8 Days Classic Silk Road Tour from Xian to Dunhuang by Flight

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Xian Highlights
   Terracotta Warriors and Horses & Muslim Quarter

   Welcome to Xi'an! Upon arrival (you're suggested to arrive before noon), your English-speaking guide and private driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the iconic Terracotta Warriors and Horses. Entitled "the Eighth Wonders of the World", the Terracotta Army is a part of Emperor Qinshihuang's (259~210 BC ) Mausoleum Site Museum where you will be amazed by life-sized sculptures of over 8000 warriors and hundreds of horses in battle formations. Spend 2.5-3 hours to explore this underground troop at your leisure while listening your guide's detailed explanations.

   After that, drive back to the city center to have a walk along the Muslim Quarter (aka Huimin Street) which is a stone’s throw away from the Bell Tower - the landmark of Xi'an city. Comprising several ancient streets over 1000 years old, the quarter boasts a bulk of local food options, an exotic Islamic culture atmosphere and numerous ethnic souvenir stalls. Your expert local guide will recommend some local food and restaurants based on your interests.

   

   Vehicle

   4-Star Hotel in Xi'an
2. Day 2: Xian to Lanzhou by Flight
   Xi’an Ancient City Wall & Yellow River Custom Tourist Line

   After breakfast in your hotel, step onto the Ancient City Wall, the largest and the best preserved city wall in China. Also known as the fortifications of Xi'an, it was originally built for military defense in 14^th century. You can either walk or cycle atop the wall to overlook the old parts of Xi’an inside the wall, the modern new parts of Xi’an outside, the moat surrounding the wall, the elegantly designed watchtowers, etc.

   Note: Cycling on the wall is optional; you can rent a bike at your own expense. Don't worry, your tour guide will help you with that.

   

   After an early lunch, you will head to Xianyang International Airport to catch your flight to Lanzhou.

   Upon your arrival at Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport, the local driver will welcome you at the exit gate by holding a board "China Xian Tour". After a short rest in your hotel, you can visit the Yellow River Custom Tourist Line on your own - one of the longest riverside gardens in China stretching along the Yellow River. A leisurely stroll here will introduce you to a series of folk culture-themed sites, including Zhongshan Iron Bridge, White Pagoda Hill Park, Waterwheel Park, Yellow River Mother Sculpture, sheepskin raft, etc.

   Flight, Vehicle

   B

   4-Star Hotel in Lanzhou
3. Day 3: Lanzhou to Xiahe
   Bingling Temple

   After breakfast, embark on a 1.5 hours drive to Bingling Grottoes (aka Bingling Thousand Buddha Caves). Being carved out on the cliff over 1600 years ago along Liujiaxia Reservoir, Bingling Grottoes is only accessible by speedboat. During the 45-minute cruise, you can enjoy the magnificent Danxia landform. Sister Peak is the landmark of the scenic spot - two mountains standing side by side are like sisters. The surrounding Yellow River scene is also a bonus for your boat ride here. Upon arrival, explore the 183 Buddha caves with 694 precious stone statues, 82 sculptures, and over 900 square meters of murals.

   After the visit, drive for 3.5 hours to Xiahe for the night. Xiahe County is the gateway to Gannan known for its Tibetan Buddhist culture and rich folk customs. It is often called the "Second Tibet".

   

   Vehicle

   B

   4-Star Hotel in Xiahe
4. Day 4: Xiahe to Zhangye by Flight
   Labrang Monastery

   Start your visit to Labrang Monastery - one of the six Tibetan Buddhist monasteries belonging to the Gelug Sect. The monastery allows you to walk its circuit in the same way that pilgrims used to while you explore its entire Tibetan Buddhist architectural complex which includes the world's longest scripture turning corridor, its valuable Buddha statues, wall paintings and other hidden treasures.

   Then, a 2.5-hour drive will take you back to Lanzhou. Your driver will drop you off at Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport for the 1-hour flight to Zhangye.

   Upon arrival at Zhangye, a local private driver will pick you up from the exit gate and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. In the evening, we recommend Ganquan Park, where the mountains and waters complement each other, and the pavilions and towers are arranged in a staggered manner. The moonlight and lights at night make this park more beautiful. You may be able to see locals dancing.

   

   Flight, Vehicle

   B

   4-Star Hotel in Zhangye
5. Day 5: Best of Zhangye
   Zhangye Giant Buddhist Temple & The Rainbow Mountain Scenic Area

   After breakfast, meet your tour guide and your Zhangye exploration begins with a visit to Giant Buddha Temple. Having witnessed the vicissitudes of different dynasties for over 900 years, the Giant Buddha Temple got its name for the gigantic sleeping Buddha statue of Sakyamuni which is in the largest scale in Asia. It draws a lot of travelers for the impressive woodcarvings, wall paintings, statues and the brilliant Buddha culture.

   After lunch, one hour drive takes you to Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, a natural masterpiece which was rated as one of the “10 Wonders of Nature in the World” by National Geographic News. You will mainly explore the Rainbow Mountain Scenic Area where the “Color Palette Overturned by God” will impress you a lot! It is breathtaking to see layers of bright colors stretching among the rolling mountains.

   Photography Tips:

   1. The best time for photography is during sunset between 7 and 8 pm from June to August; between 6 and 7 pm from December to January.
   2. You need to bring sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat because the sun becomes intense on sunny days.

   

   Vehicle

   B

   4-Star Hotel in Zhangye
6. Day 6: Zhangye to Jiayuguan
   Jiayuguan Pass, Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum & Weijin Tombs

   In the morning, drive around 2.5 hours to visit Jiayuguan Pass, the westernmost of the Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644 A.D.) Great Wall. Entitled the “First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven”, the pass is constructed as a vital military fortress on the Silk Road with towers, outer and inner city walls and other military buildings. There are walkways allowing both tourists and horses to walk up the top of the walls. From the top, you can have a panoramic view of the Gobi Desert in the distance.

   To know more interesting facts about the Great Wall, be guided to visit the Great Wall Museum for an educational exploration. The collection of old photos, relics and the large-scaled oil painting of the Great Wall will bring you a sketch of the glorious past of the fortress.

   

   Next stop is the Weijin Tombs which are 18 km from Jiayuguan City. It is actually a complex of over 1000 tombs dating from the Wei and Jin Dynasties (220-419) (currently only part of the tombs are open to the public). The tombs appear in a layout similar to normal houses, including courtyards, living rooms and bedrooms. Being praised as the “largest underground gallery in the world”, the numerous vivid wall paintings are a highlight of the tombs, showcasing people’s daily life thousands of years ago.

   After the tour, drive to your comfortable hotel in Jiayuguan for check-in.

   Vehicle

   B

   4-Star Hotel in Jiayuguan
7. Day 7: Jiayuguan to Dunhuang
   Crescent Spring and Echoing Sand Mountain & Shazhou Night Market

   After breakfast at your hotel, drive for around 4 hours to another hub on the ancient Silk Road - Dunhuang. After the hottest hours of the day around 4 pm, you will head to the Crescent Spring and Echoing Sand Mountain - a desert oasis surrounded by sand dunes. You can ride a camel (at your own expense) around the Echo Sand Mountain, just like the caravans rode through the ancient Silk Road thousands of years ago. At the foot of the sand dunes lies the crescent-shaped lake where the crystal water and surrounding green vegetation bring much vitality and excitement to the bare desert.

   Good to know: Besides camel riding, more desert activities are available here, including sand sliding （free of charge）, motor cycling, etc. You can pay on your own if you want to try.

   Spend your evening at Shazhou Night Market before going back to your hotel. Full of delicious snacks, groceries, souvenirs and local people, it is the place to experience authentic Dunhuang flavor. Do not miss some local specialty snacks such as scallion beef patties and apricot peel water.

   

   Vehicle

   B

   4-Star Hotel in Dunhuang
8. Day 8: Departure from Dunhuang
   Mogao Grottoes

   Today you will explore the famous Mogao Grottoes (aka the Thousand Buddha Grottoes). You will be first guided to the Mogao Grottoes Digital Exhibition Center to appreciate two movies depicting history, arts, and interesting facts about the Mogao Grottoes. Then a shuttle bus will take you to the cave area where you will be amazed by the 487 grottoes in the southern district housing about 45000 square meters of mural paintings and over 2000 colorfully painted statues. The caves are carved out in different dynasties with diverse features and lasted for about 1000 years.

   In the afternoon, your driver will transfer you to the Dunhuang Airport for the departure flight. Your 8-day Silk Road tour from Xian to Dunhuang ends here. Thank you for choosing China Xian Tour.

   Departure Tip: You are advised to book a ticket to leave after 3 pm.

   

   Vehicle

   B