5-Day Gansu Tour (Dunhuang-Jiayuguan-Dunhuang)

• Arrive in Zhangye - Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park
  

• 4+stars Hotel

• None

Welcome to Zhangye, where you will travel to the breathtaking Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, a spectacle that originated in the remote pre-Jurassic period, where thousands of peaks and ridges draped the barren mountains in a magnificent red color.

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.

As night falls, you will return to the center of Zhangye, check in to your accommodation and let this shock and beauty from nature continue in your dreams.

Tips

1, Sunscreen well-prepared: when you go 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, The best time to take pictures: 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, demonstrating 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, where you will stay and rest. After a short rest, your exploratory tour will start with the Great Wall Museum, which gathers a wealth of historical materials, precious old photos and physical exhibits, allowing you to have a comprehensive and deep understanding of Jiayuguan Fortress and the glorious history of the Great Wall before stepping into the pass. Then, after passing through the solemn gate, you will be 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.

If time is on your side and you are interested, you can visit the Xuanbi Wall, about 18 kilometers away from Jiayuguan, a marvelous section of the Great Wall built on a sheer cliff, with its steep gradient and unique cantilevered design that is breathtaking.

• Jiayuguan - Yulin Grottoes - Dunhuang

• 4+ stars Hotel

• Breakfast

After breakfast, you will depart from Jiayuguan and embark on a journey to Dunhuang. Along the way, an unexpected cultural encounter awaits you - the Yulin Grottoes, a temple of Buddhist art known as the "sister" of the Mogao Caves. Quietly located about 160 kilometers east of the oasis city of Dunhuang and the world-famous Mogao Grottoes, they are not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but also a bright pearl on the Silk Road, connecting the civilizations and dreams of the East and the West.

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.

Recommended Optional Activities：

At nightfall, stroll through the Shazhou Night Market and immerse yourself in the unique hustle. 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 - Lunar Spring

• 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.

• Dunhuang Departure
  

• None
  

• Breakfast

Our journey ends here, we will according to your arrangement, send you to the airport or station, we hope that this trip can leave you with good memories, look forward to meeting you again!