Dunhuang Explorer Tour

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Dunhuang

  Welcome to Dunhuang, a desert oasis on the legendary Silk Road holding the echoes of millennia-old trade and cultural exchange across China, West Asia, and Europe.

  Upon arriving at the airport or train station, be warmly greeted by a local guide and whisked away in a private vehicle to your hotel. The rest of today is yours to relax and rejuvenate for the adventure ahead.

  • Dunhuang

• Day 2: Dunhuang, Mogao Caves

  After breakfast, prepare to be captivated by the UNESCO-acclaimed Mogao Caves, hailed as the world's largest treasure house of Buddhist art from the 4th to the 14th century. An abundance of exquisite murals, sculptures, and ancient architecture depicts Buddhist themes alongside scenes of ancient Chinese society.

  The afternoon continues with an informative visit to the Dunhuang Museum, displaying over 2,000 precious cultural relics. Closing the day, stroll around the lively Shazhou Night Market to browse handicraft stalls and sample local delicacies like nangs (flatbread).

  • B L
  • Dunhuang

• Day 3: Dunhuang, Yadan National Geological Park

  Venture out on an exhilarating journey to Yadan National Geological Park, about a 2.5-hour drive outside Dunhuang. A vast expanse of soft, pale-red rock formations, sculpted by centuries of wind erosion, presents castle-like vistas with many parallel ridges and grooves rising above the flat Gobi Desert. The locals refer to it as a "ghost city" due to the spooky sound of the wind blowing.

  Along the way, your guide will also lead you to discover some other remnants of the Silk Road, including the Yumen Pass, the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty, the Hecang Fortress, and the Yang Pass with its accompanying museum.

  • B L
  • Dunhuang

• Day 4: Singing Sand Dunes & Ancient Mural Copying

  Only 6 km south of Dunhuang, Singing Sand Dunes & Crescent Spring is truly a mesmerizing sight to behold. The towering dunes earn their fame for emitting a haunting melody as the wind sweeps across them. Amidst this desert expanse lies the crescent-shaped lake, where clear waters reflect the azure sky. As you wish, enjoy a camel ride through golden sands, have fun with sandboarding, or stroll along the lakeshore.

  Nearby, Dunhuang Art Academy is an institution dedicated to inheriting, restoring, and innovating Dunhuang murals. Follow a professor, learn color matching, character image, and ancient copying techniques, and try your hand at creating your very own mural.

  • B L
  • Dunhuang

• Day 5: Dunhuang, Departure

  At the appointed time, your guide will escort you on a private transfer to Dunhuang airport or railway station, ready for your onward journey. Optionally, continue west to delve deeper into the Silk Road's history or head eastward to experience modern China.

  • B