8 Days Silk Road Tour from Lanzhou to Dunhuang

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Lanzhou Arrival & Lanzhou Tour (No meal)

   Welcome to join our Silk Road tour! Upon your arrival at Lanzhou airport / train station, the local driver will pick you up and transfer you to check in at local hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Lanzhou

2. Day 2: Lanzhou-Xiahe (B,L)
   The Yellow River and Riverfront Landscape & Bingling Temple

   After breakfast, your guide will lead you to visit the core scenic spots of Lanzhou City: the Yellow River and its charming riverfront landscape - Huanghe River Custom Tourist Line. The Yellow River is known as 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 not only walk across Zhongshan Bridge, the first bridge over the Yellow River, but also travel around the Waterwheel Park to appreciate revolving waterwheels for relax.

   Then we will drive around 1.5 hours to Bingling Temple, which was excavated on rugged cliffs. The temple is a typical Buddhist grotto complex, housing 183 niches, 694 stone statues and 82 clay sculptures. Visitors can take a speedboat to appreciate the grottoes with vivid shapes and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery along the way.

   In the late afternoon, we will transfer you to Xiahe for overnight.

   Meals: breakfast, lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Xiahe

   

3. Day 3: Xiahe-Lanzhou (B)
   Labrang Monastery & Sangka Grasslands

   Today’s visit begins with the Labrang Monastery. The grand temple complex is home to elegant Buddhist statues, wall paintings and many other treasures. As one of the six great monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, it is renowned for its rich Tibetan culture, imposing Buddhist structures, unique Tibetan food and the long corridor of prayer wheels.

   

   In the afternoon, we will go sightseeing in Sangke Grasslands, which is a natural pasture for the Tibetan people. Under the blue sky and white clouds, herds of cattle and sheep form a natural idyllic scene. It is a wonderful place for you to ease your mental pressure.

   After that, we will escort you to your hotel in Lanzhou.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Accommodation: Overnight in Lanzhou

   

4. Day 4: Lanzhou-Zhangye by High-speed Train (B)
   Zhangye Giant Buddhist Temple & Silk Road tours

   In the morning, we will take a 4.5-hour high-speed train from Lanzhou to Zhangye. Your visit will begin at the Zhangye Great Buddha Temple, which is one of the highlights of our Silk Road tours. 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.

   Meals: breakfast

   Accommodation: Overnight in Zhangye

   

5. Day 5: Zhangye-Jiayuguan by High-speed Train (B)
   Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park & Ice Valley Mountain Scenic Area

   Today we will get you to enjoy the gorgeous landscape in Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park. It is famous for the typical Danxia landform in China. Once inside the park, you can appreciate the splendid view of Rainbow Mountain. Ranges of mountains show different colors under the sunlight, depicting a breathtaking view for the visitors.

   

   Then, move on to the Ice Valley Mountain Scenic Area (aka Binggou Scenic Area). Although the color of the hills here is not as bright as Rainbow Mountain, The Binggou Scenic Area is known for its magnificence and strange shapes.

   In the afternoon,we will drive 2.5 hours to Jiayuguan City for overnight.

   Meals: breakfast

   Accommodation: Overnight in Jiayuguan

   

6. Day 6: Jiayuguan-Dunhuang by High-speed Train (B)
   Jiayuguan Pass, Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum & Weijin Tombs

   Let's continue the Silk Road trip. Today we will explore the prominent historical relic Jiayuguan Pass. It 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 has long played a crucial role in military defense in Chinese history.

   Next, we will visit the Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum. The Great Wall is a major constructional engineering in Chinese history. The Jiayuguan Great Wall 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.

   Afterwards, we will leave for Weijin Tombs, the famous “underground gallery”. You can appreciate frescoes in the catacombs which vividly depict the scholars and officials’ life in the Wei and Jin Dynasties(222-589) and have a better understanding of the cultural and historical background.

   Last, we will drive around 5 hours to Dunhuang and check in at local hotel.

   Meals: breakfast

   Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang

   

7. Day 7: Dunhuang Classic Tour (B)
   Mogao Grottoes, Crescent Spring and Echo Sand Mountain & Shazhou Night Market

   Today you will enjoy the highlight of your trip in Dunhuang: visit the amazing Mogao Grottoes. They are the largest and most richly endowed treasure house of Buddhist art. We can appreciate more than 2000 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.

   

   When it is not too hot, we will continue 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 thousand years. They are the masterpieces of nature, attracting endless tourists all year round.

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

   At night, we will 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.

   Meals: breakfast

   Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang

   

8. Day 8: Dunhuang 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 you to Dunhuang airport / train station to see you off. Thank you for booking our Silk Road trip!

   Meals: breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A