Dunhuang Explorer

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Tour Code: ODY-CN-279

Destination: Dunhuang

Duration4 Days
Tour TypePrivate & Bespoke
Tour Style Classic

About This Trip

Spend four days at Dunhuang to fully experience this significant juncture on the ancient Silk Road. You'll enter the Mogao Caves to view the extensive collection of Buddhist art. Then, snap a photo of the Singing Sand Dune and the Crescent Spring at sunset. Admire Yardang National Geological Park's magnificent scenery. Dunhuang's landscapes, culture, and more than 2000 years of history won't disappoint you.

Itinerary Summary

DAY

PLACE

HIGHLIGHTS
1

Dunhuang

Arrival
2

Dunhuang

Mogao Caves, Crescent Spring and Singing Sand Dune, Noble's Tomb of the Western Jin Dynasty
3

Dunhuang

Yardang National Geological Park, Yumen Pass, Great Wall of the Han Dynasty, Hecang Fortress, Yangguan Pass
4

Dunhuang

Departure

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Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Dunhuang
Welcome to Dunhuang! On arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel by your tour guide and driver.
Since the late 2nd century BC when Zhang Qian, an official of the Han Dynasty, opened the trade route between the East and the West, for millennia the small oasis of Dunhuang had been an important transportation hub on the route that we call Silk Road today.
Over a thousand years, a myriad of caravans passed by or stopped here, loaded with various silk fabrics and commodities to and China, West Asia, and Europe. Accompanying them were colorful cultures, religions, and production techniques.
- Dunhuang
Day 2: Dunhuang, Mogao Caves & Crescent Spring and Singing Sand Dune
Among the numerous historical relics, Mogao Caves enjoys the reputation as the Buddhist Treasure Trove in the world for its huge-number, rich-content, and exquisite murals, sculptures, and architectures. In its murals of various eras, besides the Buddhist themes, there are also some describe the scenes of farming, production, social life, music, dance, and acrobatics at that time. So a tour to the Mogao Cave will treat you with not only an artistic banquet but also a glimpse into ancient Chinese society.
Followed by it, on the way to the Crescent Spring and Singing Sand Dune, we will have a detour to see a noble's tomb of the Western Jin Dynasty (266-316) and marvel at the stunning paintings on the tomb bricks.
Finally, enjoy some relaxing time at the Crescent Spring and the Singing Sand Dune, spot the magnificent sunset views, or ride a camel (pay on-site) to explore more in the desert.
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- Dunhuang
Day 3: Dunhuang, Yardang National Geological Park
Yardang is one of the many masterpieces of nature: a large area of soft rocks having been extensively grooved or pitted by wind erosion and showing all kinds of weird manners.
Dunhuang Yardang National Geological Park, with its unique desert scenery, various geological wonders, hostile nature, and rich stories, attract countless geological fans and history buffs.
Today we will drive out the city of Dunhuang for about 2.5 hours to explore this huge geopark and along the way spot some fragments of the time-honored Silk Road: the Yumen Pass, Great Wall of the Han Dynasty, Hecang Fortress, and Yang Pass with the museum.
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- Dunhuang
Day 4: Dunhuang - Departure
Time to departure for your next destination, either forward the west to explore more about the Silk Road or forward the east to discover modern China.
Before heading to the airport or railway station, if time permits, the guide will accompany you to visit the City Museum and the Song Dynasty Film City. The former will supplement your understanding of Dunhuang and the latter will vividly re-create the city in the Song Dynasty, about 1,000 years ago.
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