The Silk Road: Zhangye to Dunhuang

The Silk Road: Zhangye to Dunhuang

For centuries Gansu was a vital trade corridor between China and Central Asia. From Lanzhou a 1200-kilometer section of the Silk Road stretches through barren desert in the shadow of the Qilian Mountains to modern day Xinjiang – this is the Hexi Corridor. As proof of all the trade along this route, you will find numerous ancient monuments scattered along the entire Silk Road – temples buried in cliff faces, monasteries, pagodas, towers and ancient palaces.

Trip Details

Trip Duration
8 day
Group Size
2-15
Trip Type
Cultural Trips
Trip Location
Other

For centuries Gansu was a vital trade corridor between China and Central Asia. From Lanzhou a 1200-kilometer section of the Silk Road stretches through barren desert in the shadow of the Qilian Mountains to modern day Xinjiang – this is the Hexi Corridor. As proof of all the trade along this route, you will find numerous ancient monuments scattered along the entire Silk Road – temples buried in cliff faces, monasteries, pagodas, towers and ancient palaces.

Trip Details

Trip Duration
8 day
Group Size
2-15
Trip Type
Cultural Trips
Trip Location
Other

This area also holds the western most part of the Great Wall of China. This valley was once the sole western passage in and out of the Middle Kingdom and even today there is nothing else in all of China like this place. This is China like you have never seen it! Every turn in this tour is full of adventure and centuries of historical wonder.

From the wild grasslands of Amdo Tibet we will then head to Zhangye, Jiayuguan, and Dunhuang. These are desert towns of western Gansu Province and they were important arteries for trade along the Hexi Corridor of the Silk Road. See the rainbow striped mountains of Zhangye Danxia National Park and explore the westernmost section of the Great Wall in Jiayuguan. Much of this section of the Great Wall has been entirely covered by drifting desert sand but there still remains a few exposed sections that still whisper rumors of conquest and empire. Next we will have the opportunity to take a camel ride in the desert and stroll through the lively night market of Dunhuang as you watch the traditional art of Chinese paper cutting and block painting. We will end our tour in Gansu’s best grottoes along the Silk Road as we walk into the hidden caves of the mystical Mogao Grottoes to see ancient Buddhist cave paintings in the sandstone cliffs of the desert.

This tour is a must for culture and art buffs! From wooly yaks to regal camels, this tour really hits all the best monasteries and scenic spots in all of Gansu Province and along the Hexi Corridor of the Silk Road.

Day 1

Zhangye and Mati Temple

9:00am- Pick up at your hotel in Zhangye or at Zhangye station (at 1,474 meters in elevation)

9:15am – Drive 65km to Mati Temple Grottoes

11:30am – Lunch in Zhangye or along the way to Mati Temple Grottoes

12:30pm – Arrive grottoes and explore for the afternoon

4:00pm- Drive back to Zhangye

7:00pm Dinner in Zhangye, possible Zhangye night market visit

9:00pm – Rest in hotel in Zhangye

Day 2

Zhangye Danxia National Park and BingGou National Park

8:00am – Eat breakfast in hotel in Zhangye

9:00am – Early morning visit to Zhangye Dafo Temple (the giant buddha)

10:00am – Drive 32km to Zhangye Danxia National Park

11:00am – Arrive at Danxia formations, spend the morning at the rainbow mountains

1:30pm- Late lunch near Danxia National Park along the Silk Road

2:00pm- Drive 30 minutes to BingGou National Park, see the red rock formations of this incredible park

4:00pm – Arrive at Jiayuguan Great Wall, explore and climb the wall

5:30pm – Depart BingGou National Park, drive back to Zhangye

6:10pm – Arrive in Zhangye and settle into hotel

7:00pm – Dinner in nearby hotel

8:00pm – Rest and sleep in hotel in Zhangye

Day 3

Jiayuguan Great Wall and Fortress

8:00am- Breakfast in the hotel

9:00am- Set off to drive 225km to Jiayuguan, lunch along the way

2:00pm – Arrive at Jiayuguan Great Wall, the western most section of the Great Wall near the Gobi Desert. Explore and climb the wall and see the nearby desert fortress.

5:30pm – Depart Great Wall

6:00pm – Arrive Jiayuguan at 1,462 meters and settle into hotel

7:00pm – Dinner in nearby hotel

8:00pm – Rest and sleep in hotel in Jiayuguan

Day 4

Drive to Dunhuang, Dunhuang ancient city and night market

8:00am – Breakfast in hotel in Jiayuguan

9:00am- Meet in lobby of hotel. Drive 374km to Dunhuang

2:00pm – Arrive at hotel in Dunhuang at 1,142 meters and rest and settle

2:30pm – In the afternoon explore the sand dunes near Dunhuang and the Dunhuang ancient city

6:00pm- Return to Dunhuang, dinner.

Explore Dunhuang night market

8:30pm – Sleep in hotel in Dunhuang

Day 5

Camel ride in the Gobi Desert, sleep in a nomad tent in the desert

9:00am – Breakfast in hotel in Dunhuang

10:00am- Meet in lobby of hotel. Drive to Gobi Desert, start camel ride into the desert

4:30pm – Arrive at nomad trader tent in the desert and enjoy a local dinner with nomads

8:30pm – Watch the stars over the Gobi Desert and sleep in tent in the desert.

Day 6

Return to Dunhuang

8:00am – Breakfast in tent in the desert Dunhuang

9:00am – Spend the morning learning about desert culture on the Silk Road

10:00am- Return to Dunhuang

1:30pm – Late Lunch in Dunhuang

2:30pm- Check into hotel and rest and shower

4:00pm Spend the afternoon exploring Dunhuang and doing any last minute souvenir shopping

6:00pm- Dinner in the Dunhuang night market

8:00pm – Sleep in a hotel in Dunhuang

Day 7

Mogao Cave Grottoes and a Silk Road Theater Show

8:30am – Eat breakfast in hotel

9:30am -Drive to Mogao Grottoes

10:15pm – Arrive at Mogao Grottoes, spend the day exploring the caves and paintings

4:00pm- Enjoy a special theater show that depicts the history of the Silk Road

6:00pm- Dinner in the Dunhuang night market

8:00pm – Sleep in a hotel in Dunhuang

Day 8

Depart Dunhuang

Morning – drop off at the Dunhuang train station as we say our goodbyes

Price Includes

Your Tibetan Trails journey is designed to provide a seamless and authentic travel experience across the Tibetan Plateau. The tour price includes:

  • Accommodation in carefully selected Tibetan boutique hotels, guesthouses, or luxury lodges throughout the itinerary.
  • For trekking and backpacking expeditions, all camping arrangements including tents, cooking equipment, pack animals (horses or yaks where required), and support staff. Guests are welcome to bring their own sleeping bag and sleeping pad, though these can also be provided upon request.
  • Cultural experiences and nomadic activities as outlined in the itinerary.
  • All meals during the tour, typically beginning with lunch or dinner on the first day and continuing through the conclusion of the trip. (Many other travel agencies cut out lunch and dinner for guests to make the prices seem lower, but we believe every traveler should experience the true culinary richness of Tibet and include a generous food budget inside our tours).
  • One professional English-speaking Tibetan guide throughout the journey. Our guides have over 15 years of experience with foreigners.
  • Private transportation in a comfortable van, SUV, or bus, including all ground transportation specified in the itinerary.
  • All entrance fees and permits for attractions, monasteries, parks, and sites included in the itinerary.
  • Accommodation and meals for guides, drivers, and support staff.
  • Local mountain guides where required for specific trekking routes.
  • All required travel permits, legal paperwork, and group insurance required for travel within Tibetan regions.
  • Unlimited bottled drinking water throughout the tour.

Price Excludes

The following items are not included in the tour price:

  • International or domestic flights and train tickets.
  • Personal travel insurance. We require all travelers to obtain their own travel insurance for the duration of their trip. We recommend purchasing coverage through World Nomads or a comparable provider.
  • Visa fees, passport fees, and any related travel documentation costs.
  • Optional activities or excursions not specifically listed in the itinerary.
  • Alcoholic beverages, specialty drinks, and personal snacks.
  • Gratuities for guides, drivers, and support staff (recommended for excellent service).
  • Personal expenses such as laundry, souvenirs, and telephone charges.
  • Costs resulting from itinerary changes, flight delays, weather conditions, altitude-related issues, government restrictions, natural disasters, or other force majeure events beyond our control.

Trip Highlights

  • Mati Temple (Horse Hoof Temple)
  • Dafo Temple (the Reclining Buddha Temple)
  • Zhangye Danxia National Park
  • BingGou National Park
  • Jiayuguan Great Wall and Fortress
  • Mogao Cave Grottoes
  • Dunhuang’s Gobi Desert