Xi an to Dunhuang 12 Day Private Silk Road Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Xi’an

1. Pass by
   Meet your private guide and driver upon arrival at Xi’an airport or train station. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy free time to rest or explore the surrounding area at your own pace.

Day 2: Xi’an – Shuilu’an Temple – Terracotta Army – Xianyang

1. Shuilu Temple
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Visit Shuilu’an Temple, known as “Little Western Paradise,” famous for its well-preserved Ming Dynasty clay sculptures depicting Buddhist figures, heavenly guardians, and vivid narrative scenes. The temple is also recognized as a filming location for Black Myth: Wukong.
2. Xian Terracotta Warriors
   4h · Admission ticket included
   Explore the Terracotta Army Museum, where thousands of life-sized clay warriors, horses, and chariots were buried to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor. Learn about their construction, military formations, and historical significance.

Day 3: Xianyang – Qianling Mausoleum – Famen Temple – Baoji

1. Qianling Museum
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Visit the only Tang Dynasty imperial tomb jointly buried by an emperor and an empress, Wu Zetian. Walk along the Spirit Way lined with stone statues and learn about Tang burial customs.
2. Famen Temple (Famen Si)
   3h · Admission ticket included
   Explore Famen Temple, one of China’s most important Buddhist sites, known for housing the finger bone relic of Shakyamuni Buddha. Visit the underground palace and modern temple complex.

Day 4: Baoji – Baoji Bronze Museum – Maijishan Grottoes – Tianshui

1. Baoji Bronze Ware Museum
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Discover ancient bronze ritual vessels and artifacts that illustrate the origins of Chinese civilization and the development of early dynasties.
2. Maijishan Grottoes
   4h · Admission ticket included
   Visit the Maijishan Grottoes, carved into a sandstone cliff and connected by walkways. Admire expressive clay sculptures and murals reflecting early Buddhist art styles.

Day 5: Tianshui – Lanzhou – Gansu Provincial Museum – Xiguan Grand Mosque – Yellow River Iron Bridge

1. Gansu Provincial Museum
   3h · Admission ticket included
   Visit one of northwest China’s most important museums, featuring Silk Road artifacts, Buddhist relics, ancient manuscripts, and the iconic “Flying Horse of Gansu.”
2. Lanzhou Xiguan Mosque
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Visit the Xiguan Grand Mosque in Lanzhou, an active place of worship that reflects the long-standing Muslim presence in northwest China. The mosque features a large prayer hall and Islamic architectural details, offering travelers a glimpse into the region’s religious traditions and daily community life along the historic Silk Road.
3. Iron Bridge of Yellow River
   1h 30m
   Walk across the Yellow River Iron Bridge, a historic landmark in Lanzhou that once served as one of the most important crossings over the Yellow River. The bridge highlights Lanzhou’s strategic role as a transportation hub along historic trade routes connecting central China with the northwest.

Day 6: Wuwei – Xixia Museum – Confucian Temple – Kumarajiva Temple

1. Wuwei Museum
   1h 30m · Admission ticket included
   Learn about the Western Xia Dynasty through stone inscriptions, Buddhist sculptures, murals, and artifacts that reveal its culture, religion, and history.
2. Wuwei Confucian Temple
   1h 30m · Admission ticket included
   Visit one of the best-preserved Confucian temples in northwest China, reflecting Wuwei’s historical role as a center of education and scholarship.
3. 1h · Admission ticket included
   Explore the temple dedicated to the renowned Buddhist translator Kumarajiva, who played a key role in spreading Buddhism from India to China.

Day 7: Wuwei – Mati Temple – Ganzhou Market - Zhangye

1. 3h · Admission ticket included
   Visit Mati Temple, a scenic grotto complex set in the foothills of the Qilian Mountains, known for its cliffside caves, Buddhist sculptures, and the blend of Han and Tibetan cultural influences.
2. 1h 30m
   In the evening, explore Ganzhou Night Market, where you can stroll through lively streets, experience the local atmosphere, and sample regional snacks at your own expense.

Day 8: Zhangye – Giant Buddha Temple – Zhangye Danxia – Jiuquan Western Han Ruins – Jiayuguan

1. Dafo Temple of Zhangye
   1h · Admission ticket included
   See the Giant Buddha Temple, home to Asia’s largest indoor reclining Buddha, and learn about its religious and artistic significance.
2. Zhangye Danxia Geopark
   3h · Admission ticket included
   Explore the colorful Danxia landforms, known for its naturally layered, multicolored rock formations.
3. Jiuquan Park of West Han Dynasty
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Visit the Jiuquan Western Han Dynasty Site, also known as the West Han Dynasty Jiuquan Park. This historic garden and cultural scenic area preserves ancient landscape features and traditional Han‑era architectural elements, including springs, lake views, pavilions, and classical walkways. The site highlights the historical importance of Jiuquan in the Western Han period and offers insight into local cultural development along the Silk Road.

Day 9: Jiayuguan Great Wall Sites – Jiayuguan

1. Jiayuguan Fortress
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Begin the day at Jiayuguan Fort, the largest and best-preserved military pass of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. Explore its inner city, gates, and defensive walls while learning how the fortress controlled trade and military movement along the Silk Road.
2. 1h 30m · Admission ticket included
   The overhanging Great Wall was built along a steep mountain ridge. Unlike the flat terrain of the main fort, this section demonstrates how the Great Wall adapted to rugged landscapes and served as a strategic lookout point.
3. The First Beacon Tower
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Visit the First Beacon Tower, marking the point where the Great Wall meets the ancient Silk Road routes. From here, learn how beacon towers were used for signaling and early warning across the desert frontier.

Day 10: Jiayuguan – Suoyang Ancient City – Yulin Grottoes – Son of the Earth Sculpture – Dunhuang

1. Suoyang City Ruins
   1h 30m · Admission ticket included
   Explore the ruins of Suoyang Ancient City, a key Silk Road military and administrative center from the Han and Tang periods. Walk along remnants of city walls, watchtowers, and gates, and learn about its role in protecting desert trade routes. The site is also historically connected to Buddhist pilgrimages, including the journey of the famous monk Xuanzang (Tripitaka).
2. Yulin Grotto
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Visit the Yulin Grottoes standard caves, a series of Buddhist cave temples with murals and sculptures dating back to the Tang Dynasty. Admire the well-preserved artwork reflecting religious, cultural, and artistic exchanges along the Silk Road.
3. Pass by
   Stop at the “Son of the Earth” sculpture and memorial to Emperor Wu of Han, commemorating the region’s historical significance and cultural legacy during the Han Dynasty. The open-air sculptures provide insight into local art and the Silk Road heritage.

Day 11: Dunhuang – Mogao Caves – White Horse Pagoda – Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake

1. Mogao Caves
   4h · Admission ticket included
   Visit the Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring extensive Buddhist murals and sculptures carved into desert cliffs. Explore selected caves with your guide and learn how Dunhuang became a major center of religious art and cultural exchange along the Silk Road. Travelers may also choose to explore additional special caves for a deeper experience. This is an optional activity and tickets can be purchased onsite.
2. White Horse Pagoda of Dunhuang
   30m · Admission ticket included
   Stop at the White Horse Pagoda, a historic monument commemorating the white horse that carried Buddhist scriptures brought by the monk Kumarajiva. The pagoda reflects Dunhuang’s important role in the transmission of Buddhist teachings along the Silk Road.
3. Mingsha Shan - Echoing-Sand Mountain
   3h · Admission ticket included
   In the afternoon, visit Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake, where towering sand dunes surround a natural desert oasis. Walk on the dunes and enjoy panoramic views of the crescent-shaped lake below. Optional activities such as camel riding or ATV experiences may also be available at the scenic area for travelers who wish to participate.

Day 12: Departure from Dunhuang

1. Pass by
   Private transfer to Dunhuang airport or train station for departure.

Pickup details

Your private guide and driver will meet you in the hotel lobby at the scheduled pickup time.
Airport and train station pickup and drop-off are available; please share your arrival and departure details in advance.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels