Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Lanzhou
Morning/Afternoon: Arrive at Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport. Transfer to the hotel for check-in and a brief introduction to the itinerary.
Evening: Explore the Lanzhou Night Market, a bustling hub of local street food and crafts. Sample regional delicacies like beef noodles and grilled skewers while soaking in the lively atmosphere. Return to the hotel for rest.
Day 2: Lanzhou – Bingling Temple
Morning/Afternoon: Visit the Bingling Temple, one of China’s earliest Buddhist cave complexes, carved into cliffs along the Yellow River (approx. 75 km drive from Lanzhou, ~1.5 hours). Known as the “Pearl of the Yellow River,” its ancient statues and murals offer a glimpse into Buddhist art from over 1,600 years ago.
Evening: Return to Lanzhou for dinner and rest at the hotel.
Day 3: Lanzhou to Zhangye
Morning: Travel by high-speed train to Zhangye (approx. 3 hours). Check into the hotel upon arrival.
Afternoon: Visit the Matisi Temple, a 1,600-year-old Buddhist cave complex, one of the three major grottoes in the Hexi Corridor (approx. 65 km drive from Zhangye, ~1.5 hours). Explore its intricate carvings and serene mountain setting, reflecting Gansu’s rich Silk Road heritage.
Evening: Return to Zhangye for dinner and rest.
Day 4: Zhangye – Cultural and Natural Wonders
Morning: Tour the Great Buddha Temple, Zhangye’s largest West Xia Dynasty Buddhist complex, built over 900 years ago (approx. 2 km from central Zhangye, ~10-minute drive). Admire its massive reclining Buddha statue and historical artifacts.
Mid-Morning: Visit the Wooden Pagoda Temple, a North Zhou Dynasty structure with a unique wooden tower dating back to the 6th century (approx. 1 km from Great Buddha Temple, ~5-minute drive). Learn about its architectural significance and historical role.
Afternoon: Explore the Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, a UNESCO site famed for its vibrant, rainbow-like hills (approx. 40 km from Zhangye, ~1-hour drive). Recognized by China National Geography as one of China’s top seven Danxia landscapes, this geological marvel offers stunning views and photo opportunities.
Evening: Return to Zhangye for dinner and rest at a 4-star or 5-star hotel (e.g., Hampton by Hilton Zhangye High-Speed Railway West Station or Zhangye Wangshan International Hotel).
Day 5: Zhangye to Jiayuguan
Morning: Drive to Jiayuguan (approx. 220 km, ~3 hours). Check into the hotel upon arrival.
Afternoon: Visit the Jiayuguan Fortress, the westernmost point of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall (approx. 6 km from central Jiayuguan, ~15-minute drive). Known as the “First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven,” this Silk Road stronghold showcases military architecture and strategic history.
Evening: Return to the hotel for dinner and rest.
Day 6: Jiayuguan to Dunhuang via Suoyang City
Morning: Drive to the Suoyang City Ruins, a key Silk Road military and trade hub from the Han and Tang Dynasties (approx. 230 km from Jiayuguan, ~3 hours). Explore the ancient city remnants and learn about its role in connecting East and West.
Afternoon: Continue to Dunhuang (approx. 130 km from Suoyang City, ~2 hours). Check into the hotel and relax.
Evening: Enjoy a leisurely dinner in Dunhuang.
Day 7: Dunhuang – Mogao Caves and Desert Wonders
Morning: Visit the Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest collection of Buddhist art (approx. 10 km from Dunhuang, ~20-minute drive). Known as the “Louvre of the East,” its 1,000-year-old frescoes and statues offer a deep dive into Silk Road culture.
Afternoon: Explore the Mingsha Sand Dunes and Crescent Spring, a natural wonder where a crescent-shaped oasis sits amidst towering dunes (approx. 6 km from Dunhuang, ~15-minute drive). Optionally, enjoy a camel ride (at own expense) for a true Silk Road experience.
Evening: Return to Dunhuang for dinner and rest.
Day 8: Dunhuang – Silk Road Sites and Geological Marvels
Morning: Visit Yangguan, a historic Silk Road pass immortalized in Tang poetry (approx. 70 km from Dunhuang, ~1-hour drive). Tour the Yangguan Museum and view the ancient ruins, learning about its role as a trade and military outpost.
Mid-Morning: Travel to the Yumen Pass and Han Dynasty Great Wall Ruins, key Han Dynasty Silk Road checkpoints (approx. 80 km from Yangguan, ~1-hour drive). Explore these ancient fortifications and their historical significance.
Afternoon: Visit the Dunhuang Yadan National Geopark, known as “Devil City” for its eerie, wind-eroded formations (approx. 80 km from Yumen Pass, ~1-hour drive). Marvel at the unique desert landscape shaped over millennia.
Evening: Return to Dunhuang (approx. 180 km, ~2.5 hours) for dinner and rest.
Day 9: Dunhuang – Solar Innovation and Departure
Morning: Tour the Dunhuang Solar Energy Expo Park, China’s first million-kilowatt solar power demonstration base (approx. 20 km from Dunhuang, ~30-minute drive). Known as the “Blue Ocean of the Gobi,” this site showcases photovoltaic and solar-thermal technology alongside research displays.
Afternoon: Transfer to Dunhuang Airport for departure.
