Your private driver picks you up from the airport or railway station, then take you to the hotel for checking in. Take the rest of the day off but it might be a good option to walk around the beautiful city by yourself.

Recommend activity: Visit the Dunhuang Museum and enjoy local delicious food at Shazhou Night Market.

Overnight in Dunhuang

In the morning be met by the local tour guide and driver. Start the Dunhuang tour from the famous Mogao Grottoes whose temples rise three floors along the steep cliff near Daquan River and marvel at their rich complexity and astonishing details. Get lost in some of the finest examples of Buddhist art. After enjoying local lunch, move to the Singing Sand Dune and Crescent Lake which is a limpid lake in the shape of the crescent moon surrounded by the sand dunes, and the lake water has kept clear over hundreds of years. Slide from the sand, you can hear the euphonic sand sound clearly, besides you have the optional choice to ride a camel to experience a unique desert landscape. At last, return to the hotel.

Kindly Notice: It's not allowed to take photos inside of the Mogao Grottoes.

Please bring sunglasses, sunscreen, hat and umbrella if traveling in summer.

Overnight in Dunhuang

After breakfast, you will have a brief visit to the ancient military station Yumen Pass and the Great Wall of Han Dynasty, learn ancient Chinese history from your knowledgeable tour guide then continue enjoying the beautiful Gobi desert when driving to Yadan National Geological Park(2.5 hours). Upon arrival, taste delicious lunch at a local food market. When you entering inside of the park, you might feel like traveling to the architectural art museum, and you'll fully be astonished by geological remains formed by wind erosion, use your imagination and recognize which animal or building it looks like. At last, you are sent back to the hotel in Dunhuang and have a rest.

Overnight in Dunhuang

Your private driver will pick you up from the hotel in the morning then take you to the railway station heading to Jiayuguan(2.5hrs). Upon arrival, move to Jiayuguan Pass. Jiayuguan is the most western end of the Great Wall, also known as "the First and Greatest Pass under Heaven". Stand on the gate tower and be amazed by its grand presence yet primitive simplicity, trace the ancient "Silk Road" history. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, afterward drive to Overhanging Wall. The walls were built on elevated cliffs with incredibly large gradient looking like an overhanging cantilever. Enjoy the excellent views of the surrounding land and mountains as you get to the higher position. Check in the hotel and have a rest.

Overnight in Jiayuguan

In the morning, head to Wei Jin Mural Tombs. It belongs to the sixth-rank officials, the lowest rank in the imperial pecking order. The tomb chambers were built with bricks over 10 meters underground and decorated with painting on each of the bricks. It shows the life of the Silk Road over 1700 years ago. Afterward, take the train to Zhangye(around 2 hours) and enjoying local delicious food upon arrival. Continue your trip to visit Giant Buddha Temple, appreciate China's biggest indoor sculpture of Nirvana Buddha. After visiting, check in the local hotel.

Overnight in Zhangye

Tour begins with the mysterious Matisi Temple, also known as Horse's Hoof Temple which integrates Yugur minority group's folk custom, Buddha and grottoes. After enjoying delicious lunch, drive to Zhangye Danxia National Geopark. It is regarded as the god's palette in Zhangye, many artists admire the masterpiece since it looks like a perfect painting created by nature. Meanwhile, enjoy the beautiful sunset there. At last, return to the hotel.

Overnight in Zhangye

Enjoy free time in Zhangye until your private tour guide and driver escort you to the railway station or airport. Have a nice journey!