7 Days Silk Road Group Tour to Dunhuang Jiayuguan Zhangye

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Dunhuang Arrival
   Taste Local Silk Road Snacks On Your Own

   Welcome to Dunhuang, located in the western part of Gansu Province. It is a key city along the Silk Road serving as a connection point between Central Plains and Western Regions. After arriving, a local driver will pick you up and escort you to the hotel for check-in.

   In the evening, you can visit Shazhou Night Market on your own (no tour guide). It is the largest nighttime cultural market in Dunhuang. As night falls, this place is brightly lit, presenting the Western Regions style of the Silk Road. Don't miss the opportunity to taste some local specialties including donkey meat noodles, red willow grilled meat and apricot peel water. After having a full meal, visit the handicraft area and browse around. You can purchase unique souvenirs featuring Dunhuang elements, such as silk scarves and camel bone carvings. You also have the chance to experience engraving and calligraphy on the spot.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Dunhuang
2. Day 2: Dunhuang Highlights
   Discover Buddhist Masterpieces Of Mogao Caves and Desert Wonders Of Crescent Spring

   After finishing your breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide and head to Mogao Caves. Containing the largest collection of Buddhist art that exists today make it get the reputation as "the pearls of oriental art". Here are 735 caves which cover an area of 45,000 square kilometers and contains 2,415 painted sculptures and over 4,000 flying Apsaras which depict the beautiful Bodhisattva of Buddhism who excels at dancing and music. The painted sculptures of Cave No.45 display perfect craftsmanship; they show detailed facial expressions and their clothing designs move in natural patterns. Appreciate these amazing works while listening to the detailed explanations from your tour guide.

   

   After lunch, go to Crescent Spring and Echo Sand Mountain, two natural wonders that have existed together as a perfect match for thousands of years on the Silk Road. You could find the golden dunes rising like a dragon's back while the spring as a tranquil maiden in the mountain's embrace. The optional activity here offers a lifetime experience through a camel ride which requires on-site payment that your guide will assist you with.

   Friendly tip: you can also experience the fun of sand sliding for free, or more exciting desert motorcycles (at your own expense).

   After the fun at desert, drive you back to your hotel.

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   4-Star Hotel in Dunhuang
3. Day 3: Dunhuang to Jiayuguan
   Experience Silk Road Culture and Visit Striking Desert Sculptures

   This morning, you will visit the Dunhuang Silk Road Heritage City. Don't be misled by its name. This place is not a historical site but rather a replica of many iconic buildings along the Silk Road, aiming to present the ancient Silk Road culture in an illustrative way.

   The city has several theme exhibition halls where you can learn about the arduous journey of ancient camel caravans, get a glimpse of the historical process of cultural exchanges between the East and the West and understand the significant position of Dunhuang on the Silk Road. In addition, the Dunhuang Silk Road Heritage City regularly holds a variety of cultural activities including music performances, dance shows and academic lectures, providing you with a multi-level cultural experience.

   

   After that, drive to the location of the Son of the Earth. There are many large outdoor sculptures there. The brownish-red sandstone material contrasts with the desert environment in terms of color, creating a strong visual impact.

   After the visit, continue to Jiayuguan for the night.

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   4-Star Hotel in Jiayuguan
4. Day 4: Jiayuguan to Zhangye
   Explore Jiayuguan Fort and Hike Dramatic Overhanging Great Wall

   After breakfast, the tour guide will take you to visit the Jiayuguan Fort, "the Throat of Hexi Corridor". This pass served as the westernmost boundary of the Great Wall constructed during the Ming Dynasty which functioned as a military defense system while simultaneously providing essential protection for cultural exchange and trade activities that occurred along the ancient Silk Road. The city wall lets you see the Gobi Desert which stretches endlessly while your guide tells you about the historical events that occurred at this pass.

   

   It takes only 30 minutes to drive to the Overhanging Great Wall which is an important component of the defense system of the Jiayuguan Great Wall. It gets its name because it is built on a ridge at about 45 degrees, resembling a hanging structure in the air. It is hailed as "the epitome of the Great Wall". If you have good physical strength, you can climb about 750 steps to the highest beacon tower and overlook the vast scenery of the Gobi Desert, oases and Black Mountain Range.

   After the visit, drive for 3 hours to Zhangye for hotel check-in.

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   4-Star Hotel in Zhangye
5. Day 5: Zhangye Natural Wonders
   Photograph Colorful Zhangye Rainbow Mountains at Sunset

   In the morning, you will hike through Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon, a red sandstone canyon landscape formed over millions of years through geological movements. It is hailed as a natural wonder comparable to Colorado Grand Canyon. Follow the trails down to the bottom of the canyon and get up close to the layers of variously shaped red rock walls. Use your imagination and you'll discover some rocks resembling dragons, generals, turtles or couples. Explore some unique sights including the Thread of Sky and the Cloud Ladder.

   Note: If you have some knee issues, please skip this attraction. Your travel consultant will adjust another scenic spot that suits you such as Great Buddha Temple.

   

   The Rainbow Mountains you are going to visit in afternoon is the highligh during your Zhangyye visit. It has gained recognition because of its vibrant color display, especially at sunset. The high platforms provide you with a view of mountains which rise in beautiful red and yellow tones. You will spend most time at No.4 Platform where you can capture the most brightly colored mountains against the backdrop of rosy sunset.

   Travel Tips:

   • Sunset is the best time for photos around 7-8 pm from June to August and 6–7 pm in December to January.
   • The sun can be strong, so bring sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat.

   In the evening, you can wander around Ganzhou Night Market, the most bustling nighttime food market in downtown Zhangye. This street is designed in Ming and Qing dynasty architectural style and you are suggested to taste some local snacks.

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   4-Star Hotel in Zhangye
6. Day 6: Zhangye Temple and Canyon Exploration
   Climb The Cliffside Grottoes Of Matisi Temple and Explore Scenic Lin Song Canyon Landscapes

   After breakfast, drive for one hour to reach the Matisi Temple. This is actually a group of grottoes carved on the steep red sandstone cliff, facing the continuous Qilian Mountains. The Thirty-three Heaven Grottoes (7 levels with 21 caves) are the core attraction. The interesting part is that you need to climb narrow stone steps and tunnels in dim light. Some sections require using both hands and feet simultaneously and can only accommodate one person at a time. The grottoes preserve many exquisite Buddha statues and murals.

   

   After the visit, continue to explore the Lin Song Canyon, which is quite beautiful. Along the way, there are snow peaks, pine forests, streams, grasslands and herds of cattle and sheep. Experience horseback riding exploration led by local herdsmen. If you're lucky, you might meet wild groundhogs.

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   4-Star Hotel in Zhangye
7. Day 7: Zhangye Departure

   Enjoy your leisure time after breakfast until your driver picks you up at the hotel lobby at the agreed time and escorts you to the airport or train station. This is the end of your 7-day Silk Road tour. Thank you for choosing China Xian Tour! Safe travels.

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