, and ancient manuscripts.

   After lunch, you will be escorted to the airport or train station for departure. This is the end of your 5-day Zhangye Dunhuang tour.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: N/A