4 Days Dunhuang Jiayu Pass Zhangye Silk Road Tour

Mogao Caves--Mingsha Sand Dunes--Crescent Lake

4+ stars Hotels

In the morning, our guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the renowned Mogao Caves, also known as the "Caves of the Thousand Buddhas." First built during the Former Qin of the Sixteen Kingdoms period, the site was developed over centuries through the Northern Dynasties, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Western Xia, and Yuan. Today, it comprises 735 caves, over 45,000 square meters of murals, and 2,415 clay sculptures, making it the world’s largest and richest repository of Buddhist art.

492 of these caves are still well-preserved. The discovery of the Library Cave (Cave 17) yielded over 50,000 ancient manuscripts, significantly contributing to the global understanding of Silk Road culture. The Mogao Caves, with their magnificent wall paintings and sculptures, have been dubbed the “Louvre of the East”, “Museum on the Wall”, and “World Treasure House of Art”. Together with Yungang and Longmen, it is one of the three great ancient cave complexes in China. In 1961, it was listed as one of the first Key National Cultural Heritage Sites, and in 1987, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Here, you can admire the Nine-Story Pagoda, housing a 35.5-meter-high Tang Dynasty Maitreya Buddha. You may also visit the Digital Exhibition Center, where immersive films like A Dream of the Buddhist Paradise and A Thousand Years of Mogao offer a vivid introduction to the site's art and history (advance booking required).

Travel Tips:

1. The site can be sunny and dusty—sun protection and face coverings are recommended.

2. Photography is not allowed inside the caves.

In the afternoon, head to the Mingsha Sand Dunes to enjoy breathtaking desert views. Part of Dunhuang’s iconic "Golden Triangle" along with the Mogao Caves and Crescent Lake, the dunes are known for their undulating golden peaks, some reaching elevations of 1,715 meters. The sand sings as the wind blows, hence the name “Singing Sand Dunes.” Despite strong winds over the centuries, the dunes remain stable, creating the surreal phenomenon of “sand not burying the spring.”

Nestled in the embrace of the dunes lies the Crescent Lake, shaped like a delicate crescent moon. After you climb the dunes, the loose sand shifts under your feet, only to return to its natural form under the wind—an astonishing balance between sand and water that has persisted for millennia.

Optional Activities: 

camel riding, sandboarding, ATV rides, desert zipline, family go-karts, and off-road adventures.
If you have extra time, consider camping overnight on the dunes to witness the desert sunset, starry skies, and even a desert fireworks show.

Travel Tips:
Sun and sand protection are essential—wear sunglasses, a headscarf, and high-top shoes.

Western Thousand Buddha Caves--Yang Gate--Yumen Gate--Yadan Devil City

4+ stars Hotels

Breakfast & Lunch

In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and head to Xiqianfo Cave. This cave is an important part of Dunhuang's art heritage. The exact date of its construction is unknown, but according to the Dunhuang manuscripts stored in Paris, specifically the "Shazhou Dudu Fu Tu Jing," archaeological and historical experts suggest that the cave was established before Mogao Grottoes and likely existed during the same period as Mogao. The current Xiqianfo Cave houses 34 statues and over 800 square meters of murals. Many of the statues were restored during the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China era, but a few have retained their original forms. The style of the murals is similar to those in Mogao Grottoes. Xiqianfo Cave has its own distinct features, particularly in its rock art, where multiple generations have made partial repairs, showcasing the artistic styles of different eras within the same cave.

Next, you will travel to Yangguan. Built during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty around 120 BC, it was reinforced and became a frontier defense outpost, playing a significant role as a key checkpoint on the ancient Silk Road. Located on the southern route to the Western Regions, Yangguan was also known as one of the two most important western gates of ancient China, alongside Yumenguan. Yangguan is often associated with sorrowful farewells in Chinese literature, especially in frontier poetry, as it represented the last stop in China before traveling westward into the unknown.

In the afternoon, you will continue your journey to Yumenguan, a critical pass on the ancient Han Silk Road. Along with Yangguan, Yumenguan is referred to as "The Two Passes." It has long been a source of inspiration for poets and scholars, with Tang Dynasty poet Wang Zhihuan famously writing, "Why should the Qiang flute complain about the willows? The spring breeze doesn't reach Yumenguan." The ruins of the Han Great Wall are a UNESCO World Heritage site, and you will see a preserved 300-meter stretch of earthen wall, built using reeds and gravel, showcasing the wisdom of the ancient builders.

Yumenguan Scenic Area Performance (available only in peak season):

1. The Welcoming Ceremony of the Duwei (Military Officer);

2. Qin songs and Han dances;

3. Ancient passports (travel permits);

4. Han battle drums.

5. Finally, you will head to the Yadan Devil City, a typical wind-eroded landscape known for the eerie sounds it makes when strong winds howl, earning it the name "Devil City." This place is considered a "geological wonder of the world."

Friendly Reminders:

1. Recommended items to bring: Sunscreen, sunglasses, windproof face mask (Yadan is very windy), plenty of water and snacks (no shops in the area), camera + wide-angle lens (ideal for capturing the vast scenery).

2. Drones are strictly prohibited in the scenic area.

3. Please avoid wandering into closed areas, as it is easy to get lost.

Dunhuang--Jiayu Pass Scenic Area

4+ stars Hotels

Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, take a high-speed train to Jiayuguan City (approx. 2.5 hours). Upon arrival, visit the famous Jiayuguan Pass, the westernmost starting point of the Great Wall during the Ming Dynasty, known as 'The First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven'.

This over-600-year-old military fortress was a key post along the ancient Silk Road, and marks the western end of the Ming Great Wall. Nestled between mountain ranges in the narrowest part of the Hexi Corridor, Jiayuguan was strategically built on high ground and connected to the desert through extending walls. It mirrors Shanhaiguan, the "First Pass Under Heaven" at the Great Wall's eastern terminus.

Recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site, National 5A Tourist Attraction, and Major Historical Site Protected at the National Level, Jiayuguan is also a Patriotic Education Base in China.

Main attractions include:

Jiayuguan Fortress (Gate Tower, Overhanging Great Wall, First Pier of the Great Wall, Wei and Jin Dynasty Tombs, Black Mountain Petroglyphs, Mulan Fortress, Glacier Park, Glider flight base

Optional Activities (at your own expense):

1. Horse or camel riding: Simulate the experience of Silk Road caravans.

2. Passports & Travel Documents: Customize antique-style "Pass Permits" at the scenic area.

3. Night tour of the Fortress: Enjoy summer night light shows recreating ancient battlefield scenes.

Jiayu Pass--Zhangye--Giant Buddha Temple--Zhangye Rainbow Mountains

Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, take a high-speed train to Zhangye City (approx. 1.5 hours). Upon arrival, visit the Giant Buddha Temple (Dafo Temple), a historical symbol of Zhangye.

This temple houses 31 painted clay sculptures from the Western Xia period, including China’s largest indoor reclining Buddha, stretching 34.5 meters long. Behind the Buddha statue are figures of the Ten Great Disciples, as well as statues of laymen, laywomen, and Eighteen Arhats. The temple's Scripture Hall is notable for its wooden structure with a 21.3-meter width and a 10.5-meter depth. The nearby Amitabha Thousand-Buddha Pagoda (formerly known as the Earthen Pagoda) rises 33.37 meters high.

Next, travel to the stunning Zhangye Danxia Landform Geopark, known for its vivid, multicolored hills, described by Chinese National Geography as one of China’s Seven Most Beautiful Danxia Formations.

This geological wonder spans a vast area of layered rock formations in brilliant hues. Best viewed at sunrise or sunset, the terrain appears like a vibrant oil painting under shifting light.

Zhangye Danxia is unique as the only combination of Danxia landform and colorful hills in China’s arid northwest, making it visually spectacular and geologically rare.

Top viewing platforms include:

Colorful Cloud Sea, Fairy Love, Colorful Embroidery, Rainbow Mist, Tiger Valley, Colorful Ao River, Wanshou Soil Forest Valley, 

Notable formations:

Dragon Playing with Fire, Monkey Watching the Sea, Monks Worshiping the Buddha, Divine Turtle Asking the Heavens, Golden Toad on the Path, Giant Clam, Colorful Screens, Sleeping Beauty, Lying Tiger

Special Experiences:

1. Hot Air Balloon Rides (seasonal): Enjoy panoramic views from above.

2. Helicopter Tours: Soar over the Danxia landscape for an unforgettable aerial experience.