Gansu Hexi Corridor Highlights 6-Day Tour: Lanzhou + Zhangye + Jiayuguan + Dunhuang

Welcome to Lanzhou, the capital city of Gansu Province, China! Our driver will meet you at the airport/train station exit and escort you to your hotel in Lanzhou for check-in and rest! You can arrange the rest of your time freely, or consult your guide for travel suggestions based on your interests! Lanzhou is the only provincial capital city in China through which the Yellow River flows, and it is also an important hub city on the ancient Silk Road, connecting the Central Plains with the Western Regions. In ancient times it was called "Jincheng." Today, as a core node city of China's "Belt and Road," Lanzhou blends Yellow River culture, Silk Road culture, and diverse ethnic customs, making it an excellent starting point for exploring northwestern China's culture and natural scenery. After arriving in Lanzhou, do not miss the opportunity to visit Lanzhou's landmark buildings, such as Zhongshan Bridge, the First Bridge over the Yellow River (named in memory of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, with a history of over a hundred years), White Pagoda Mountain Park (with a long history and panoramic views of Lanzhou city, Zhongshan Bridge, and the Yellow River), the Yellow River Mother Statue (a symbol of Chinese culture), and the Waterwheel Expo Garden (Yellow River waterwheel culture). You can also taste authentic Lanzhou foods at Zhengning Road Night Market, such as Lanzhou beef noodles, hand-grabbed mutton, milk and egg fermented rice, gray beans, and liangpi. Or drink a cup of Sanpaotai/gaiwan tea by the Yellow River, quietly wait for the night view of Zhongshan Bridge and White Pagoda Mountain, and fully enjoy the leisurely life of the Northwest. Suggestions for Free Time 1. Lanzhou Classic Half-Day Tour: Visit Zhongshan Bridge, White Pagoda Mountain Park, the Yellow River Mother Statue, the Waterwheel Expo Garden, and Zhengning Road Night Market. 2. Lanzhou Culture and Museums One-Day Tour (closed on Mondays): Spend a day exploring Lanzhou, visiting the Gansu Provincial Museum (rich collection, such as the Flying Horse of Gansu and Silk Road relics), the Dunhuang Art Museum (replicating classic Mogao Caves and murals), the Readers Museum (China's first corporate museum named after the "Readers" brand), and Lanzhou Old Street (a new calling card of Lanzhou's urban culture). Suggested Ways to Arrive 1. By Plane: Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport (LHW) is the only airport in Lanzhou and one of the main airports on the edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in northwestern China. It has many direct domestic routes, such as Beijing (2 hours), Shanghai (3 hours), Guangzhou (3 hours 10 minutes), Guilin (2 hours 25 minutes), Chengdu (1 hour 35 minutes), Xi'an (1 hour 15 minutes), Urumqi (2 hours 40 minutes), Dunhuang (1 hour 50 minutes), Jiayuguan (1 hour 35 minutes), etc. 2. By High-Speed Rail: Lanzhou Station and Lanzhou West Station are the main railway hubs in Lanzhou city. Among them, Lanzhou West Station is an important high-speed rail station in Lanzhou, with direct high-speed rail services to Beijing (8.5-9.5 hours), Shanghai (11-12 hours), Xi'an (3-4 hours), Chengdu (7-8 hours), Chongqing (7-7.5 hours), Urumqi (11-11.5 hours), Xining (1-1.5 hours), Tianshui (1.5 hours), Wuwei (1-2 hours), Jiayuguan (4-5 hours), Zhangye (2-3 hours), Dunhuang (8-9 hours), and other places. Lanzhou Station also has trains to the above cities, but mainly conventional-speed trains.

In the early morning, you will travel by car about 75 kilometers (about 2 hours) to visit 【Liujiaxia Reservoir】, hailed as the "Pearl of the Plateau." This is China's first million-kilowatt hydropower station, located on the upper reaches of the Yellow River (China's second-longest river and the mother river of the Chinese nation), and boasts abundant natural wonders and cultural heritage. Upon arrival, you will board a boat at the Liujiaxia Dam (about 2 hours) to tour the stunning natural scenery of Liujiaxia, where red cliffs of Danxia on both banks and the azure lake waters complement each other beautifully. When the cruise passes the confluence of the Yellow River and the Tao River, you can also photograph the "clearly distinct" wonder (best times: before 10 a.m. or after 18:00; the scenery is most spectacular in summer). Finally, you will arrive at the Bingling Temple Caves, the endpoint of the cruise. We suggest allowing 1.5 hours for your visit. 【Bingling Temple Caves】 were first built in the first year of the Jianhong era of the Western Qin (420 AD), with a history of more than 1,600 years—over 100 years earlier than the Mogao Caves. They are the earliest Yellow River caves on the Silk Road and a famous World Cultural Heritage site, known as the "Encyclopedia of Chinese Grottoes." Their cave art blends multiple cultural elements from the Central Plains, the Western Regions, and Tubo, making them a treasure of Silk Road Buddhist art. Numerous exquisite murals and statues survive. The highlight is the 27-meter-tall Maitreya Buddha of the Tang Dynasty in Cave 171, China's fifth-largest Buddha, with the upper body carved in stone and the lower body modeled in clay—truly spectacular. Notes 1. Liujiaxia Dam speedboat: Boats usually depart only when full, so there may be some waiting time before departure. Alternatively, you can choose to charter a speedboat at your own expense to avoid the wait. As the valley winds are strong and temperatures are low, we recommend wearing warm, windproof clothing. 2. Please note that when taking a round-trip speedboat, the time to visit the Bingling Temple Caves is about 1.5 hours, and visitors must return to the boat on time to head back to the dam. If you do not visit the special caves, 1.5 hours is usually sufficient. For grotto art enthusiasts, we recommend going by land (though the mountain roads can be challenging) or chartering a boat (faster than land but more expensive) to ensure you have enough time to explore the site. 3. Photography is allowed in the ordinary caves at Bingling Temple, but flash is prohibited. The other 5 special caves (Caves 169, 172, 126, 128, and 132) prohibit photography. We recommend bringing binoculars to view cave details. The special caves require an additional fee, which includes guide costs. If you are particularly interested in Western Qin and Tang Dynasty statues, you can pay to visit Caves 169 and 172 (located above the great Buddha of Cave 171). 4. There are few dining options within the scenic area, and the itinerary may be tiring, so we suggest bringing high-calorie foods such as chocolate and beef jerky. If time permits, recommended optional attractions (at your own expense) 1. Yellow River-Tao River Confluence Viewing Platform (at your own expense): Get a bird's-eye view of the "clearly distinct" wonder where the Tao River and the Yellow River meet. The two rivers converge in a "Y" shape in front of Longhui Mountain, one clear and one turbid, blending yet not mixing—locally called "Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl" or "Mandarin Duck Pot." The contrast is especially strong on clear days. 2. Yellow River Culture Museum (at your own expense): Adjacent to the Liujiaxia Dam, it is China's only water-management culture-themed scenic area and hydropower exhibition center. The museum has four floors and four exhibition halls, respectively showcasing Yellow River culture, governance, hydropower, and landscapes, taking you through a time tunnel of Yellow River culture and offering an in-depth understanding of the source and history of China's mother river. After touring the Bingling Temple Caves, in the afternoon you will return to Lanzhou and take the high-speed rail to Zhangye (about 3 hours). The scenery along the way is beautiful, with magnificent natural landscapes of the Hexi Corridor and unique Danxia landforms to enjoy. Zhangye takes its name from the phrase "extending the nation's arm to reach the Western Regions" and is praised in the line "If you do not gaze upon the snow atop the Qilian Mountains, you would mistake Zhangye for Jiangnan." It was an important and prosperous city on the ancient Silk Road, known as "Golden Zhangye," and has deep ties to Xuanzang's journey west and the legends of "Journey to the West." In the evening, you can leisurely stroll through the night market and taste authentic donkey meat and apricot juice tea, among other delicacies. Overnight stay in Zhangye.

Today, you will fully explore Zhangye. After breakfast, visit the Great Buddha Temple (visit time about 1~2 hours). 【Great Buddha Temple】, also known as "Reclining Buddha Temple," was first built in the first year of Yong'an of the Western Xia Dynasty (1098). It has a history of more than 900 years and is one of the four existing imperial temples in China. Inside the temple is the largest indoor clay reclining Buddha in China and even Asia. The Buddha is about 34.5 meters long and about 7.5 meters wide at the shoulders; even a person could lie flat on one finger. In addition to the great Buddha, the hall also contains many Buddhist statues such as the Ten Great Disciples and the Eighteen Arhats, as well as murals of stories from Journey to the West and Classic of Mountains and Seas. In addition, the couplet outside the Great Buddha Hall, "The sleeping Buddha sleeps long, sleeping for a thousand years and never waking; the questioner asks forever, asking for a hundred generations and never understanding," is worth careful observation. There is also a couplet with the same content in Western Xia script. Remember to ask the guide to explain the differences between its stroke structure and Chinese characters. Moreover, artifacts such as Persian silver coins unearthed in the temple further confirm the prosperity of Silk Road trade. If time permits, recommended optional visit sites 1. Shanxi Guild Hall: first built in the second year of Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty (1724), funded and built by Shanxi merchants Zhao Shigui, Zhao Jiyu, Zhang Chaozhu, and others. It has a history of more than 300 years. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Shanxi merchants built about 400 guild halls across the country, covering Tibet, Xinjiang, and other places, confirming the proverb, "Wherever trade is prosperous, there must be Shanxi merchants; wherever Shanxi merchants live, there must be a guild hall." It features the Guandi Temple and the theater tower. 2. Zhangye Museum (closed on Mondays): its collection includes more than 10,000 cultural relics, covering various historical artifacts from prehistoric times to the Qing Dynasty, with a wide variety, including bronzes, pottery, jade, and cultural remains of the Silk Road. In addition, the museum has a 1:1 replica cave of the Jinta Temple Grottoes for you to enjoy. Note: At present, significant progress has been made in the digital restoration of the reclining Buddha statue at Zhangye Great Buddha Temple. The opening time of the digital exhibition hall is subject to official notice. After opening, you can gain an in-depth understanding of the historical and cultural background of the reclining Buddha through an immersive experience. After lunch, you will visit the area with the largest, best-developed, and most richly shaped Danxia landforms in China - Zhangye Rainbow Danxia (visit time about 3~4 hours). 【Zhangye Rainbow Danxia Scenic Area】 is located at the northern foot of the Qilian Mountains, 230 km southeast of Jiayuguan. It is one of the seven most beautiful Danxia landforms in China and has titles such as "one of the world's top ten magical geographical wonders" and "one of the twenty-two most unforgettable landscapes in the world." Its grandeur, spectacular scale, peculiar shapes, and brilliant colors are unparalleled. Standing within it is like entering a colorful fairy-tale world. The scenic area has four viewing platforms, with shuttle buses running between them. The shuttle route from the North Gate is: Rainbow Fairyland Platform (No. 2) → Rainbow Cloud Sea Platform (No. 1) → Rainbow Splendor Platform (No. 5) → Rainbow Sunset Platform (No. 4). Among them, the most recommended are Platform No. 1 (the largest viewing platform in the scenic area, overlooking the overall Danxia landscape and the S-shaped road, and the best place to photograph sunrise) and Platform No. 4 (the most brilliantly colored; at sunset, the Danxia set off by evening glow is like a "sea of knives and fire," called by visitors "pork belly mountain"). Optional visit sites Zhangye World Geopark Museum (closed on Mondays): a science education base for understanding Danxia landforms and the geological evolution of the Qilian Mountains. You can enter from the North Gate. Travel tips 1. At sunrise, the light is soft, the colors are vivid, and the contrast is high, making it an excellent time to photograph the panoramic view and fine textures of Rainbow Mountain. At sunset, the warm afterglow falls on the hills, forming golden silhouettes, also an excellent time to capture the beauty of Rainbow Mountain. If you want to capture the sunrise scenery, please confirm with your travel consultant about staying overnight at a hotel near Rainbow Mountain. 2. Another best time to appreciate the Danxia landforms is after rain, when the colors become more vivid and enchanting due to moisture. 3. The scenic area may require uphill walking, so comfortable shoes are essential. 4. The scenic area also offers entertainment items such as camel riding, hot air balloons, gliders, and helicopters (additional charge required). After the visit, drive about 210 km (about 3 hours) to Jiayuguan. If time permits, you can arrive at the Overhanging Great Wall before 17:00, hike and enjoy the stunning sunset over the Jiayuguan Great Wall. It is worth mentioning that Jiayuguan is an excellent place to appreciate the mood of "a solitary smoke rising straight in the vast desert, the setting sun round over the long river." Overnight in Jiayuguan.

Today, you will fully explore Jiayuguan, known as "The First and Greatest Pass under Heaven." [Jiayuguan] was historically known as the throat of the Hexi Corridor. Due to its strategic terrain and magnificent architecture, it was called the "Key to the Frontier" and was a vital transportation hub on the ancient Silk Road and the western starting point of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. First, head to Jiayuguan Fort. Jiayuguan Fort was first built in the fifth year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1372). It is the first pass at the western end of the Ming Great Wall and the most spectacular fort along the entire Great Wall. This is not merely a single pass but consists of an inner city, outer city, and moat. From the Xiongguan Water Fort in the outer city, you can photograph the fort's exterior. Entering the inner city and climbing the gate tower, you can see the Qilian Mountains. There are also many stalls in the scenic area offering costume photography, calligraphy, and paintings. In addition, you can experience the old customs clearance procedure here, receiving a "passport" issued by an armored pass commander at the city gate exit—a pass for entering and exiting the pass (optional, at your own expense). Afterward, visit the Overhanging Great Wall, hailed as "the end of the Great Wall." Built during the Ming Dynasty about 500 years ago, it gets its name because the wall winds up from the mountain base, appearing to hang upside down on the ridge like an iron wall suspended in midair. You can climb along the Great Wall walkway to the highest watchtower and gaze far into the distance, taking in the frontier scenery and the vast Gobi desert. The Great Wall resembles a swimming dragon, stretching from east to west, sometimes broken, sometimes continuous, sometimes hidden, sometimes visible, extending for thousands of miles. After the tour, proceed to Dunhuang via Guazhou (about 400 km, about 5 hours). Optional Visits at Your Own Expense 1. Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum: China's first thematic museum comprehensively and systematically showcasing Great Wall culture. Completed at the end of 1988 (officially opened in 1989), the exhibition is divided into four sections: Great Wall History, Great Wall Military, Hexi Corridor and the Silk Road, and Jiayuguan Past and Present. Among the treasures are a Han Dynasty roast pig's trotter and a Ming Dynasty Great Wall work plaque, which are worth a closer look. 2. First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall: The westernmost beacon tower of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. About 10 meters high, it stands on a 56-meter-high cliff by the Taolai River. The existing ruins are of rammed earth structure and it is hailed as "The Most Perilous Beacon under Heaven." Nearby is a replica ancient military camp showing frontier defense life.

Today, you will begin a wonderful Dunhuang cultural journey. After breakfast, head to the Mogao Caves, one of China's four great grottoes. [Mogao Caves], also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, is hailed as the "Treasure House of Eastern Art." It is the largest and richest extant Buddhist art site in the world and a witness to the blending of multiple civilizations along the ancient Silk Road. In 1987, it was listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site. The carving of the caves spanned a thousand years, leaving behind murals, painted sculptures, cave shrines, and other relics of vast scale and rich content, making it a world-famous treasure house of Buddhist art. After arriving at the Mogao Caves scenic area, you can first go to the Dunhuang Mogao Digital Exhibition Center to watch a wonderful digital film, "Millennium Mogao," for a preliminary understanding of the Mogao Caves. Then take the shuttle bus to the cave area (PS: photography is prohibited inside the caves). Under the guidance of a docent, visit 8 caves in succession, such as the Library Cave (Caves 16-17, the largest cave), the Nine-Story Building (the common name for the wooden structure outside Cave 96, one of the landmark buildings of the Mogao Caves), and the Nirvana Cave (Cave 148, where the reclining Buddha is located)... The specific caves visited depend on the actual on-site arrangement, but several classic caves will be included. If interested, you can visit the Dunhuang Grottoes Cultural Relics Protection and Research Exhibition Center to see 1:1 replicas of 8 highly representative caves, including Caves 275, 249, 419, 220, 217, 3, and 25 (photography allowed). After the visit, you can return to the hotel to rest. If time permits, after lunch you can visit the Dunhuang Museum (at your own expense). Optional Paid Visit Sites 1. Dunhuang Museum (closed on Mondays, reservation required): Its architectural design is unique, integrating elements such as the Great Wall, beacon towers, and ancient castles. The museum has a rich collection of about 13,524 items (sets), among which the Western Han hemp paper ink writing (one of the earliest paper objects in China), the Northern Liang stone pagoda (a treasure of Buddhist art), and the 1:1 replica cave of Mogao Cave 45 (fully presenting the murals and painted sculptures of the High Tang) are treasures worth close viewing. 2. Dunhuang Bookstore (reservation required): A popular Dunhuang attraction, a modern lifestyle aesthetic space integrating reading, cultural creative products, coffee, and activities. In the afternoon, you will visit [Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake], hailed as one of "China's Five Most Beautiful Deserts." Mingsha Mountain is formed by shifting sand, with peaks over a hundred meters high and steep slopes. The slopes have wave-like sand ripples. When people slide down from the top, it produces a bell-like musical sound, hence the name. It is said that when there is not a cloud in the sky and the wind stops and the sand is still, one can even hear the sounds of string and bamboo instruments, which is truly marvelous. Located at the foot of Mingsha Mountain, Crescent Lake is named for its shape resembling a crescent moon. The spring water is clear to the bottom. Although fierce winds and sandstorms darken the sky year after year, for thousands of years this clear spring has never overflowed after long rains nor dried up in drought. Here you can stroll in the desert and enjoy the beautiful scenery of "A solitary smoke rises straight in the vast desert, the setting sun is round over the long river" and "Silver mountains surrounded by sand on all sides, a pool of clear water with green ripples." You may also choose various activities (at your own expense), such as camel riding, sand sledding, beach motorcycles, off-road vehicles, and hang gliders... Afterward, you can wander through Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market (optional) and taste authentic Dunhuang foods such as apricot juice, donkey meat yellow noodles, pao'er yougao, braised lamb with flatbread, and red willow branch grilled lamb. Evening Optional Paid Performances: (advance reservation required) 1. "Music in Dunhuang" (performed year-round): The world's first cave-style immersive theater, telling the story of Bai Xin, a young man from the Western Regions in the early Tang Dynasty, on his journey to seek music. The performance uses modern technology combined with live performance to recreate the music, dance, poetry, costumes, painting, and other cultural elements from Dunhuang murals. 2. "Dunhuang Grand Ceremony" (limited to peak season): The world's first large-scale desert live-action performance, set against Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake. Through a 360-degree rotating and moving audience seating area, it tells the poignant love story of a young painter and a princess, recreates the former prosperity of the ancient Silk Road, and showcases Dunhuang's unique cultural charm (including "Molten Iron Fireworks"). 3. "Encore Dunhuang" (limited to peak season): A large-scale indoor experiential drama directed by Wang Chaoge, one of the chief directors of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The audience travels through the Library Cave and Mogao Caves, personally experiencing Dunhuang culture and the splendor of the Silk Road. 4. "Thousand Hands and Thousand Eyes" (limited to peak season): A large-scale theatrical production performed by the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe, telling the folk story of "Miaoshan Saving Her Father." The dance movements are graceful, the cultural connotations are profound, and the artistic standard is extremely high. Notes 1. To protect the caves, the Mogao Caves implement a real-name reservation system with daily visitor limits. Tickets are divided into Type A (6,000 per day) and Type B (12,000 per day, with priority ticket purchase for domestic tourists). Type A includes 8 caves and 2 digital films; Type B includes 4 caves and the Cave Cultural Relics Protection and Research Exhibition Center. 2. On the day of your visit, please follow the visiting arrangements of the Mogao Caves management department. The order of visiting Mingsha Mountain and the Mogao Caves may be adjusted. 3. If you are particularly interested in the caves, you can also purchase tickets on site for special caves (queuing may be required) to explore more exquisite caves. Special caves (at your own expense) are divided into Line 1 (Caves 45, 320, 321, 420, 9, 428) and Line 2 (Caves 275, 45, 156, 158). 4. During the Dunhuang Expo or in case of severe weather or other factors affecting visits, if the Mogao Caves cannot be visited as planned, our agency will refund the Mogao Caves ticket according to the actual cost, or arrange a visit to the Western Thousand Buddha Caves as an alternative. 5. Optional paid items at Mingsha Mountain Scenic Area: shoe covers, sightseeing bus, camel riding, motorcycle, off-road vehicle (3-seat), paragliding, desert starry sky camping. 6. When participating in desert entertainment activities, please take good care of your photography equipment to prevent wind and sand from entering the camera. When riding a camel, please follow the staff's instructions when getting on and off.

The itinerary is drawing to a close. Today marks the end of this 6-day Gansu journey. If you still have free time, you may explore more of Dunhuang on your own until our driver escorts you to the airport to board your flight to the next destination. Suggested extensions 1. If you would like to stay longer in Dunhuang, you can add 1–2 days to visit the Yulin Caves, Yangguan Pass, Yumen Pass, the Yardang Geological Park, the Han Great Wall ruins, and more. 2. If you wish to extend your trip to explore other highlights of Gansu, such as Wuwei, Jiuquan, and Guazhou, we can arrange everything for you.