8 Days Middle Part of China Silk Road Tour
Tour Overview
This 8-day China tour along the Middle Part of the Silk Road takes you through the vibrant cultures and ancient wonders of Lanzhou, Jiayuguan, and Dunhuang. Starting in Lanzhou, you’ll explore the Tibetan culture in Xiahe before discovering the ancient Binglinsi Grottoes.
In Jiayuguan, marvel at the military history of the Great Wall at Jiayuguan Pass. Last in Dunhuang, immerse in the incredible Buddhist art of the Mogao and Yulin Grottoes, and experience the vast desert landscapes of Mingsha Mountain.
Highlights of this tour
- See exquisite Tibetan Buddhist statues at Labrang Monastery.
- Marvel at the completely preserved grottoes at Binglinsi Temple.
- Explore the western gateway of the Great Wall – Jiayuguan Pass.
- Step into history at the Mogao Grottoes to appreciate ancient Buddhist murals and sculptures.
- Slide down dunes, ride camels, and marvel at Crescent Spring.
- Find how the wind and rain have carved desert landscapes in Yardang National Geopark.
- Visit the splendid Yumenguan Pass and the Han Dynasty Great Wall.
Basic Trip Information
Travel Route: Lanzhou-Xiahe-Jiayuguan-Dunhuang
Travel Length: 8 Days and 7 Nights
Tour Code:
Group Size: Only your family or group
Suitable for: Culture & history lovers, adventurers, families with kids
Departure: Any day you want
Your tour – quick look
Day 1-3 Arrival, Lanzhou & Xiahe Tour
After arrival in Lanzhou, drive to Xiahe to glimpse Tibetan culture by visiting Labrang Monastery, and a local Tibetan family. Also, witness the typical plateau grassland of Sangke Prairie. Travel back to Lanzhou with a stop at the Binglinsi Temple.
Day 4-5 Jiayuguan Tour
Stroll along the west starting point of the Chinese Great Wall – Jiayuguan Pass, and also get some comprehensive knowledge of the Great Wall as a military defensive system at the Great Wall Museum. After that, travel to Dunhuang and visit Yulin Grottoes on the way.
Day 6-8 Dunhuang Tour, Departure
In Dunhuang, explore the Mogao Grottoes, a famous site along the Silk Road, and experience desert fun in Echoing-Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake. Besides, see the unique Yardang National Geopark and explore the ruins along the Silk Road – Yumenguan Pass and the Han Dynasty Great Wall.
Day-to-day Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Lanzhou, To Xiahe
Upon your arrival, the local private driver will wait for you at the airport terminal exit or train station, holding a welcome sign with your name on it. Then, you will be driven to a hotel in Xiahe to refresh for the coming tour days.
Meal: N/A
Accommodation: in Xiahe
Day 2 Xiahe Highlights Tour
Explore Tibetan Culture in Labrang Monastery and Local Family
In the morning, start your guided Silk Road tour in Xiahe at the Labrang Monastery, the largest Buddhist Institute of Tibetan Buddhism. You can also appreciate thousands of statues of Buddha made of various materials. Have the chance to watch the morning devotion here.
Then drive to visit Sangke Prairie to witness the typical plateau grassland. After that, pay a visit to a local Tibetan family to learn about the nomadic life of local people. After the whole day’s tour, go back to the hotel in Xiahe.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Xiahe
Day 3 Xiahe to Lanzhou Tour
Appreciate the Buddha Statues, Murals, and Stone Carvings
Today in the morning, we will drive back to Lanzhou. On the way, you will visit Binglinsi Temple (also known as Binglingsi Grottoes ) by boat to visit the completely preserved grottoes. There are 776 Buddha statues, over 1,076 square yards of murals, and 6 stone sculptures from 1,600 years ago waiting for your exploring. After the visit, continue driving to Lanzhou.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Lanzhou
Day 4 Lanzhou to Jiayuguan Tour by High-speed Train
Ascend Jiayupass to Learn about the Military Defensive System
After hotel breakfast, check out the hotel and be escorted to the train station to catch the high-speed train to Jiayuguan. Upon arrival, meet the local driver and the guide and check in at a local hotel.
In the afternoon, begin your Jiayuguan tour from the grand Jiayuguan Pass, the very west starting point of the Chinese Great Wall. Here you will see the Great Wall constructed on the cliff. Next move to the Great Wall Museum where you can get some comprehensive knowledge of the Great Wall as a military defensive system in ancient China. After all visits, drive you back to the hotel.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Jiayuguan
Day 5 Jiayuguan to Dunhuang Tour
Appreciate Paintings Telling Buddhist Stories at Yulin Grottoes
In the morning, check out the hotel in Jiayuguan and drive to Dunhuang. On the way to Dunhuang, we will visit Yulin Grottoes, the sister caves of Mogao Grottoes. From the existing murals, we could find Buddhist and Bodhisattva figures of various sizes and paintings telling Buddhist stories. The must-visit cave is Cave No.25, which was made in the Golden Tang Dynasty. Then continue driving to Dunhuang City and check in at the local hotel.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Dunhuang
Day 6 Dunhuang Essence Tour
Admire the Exquisite Murals and Sculptures, Experience Desert Fun
After breakfast, the Silk Road trip of Dunhuang takes you to visit the Mogao Caves. It was first built in the 4th century AD and has undergone thousands of years of construction. There are currently 735 caves, 45,000 square meters of murals, and more than 2,400 colored sculptures. It is known as the “Oriental Louvre”.
Entering the Mogao Grottoes, you will be amazed by the exquisite murals and sculptures, which are rich in content and cover various aspects such as Buddhist stories, myths and legends, historical figures, and more.
In the afternoon, continue your adventure and visit to the Mingsha Mountain, a desert wonder. The sand here makes a sound when it is blown by the wind, hence its name. Crescent Spring is surrounded by Mingsha Mountain and has a shape resembling a crescent moon. The spring water is as clear as jade, enduring thousands of years of wind and sand without being exhausted. You can experience the fun of sand skating. Also, you can pay extra to ride a camel.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Dunhuang
Day 7 Dunhuang In-depth Tour
Witness Unique Landforms and the Ruins along the Silk Road
The first stop on Today’s Dunhuang tour is Yardang National Geological Park, a magical landscape created by thousands of years of eolian erosion. You will see the unique desert view and various shaped landscapes, and also you can hear the interesting and attractive ancient local folktale.
Then we drive to visit Yumenguan Pass and the Han Dynasty Great Wall. Yumenguan Pass was set in the West Han Dynasty when building the Great Wall. The pass was named so because this pass used to be the only pass to transfer Jade produced in Turkestan to China (Jade is called YU in Chinese, and Yumen means Gate of Jade). The existing Han Dynasty Great Wall is built mainly with rammed earth and has been badly effected by eolian erosion. But we could still imagine the original look of that Great Wall.
If interested in local food and markets, you can take a walk at Shazhou Night Market, which is an ideal way to spend night time.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Dunhuang
Day 8 Departure from Dunhuang
Today is free for you to arrange activities until your driver sees you off at the Dunhuang Airport / Train Station. This is the end of your 8 days private Silk Road adventure in China.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
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