9-Day In-depth Tour of Hexi Corridor from Xi'an

• Xi'an City Wall – Muslim Quarter – Great Mosque
• 4+stars Hotel

After breakfast, head to the Xi’an City Wall, a Ming Dynasty military defense structure enclosing the old city with a total length of 13.74 km. You can walk or cycle on top of the wall for views of both the Bell Tower and modern city skyline. The wall’s weathered bricks show layers of restoration history. Old bronze cannons still stand behind battlements, ready for imaginary battle.

In the afternoon, explore the Muslim Quarter, passing through the Drum Tower gate. Enjoy signature dishes like lamb soup with bread and sweet rice cakes. Watch a Huayin Opera performance at Gao Family Courtyard, or a shadow puppet show about a peddler's story.

As evening falls, visit the Great Mosque. Its Arabic domes and Chinese wooden windows create a unique architectural mix. Moonlight reflecting off the rooftop ornaments wraps up your first day in Xi’an peacefully.

Recommended:

Rent a tandem bike on the wall for sunset views and silhouette photos of the Bell Tower.

For a more local experience, skip the main Muslim Street and head to Xiyangshi for DIY bread-tearing before eating lamb soup.

• Terracotta Army – DIY Workshop (make your own miniature warrior) – Big Wild Goose Pagoda – Tang Dynasty Everbright City with Hanfu Experience
• 4+stars Hotel
• Breakfast/Lunch

After breakfast, take a direct shuttle to Lintong to visit the Terracotta Army. Here, you can visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses—a life-sized army made of clay, including about 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots, 520 horses, and 150 cavalry figures. For over 2,000 years, this army has silently guarded the soul of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Pit No.1 showcases thousands of clay soldiers in battle formation. A guide will explain why each figure has a unique face, hairstyle, and armor. You’ll also see fine details like stitching on the kneeling archers' shoes.

At the DIY workshop, an artisan will teach you how to make a small clay warrior using traditional molding and painting methods. The 2-hour process allows you to keep your own “Qin Dynasty souvenir.”

In the afternoon, return to the city to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Climb to the top for a view of the Da Ci’en Temple, where ancient Buddhist texts were translated.

In the evening, wear Hanfu and enter Tang Dynasty Everbright City. Walk across bridges with lanterns, high-five street performers, and enjoy a traditional dance show in the lively market.

• Xi’an North Station – Tianshui South Station (high-speed train) – Maijishan Grottoes
• 4+stars Hotel
• Breakfast/Lunch

Take a high-speed train in the morning and reach Tianshui in 1.5 hours. Drive directly to Maijishan, a solitary peak shaped like a haystack. The grottoes are connected by narrow walkways hanging on the cliff.

Highlight caves include No.133 with a famous smiling monk statue known as the “Eastern Mona Lisa,” and No.4, where flying Apsaras seem to float in the air. After the rain, the entire mountain becomes misty, making the clay statues look even more serene.

For lunch, try “gua gua,” a spicy snack made of buckwheat starch, paired with local apricot juice.

In the evening, visit Fuxi Temple. The Ming-era wooden buildings look even more historic under lantern light. The legendary founder of Chinese civilization, Fuxi, is honored here.

Recommended:

Wear non-slip shoes for safer hiking, especially after rain.

Hire a private driver to save time traveling between the station and scenic areas.

• Tianshui – Lanzhou (high-speed train) – Free time (Recommended: Gansu Provincial Museum / Yellow River Iron Bridge)
• 4+stars Hotel
• Breakfast/Lunch

After a 2-hour train ride to Lanzhou, Upon arrival in Lanzhou, your guide will meet you at the airport or train station and transfer you to your hotel. You can explore the city on your own depending on your arrival time. Feel free to ask your guide for travel suggestions at any time.

Recommended:

Visit Gansu Provincial Museum. The bronze statue “Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow” is a must-see. Don’t miss the Silk Road section, which features ancient mail carvings that inspired the China Post logo.

In the evening, walk along Zhongshan Bridge, known as the “First Bridge on the Yellow River.” Ride a traditional sheepskin raft while hearing the guide’s calls echo across the river.

Dinner at the famous night market includes sweet rice wine with egg and grilled meats. Some popular stalls have long lines but are worth the wait.

• Lanzhou – Liujiaxia Reservoir (speedboat ride) – Bingling Temple Grottoes – Zhangye
• 4+stars Hotel
• Breakfast/Lunch

Take a 2-hour drive to Liujiaxia Reservoir. Ride a speedboat across the junction of two rivers—yellow and green waters create a unique natural scene.

Visit Bingling Grottoes. Cave No.169 features China’s oldest Buddhist murals, predating Dunhuang. Look for the “Jianhong Year” ink inscription. Cave No.171 houses a 27-meter-high Buddha, older than the one in Leshan.

In the afternoon, take a train to Zhangye. Along the way, you’ll see changing landscapes from desert to red cliffs, perfect for photos from your train window.

• Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple – Zhangye National Geopark (Danxia Rainbow Mountains) – Jiayuguan
• 4+stars Hotel
• Breakfast/Lunch

Morning visit to Giant Buddha Temple to see a 34.5-meter-long clay reclining Buddha, the largest in Asia. The temple also holds ancient Buddhist texts from the Ming Dynasty.

In the afternoon, explore Danxia Geopark. Ride the shuttle bus to different platforms:

Cloud Sea Platform: wave-like rock layers

Brocade Platform: fiery red cliffs at sunset

Rainbow Platform: “monks worshiping Buddha” formation, visible from a certain angle

Optional hot air balloon ride gives a bird’s-eye view of the colorful hills.

Drive 4 hours to Jiayuguan in the evening.

Recommended:

Try powered paragliding in the park.

High-speed train from Zhangye West to Jiayuguan South takes 1 hour.

• Jiayuguan Fortress – Overhanging Great Wall – Dunhuang
• 4+stars Hotel
• Breakfast/Lunch

Visit Jiayuguan, located at the western end of the Hexi Corridor, has long been a key military stronghold on the ancient Silk Road. It is known as the "First and Greatest Pass under Heaven."

Construction began in the 5th year of the Hongwu reign during the Ming Dynasty (1372 AD). Over the next 168 years, it was expanded into a complete defense system made up of the inner city, outer city, watchtowers, barbican, moat, and the Great Wall stretching out to the north and south.

As the starting point of the western section of the Ming Great Wall, Jiayuguan represents the peak of ancient China's military defense engineering. It also stands as a symbol of the cultural exchange between China and the West.

A guide will show you a local tradition—striking stones to create bird sounds, said to reflect soldiers’ longing for home.

Next, head to the Overhanging Great Wall, often called "the end of the Great Wall." It was first built in 1539 during the Ming Dynasty, and about 750 meters of it remain today.

The wall extends northward from Jiayuguan and was built along the mountain slope using local gravel and yellow earth. The steepest part has a slope of about 45 degrees and rises over 200 meters, giving it the name “Overhanging” due to its cliff-like appearance.

Here, you can see remains of ancient battles and traces of signal towers, offering a glimpse into the military strategies of ancient times and a striking contrast to the speed of modern development.

Drive 5 hours to Dunhuang, with a stop in Guazhou to try sweet melons.

Recommended:

Rent Ming Dynasty costumes for photos at the fortress.

Hire a driver to reach Overhanging Wall easily.

• Mogao Caves – Mingsha Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake – Shazhou Night Market
• 4+stars Hotel
• Breakfast/Lunch

Start with Mogao Caves. The Mogao Caves, located 25 kilometers southeast of Dunhuang City in Gansu Province, sit at the eastern foot of Mingsha Mountain. They are the largest and most richly preserved site of Buddhist art in the world and are known as the "Treasure House of Eastern Art."

Construction began during the reign of Emperor Xuanzhao of the Former Qin (4th century AD) and continued through 10 dynasties, from the Sixteen Kingdoms to the Yuan Dynasty. Today, 735 caves remain, along with 45,000 square meters of murals and 2,415 clay statues. These artworks form an epic record of the development of Buddhism as it spread eastward.

In 1987, the Mogao Caves were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The murals and sculptures not only showcase the achievements of Buddhist culture but also reflect the cultural exchanges between China and the West in ancient times. The site is a valuable resource for the study of ancient history, art, and religion.

A-class ticket includes 8 regular caves. Cave No.257 features mural stories in comic-book style. Cave No.130 has a massive Buddha whose foot can fit two people sitting.

Watch the dome movie “A Thousand Years of Mogao.” In Cave No.220, musical murals make instruments seem alive.

In the afternoon, ride a camel across Mingsha Sand Dunes to Crescent Lake. At sunset, the lake glows under the last rays of sun.

At Shazhou Night Market, enjoy apricot juice, dried fruits, and roast lamb.

Recommended:

Book special caves like No.45 (Tang sculptures) and No.217 (landscape murals).

Bring a tripod and wide-angle lens for stargazing photography at night.

• Hotel check-out – Transfer to Dunhuang Airport
• Breakfast

Spend your free time before departure buying souvenirs or visiting the Dunhuang Museum.

On your way to the airport, watch the dunes of Mingsha Mountain fade into the distance. The memories of flying Apsaras, desert forts, and misty mountains remain as a lasting image of this Silk Road journey.