3-Day Journey to Dunhuang

On this 3-day trip to Zhangye, you will enjoy the ancient scenery, the shock of Danxia, and the baptism of history and faith. The blaze of the Danxia in the ice ditch and the dream of the seven-color Danxia are interwoven into the natural wonders, and the solemnity of the Great Buddha Temple and the serenity of the Horseshoe Temple show the profoundness of the Buddhist culture.

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  • Tour Code: ST-ZD-03
  • Time: 3 Days
  • Cities: Zhangye, Dunhuang
  • Accommodation: 2 Nights(4+ Stars Hotel)

Included with every escorted tour

  • Professional English speaking guide.
  • Domestic flights/High-speed Train Fee.
  • Hotel with breakfast in the itinerary.
  • Entrance fees of all the attractions as listed.

Day 1: Zhangye Arrival

  • Arrive in Zhangye

  • 4+stars Hotel

  • None

 

Welcome to Zhangye, your guide and driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel, have a good rest and get ready to start tomorrow's journey.

Day 1: Zhangye Arrival Day 1: Zhangye Arrival Day 1: Zhangye Arrival

Day 2: Zhangye

  • Zhangye Binggou Danxia Scenic Area - Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park

  • 4+stars Hotel

  • Breakfast


After breakfast, you will be driven for about one hour to the unique Benggou Danxia Landscape Scenic Area. If the Danxia of Linze is famous for its colorful, then the Benggou Danxia is more like a work of art carefully carved by nature, with her unparalleled dexterity, the mountains and rivers are shaped into a breathtaking spectacle - a magnificent palace standing tall, a long corridor stretching out sinuously, huge stone pillars rising up from the ground, with different shapes and forms, which attracts people's imagination. For the next two hours, you will take a leisurely stroll through this magical land and experience nature's artistry up close.

Then, you will head to Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, a wondrous landscape originating from the remote pre-Jurassic period, where thousands of peaks and peaks, like a brilliant palette of colors in the setting sun, stretch endlessly, draping the barren mountains in a gorgeous red dress. In order to capture this stunning beauty in all aspects, there are several viewing platforms in the park for you to stop and watch, and to 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.

Day 2: Zhangye Day 2: Zhangye Day 2: Zhangye

Day 3: Zhangye & Departure

  • Great Buddha Temple - Mati Temple

  • None

  • Breakfast

 

After breakfast, you will proceed to the prestigious Great Buddha Temple, famous for housing Asia's largest indoor sleeping Buddha. Built during the Western Xia Dynasty (1098 AD), this magnificent temple complex is not only admired for its opulent decorations, but even more precious for its well-preserved Buddhist scriptures and exquisite murals, a treasure of history and art. At the heart of the temple, 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 ears are wide enough for four adults to sit side by side, demonstrating extraordinary artistic attainments and religious significance.

 

We then drive across about 65 kilometers to the historic Mati Temple. Mati Temple, is a monument that carries the deep cultural heritage of the Northern Liang period (397 to 460 AD). The core attraction, Puguang Temple, is like a bright pearl set on the craggy cliffs. Its uniqueness lies in the 21 staggered grottoes, standing proudly in the posture of a five-tiered pagoda, with each layer seeming to tell a thousand-year story. The outer walls of the temple bravely poke out over the edge of the cliff, creating a breathtaking illusion of standing in the air. Part of the area requires a hike up steep stone steps to reach the top of the temple, each step filled with admiration for the wisdom and perseverance of the ancients.

Grottoes outside the Qilian Mountains towering, November to June is silver, snow-capped in the sun shining with the holy light, for this land added a few points of mystery and magnificence.

Our journey comes to an end, the guide and driver will according to your schedule to send you to the station or airport, hope that this trip can leave you with good memories, look forward to meeting you again!

Day 3: Zhangye & Departure Day 3: Zhangye & Departure Day 3: Zhangye & Departure

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At Into Explore, we pride ourselves on creating unforgettable journeys across China. Don't just take our word for it—read what our customers have to say! Here, you can explore firsthand accounts from travelers who have experienced the beauty, culture, and adventures of China with us.

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Aurora
July 04,2026
IntoExplore made my Dali-Lijiang trip unforgettable! As a senior traveler, I appreciated the slow pace, comfortable transport, and guides who patiently explained everything. Perfect balance of culture and relaxation. Highly recommend for stress-free travel in China!"
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June 05,2026
Honestly, I had a mix of nerves and excitement before this trip. My friends back in Mumbai thought I was crazy – "China? Really?" But I'd been staring at photos of those floating Avatar mountains for years, and I just had to see them for myself. So I booked the Zhangjiajie + Furong Ancient Town package through IntoExplore, and wow, I'm so glad I did.
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Quest197833
May 2026• Couples
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Very helpful “Into Explore”
I first came across Into Explore while browsing travel reels about China on social media, and their content really stood out. I reached out with a few questions and was pleasantly surprised by how quickly Norman got back to me. To be honest, I was a bit cautious in the beginning—booking something like this online always comes with some uncertainty—but after several conversations and reviewing the proposed itinerary, I felt comfortable proceeding and placed an initial deposit. We traveled as a family, and from start to finish, the experience was incredibly smooth. Norman was flexible, patient, and always accommodating whenever we needed adjustments. Communication was consistent and reliable, which made a big difference. Once we landed in China, everything was handled flawlessly. The planning, coordination, and daily flow of activities were all executed with great attention to detail. We always knew what to expect the next day, which made the entire trip feel effortless and well-managed. Overall, it turned out to be a fantastic experience. I would confidently recommend Into Explore—and Norman in particular—to anyone considering a trip to China.
Anastassia P
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Very helpful “Into Explore”
I rarely write reviews, but this time I’d like to share my overwhelmingly positive thoughts about this trip. From the day I contacted this company, they have been very attentive and friendly. They did a great job planning my family holiday and supported us every step of the way. They put together a 14-day private tour for us, taking into account all our requests and requirements.In every city we visited, there was a reliable driver, a very nice car, and a guide to assist us throughout the day. I was initially anxious about traveling in a country where people don’t speak much English, but the guides made everything effortlessly convenient, including helping us choose food in local restaurants without English menus.I could go on describing all the wonderful things we saw in China, but to keep it short, I would simply encourage prospective customers to set aside any doubts and trust this company with their holiday planning. Thank you, guys!
Sanja M
April 2026
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Next level travel agency!
The entire trip organization, travel logistics, itinerary, guides - everything was planned and executed perfectly. Norman was extremely helpful and available for any and all questions or requests we had. Into Explore made our two week China trip easy, hassle free and worth every penny. We would recommend the agency, as well as visiting China to anyone looking for a once-in-a-lifetime trip!
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Javier Miranda
Jun 22, 2026
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Exelente service..
Just recently returned 11 days from China. Arranged by Roy at Intoexplore. It could not have been more perfect. Everything - hotels, transportation, tour guides. We saw things we never would have seen on our own. excellent agency with wonderful service. Highly recommended. Thanks Intoexplore!!
Sangeeta Kaur
Jan 2, 2026
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Fast respond, helpful
Independent travel by train in China can be daunting ordeal. We decided to use Intoexplore for booking the trip and are very happy we did. It almost felt like Norman was a family member guiding us through how to use Alipay for payments in China to where to find the ticket office in the train station to convert digital tickets to paper. He was always available (sometimes at 6 am!) to answer any question and solve any problems that arose .. I would strongly recommend him to anyone who is thinking about independent travel to China .
Joel Nunez
Jun 24, 2025
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This agency has a good communication
The agent are patience when providing details and answering all questions. Every helpful and trustable agent. Highly recommended.

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