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Welcome to Lanzhou, the starting point of your journey! After arriving, head to Nanguan Cross Ethnic Flavor Street to experience the vibrant local culture and taste delicious regional snacks. Spend the night in Lanzhou, where the blend of modern city life and traditional flavors will give you a warm introduction to your adventure.
D, Stay in Lanzhou
Today, you’ll travel 260km to Wuwei. The road to Wuwei cuts through golden desert plains, where occasional herds of sheep scatter like clouds. At Leitai Han Tomb, you’ll stand face-to-face with the legendary “Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow”—a 2,000-year-old bronze statue so lifelike you can almost hear its hooves thunder. In Wuwei’s Confucian Temple, ancient cypress trees whisper secrets of scholars past. Then, the drive to Zhangye treats you to a sunset painting the Qilian Mountains pink. By nightfall, you’re sipping local plum wine under a sky dusted with stars.
B, L, D, Stay in Zhangye
Right after breakfast, visit Zhangye’s Giant Buddha Temple to see its magnificent 35-meter-long reclining Buddha. By late morning, arrive at the Rainbow Mountains, where you’ll spend hours marveling at the candy-striped hills. Hills striped like layered candy in fiery reds, sunlit yellows, and deep purples. Walk the boardwalks as the wind carries the scent of desert sage, and don’t forget to snap a photo where the earth looks like it’s on fire! After lunch at a local spot, drive (230km) to Jiayuguan, stopping along the way to photograph camel herds and distant watchtowers. Upon arrival, head straight to your hotel to freshen up before a hearty dinner.
B, L, D, Stay in Jiayuguan
Trek up the Overhanging Great Wall, where each step on the narrow ridge makes your heart pound—on one side, jagged black peaks; on the other, a sheer drop into the desert. At Jiayuguan Fort, touch the Ming Dynasty’s last stone brick and imagine soldiers scanning the horizon for invaders.
Then, the 380km drive to Dunhuang is a hypnotic dance of mirages and sand dunes. By evening, you’re slurping down icy “liangpi” noodles in a buzzing night market, surrounded by the twinkle of silk scarves and the twang of pipa music.
B, L, D, Stay in Dunhuang
At Yumen Pass, the wind howls through ruins where camel caravans once traded jade and silk. Then, the Yardang Landforms stun you—towering “sandcastles” sculpted by centuries of wind, some like sphinxes, others like ghostly ships. As dusk falls, Dunhuang’s Night Market erupts in laughter and sizzling oil: try sugar-glazed figs, or bargain for a hand-woven rug. Back at your hotel, the desert air is so crisp you can count every star.
B, L, D, Stay in Dunhuang
The Mogao Caves take your breath away—flickering flashlight beams reveal thousand-year-old murals of dancing goddesses and blue-skinned Buddhas. Next, the Singing Sand Dunes squeak under your feet as you sled down slopes, while Crescent Moon Lake shimmers like a sapphire in the desert’s palm. On the overnight train, you’ll doze off to the rhythmic clatter of tracks, wrapped in a cozy blanket.
B, L, D, Overnight on the Train
Upon arrival in Lanzhou, enjoy a quick breakfast before driving 70km to Liujiaxia. By mid-morning, take a boat ride through the Yellow River’s emerald gorge to reach the Bingling Temple Grottoes, where Buddha statues gaze from cliffside caves. After lunch, return to Lanzhou. The Waterwheel Garden’s wooden creaks mix with children’s giggles, and the Zhongshan Bridge glows gold at sunset. Your last supper? A fiery hotpot feast, with chili oil bubbling like lava!
B, L, D, Stay in Lanzhou
After a leisurely breakfast, savor one last bowl of sweet “niangpi” jelly or a cup of fragrant rose tea. Before heading to the airport, take a final stroll along the Yellow River to soak in the city’s peaceful morning energy. Safe travels, explorer—may the memories of desert sunsets, echoing caves, and Silk Road magic stay with you forever!
B, Departure from Lanzhou
Cities: Western toilets in hotels; some public restrooms are squat-only. Deserts/Roadstops: Basic pit toilets—pack tissues and hand sanitizer!
Must-haves: Scarf/face mask for sandstorms in the desert. Portable humidifier—hotels can be extremely dry. Hiking poles for Danxia’s steep boardwalks.
Temples: Don’t point at Buddha statues with your finger (use an open hand). Nomadic areas: Never touch a Tibetan’s hat—it’s considered rude.
Unspoiled beauty: No crowds like the Great Wall or Terracotta Warriors. Diversity: Glaciers, deserts, and Tibetan culture in one province. History: Walk the actual Silk Road, not a reconstructed tourist version.
Lanzhou - Hezuo - Diebu County - Tangke County - Aba County - Hezuo - Lanzhou
Lanzhou - Zhangye - Dunhuang - Golmud - Chaka - Xining - Lanzhou
Lanzhou - Xining - Dunhuang - Jiayuguan - Jiuquan - Zhangye - Wuwei - Lanzhou
Lanzhou - Xiahe - Langmusi monastery - Diebu County - Tanchang County - Tianshui - Lanzhou
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A journey through time and color!!
Sarah –
This tour was one of the most soul-stirring journeys I’ve ever taken. From the colors of Zhangye danxia to the spiritual stillness of the mogao caves, everything was beautifully curated.
I appreciated the thoughtful pace—there was enough time to really soak in the atmosphere at each stop. Our guide was knowledgeable and passionate about silk road history, which made all the difference.
Perfect experience
Maria Gomez –
Spectacular! Every day brought something new—desert art, ancient temples, colorful mountains. I had my doubts about the food as a vegetarian, but the team went above and beyond to cater to my needs.