5 Days Best China Silk Road Tour to Xian and Dunhuang

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Xian Highlights Tour
   Explore Life-size Warriors, Buddhist History, Street Food

   In the morning, meet your private guide and driver at the hotel lobby, and drive around 1 hour to Terracotta Warriors and Horses. Known as "the Eighth Wonders of the World", the museum shows a surprisingly high level of sculpture, which is listed among the most significant discoveries of the 20th century. You will spend 2-2.5 hours exploring the three pits of the museum. After the visit, have lunch at a local restaurant.

   

   In the afternoon, continue your Xian tour to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Also known as Da Ci'en Pagoda, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda was built in 652 to keep the Buddhist scriptures that were taken back from India by Master Xuanzang. Till today the pagoda has been standing here for over 1,350 years.

   Later, transfer to the Bell Tower & Drum Tower Square which is a strategically important building that marks the geographical center of the ancient capital of Xian. Taking a relaxing walk here would be very worthwhile to experience local people's lives. Last, go to Muslim Quarter, the most famous food street in Xian. It consists of an Islamic food area, an ethnic group shopping center, a Great Mosque, and the living area of the Hui people, with a history of more than 1,000 years. You can taste some local snacks.

   Meal: Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Xian

   

2. Day 2: Xian Local Culture Tour
   Walk the Ancient City Wall, Experience Rural Life

   Today in the morning, follow your guide to walk up the exciting Ancient City Wall. It is the most completely preserved and the largest city wall in China, which was built for military defense in ancient times. Since it is cycling the city, visitors can ride a bike around the city wall (optional).

   

   Then, drive around 1 hour to Yuanjiacun Village - one of the ten most beautiful villages in Shannxi Province.  It is the best place to feel the history of the Guanzhong area and the idyllic life of local people that is akin to the 1950s and 1960s. Here, you would have a chance to watch the Qin Opera Show, taste authentic local food, and try milling flour, waving cloth, making vinegar, and grinding soybean to make Tofu (Bean Curd). That surely will be an interesting and much more impressive experience. After the tour, go back to your Xian hotel.

   Meal: Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Xian

   

3. Day 3: Xian to Dunhuang Tour by Flight
   Marvel at the Yardang Landform of Ghost City

   Today you will take a morning flight to Dunhuang. When you arrive at Dunhuang Airport, the local English-speaking Dunhuang tour guide will pick you up from the exit gate and then transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

   After a short rest, start your China Silk Road tour in Dunhuang at the Jade Gate Pass. The relics are located at the far western edge of Hexi Corridor, about 90 km away from Dunhuang city, with a main geographical landscape of gobi and deserts. Jade Gate Pass had been a vital position in military defense in ancient China since the time of the famous Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.

   So many heroes with stories about Jade Gate Pass emerged in history and so many famous events that happened there have been written in poems & novels and are familiar to people.

   After that, head to the Yardang Landform (Ghost City). About 25km long and 1-2km wide, this place yells when the wind blows just like a ghost screaming, scaring visitors a lot, hence the name of Ghost City. Going inside, it excites your eyes and amazes your mind with those "streets", "buildings", "squares" and even "churches" forming a real "city" relic!

   Meal: Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang

   

4. Day 4: Dunhuang Essence Tour
   Appreciate Buddhist Grotto Art, Experience Desert Fun

   In the morning, you will be guided to explore the most popular attractions in Dunhuang. The first site is the amazing Mogao Grottoes, commonly known as Thousand Buddha Caves, a world cultural heritage. Founded in 366 A.D., the Mogao Caves have been expanded through many dynasties, and today there are 735 caves, 45,000 square meters of murals, and 2,415 colored sculptures. It is not only a holy place of Buddhist art, but also an important witness to the cultural exchange between the East and the West.

   

   In the afternoon, when it is not too hot, continue your Dunhuang trip to Echo Sand Mountain, where tourists can experience desert activities such as sand sliding and camel riding here (optional, at your own expense). There is a spring in the scenic area that resembles a crescent moon (so called Crescent Spring) and is surrounded by Mingsha Mountain, known as the "first spring in the desert". At sunset, you can enjoy the magnificent natural wonder of the coexistence of desert and spring.

   Later, you can go to Shazhou Night Market for further food exploration. As the epitome of prosperity on the Silk Road, this place brings together a wealth of food and culture. You can sample authentic Northwest-style snacks such as lamb kebabs and roasted lamb legs, as well as enjoy exquisite handicrafts and local specialty artworks.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang

   

5. Day 5: Dunhuang Departure

   Enjoy your free time till hotel pick-up. At the confirmed time, your private driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and transfer to Dunhuang train station or airport to see you off. This is the end of your 5-day China Silk Road tour to Xian and Dunhuang. Wish you a pleasant trip!

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A