Itinerary Quick Look

Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests and schedule.

DAY 1 Arrival in Xi'an

With a sunny smile, your private guide will be on time and waiting for you in the arrival hall. A comfortable private car and experienced driver will be ready to transfer you to your hotel. We aim to give you a good first impression of China.

▶ A First Glimpse of the Muslim Quarter

After a short rest, head to the lively Muslim Quarter — one of Xi'an's most vibrant neighborhoods. Lined with all kinds of local snacks like roujiamo (meat flatbread), yangrou paomo (lamb soup with bread), and liangpi (cold noodles), this is the perfect place to grab a bite as you wander through the bustling streets. You'll find yourself immersed in the authentic local atmosphere, with touches of Islamic-style architecture adding to the charm.

Note: Arriving before 4:00 PM is recommended for a more relaxed and complete experience.

DAY 2 Terracotta Army. City Wall.Tang Music Palace Dumpling Banquet & Performance

After breakfast, head to Lintong to visit the Terracotta Army Museum. Explore Pits No. 1, 2, and 3, while your guide explains the discovery, military formation, and the unique "thousands of faces" craftsmanship.After lunch, return to downtown Xi’an and visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, where you can admire Tang Buddhist architecture and hear the legend of Xuanzang’s journey to the West. In the evening, enjoy a Dumpling Banquet and a Tang Dynasty song and dance performance at the Tang Music Palace.

DAY 3Small Wild Goose Pagoda. High-speed train to Lanzhou

Visit the quiet and elegant Small Wild Goose Pagoda, which feels even more serene and ancient. Having survived multiple earthquakes throughout history, it stands as a true miracle of ancient architecture. Afterwards, take a high-speed train to Lanzhou, officially entering the cultural region of the Hexi Corridor.

DAY 4 Liujiaxia Reservoir. Bingling Temple Grottoes

Head to the Liujiaxia Reservoir and take a boat tour through the scenic Yellow River canyon, with magnificent Danxia landforms on both banks. Arrive at the Bingling Temple Grottoes, which were first carved during the Sixteen Kingdoms period, even earlier than the Mogao Caves, making them one of the important origins of Buddhist art along the Silk Road. A giant Maitreya Buddha statue stands against the mountain, exuding a grand and majestic presence.

Day 5 Gansu Provincial Museum. Drive to Wuwei. Leitai Han Tomb. Wuwei Confucian Temple

In the morning, visit the Gansu Provincial Museum, where the crown jewel "Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow" represents the pinnacle of Han Dynasty art and symbolizes the vibrant history of the Silk Road. After lunch, head to Wuwei. In the afternoon, your guide will take you to the Leitai Han Tomb and the Wuwei Confucian Temple. The Leitai Han Tomb is where the "Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow" was unearthed, bearing witness to the prosperity of the Silk Road during the Han Dynasty. The Wuwei Confucian Temple is one of the largest Confucian temples in Northwest China, reflecting the spread of Confucian culture to the frontier regions.

Day 6 Drive to Zhangye. Pingshanhu Grand Canyon. Zhangye Danxia National Geopark (sunset viewing)

Drive to Zhangye and arrive at the spectacular Pingshanhu Grand Canyon, often called "China's Grand Canyon" for its rugged, raw landscapes. Walk along the plank road deep into the canyon or take a shuttle to the bottom to feel its steep cliffs and rock layers. In the afternoon, visit Zhangye Danxia National Geopark. The colors are most vivid at sunset, when the red hills glow in layered hues like a brilliant oil painting—one of the most stunning natural wonders along the Silk Road.

Day 7 Drive to Jiayuguan. Jiayuguan Great Wall. Drive to Dunhuang. Watch the performance "Joy of Dunhuang"

Visit Jiayuguan, the "First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven" — the westernmost end of the Ming Great Wall and a key Silk Road gateway. From the fortress tower, imagine ancient caravans leaving for Central Asia. Then head to Dunhuang and watch the immersive show Joy of Dunhuang in the evening, which brings Silk Road culture and Dunhuang mural art to life through modern staging.

Day 8 Yumen Pass. Yangguan Pass. Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark (return to Dunhuang city after tour)

Visit Yumen Pass, a famous frontier pass in ancient poetry and a key gateway west from Central China. Then head to Yangguan, known for its farewell culture. From the viewing platform, admire the unique landscape where gobi meets oasis. In the afternoon, explore Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark. Wind-eroded formations resemble castles and fleets, earning it the name "Devil City." At sunset, the eerie yet magnificent scenery offers a perfect end to the day.

Day 9 Dunhuang Mogao Caves. Mingsha Mountain. Crescent Spring

In the morning, visit the Mogao Caves, a UNESCO gem known as the "Oriental Louvre." Its thousand-year-old murals and sculptures showcase Buddhist art evolving through East-West cultural exchange. In the afternoon, explore Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring. Climb the singing sand dunes for sweeping desert views. At sunset, take a camel ride across the dunes, try sand sliding, and watch golden light fall upon Crescent Spring—a miraculous oasis that has sustained Silk Road travelers for over a thousand years.

Day 10 Transfer to Dunhuang Airport for departure

On the final morning, you can take a good rest. After breakfast, your magnificent journey across plateaus, grasslands, gobi deserts, and sandy deserts comes to an end. We will arrange airport transfers according to your flight schedule.