5-Day Gansu Tour

• Arrive at Zhangye - Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park
• 4+ stars Hotel
• None

Welcome to Zhangye, you will go to Zhangye Seven-color Danxia Geological Park, where the surface of these mountains is not only limited to a single red color, but also dotted with splashes of white and yellow, which intertwine into an irregular but harmonious pattern. Every step is a feast for the eyes.

There are several viewing platforms in the park for you to stop and watch, and freeze every wonderful moment. When the sun sets, the Rainbow Terrace is the perfect place to watch the sunset over the Danxia landscape. It is recommended that you arrive early to grab an excellent viewing position, so as not to miss the magnificent view of the setting sun coloring the sky and Danxia together.

As night falls, you will return to Zhangye city center and check in at your hotel.

Tips:
1, When going to visit, please be sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, lightweight sunscreen protective clothing and wide-brimmed hats, in order to fully resist the strong direct sunlight in summer, to protect your skin from ultraviolet damage.
2, If you want to capture the most fascinating moments of Danxia landscape, sunset is undoubtedly the best choice. In summer, it is recommended to look for the best shooting position between 19:00 and 20:00; while in winter, it needs to be advanced to about 18:00 to 19:00.

• Great Buddha Temple - Jiayuguan
• 4+ stars Hotel
• Breakfast

After breakfast, you will proceed to the Great Buddha Temple, famous for housing the largest indoor sleeping Buddha in Asia. This magnificent temple complex, built during the Western Xia Dynasty (1098 AD), is not only admired for its opulent decorations, but also for its well-preserved Buddhist scriptures and exquisite murals, which are treasures of history and art. At the heart of the complex, a 34.5-meter-long giant Sleeping Buddha lies in the center, showing the solemn scene of Buddha's nirvana with exquisite wood carving, and its auricle is wide enough for four adults to sit side by side, which demonstrates the extraordinary artistic attainments and religious significance.

Afterwards, you will drive through about 220 kilometers of scenery and after about 2.5 hours of driving, you will arrive at Jiayuguan City, where you will stay and rest. After a short rest, a time-traveling adventure is about to begin - a visit to the Jiayuguan Pass, known as "the most powerful pass in the world", which is not only the starting point of the western end of the Great Wall in the Ming Dynasty, but also a symbol of the resilience of the Chinese people.

Your journey of discovery will begin at the Great Wall Museum, where a wealth of historical materials, precious old photos and exhibits are gathered to give you a comprehensive and deep understanding of the fortress and the glorious history of the Great Wall before you step into the fortress. Afterwards, passing through the solemn gate, you will be immersed in the Jiayuguan Fortress, which covers an area of more than 25,000 square meters and is a magnificent complex of towers, walls and various military facilities. The walls, which tower nearly 11 meters high, are a sturdy double-layered structure, with majestic gates on the east and west sides, and passages designed for horses on top of the walls, demonstrating the ingenuity and strength of ancient military defenses.

If you have enough time and you are interested, you may drive to the Xuankong Wall about 18 kilometers away from Jiayuguan, which is a marvelous section of the Great Wall built on a sheer cliff, with its steep slope and unique cantilevered design that will take your breath away. Climbing to the top, you will be in a magnificent landscape painting, surrounded by vast land and rolling mountains, where every breath seems to absorb the weight of history and the spirit of nature.

• Yulin Grottoes
• 4+ stars Hotel
• Breakfast

After breakfast, you will depart from Jiayuguan and embark on a journey to Dunhuang. Along the way, you will visit the Yulin Grottoes, a temple of Buddhist art known as the "sister" of the Mogao Caves.

The Yulin Grottoes contain 43 caves, each of which seems to be a window through time and space, offering a glimpse into the wisdom and devotion of ancient craftsmen. The murals cover a staggering 5,200 square meters of colorful, flowing lines, and there are more than 259 beautifully colored sculptures, which together form a vivid tapestry of Buddhist storytelling.

What's even more special is that the Yulin Grottoes also contain three treasures known as "special caves" (Grottoes 2, 3, and 25), which require you to pay an extra fee to visit because of their outstanding artistic value and unique historical significance. The murals and sculptures in these caves are all treasures of art history, waiting to be discovered and savored.

After visiting the Yulin Grottoes, we will continue our journey to Dunhuang. Upon arrival in Dunhuang, you will check into our carefully selected hotel for a comfortable stay. Here, you are free to organize activities according to your interests and preferences.

Recommend for Activities

At nightfall, stroll through the Shazhou Night Market and immerse yourself in the unique hustle and bustle. Try a variety of authentic Dunhuang cuisine and let your taste buds do a happy dance on your tongue; then move to a cozy bar and enjoy a relaxing time with soft music; and, of course, don't forget to browse the night market's handicraft stalls and pick up a few small, unique items as a wonderful memento of your trip or a special gift for your family and friends.

• Mogao Caves Digital Exhibition Center - Mogao Caves - Mingsha Mountain - Crescent Lake
• 4+ stars Hotel
• Breakfast

After breakfast, we will depart Dunhuang and drive across a stretch of about 10 kilometers to an up-and-coming cultural landmark, the Mogao Grottoes Digital Convention and Exhibition Center. Here, a perfect example of the fusion of technology and art, is dedicated to exploring the deep heritage of the Mogao Grottoes. Here you will have the opportunity to view two carefully curated educational documentaries. The short films provide a comprehensive and in-depth look at the history of the Mogao Grottoes, the art, and the lesser-known anecdotes that will form the cornerstone of your field trip.

Then, you will proceed to the sacred cultural site of Mogao Grottoes. Known as the "Louvre of the East", the Mogao Caves are famous for their exquisite murals and statues. There are now 492 grottoes with about 45,000 square meters of frescoes and 2,100 colorful painted statues, tracing the development of Chinese art over 1,600 years. About 40 common grottoes are open to the public. In the tour area, you will be divided into groups by different guides who will accompany you to visit the grottoes (usually 7 to 8 grottoes during April to November and 12 grottoes during December to March) and give you a detailed introduction. After that, you are free to choose or follow another guide if you want to visit more other caves. There are also 10 special grottoes (extra charge) for you to visit extensively.

Mingsha Mountain (also known as the Echoing Sand Mountain) and the Crescent Lake together form a unique scenic spot. Even if there is no wind, on a sunny day the sand hill echoes sounds like orchestra music. . You can clearly hear the echoes as you slide down the sand hill. There are many exciting activities for you to try (at your own expense) such as sandboarding, viewing by glider or helicopter, and motorcycle riding. Camel riding across the desert is a very popular activity. Surrounded by echoing sand hills, Crescent Lake is a beautiful oasis with some beautifully decorated traditional Chinese buildings, trees and flowers, and a lake that never dries up and is shaped like a crescent moon. After sightseeing, you will return to Dunhuang City.

• None
• Breakfast

Our journey ends here, the guide and the driver will send you to the station or the airport according to your schedule, we hope that this Dunhuang trip will leave you with good memories and look forward to meeting you again.