Arrival in Xi’an. Overnight in Xi’an.

Xi’an Xianyang International Airport - Upon arrival, a local tour guide will greet you with a welcome sign displaying your name and transfer you to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore this historic city at your leisure. It is often said that to witness 800 years of China’s history, one should visit Beijing; to experience 3,000 years, Xi’an is the place to be. Xi’an is the cradle of Chinese history and culture, having served as the ancient capital for numerous dynasties and the starting point of the Silk Road in China.

Xi’an. Overnight in Xi’an.

Xi’an - In the morning, your tour guide will meet you in your hotel lobby at 9:00 am and transfer you to the Terracotta Warriors Museum, which is an 80-minute drive, covering 45 km.

The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses - Your guide will pre-book your tickets online to help you skip the line at the Museum entrance. Accompanied by your guide, you will explore the Terracotta Warriors Museum, visiting the three excavated pits and the Bronze Chariots and Horses Exhibition Hall. Despite being buried for over 2,200 years, the clay warriors and horses remain vivid and distinct. You will spend at least two and a half hours at this remarkable site.

Small Goose Pagoda - Next, you will visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, located within Jianfu Temple, about one kilometer south of Xi’an city center. It is one of two significant Buddhist pagodas from the Tang Dynasty, built approximately 1,300 years ago. The Small Wild Goose Pagoda and its larger counterpart, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, are key Buddhist sites dating back to the Tang Dynasty.

The two pagodas symbolized the city of Chang’an (Constant Peace). Xi’an, formerly known as Chang’an until the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), served as the capital for ten dynasties.

Xi’an City Wall (Chengqiang) - After lunch, you will visit the city wall. You can walk or cycle around the wall, with bike rental fees paid locally if you choose to cycle. The ancient City Wall, encircling the old city, is a prominent landmark and one of Xi’an’s most famous attractions. It is one of the oldest and best-preserved Chinese city walls and one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.

Muslim Quarter - Your final stop will be the Muslim Bazaar, the city’s most bustling area. You can explore the bazaar at your own pace and return to the hotel independently. Your guide will provide directions for returning to your hotel. The Great Mosque and the Bell and Drum Tower Square are within walking distance of the Bazaar. The Bazaar offers many boutique stores with fair prices and a variety of excellent dining options.

Xi’an - Tianshui by train. Overnight in Tianshui.

Xi’an - In the morning, your tour guide will meet you in your hotel lobby at 8:30 am and transfer you to Hanyanglin, a 30-minute drive covering 15 km.

Tomb of Emperor Jingdi (Hanyangling) - You will first drive for one hour to visit the Hanyangling Mausoleum, the site of the Mausoleum of Western Han Emperor Liu Qi, built in 153 AD. With your guide, you will closely examine the ancient tombs through glass floors and walls in the tomb pits. Additionally, the advanced Spectra Vision program will recreate the life of the Western Han Dynasty from 2,000 years ago. You will have two hours to explore the site.

Shaanxi History Museum - Next, continue your Xi’an tour at the Shaanxi History Museum. The unique historical and cultural heritage of Shaanxi is undoubtedly praiseworthy as a treasure trove of Chinese civilization, and the museum is a palace of art showcasing Shaanxi’s history and culture and China’s ancient civilization. The museum houses approximately 370,000 antiquities, ranging from prehistoric relics to those from the 1840s, spanning over a million years. The collection is exceptional in value, quantity, rank, and variety. Your guide will provide professional explanations.

Xi’an North Railway Station Parking Lot - After lunch, your guide and driver will drop you off at the train station to catch a train to Tianshui (D2697 17:05-18:53).

Tianshui - Lanzhou by train. Overnight in Lanzhou.

Maiji Shan Caves - After breakfast, you will drive to the Maijishan Grottoes, located 45 kilometers (about 28 miles) southeast of Tianshui City in Gansu Province. Maiji Mountain rises abruptly 142 meters (about 155 yards) from the landscape. The mountain is named ‘Maiji’ because it resembles a stack of wheat straw (mai meaning wheat, and ji meaning stack). On the sheer cliff marking the southwest side of Maiji Mountain, people have carved niches and caves over centuries, creating what is now known as the Maijishan Grottoes. Also known as Maijishan Caves or Maiji Caves, it was added to the World Heritage List on June 22, 2014.

Fuxi Temple - Next, you will visit Fuxi Temple, the largest and best-preserved Ming dynasty structure commemorating Fuxi (one of the Three Primordial Sovereigns - Fuxi, Shennong, and Huangdi). Thanks to the efforts of Tianshui locals, the ancient constructions within Fuxi Temple are well-preserved. According to historical records, Fuxi Temple was first built in 1490 AD and expanded during the Qing dynasty. It consists of the main hall, drum tower, bell tower, arch tablet gallery, and lush ancient cypresses and pagoda trees planted during the Ming and Tang dynasties, almost covering the entire magnificent temple. On January 16 of the lunar calendar, the Fuxi Emperor’s birthday, Fuxi Temple becomes a sacred place for local sacrificial activities, known as the Fuxi Temple Fair, a grand and majestic ceremony.

Railway Station Residential District - Upon arrival in Lanzhou, you will be promptly picked up by our local guide and transferred to your hotel.

Lanzhou - Xiahe. Overnight in Xiahe.

Lanzhou - Your guide will pick you up at your hotel lobby around 09:00 in the morning. You will be escorted to Xiahe on a 4-hour ride, covering 230 km.

Bingling Temple Grottoes - On the way to Xiahe, you will stop in Liujiaxia, a small town, to visit Bingling Grottos, filled with Buddhist sculptures carved into natural caves and caverns in a canyon along the Yellow River. You will take a boat from Liujiaxia town to Bingling Temple, a one-hour journey through Liujiaxia Reservoir, and spend about 2 hours exploring the sculptures, carvings, and frescoes, which are outstanding examples of Buddhist artwork. Your driver will be waiting on the other side of the Reservoir to continue the drive to Xiahe through many beautiful small villages.

Xiahe. Overnight in Xiahe.

Labrang Monastery (Labuleng Si) - The Labrang Monastery is the largest, most influential, and major monastery of the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The architectural layout follows true Tibetan style, while construction patterns are mixed with Chinese styles. The view here is fantastic.

Xiahe - Lanzhou - Zhangye. Overnight in Zhangye.

Gansu Provincial Museum - Upon arrival in Lanzhou, you will first visit the Gansu Museum, which holds more than 350,000 historical relics discovered in Gansu province. It is an ideal place to learn about the history, culture, and economy of Gansu province.

Iron Bridge of Yellow River - Next, visit the Yellow River Iron Bridge, also known as Zhongshan Bridge, located at the foot of the White Pagoda Mountain. Built in the 33rd year (1907) of Emperor Guangxu’s reign in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it is awarded the title of “the First Bridge over the Yellow River.”

Lanzhou Shuiche Park - The Waterwheel Park is situated at the west end of Binhe Road, Lanzhou, with the Sculpture of the Yellow River Mother to the west, the White Pagoda Mountain Park to the north, and the White Cloud Temple to the south. It’s another highlight along the Yellow River in Lanzhou. Serving as the oldest irrigation tools in Lanzhou, the time-honored waterwheels appeared during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644); they are uniquely shaped and known as the Irrigation Wheel and the Tiger Wheel.

Railway Station Residential District - After dinner, you will be dropped off at Lanzhou railway station to take a high-speed train to Zhangye (D2673-17:03/20:38).

Zhangye. Overnight in Zhangye.

Zhangye - Your guide will pick you up at your hotel lobby around 09:00 in the morning. You will be escorted to the renowned Giant Buddha Temple, a 15-minute ride away.

Dafo Temple of Zhangye - The Giant Buddha Temple is famous for housing the largest indoor reclining Buddha in China. Even a finger of the Buddha can accommodate an adult lying down. It is said that this giant Buddha statue is modeled after Sakyamuni. Your guide will also introduce other statues and delicate murals in the hall. Numerous scriptures and ancient books are displayed here. In this temple, you will not miss the earth tower and a typical folk residence with traditional carved beams and painted pillars.

Pingshan Grand Canyon - Next, you will drive to Pingshanhu Grand Canyon, listed among the world’s top 5 canyons, as famous as the Colorado Canyon. It’s also China’s top outdoor photographic creation base for those seeking nature’s incomparable and breathtaking pictures. The attraction is not yet very popular and hence less crowded. Be prepared for a long walk and climbing many steps. It is a bit tiring but manageable. To fully enjoy the canyon, you must go all the way down, walk through, and come back up again. The views are amazing, with many spots for great photos.

Zhangye - After lunch, your guide will escort you to your hotel.

Zhangye - Jiayuguan. Overnight in Jiayuguan.

Mati Temple Scenic Resort - After breakfast, drive for one hour to visit the Mati Temple Grottoes. It is said that a heavenly horse once left its hoof print on a rock there, and you can still find that print in the temple. It is a unique temple house building of both Han Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism. Follow the guide to admire the Buddha statues carved in the caves and appreciate the painted scriptures of heroes in Tibetan myths. It is a complex of Qilian Snow Mountain forest and exclusive Yugu ethnic culture, and the view here is fantastic.

Zhangye Danxia Geopark - Next, drive to Zhangye Danxia Rainbow Mountain (Zhangye Danxia Geo-park), where you will see different colors, and the view is charming at different times; the scenery here is truly fantastic and incredible. It is the best representative of China’s colorful Danxia landform and the largest Danxia landscape in an arid area, with a wide variety of landforms.

Jiayuguan - After lunch, drive to Jiayuguan, which requires 2.5 hours of driving.

Jiayuguan. Overnight in Jiayuguan.

Zhangye - Your guide will pick you up at your hotel lobby around 09:00 in the morning. You will be escorted to the renowned Jiayuguan pass (Jiayuguan Fort), a 15-minute ride away.

Jiayuguan Fortress - Today, you will explore some exciting sites around Jiayuguan, starting with Jiayuguan pass (Jiayuguan Fort), also known as the “Impregnable Pass under Heaven.” Jiayuguan is the western end of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty and the most magnificent and well-preserved pass among over a thousand passes along the Ming Great Wall.

Great Wall Museum of Jiayuguan - The Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum is located at the east gate of the scenic area and resembles a giant white beacon tower. Here, you can better understand the architectural history of this massive defense line and view old weapons and paintings of the Great Wall.

Wei-Jin Tombs - After lunch, you will visit the Weijin Tomb Murals, located on the vast desert expanse, 20 km northeast of Jiayuguan City. There are 1,400 brick tombs from the Jin and Wei Dynasties scattered here, known as the famous JinWei Tombs, reputed as the “world’s largest underground art gallery.” The ancient tombs extend east and west to Guoyuan Township of Jiuquan City and northwest to Xincheng Township. The tombs on the desert resemble waves in the sea.

Jiayuguan - At the end, your guide will escort you to your hotel.

Jiayuguan - Dunhuang. Overnight in Dunhuang.

Jiayuguan - Your guide will pick you up at your hotel lobby around 09:00 in the morning. You will be escorted to the renowned Yulin Grottoes, a 120-minute ride covering 165 km.

Yulin Grotto - The Yulin Grottoes, which house 272 colored clay sculptures and 5,650 square meters of murals, are famous as twin grottoes with Mogao Grottoes due to their similar art style and date. Forty-three grottoes are scattered on east and west cliffs, and six grottoes are open to visitors. The Yulin River Valley offers a fantastic view.

Dunhuang - After lunch in Guazhou, you will drive to Dunhuang, where your guide will escort you to your hotel and assist with check-in.

Dunhuang. Overnight in Dunhuang.

Mogao Caves - Today, you will first visit the Mogao Grottoes, constructed over a millennium ago, from the 4th to 14th centuries. Also known as the Thousand Buddha Caves, they are one of the most notable grottoes in China and the best-preserved treasure house of Buddhist art, sutras, murals, and sculptures in the world.

Yumen Pass - After lunch, drive to Yumenguan pass, located about 110 km from Dunhuang city. “Yumenguan” means Jade Pass in Chinese, and it is said that jades from the Western region were transported into central China only through this pass. It was the gateway to the western region on the northern Silk Road and served as a military strategic pass and significant passage of the ancient Silk Road.

Great Wall of Han Dynasty - Then continue the tour to the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty (206 BC to 220 BC). Unlike other parts of the wall made of brick and stone, this section is constructed from rammed earth, gravel, and juniper. Over time, the wall has been damaged by nature and humans, but you can still see its original appearance.

Afterward, continue to River Storage City, an important military storage city that played a significant role on the ancient Silk Road from the Weijin to Han Dynasty. It is designed scientifically and well-preserved, remaining hidden until you reach it.

Dunhuang - At the end, your guide will escort you to your hotel.

Dunhuang - Turpan. Overnight in Turpan.

Crescent Moon Pool - After breakfast, you will drive to the Mysterious Crescent Lake, named for its crescent moon shape formed by a small pool of spring water between two large sand dunes. Here, you can slide down the Sounding sand dunes to see if you can hear the sound from the dunes. The Crescent Lake, also known as “the first spring in the desert,” is a geological oddity that remains unexplained. Visiting it is a great experience. The lake resembles a crescent moon, nestled in the vast desert for thousands of years, with clear and sweet water.

Mingsha Shan - Echoing-Sand Mountain - Next, visit the Singing Sand Mountains (Mingsha Mountain), where you can experience sand surfing and camel riding (at your own expense). Mingsha Mountain stretches from Mogao Caves in the east, 40 kilometers long from east to west, and 20 kilometers from south to north.

Dunhuang Railway Station Parking Lot - After lunch, you will drive to Liuyuan train station to catch a high-speed train to Turpan.

Turpan. Overnight in Turpan.

Ancient City of Gaochang (Kharakhoja) - Begin your exciting day in Turpan with a visit to the ancient city of Idikut (Gaochang). The city was first built in the first century BC and later became the capital of the Idikut (Gaochang) Uighur Kingdom in the 8th century. You will enjoy exploring the ancient city for about one hour before moving on to Toyuq village, an old, beautiful, and timeless village with a friendly Uighur community. Here, you will visit several local families and have lunch with a local family at their home, which could be the highlight of your day tour.

Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves - After lunch, visit the Bizeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, which were an important center for Buddhist worshipers under the Xizhou Huigu government of the Idikut (Gaochang) Kingdom.

Flaming Mountains (Huoyan Shan) - On the way back to the hotel, stop at the Flaming Mountains, claimed to be the hottest and driest along the Silk Road, where “flying birds even a thousand miles away dare not to come.”

Turpan - Urumqi. Overnight in Urumqi.

Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto) - After breakfast at the hotel, begin another memorable day in Turpan. Your itinerary includes sightseeing in Turpan and a drive to Urumqi after lunch. First, visit Yargul (Jiaohe) Ancient City, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in China. The ruins of the buildings are divided into temples, civilian dwellings, and government offices, with workshops and residential houses still visible, offering a glimpse into a long-lost world.

Karez System - After an hour of exploring the ancient city, head to see the world-famous Karez irrigation system, unique to this region. The system is considered one of the three great projects in China, alongside the Great Wall and the Grand Canal.

Emin Pasa Camii (Emin Pasha Mosque) - Then visit the Emin Suliman Minaret, a magnificent combination of ancient Uighur and Islamic architecture. It is the tallest ancient tower in Xinjiang and the only Islamic ancient minaret in the country. Locals call it the “pure tower.”

Ürümqi - After lunch, drive to Urumqi, which is 180 km away and takes about 2.5-3 hours.

Urumqi departure. Tour ends.

Tianshan Tianchi Lake - Your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and depart for Heavenly Lake after breakfast, which is 115 km (71 miles) and takes over two hours by vehicle. Your time at Heavenly Lake is yours to ride horses, go boating (at your own expense), take photos, or simply trek around the lake for as long as you like. You can have lunch with a local Kazak family or just visit them! This is certainly the easiest way to understand the life of the Kazak people in such a short time. Whenever you are finished at the lake.

Urumqi International Airport - At the end, your guide and driver will see you off at Urumqi airport.

Note: You can book an evening flight to your next destination.

• Private car and guide
• Entrance tickets included
• Accommodation at hotels
• Meals including lunch and breakfast
• Air-conditioned vehicles
• Train tickets provided

• Others not mentioned above
• Single Room Supplement

• This package tour NOT for the chinese new year festival and Chinese gold week festival(Oct 1-7), due to no room available and very expensive

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.