9-Day Grand Northwest Panorama High-Speed Rail Loop Tour: Urumqi + Turpan + Dunhuang + Jiayuguan + Zhangye + Lanzhou

Welcome to Urumqi~! Our driver will meet you at the Urumqi airport exit and take you to your hotel in downtown Urumqi for check-in. After that, you can rest at the hotel or explore the surrounding area. Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the city farthest from the ocean in the world, about 2,500 km from the nearest coastline. It is also a must-pass point on the world-famous new northern route of the ancient Silk Road, which promoted trade and cultural exchange between China and Western countries and formed a unique ethnic cultural atmosphere in western China. Urumqi is located at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains in northwestern China, surrounded by mountains and water, with vast fertile fields. The people who have lived here for generations affectionately call it "Urumqi," meaning "beautiful pasture." Situated in the heart of the Eurasian continent and adjacent to Central Asian countries, it is known as the "Capital of Asia's Heart." PS: Xinjiang uses unified Beijing Time, i.e., UTC+08:00, but because Xinjiang is geographically in the UTC+6 time zone, the actual local sunrise and sunset times are about 2 hours later than Beijing Time. How to Get There 1. By Plane: Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (URC) is the main airport of Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. It has multiple direct domestic routes, such as Beijing (about 4 hours), Xi'an (about 3.5 hours), Shanghai (about 5.5 hours), Guangzhou (about 5 hours), Shenzhen (about 5.5 hours), Chengdu (about 3.5 hours), Chongqing (about 4 hours), Lanzhou (about 2.5 hours), Kunming (about 4.5 hours), Zhengzhou (about 5 hours), etc., as well as direct routes to Central Asia, such as Islamabad, Almaty, Astana (now Nur-Sultan), and Tehran.

After breakfast, you will drive about 70 km (about 1–1.5 hours) to visit Tianchi Lake in the Tianshan Mountains. Tianchi Lake, anciently called 'Yaochi,' is a half-moon-shaped lake on the northern side of Bogda Peak in the Tianshan Mountains and a famous tourist destination in Xinjiang. The lake surface is at an elevation of 1,910 meters, with the deepest point reaching 105 meters. The lake reflects Bogda Peak, surrounded by spruce forests, with scenery like a fairyland. The scenic area includes natural landscapes such as alpine lakes, wetland meadows, and forest canyons. As the light changes, the lake water appears emerald green nearby and blue in the distance, very beautiful. Upon arrival, you will first take a 40-minute sightseeing bus through the steep and magnificent mountains, then walk 10 minutes to enjoy the stunning lake and mountain scenery and various interesting plants and animals. Optional activities at Tianchi Lake (at your own expense) 1. Lake cruise: Take a boat to roam Tianchi Lake and immersively enjoy the Yaochi scenery. 2. Mayashan Cableway: Take the cableway to the summit at 3,056 meters to overlook the panoramic view of Tianchi Lake and the magnificent Bogda Peak in the distance. After lunch, you will return to Urumqi and then visit the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum to gain an in-depth understanding of the humanistic history of Xinjiang and the ancient Silk Road. The Xinjiang Museum is the largest comprehensive museum in the Xinjiang region. Here you can admire rich collections of cultural relics, including precious artifacts from the ancient Silk Road, traditional costumes of various ethnic groups in Xinjiang, and folk handicrafts. The museum also has temporary exhibitions displaying artworks and historical relics on various themes. In addition, famous national treasures such as the ancient corpse of the 'Loulan Beauty' and the Han Dynasty brocade arm protector with the inscription 'Five Stars Rise in the East, Benefiting China' can be seen here. Museum tip: The Xinjiang Museum is closed on Mondays. If you are going on a Monday, you can visit the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar instead. Suggestions for free time If it is still early, you can visit the grand Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar. Bazaar means market. The Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar is the most ethnic-flavored place in Urumqi and the world's largest castle-style bazaar. The buildings here are elegant and beautiful, with a strong Islamic style. Here you can browse shops with strong ethnic minority characteristics, such as Uygur clothing, carpets, spices, accessories, and handicrafts, and also taste various Xinjiang fruits, pilaf, lamb, and other local foods.

After breakfast, you will travel about 180 kilometers (approximately 3 hours) from Urumqi to Turpan, China's lowest, driest, sweetest, and hottest fiery land. The scenery along the way is beautiful, and you will pass the charming Salt Lake and the Dabancheng Wind Power Station at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, the largest wind power station in Asia. Upon arriving in Turpan, first visit [Jiaohe Ancient City], one of the best-preserved ancient city ruins on the Silk Road. It is the world's largest, oldest, and best-preserved earthen architecture city and the most complete ancient urban relic in China, preserved for over 2,000 years. As a witness to the development of Western Regions civilization and the Silk Road, Jiaohe Ancient City was founded and built by the Jushi people from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD. It was once the capital of the Jushi Kingdom, one of the 36 kingdoms of the Western Regions. Its architecture and culture are extremely unique and worth careful appreciation. Strolling through it, you can see historical relics of residential areas, government offices, and Buddhist temples, feeling the vicissitudes of a thousand years of civilization and the weight of history. You can also go to the central platform to view the panorama of Jiaohe Ancient City. With the guide's vivid explanations, it feels like traveling through time back to the bustling prosperity of the Silk Road. Then, continue to visit [Karez Wells], one of the three great ancient projects of China. Karez is a special irrigation system in desert areas, ranking alongside the Great Wall and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. Here, you can experience the unique coolness of Turpan's hot summer, appreciate the life wisdom of ancient ancestors, and learn how ancient craftsmen channeled snowmelt from the Tianshan Mountains dozens of kilometers away through Karez to become clear spring water here, irrigating tens of thousands of acres of vineyards—a great feat that turned barren land into lush oases. Afterward, continue to visit [Sugong Tower], one of Turpan's iconic buildings. Sugong Tower, also known as Emin Tower, full name Emin Khoja Thanksgiving Tower, was first built during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty. It is a commemorative structure built by Emin Khoja, the Jasak Doroi Junwang of the Turpan Hui region, to "repay heavenly grace." It consists of a temple, a minaret, and a mazar. It is the only ancient tower of Islamic style among China's hundred famous towers. Here, you can not only admire its unique Islamic architectural style but also gain an in-depth understanding of its long history and splendid culture. Additionally, the mosque next to Sugong Tower is also worth seeing. After the tour, you will return to your hotel in Turpan to rest.

Today, you will take a high-speed train to Dunhuang (about 3.5 hours). Upon arrival, our driver will meet you at the train station exit and escort you to your hotel in Dunhuang for check-in. You can arrange the remaining time freely, or consult your guide for travel suggestions based on your interests! Since ancient times, Dunhuang has been a key Silk Road route from China to the Western Regions, Central Asia, and Europe, always playing the role of a prosperous commercial and economic center. Today, Dunhuang exists as an artistic and cultural center where Eastern and Western cultures blend, and can be said to be a "Silk Pearl" in the vast Gobi. When visiting Dunhuang, why not follow in the footsteps of Wang Zhihuan, stand on the ruins of the Xiaofangpan City at Yumen Pass, gaze at this earthen fortress that has endured two thousand years of wind and frost, feel the tragic grandeur of "Why should the Qiang flute complain about the willow? The spring breeze does not reach Yumen Pass," and in the northwestern desert, imagine Huo Qubing's warhorses, Wang Zhaojun's pipa sounds, the prosperity of the Silk Road... tracing the stirring chapters of history buried beneath the sand. Free Time Suggestions 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 marks (one of China's earliest paper objects), 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 worth careful observation. 2. Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market: This is one of Dunhuang's most representative night markets. You can taste authentic Dunhuang delicacies such as apricot juice, donkey meat yellow noodles, pao'er yougao, braised lamb with flatbread, and red willow skewer grilled lamb.

Today, you will embark on a wonderful Dunhuang cultural journey. After breakfast, head to the Mogao Caves, one of China's four great grottoes. The Mogao Caves, also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, are hailed as the "Treasure House of Eastern Art," the world's largest and richest surviving site of Buddhist art, and a witness to the blending of diverse civilizations along the ancient Silk Road. They were inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1987. The caves were carved over a thousand years and contain vast and rich murals, painted sculptures, and cave shrines, making them a world-famous treasure house of Buddhist art. After arriving at the Mogao Caves scenic area, you can first go to the Mogao Caves Digital Exhibition Center to watch a wonderful digital film—"Mogao Thousand Years"—to gain a preliminary understanding of the Mogao Caves. Then take a shuttle bus to the cave area (PS: photography is prohibited inside the caves). Under the guidance of a docent, you will visit 8 caves in sequence, such as the Library Cave (Caves 16-17, the largest cave), the Nine-Story Tower (the common name for the wooden structure outside Cave 96, one of the iconic 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 situation on site, 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 and enjoy lunch. Optional Places to Visit 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 sands, with peaks over a hundred meters high and steep slopes. The slopes have wave-like sand patterns. When people slide down from the top, the sand produces a sound like a bell, hence the name. It is said that on cloudless days, when the wind stops and the sand is still, one can even hear the sound of string and bamboo instruments—most wondrous. Located at the foot of Mingsha Mountain, Crescent Lake is named for its crescent shape. The water is crystal clear. Despite years of fierce winds and sandstorms, this clear spring has never overflowed in heavy rain nor dried up in drought for thousands of years. Here you can stroll in the desert and enjoy the beautiful scenery of "a solitary smoke rising straight in the vast desert, the setting sun round over the long river" and "silver mountains surrounded by sand on all sides, a pool of clear water with green ripples." You can also choose various activities (at your own expense), such as camel riding, sand sledding, sand motorcycles, off-road vehicles, and hang gliders... Optional Evening Performances: (at your own expense, advance reservation required) 1. "Music of Dunhuang" (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 find music. The performance uses modern technology combined with live performances to recreate the music, dance, poetry, costumes, and paintings from Dunhuang murals. 2. "Dunhuang Grand Ceremony" (peak season only): 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, it tells the poignant love story of a young painter and a princess, recreating the prosperity of the ancient Silk Road and showcasing Dunhuang's unique cultural charm (including the "Molten Iron Fireworks" performance). 3. "Encore Dunhuang" (peak season only): 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 the Mogao Caves, personally experiencing Dunhuang culture and the splendor of the Silk Road. 4. "Thousand Hands and Thousand Eyes" (peak season only): A large-scale theatrical performance 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 profound, and the artistic level extremely high. Important 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 for domestic visitors). 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 administration. 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 for special caves on site (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 Cultural Expo or in case of severe weather or other factors affecting the visit, if the Mogao Caves cannot be visited as planned, our agency will refund the Mogao Caves ticket at the actual cost, or arrange a visit to the Western Thousand Buddha Caves as an alternative. 5. Optional activities at Mingsha Mountain scenic area (at your own expense): shoe covers, sightseeing bus, camel riding, motorcycle, off-road vehicle (3-seater), paragliding, desert starry sky camping. 6. When participating in desert entertainment activities, please take good care of your photographic equipment to prevent sand from entering your camera. When riding a camel, please follow the staff's instructions when getting on and off.

Today, you will drive about 400 km (about 5 hours) to visit Jiayuguan, hailed 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 is called the 'Key to the Frontier' and was a transportation stronghold on the ancient Silk Road and the western starting point of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. First, visit the Overhanging Great Wall, hailed as the 'End of the Great Wall.' Built during the Ming Dynasty, it is about 500 years old. It is named because the wall winds up from the mountain base and appears to hang upside down on the ridge, like an iron wall suspended in the air. 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 is like a wandering dragon, from east to west, sometimes broken and sometimes continuous, appearing and disappearing, stretching for thousands of miles. Afterwards, visit the Jiayuguan Pass City. The Jiayuguan Pass City was first built in the fifth year of Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty (1372). It is the first major pass at the western end of the Ming Great Wall and the most spectacular pass city along the Great Wall. It is not merely a single pass but is divided into an inner city, outer city, and moat. The Xiongguan Water Village in the outer city is a good spot for photographing the pass's exterior. Entering the inner city and climbing the gate tower, you can see the Qilian Mountains. There are also many small stalls in the scenic area, offering ancient costume photography, calligraphy, and paintings. In addition, you can experience the old customs procedures for exiting the pass here (optional, at your own expense), obtaining a 'passport' issued by an armored pass commander at the city gate exit—that is, a pass permit for entering and exiting the pass. It is worth mentioning that Jiayuguan is one of the best-preserved gates of the Great Wall and an excellent spot to appreciate the mood of 'a solitary plume of smoke rising straight in the vast desert, the setting sun round over the long river.' Overnight in Jiayuguan. Optional attractions (at your own expense) 1. Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum: China's first thematic museum comprehensively and systematically displaying 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 ancient and modern. Among them, the Han Dynasty roast pig trotter and the Ming Dynasty Great Wall work plaque are treasures of the museum and worth a close look. 2. First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall: The westernmost beacon tower of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. The tower is about 10 meters high, standing on a 56-meter-high cliff by the Taolai River. The existing ruins are of rammed earth structure and are hailed as the 'First Dangerous Beacon under Heaven.' Nearby there is a replica ancient military camp showing frontier defense life.

Today, you will travel about 260 kilometers (approximately 4 hours) to Zhangye. Zhangye gets its name from "extending the nation's arm to reach the Western Regions" and has the praise of "If you don't look at the snow on the Qilian Mountains, you'd mistake Zhangye for Jiangnan." It is an important city on the ancient Silk Road, very prosperous, known as "Golden Zhangye," and has deep connections with Xuanzang's journey to the west and the legends of Journey to the West. Upon arriving in Zhangye, first visit the Great Buddha Temple. [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), with a history of over 900 years. It is one of the four existing royal temples in China. Inside is the largest indoor clay reclining Buddha in China and Asia, with a body length of about 34.5 meters and shoulder width of about 7.5 meters—a person could lie flat on just one finger. Besides the great Buddha, the hall contains numerous Buddhist statues such as the Ten Great Disciples and Eighteen Arhats, as well as murals depicting stories from Journey to the West and Classic of Mountains and Seas. Additionally, the couplet outside the Great Buddha Hall—"The sleeping Buddha sleeps long, sleeping a thousand years without waking; the questioner asks forever, asking a hundred generations without clarity"—is worth careful observation. There is also a couplet in Western Xia script with the same content; remember to ask a guide to explain the differences in stroke structure from Chinese characters. Artifacts unearthed here, such as Persian silver coins, further confirm the prosperity of Silk Road trade. If time permits, optional attractions: 1. Shanxi Guild Hall: First built in the second year of Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty (1724), funded by Shanxi merchants Zhao Shigui, Zhao Jiyu, Zhang Chaoshu, and others, with a history of over 300 years. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Shanxi merchants built about 400 guild halls nationwide, covering Tibet, Xinjiang, and other regions, confirming the saying "Wherever trade flourishes, there are Shanxi merchants; wherever Shanxi merchants reside, there are guild halls." It features a Guandi Temple and a theater tower. 2. Zhangye Museum (closed on Mondays): With over 10,000 artifacts, covering various historical periods from prehistoric to Qing Dynasty, including bronzes, pottery, jade, and Silk Road cultural relics. The museum also has a 1:1 replica cave of the Jinta Temple Grottoes for viewing. Note: Currently, the digital restoration of the reclining Buddha statue at Zhangye Great Buddha Temple has made significant progress. The opening time of the digital exhibition hall awaits official notice. Once open, you can gain an immersive understanding of the reclining Buddha's historical and cultural background. In the afternoon, you will visit the area with the largest, best-developed, and most richly shaped Danxia landforms in China—Zhangye Colorful Danxia. [Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Area] is located at the northern foot of the Qilian Mountains, 230 kilometers southeast of Jiayuguan. It is one of China's seven most beautiful Danxia landforms and has been honored as one of the "Top Ten Magical Geographical Wonders of the World" and "One of the Twenty-Two Most Unforgettable Landscapes in the World." Its grandeur, spectacular scale, peculiar shapes, and brilliant colors are unparalleled. Standing amidst it, you feel as if you have entered a colorful fairy-tale world. The scenic area has four viewing platforms, with shuttle buses running between them. The route from the North Gate is: Colorful Fairy Platform (No. 2) → Colorful Cloud Sea Platform (No. 1) → Colorful Splendor Platform (No. 5) → Colorful Rosy Cloud Platform (No. 4). Among them, Platform No. 1 (the largest, offering a panoramic view of the Danxia and the S-shaped road, and the best spot for sunrise photography) and Platform No. 4 (with the most vivid colors, where at sunset the Danxia resembles a "mountain of knives and sea of fire," nicknamed "pork belly mountain" by visitors) are most recommended. Optional attraction: 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. You will stay overnight in Zhangye. In the evening, you can stroll through the night market and taste authentic donkey meat and apricot juice tea. Travel Tips: 1. At sunrise, the light is soft, colors are vivid, and contrast is high—an excellent time to photograph the rainbow mountains' panorama and delicate textures. At sunset, the warm afterglow falls on the hills, creating golden silhouettes—also a perfect time to capture the beauty of the rainbow mountains. If you wish to capture the sunrise, please confirm with your travel advisor to stay overnight at a hotel near the rainbow mountains. 2. Another best time to appreciate the Danxia landforms is after rain, when moisture makes the colors more vivid and enchanting. 3. The scenic area may require climbing, so comfortable shoes are essential. 4. The scenic area also offers entertainment activities such as camel riding, hot air balloons, gliders, and helicopters (additional fees apply).

In the morning, you will take a high-speed train to Lanzhou. The scenery along the way is beautiful, and you can enjoy the magnificent natural landscapes of the Hexi Corridor and the unique Danxia landforms. Lanzhou is the only provincial capital in China through which the Yellow River flows, and an important hub city on the ancient Silk Road, connecting the Central Plains with the Western Regions. It was called "Golden City" in ancient times. Today, as a core node city of the national "Belt and Road" initiative, 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. Upon arrival in Lanzhou, do not miss the opportunity to visit Lanzhou's landmark buildings, such as Zhongshan Bridge, the first bridge over the Yellow River under heaven (named in memory of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, with a history of over a hundred years), White Pagoda Mountain Park (with a long history, offering 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 Park (Yellow River waterwheel culture). You can also taste authentic Lanzhou delicacies at Zhengning Road Night Market, such as Lanzhou beef noodles, hand-grabbed lamb, milk egg fermented rice, gray beans, and liangpi. Or drink a cup of Sanpaotai/gaiwan tea by the Yellow River, quietly waiting for the night views of Zhongshan Bridge and White Pagoda Mountain to arrive, enjoying the leisurely life of the northwest. Optional Attractions 1. Gansu Provincial Museum (closed on Mondays): Rich in collections, you can admire precious artifacts such as the Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow and Silk Road relics. Advance reservation is required. 2. Dunhuang Art Museum (closed on Mondays): Replicas of classic caves and murals from the Mogao Caves, an excellent place to learn about Dunhuang culture, history, and art. 3. Readers Museum: China's first corporate museum named after the "Readers" brand. Since the magazine was founded in April 1981, its headquarters has always been located in Lanzhou, Gansu Province.

In the morning, you will drive about 75 km (about 2 hours) to visit Liujiaxia Reservoir, hailed as the "Pearl of the Plateau." This is China's first million-kilowatt-level hydropower station, located on the upper reaches of the Yellow River (China's second-longest river and the mother river of the Chinese nation), with rich natural wonders and cultural heritage. After arriving, you will take a boat (about 2 hours) from the Liujiaxia Dam to tour the stunning natural scenery of Liujiaxia, where red Danxia cliffs on both banks and blue lake waters complement each other beautifully. When the boat passes the confluence of the Yellow River and Tao River, you can also photograph the "clear and muddy distinct" wonder (best time: before 10 AM or after 6 PM, with the most spectacular views in summer). Finally, you will arrive at the Bingling Temple Caves, the boat's final stop. We suggest allowing 1.5 hours for the visit. The Bingling Temple Caves were first built in the first year of Jianhong of the Western Qin Dynasty (420 AD), with a history of over 1,600 years, more than 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 grotto art blends multiple cultural elements from the Central Plains, Western Regions, and Tubo, making them a treasure of Silk Road Buddhist art. Many exquisite murals and statues remain. The highlight is Cave 171's 27-meter-tall Maitreya Buddha from the Tang Dynasty, China's fifth-largest Buddha, with the upper body carved in stone and the lower body in clay sculpture—truly spectacular. Important Notes 1. Liujiaxia Dam speedboat: Usually departs 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 waiting. As the valley has strong winds and low temperatures, we recommend wearing warm, windproof clothing. 2. Please note that the round-trip speedboat visit to the Bingling Temple Caves takes about 1.5 hours, and visitors must return to the boat on time to go 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 road may 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 of Bingling Temple, but flash is prohibited. The other 5 special caves (Caves 169, 172, 126, 128, 132) prohibit photography. We recommend bringing binoculars to view cave details. Special caves require an additional fee, including 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 in the scenic area, and the itinerary may be tiring. We recommend bringing high-calorie food such as chocolate and beef jerky. Optional Attractions If Time Permits 1. Yellow River-Tao River Confluence Viewing Platform (at your own expense): Overlook the "clear and muddy distinct" wonder of the Tao River and Yellow River. The two rivers meet in a "Y" shape in front of Longhui Mountain, one clear and one muddy, blending but not mixing. Locals call it "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, showcasing Yellow River culture, management, hydropower, and landscapes, taking you through a time tunnel of Yellow River culture and providing an in-depth understanding of the source and history of China's mother river. In the afternoon, return to Lanzhou and take a train or plane to your next destination. This 9-day journey from Xinjiang to Gansu in northwestern China comes to an end. Extended Itinerary Suggestions 1. If you wish to extend your trip and explore other highlight areas of Gansu, such as Wuwei, Jiuquan, and Guazhou, we can make arrangements for you.