China tours & tailor-made travel
7 daysDunhuang
See the Silk Road unfold from river to desert. Begin in Lanzhou, where the Yellow River marks the eastern gateway to the Hexi Corridor, then travel west through Zhangye’s vivid Danxia landscapes and Jiayuguan, the great frontier pass at the western end of the Ming Great Wall. In Dunhuang, explore the Mogao Caves, where Buddhist art and stories of merchants, pilgrims and travelers preserve the cosmopolitan spirit of the ancient Silk Road. End among the dunes and oases of the Gobi, where China’s historic trade routes opened toward Central Asia.
Highlights
Written by the planner who runs this trip. Days marked with meals and where you sleep, so you can see what is actually arranged.
Meeting point · Lanzhou airport or railway station pickup on arrival. Exact meeting details will be confirmed before travel.
Arrive in Lanzhou and meet your driver or tour representative for a transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest or explore independently, with an optional Lanzhou food experience available.
Travel by train from Lanzhou to Zhangye, following the route west into the Hexi Corridor. After arriving, transfer to your hotel and enjoy free time, or choose an optional half-day visit to the Giant Buddha Temple.
Travel from Zhangye to Mati Temple, then continue to the Zhangye Danxia landscape area. Explore the day’s contrasting scenery, from Buddhist heritage to the region’s colorful rock formations, before returning to Zhangye.
Travel from Zhangye to Jiayuguan and visit Jiayuguan Fortress, a major defensive site on the Ming Great Wall’s western frontier. Explore the fortress and its place in the history of the Silk Road before checking in at your hotel in Jiayuguan.
Travel from Jiayuguan to Suoyang City in Guazhou to explore the remains of an ancient oasis settlement along the Silk Road. Continue to Dunhuang and check in at your hotel, with an optional evening performance of Encore Dunhuang if timing allows.
Visit the Mogao Caves to explore the Buddhist art and Silk Road stories preserved in Dunhuang. Continue to Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring, where desert dunes meet an oasis, with an optional camel ride available.
Travel from Dunhuang to Yumen Pass and continue to Yadan National Geopark for sunset among the Gobi’s striking landforms. The journey ends after the sunset visit, with the final drop-off point and onward arrangements to be confirmed.
The practical things worth knowing before you commit.
The itinerary follows the Silk Road west from Lanzhou’s Yellow River setting through the Hexi Corridor to Dunhuang and the Gobi. It combines Buddhist heritage, frontier history, oasis culture and desert landscapes.
The itinerary includes a train journey from Lanzhou to Zhangye. The specific train and departure time depend on the selected service.
Yes. A half-day visit is available as an optional activity on Day 2, depending on your arrival time and site opening arrangements.
The camel ride is optional and is not included unless it is specifically listed in your final quotation.
Yes. The performance can be added as an optional activity on Day 5, subject to your arrival time, the show schedule and ticket availability.
Day 7 is a long excursion from Dunhuang to Yumen Pass and Yadan National Geopark, planned around sunset. The final drop-off point and onward arrangements should be confirmed before travel.
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