7 Days Silk Road Tour from Xian to Dunhuang by High-speed Train

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Xian to Tianshui Tour by High-speed Train
   Explore One of the "Four Great Grottoes in China"

   In the morning, your Xian driver will pick you up from the downtown hotel and drop you off at Xian North Train Station to catch the high-speed train to Tianshui. The train rides around 1.5-2 hours which would be a good chance for you to rest on the train or enjoy the scenery on the way. Upon arriving at Tianshui South Station, the local English-speaking guide will be waiting for you at the exit gate.

   Your Silk Road trip in Tianshui begins with Maiji Grottoes, one of the "Four Great Grottoes in China" especially featuring its beautiful scenic landscape. The first grottoes here were excavated during the post-Qin Dynasty (384-417). There are 194 caves and about 7,800 Buddha statues preserved in the grottoes. In June 2014, Maiji Grottoes was listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site.

   

   Later, continue your visit to Fuxi Temple, the earliest and best-preserved ancestral temple complex. Stepping into the entrance, you will be enchanted by the dense atmosphere of ancient Chinese culture from the old temples, trees and statues which soon drags you to a world filled with mysterious tales of Fuxi and his time when Chinese civilization started. The vivid commentary from the tour guide about this great man will help you better understand the origin of the Chinese nation.

   Last, transfer to check into a local hotel.

   Meal: Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Tianshui

2. Day 2: Tianshui to Lanzhou Tour by High-speed Train
   Glimpse the Chinese Civilization along the Yellow River

   In the morning, the driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and drop you off at Tianshui South Train Station to catch the morning high-speed train to Lanzhou. Upon arrival, the local tour guide and driver will pick you up.

   You will officially start your Lanzhou tour at the Gansu Provincial Museum where you can see abundant collections reflecting Gansu local culture and Silk Road's history and culture. The famous Bronze Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow is the most precious treasure of the museum.

   Later, move on to the Huanghe River Custom Tourist Line. The Yellow River is the mother river of all the Chinese people and the cradle of Chinese civilization. There are a lot of featured attractions along the riverside. You can walk across Zhongshan Bridge, the first bridge over the Yellow River, and travel around the Waterwheel Park to appreciate revolving waterwheels for relaxation. After the tour, you will be driven back to your hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Lanzhou

   

3. Day 3: Lanzhou to Zhangye Tour by High-speed Train
   Witness Splendid and Colorful Danxia Landforms

   Today you will take the morning high-speed train from Lanzhou to Zhangye. After around 4.5 hours of train riding, you will arrive at this amazing city!

   Meet your Zhangye tour guide and be led to explore the amazing Rainbow Mountain in Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, which is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and a world geopark in China, famous for its splendid and colorful Danxia landforms. The rolling hills here are bright, with red, yellow, orange, and green colors intertwined as if they were the palette of nature. Under the sunlight, the landform shines brightly, which is breathtaking. Visitors can stroll along the paths to feel nature's ingenious workmanship.

   After the visit, drive you to a local hotel for a good rest.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Zhangye

   

4. Day 4: Zhangye to Jiayuguan Tour by Van
   Marvel at the Largest Reclining Buddha in Asia

   After breakfast, you will further explore Zhangye by the visit to Giant Buddha Temple, which is one of the highlights of our Silk Road tour of China. The temple houses the largest reclining Buddha Shakyamuni in Asia. It is 34.5 meters (113.2 feet) long and its shoulder spans across a width of 7.5 meters (24.6 feet). Visitors will be impressed by the splendid culture and long history here by visiting the beautiful wood carvings, frescoes, and statues.

   

   Later, drive around 2.5 hours to Jiayuguan. Jiayuguan Pass is the renowned western starting point of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Visitors can appreciate ancient military facilities such as forts, watchtowers, and trenches, which have long played a crucial role in military defense in Chinese history.

   Then, go to visit the Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum, a major construction engineer in Chinese history. The museum is the first Great-Wall-themed museum in China, exhibiting typical ancient Chinese weapons, the Jiayuguan cultural relics, and architectural models. Through 7 major exhibition halls here, you can learn more about the Great Wall culture.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Jiayuguan

   

5. Day 5: Jiayuguan to Dunhuang Tour by Van
   Appreciate Brick Murals and Learn about Rich History

   In the morning, your Hexi Corridor tour in Jiayuguan continues to Weijin Tombs. Known as the "world's largest underground gallery", this attraction is located in the Gobi Desert 20 kilometers northeast of Jiayuguan City, featuring over 1,400 brick tombs. Among the excavated parts, there are 8 painted mural tombs, with a total of more than 700 mural bricks unearthed. Currently, only Tomb No. 6 is open to visitors. The portrait reflects the political, economic, cultural, military, and folk customs of the Wei and Jin dynasties (220-419).

   

   After that, drive around 4 hours to Dunhuang. On the way, you will make a stop at Yulin Grottoes which is located in Jiuquan City, about 100km east away from Dunhuang City. Although not as famous as Mogao Grottoes and Longmen Grottoes, Yulin Grottoes is rated highly and commented as a surprise by former visitors. It is the lower fame that makes the grottoes less visited and better protected. Engraved in the North Wei Dynasty on the cliff of the Yulin River Valley, Yulin Grottoes looks extremely spectacular. The colorful wall paintings here will take you into another world with a strong flavor of history and religion.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang

   

6. Day 6: Best Dunhuang Tour
   Visit Historic Military Sites, Experience Fun at Sand Dunes

   Today you will explore the highlight sites of Dunhuang. The first site will be the Jade Gate Pass. The relics of Jade Gate Pass are located at the far western edge of Hexi Corridor, with the main geographical landscape of gobi and deserts. It had been a vital position on military defense in ancient China since the time of famous Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. There are many heroes with their stories about Jade Gate Pass in history.

   Afterward, go to visit the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty. With a history of about 2,100 years, the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty is another masterpiece from the great Emperor Wu who was ambitious in defending against Huns and uniting the Western Regions. The section we will visit is the best-preserved part today.

   

   In the afternoon, we drive back to the city center to visit Crescent Spring and Echo Sand Mountain. Among the endless sand mountains nestled a crystal clear lake in the shape of a crescent moon. The lake with no river around has co-existed with the sand mountain for over a thousand years. They are the masterpieces of nature, attracting endless tourists all year round.

   Friendly tip: You can also enjoy camel riding and sand sliding here. If you would like to try it, please pay in cash on your own.

   At night, enjoy local life in Shazhou Night Market where you can taste delicious snacks and fruits and buy exquisite ornaments and craftwork for your friends and families.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang

   

7. Day 7: Dunhuang Tour, Departure
   Explore Ancient Buddhist Art, Stunning Frescoes

   Today is the last day of your 7-day Silk Road tour in China and you will be guided to visit the most popular attraction in Dunhuang - the Mogao Grottoes. They are the largest and most richly endowed treasure house of Buddhist art. We can appreciate more than 2,000 painted sculptures and about 45,000 square meters (484,376 square feet) of frescoes within 492 temples. They are both a rare national treasure of China as well as a unique cultural heritage of all mankind.

   In the afternoon, you will be dropped off at Dunhuang airport/train station for departure. Safe travels! Hope you had a rewarding experience with us during this Hexi Corridor Silk Road tour!

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: N/A