5 Days Hexi Corridor Silk Road Tour of Lanzhou-Wuwei-Zhangye
Tour Overview
The Silk Road was one of the most important arteries of trade and culture in world history that connected the East and West. China’s silk, tea, and porcelain were brought to Middle Asia and Europe by caravans and traders. In exchange, China got glasses, horses, fruits, jade, etc. from Middle Asia and Europe. The Silk Road also played a significant role in the cultural exchange between the East and West.
As the artery of the China Silk Road, the old Hexi Corridor is the not-to-miss place for any culture-seeker to Northwest China. This 5-day Silk Road tour including Lanzhou, Wuwei, and Zhangye with Huanghe River, Confucius Temple, Tiantishan Caves, and The Rainbow Mountains, will bring you a true exploration of the splendid cultural relics as well as natural landscapes.
Travel destinations: Lanzhou, Wuwei, Zhangye
Suitable for: History Seekers
Tour type: Private
Highlights of this tour:
- Take a leisure stroll along the Huanghe River Custom Tourist Line to enjoy the beautiful scenic spots along the way.
- Gain an insight into the story of the famous Bronze Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow unearthed in the Leitai Han Tombs.
- Learn about Confucius’ thoughts and history at Wuwei Confucius Temple, and enjoy the antique architecture.
- Feast your eyes on the spectacular view of the colorful Rainbow Mountain in Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in LanzhouEnjoy a Scenic Riverside Stroll at Dusk
Welcome to our one of the best Silk Road tours! Upon your arrival at Lanzhou airport/train station, the English-speaking tour guide will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name.
After a short rest, your guide will take you to visit Huanghe River Custom Tourist Line, which is considered as "the Bund of Lanzhou City", taking Zhongshan Bridge as the axis to stretch out along the Yellow River. The sites to visit on the Tourist Line are distributed on the Road River, including Yellow River Mother Sculpture, Zhongshan Iron Bridge, White Pagoda Hill Park, Waterwheel Park, and so on. A leisurely strolling bathed in the rosy light of dusk on the River Road is a top thing to do in Lanzhou.
After that, transfer you to the downtown hotel for check in.
Meal: Lunch
Accommodation: in Lanzhou
Waterwheel Park in Huanghe River Custom Tourist Line - Day 2: Lanzhou to Wuwei TourExplore Ancient Tombs and Learn about Chinese History and Culture
After breakfast, we will drive around 3.5 hours to Wuwei. The first site will be Leitai Han Tombs. China is never short in history, even in its wilder western regions, which could be readily found at Leitai Han Tombs in Wuwei.
We will trace back the history of this site to about 1,700 years ago, earning its reputation mainly in unearthing the famous Bronze Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow - which is taken as a Chinese National Tourist Symbol. The tombs were discovered by local farmers in 1969 when they were digging the combat tunnels, henceforth we have more material to shed light on the Han Dynasty's culture, history, economy, and politics.
After that, continue your visit to Wuwei Confucius Temple which was built in the Ming Dynasty with a large scale and high historical status, about 500 years ago, for people to worship the greatest spiritual mentor of Chinese, Confucius. The Temple also houses the Wuwei Museum to allow visitors not only to learn the thoughts and history of Confucius but also to appreciate the historic relics of Wuwei City. After the visit, go to a local hotel for the night.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Wuwei
Bronze Galloping Horse in Leitai Tomb - Day 3: Wuwei to Zhangye TourDiscover Tiantishan Caves' Ancient Grottoes
Today, you will explore the highlight of your Wuwei tour - the Tiantishan Caves, which has a loud title: Father of All Chinese Grottoes. It was one of the earliest engraved grottoes in China with history dating back to 1,600 years ago. Today, there are wall paintings of hundreds of square meters, three-floor caves, seventeen shrines, and hundreds of statues as well as Buddhist scriptures well preserved with mix features of the Western Xia, the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Sui and Tang Dynasty, the Yuan Dynasty as well as the Ming Dynasty.
15-meter-high statue of Shakyamuni Buddha at Tiantishan Caves After the visit, you will head to Zhangye, which is around 3 hours driving away from Wuwei. On the way, you can listen to your guide explaining more histories and stories of this city or just have some rest in the van.
Upon arrival in Zhangye, you will pay a visit to Zhangye Giant Buddhist Temple, which houses China's largest indoor reclining Buddha, the Nirvana of Shakyamuni Buddha. The figure is covered in gold leaf and painted in various colors to make it so vivid. When you walk behind the reclining Buddha, you will see beautiful murals.
After the tour, you will be escorted to a local hotel for a good rest.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Zhangye
- Day 4: Zhangye Danxia TourExperience the Stunning Rainbow Mountains at Zhangye Danxia Geological Park
Today, you will fully enjoy the highlight of Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park. The Danxia landform earns the most spotlight for Zhangye City. Rated as one of the "10 Wonders of Nature in the World" in 2011 by National Geographic News, it does deserve the reputation. There are two main scenic areas of the Zhangye Danxia with different features.
Firstly, come to visit The Rainbow Mountain Scenic Area which is located in Linze County, features bright colors, and is better for enjoying the sunset which is chosen by most travelers. Seen from the high platform, the rising layers of mountains in beautiful red with different saturation are bathed in rosy sunlight, depicting a gorgeous picture for the visitors who trudged a lot to here.
In the afternoon, move on to The Ice Valley Mountain Scenic Area, and read Binggou Mountain in Chinese, which earns its fame mainly with its graceful shapes. Usually, people come here for sunrise scenery. Although the color of the hills here is not as bright as Rainbow Mountain, the unique form here easily excites people's imagination to enjoy the natural masterpiece in another way.
Photography Tips: In summer, the best time to photograph the sunset is from 19:00 to 20:00. In winter, the best time is around 18:00~19:00.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Zhangye
Rainbow Mountain, Danxia Geological National Park - Day 5: Departure from Zhangye
Today is the last day of your 5-day Hexi Corridor Silk Road Tour. Free and easy on your own until the pickup time for departure. Your private driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and escort you to Zhangye airport / train station to see you off.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
