Treasures of the Silk Road with Desert Camping

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Tour Code: ODY-CN-237

Destination: Dunhuang

Duration5 Days
Tour TypePrivate & Bespoke
Tour Style City Break

About This Trip

Dunhuang was a vital transportation point on the ancient Silk Road for millennia. Therefore a plethora of historical relics has been deposited here. Combined with its distinctive landform, it is an excellent site for an educational tour to discover the ancient history, learn about Buddhism art, and get up close and personal with its unique geology, such as the desert and Yardang landform. Visit the Mogao Grottos to learn more about Buddha's history and culture. Cycle to the artist's village to gain a general idea of Dunhuang's painting. While camping at the Singing Sand Dune, look up at the flashing stars. Enjoy the fantastic landform caused by wind erosion at Yadan National Geopark.

Itinerary Summary

DAY

PLACE

HIGHLIGHTS
1

Dunhuang

Arrival, Mogao Grottos, Song Dynasty Film City, Shazhou Night Market
2

Dunhuang

Artist Village Biking Tour, Singing Sand Dune, Crescent Spring
3

Dunhuang

Tomb of Western Jin, Tomb of Western Jin, Local Family Visit
4

Dunhuang

Yadan National Geological Park
5

Dunhuang

Departure

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Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival-Dunhuang, Mogao Grottos
For millennia Dunhuang had been one of the most important transportation hubs on the ancient Silk Road so myriads of historic relics have been deposited here. All of these plus its unique landform make it an ideal destination either for history, art, Buddhism, or geology enthusiasts.
On arriving in Dunhuang, your tour guide will meet you and escort you to the hotel. After lunch at the hotel, follow your knowledgeable guide to discover Mogao Grottos, the most richly endowed treasure house of Buddhist art which displays the religions, farming, and social life scenes of thousands of years ago.
Following it is a relaxing stroll to the Song Dynasty Film City and the Shazhou Night Market.
- L D
- Dunhuang
Day 2: Dunhuang, biking tour & learn about Dunhuang painting & camp at the Singing Sand Dune
Today you will ride a bicycle to the Artist Village and get a general understand of Dunhuang painting which is mainly themed to Buddha Statues and Buddhist stories. A master will tell you how to use simple lines skillfully to create characters with distinctive personalities.
Later on, proceed to the Singing Sand Dune and the Crescent Spring, set up your tent, and then have some leisure time on your own: playing football, flying kite, or sitting peacefully to enjoy the sunset. At night, have barbecue dinner by the campfire.
- B L D
- Dunhuang
Day 3: Dunhuang, Tomb of the Western Jin & local family visit
Enjoy sunrise and then ride the bicycle back to the hotel and have breakfast there. On the way back, you can also have a detour to the Tomb of Western Jin (266AD–316AD), a brick tomb for a noble couple. All bricks in the tomb support each other without any adhesives and if any brick is knocked down the entire tomb will collapse. Everyone coming here wonder how did the tomb robber get into the tomb and get out safely with the valuable burial articles.
In the afternoon, visit a local family, lend a hand with some simple farm works, try your hand to make the famous hand-extended noodles, and then enjoy your labor fruit and some other local cuisines as dinner.
- B L D
- Dunhuang
Day 4: Dunhuang, Yadan National Geological Park
Today's journey is to Yadan National Geological Park which is also called "the Ghost City". It is about 180kms to Dunhuang and you will spend around 2.5 hours on road for one way.
In the park, you will be amazed at the bizarre eroded desert landscape and rise deep nostalgic feeling on the historical sites of Yumen Guan Pass, the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty, the Hecang Fortress, and the Yang Guan Pass.
- B L D
- Dunhuang
Day 5: Dunhuang - Departure
Time to say goodbye!
Before heading to the airport for the flight departing from Dunhuang, you may have some free time to go around downtown and search for some unique souvenirs for your friends.
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