8 Days China Silk Road Tour from Lanzhou to Dunhuang
Tour Overview
From Lanzhou to Dunhuang, this 8-day private China Silk Road tour will offer you a vacation filled with stunning natural landscapes and cultural heritage sites along the ancient route. Hop on our air-conditioned vehicle, you will glimpse the Huanghe River Custom Tourist Line with charming waterfront landscapes, marvel at the splendid view of the Rainbow Mountains, and appreciate the natural idyllic scene on Sangke Grasslands.
Following our professional English-speaking guide, you will get a wealth of information about many famous and important historic sites along the Silk Road – Bingling Temple, Labrang Monastery, Zhangye Great Buddha Temple, Jiayuguan Pass, Weijin Tombs, Mogao Grottoes, etc.
Travel destinations: Lanzhou, Xiahe, Zhangye, Dunhuang
Suitable for: History Explorers, Culture Lovers
Tour type: Private
Highlights of this tour:
- Marvel at the splendid Rainbow Mountains in Zhangye Danxia National Geo-park.
- Visit the amazing Mogao Grottoes to appreciate exquisitely painted sculptures and frescoes.
- Explore the Echoing Sand Mountain and Crescent Spring and ride a camel to enjoy the desert scenery.
- Taste local food and look into local life at Shazhou Night Market.
- Absorb in the natural idyllic scene of Sangke Grassland.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Lanzhou Arrival & Lanzhou Tour
Welcome to join our 8 days private Silk Road tour in China! Upon your arrival at Lanzhou airport / train station, the local driver will pick you up and transfer you to check in at the local hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Meal: N/A
Accommodation: Overnight in Lanzhou
- Day 2: Lanzhou to Xiahe TourEnjoy Riverfront Landscape & Grotto Art
After breakfast, meet your Lanzhou tour guide and be led to visit the core scenic spots of Lanzhou City: the Yellow River and its charming riverfront landscape - Huanghe River Custom Tourist Line. The Yellow River is the mother river of all the Chinese people and the cradle of Chinese civilization. There are a lot of featured attractions along the riverside. You can not only walk across Zhongshan Bridge, the first bridge over the Yellow River, but also travel around the Waterwheel Park to appreciate revolving waterwheels for relaxation.
Water Wheel Park Then we will drive around 1.5 hours to Bingling Temple, which was excavated on rugged cliffs. The temple is a typical Buddhist grotto complex, housing 183 niches, 694 stone statues, and 82 clay sculptures. Visitors can take a speedboat to appreciate the grottoes with vivid shapes and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery along the way.
In the late afternoon, we will transfer you to Xiahe for the night.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Xiahe
Bingling Temple Grottoes - Day 3: Xiahe Back to Lanzhou TourGlimpse Buddhist Culture Before Enjoying Grasslands' Scenery
Today's budget Silk Road tour begins with the Labrang Monastery. The grand temple complex is home to elegant Buddhist statues, wall paintings, and many other treasures. As one of the six great monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, it is renowned for its rich Tibetan culture, imposing Buddhist structures, unique Tibetan food, and the long corridor of prayer wheels.
Labrang Monastery In the afternoon, we will go sightseeing in Sangke Grasslands, which is a natural pasture for the Tibetan people. Under the blue sky and white clouds, herds of cattle and sheep form a natural idyllic scene. It is a wonderful place for you to ease your mental pressure.
After that, we will escort you to your hotel in Lanzhou.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Lanzhou
- Day 4: Lanzhou to Zhangye Tour by High-speed TrainMarvel at the Largest Reclining Buddha in China
In the morning, we will take a 4.5-hour high-speed train from Lanzhou to Zhangye. Upon arrival, your private guide will take you to visit the Giant Buddha Temple, which is one of the highlights of our Silk Road tour of China. The temple houses the largest reclining Buddha Shakyamuni in Asia. It is 34.5 meters (113.2 feet) long and its shoulder spans across a width of 7.5 meters (24.6 feet). Visitors will be impressed by the splendid culture and long history here by visiting the beautiful wood carvings, frescoes, and statues.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Zhangye
Giant Buddha Temple - Day 5: Zhangye to Jiayuguan TourCapture the Colorful Danxia Landform and Strange Shapes
Today we will get you to enjoy the gorgeous landscape in Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park. It is famous for the typical Danxia landform in China. Once inside the park, you can appreciate the splendid view of Rainbow Mountain. Ranges of mountains show different colors under the sunlight, depicting a breathtaking view for the visitors.
Then, move on to the Ice Valley Mountain Scenic Area (aka Binggou Scenic Area). Although the color of the hills here is not as bright as Rainbow Mountain, the Binggou Scenic Area is known for its magnificence and strange shapes. In the afternoon, we will drive 2.5 hours to Jiayuguan City for the night.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Jiayuguan
Zhangye Rainbow Mountains - Day 6: Jiayuguan to Dunhuang Tour by High-speed TrainSee Ancient Military Facilities on Jiayuguan Pass
Let's continue the budget Silk Road trip after breakfast. Today we will explore the prominent historical relic Jiayuguan Pass. It is the renowned western starting point of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Visitors can appreciate ancient military facilities such as forts, watchtowers, and trenches, which have long played a crucial role in military defense in Chinese history.
Next, go to visit the Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum, a major construction engineer in Chinese history. The museum is the first Great-Wall-themed museum in China, exhibiting typical ancient Chinese weapons, the Jiayuguan cultural relics, and architectural models. Through 7 major exhibition halls here, you can learn more about the Great Wall culture.
Jiayuguan Pass Afterward, we will leave for Weijin Tombs, the famous "underground gallery". You can appreciate frescoes in the catacombs which vividly depict the scholars' and officials' lives in the Wei and Jin Dynasties(222-589) and have a better understanding of the cultural and historical background.
Last, we will take a 3-hour high-speed train to Dunhuang and check in at the local hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang
- Day 7: Dunhuang Classic TourAppreciate Painted Sculptures and Frescoes, Enjoy Desert Fun
Today you will enjoy the highlight of your China Silk Road tour in Dunhuang: visit the amazing Mogao Grottoes. They are the largest and most richly endowed treasure house of Buddhist art. We can appreciate more than 2,000 painted sculptures and about 45,000 square meters (484,376 square feet) of frescoes within 492 temples. They are both a rare national treasure of China as well as a unique cultural heritage of all mankind.
Buddha Statues in Mogao Grottoes When it is not too hot, we will continue to visit Crescent Spring and Echo Sand Mountain. Among the endless sand mountains nestled a crystal clear lake in the shape of a crescent moon. The lake with no river around has co-existed with the sand mountain for over a thousand years. They are the masterpieces of nature, attracting endless tourists all year round.
Friendly tip: You can also enjoy camel riding and sand sliding here. If you would like to try it, please pay in cash on your own.
At night, enjoy local life in Shazhou Night Market where you can taste delicious snacks and fruits and buy exquisite ornaments and craftwork for your friends and families.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang
Camel ride at Echoing Sand Mountain - Day 8: Dunhuang Departure
Free and easy on your own until the pick-up time for departure. Your private driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and transfer you to Dunhuang airport / train station to see you off. Thank you for booking our 8-day Silk Road trip! Safe travels!
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
Tour Price Per Person
The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel. Please contact us for a specific price.
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