Details
Arrival in Lanzhou – Airport / Railway Station Pick-up
All Day
According to your flight or train schedule, your driver or guide will meet you at Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport or Lanzhou Railway Station and transfer you to the hotel.
Afternoon / Evening
Check in at Mehood Lestie Hotel Lanzhou or similar. Free time to rest after arrival.
Food Exploration (Optional)
Visit Zhengning Road Night Market or Dazhong Alley Food Street to try local specialties such as Lanzhou milk-and-egg fermented rice wine, sweet barley sprouts, and hand-grabbed lamb.
City Sightseeing (Optional)
If time permits, stroll along the Yellow River Scenic Belt, see the Mother Yellow River Sculpture, Zhongshan Bridge, or experience a traditional sheepskin raft ride on the Yellow River.
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Mehood Lestie Lanzhou / similar
Lanzhou → Wushaoling Pass → Wuwei
Morning
After breakfast, drive along the Lianhuo Expressway toward Wuwei. Stop at Wushaoling Pass (approx. 3,000 m altitude) for a short break and panoramic views of the ancient Silk Road gateway.
Lunch
En route in Tianzhu County or after arrival in Wuwei.
Afternoon
Visit Leitai Han Tomb (approx. 1.5 hours), the excavation site of China’s national tourism symbol, the Bronze Galloping Horse (Flying Horse of Gansu).
Then explore Han–Tang Heavenly Horse City (1.5–2 hours), a cultural complex highlighting Wuwei’s history as ancient Liangzhou.
Evening
Hotel check-in and free dinner.
Driving Distance: ~280 km | ~4–4.5 hours
Meals: Breakfast included; lunch & dinner at own expense
Accommodation: Wuwei Tianma Pearl Hotel / similar
Leitai Han Tomb
Wushaoling
Wuwei → Shandan Horse Ranch → Yanzhi Mountain → Zhangye
Morning
After breakfast, visit Shandan Horse Ranch (approx. 2 hours), the world’s oldest royal horse-breeding ground. In summer, enjoy vast grasslands and galloping horses (access depends on season and park regulations).
Lunch
Near the ranch or on the way to Yanzhi Mountain.
Afternoon
Explore Yanzhi Mountain (Rouge Mountain) (approx. 1.5 hours), known as the “Little Huangshan of the Frontier” for its forested landscapes. Continue driving to Zhangye.
Evening
Arrive in Zhangye, check in at Xinshengyue Hotel Zhangye or similar. Free time.
Driving Distance: ~320 km | ~5–5.5 hours
Meals: Breakfast included; lunch & dinner at own expense
Accommodation: Xinshengyue Zhangye / similar
Shandan Army Horse Farm
Shandan Army Horse Farm
Zhangye → Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon → Zhangye Danxia → Zhangye
Morning
Visit Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon (approx. 3 hours), often compared to the Grand Canyon of Colorado. Walk through dramatic rock formations or take an adventure vehicle to the canyon floor.
Lunch
Near the scenic area or back in Zhangye city.
Afternoon
Visit Zhangye Danxia National Geopark (entry before 16:00 recommended; approx. 2.5 hours). Witness the world-famous rainbow-colored landforms, especially stunning at sunset.
Meals: Breakfast included; lunch & dinner at own expense
Accommodation: Xinshengyue Zhangye / similar
Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon
Colorful Danxia
Zhangye → Jiuquan → Jiayuguan
Morning
Drive to Jiuquan and visit Western Han Jiuquan Scenic Area (approx. 1 hour), named after General Huo Qubing’s legendary act of pouring wine into a spring to share with his soldiers.
Lunch
In Jiuquan city.
Afternoon
Explore Wei–Jin Mural Tombs (approx. 1 hour), an underground art gallery depicting daily life during the Wei and Jin dynasties.
Continue to Jiayuguan Pass (approx. 2.5 hours), the western terminus of the Ming Great Wall, known as “The First Mighty Pass Under Heaven.”
Evening
Hotel check-in and free dinner.
Driving Distance: ~230 km | ~3.5 hours
Meals: Breakfast included; lunch & dinner at own expense
Accommodation: Chenfeng Hotel Jiayuguan / similar
Jiayuguan
Wei and Jin tomb murals
Jiayuguan → Suoyang City → Yulin Grottoes → Dunhuang
Morning
Drive to Guazhou County and visit the UNESCO-listed Suoyang Ancient City (approx. 1.5 hours), an important Tang Dynasty military and agricultural site.
Lunch
In Guazhou or en route.
Afternoon
Visit Yulin Grottoes (approx. 1.5 hours; special caves at extra cost), a sister site to Mogao Caves with exquisite murals.
Stop for photos at modern desert sculptures: Han Wu’s Glory, Son of the Earth, and Boundless (approx. 40 minutes).
Evening
Arrive in Dunhuang, check in at Dunhuang Jiapela Hotel or similar. Optional visit to Shazhou Night Market.
Driving Distance: ~460 km | ~6–7 hours
Meals: Breakfast included; lunch & dinner at own expense
Accommodation: Dunhuang Jiapela / similar
Son of the Earth
Yulin Grottoes
Mogao Caves → Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Moon Lake
Morning
Visit Mogao Caves (approx. 3–4 hours). Advance reservation required. Watch digital films before guided cave visits to experience a millennium of Buddhist art.
Lunch
Near Mogao Caves or in Dunhuang city.
Afternoon
Rest at the hotel to avoid strong sunlight.
Late Afternoon / Evening
Visit Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Moon Lake (approx. 3 hours). Enjoy camel riding, sandboarding, and climb dunes to watch the sunset over the illuminated oasis.
Meals: Breakfast included; lunch & dinner at own expense
Accommodation: Dunhuang Jiapela / similar
Crescent Lake
Mogao Caves
Dunhuang West Route: Yangguan → Yumen Pass → Yardang Geopark
Morning
Visit Yangguan Pass (approx. 1.5 hours), famous for the phrase “No old friends beyond Yangguan,” including beacon towers and a symbolic departure ceremony.
Lunch
In Yangguan Town or en route.
Afternoon
Explore Yumen Pass (Small Square City) (approx. 1 hour), followed by Yardang National Geopark (Devil City) (1.5–2 hours). Optional off-road vehicle tour available at extra cost. Return to Dunhuang late evening.
Driving Distance: ~350–400 km round trip
Meals: Breakfast included; lunch & dinner at own expense
Accommodation: Dunhuang Jiapela / similar
Dunhuang West Line
Dunhuang West Line
Dunhuang Departure
According to your flight schedule, enjoy breakfast and free time. Optional shopping for local specialties such as dried apricots and luminous jade cups.
Transfer to Dunhuang Airport for departure. Please arrive 2–3 hours before your flight.
Meals: Breakfast included
Accommodation: home
Dates & Prices
| Month | Date | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 2026-04 | $ 819 | Book now |
| May | 2026-05 | $ 919 | Book now |
| Jun | 2026-06 | $ 919 | Book now |
| Jul | 2026-07 | $ 1019 | Book now |
| Aug | 2026-08 | $ 1019 | Book now |
| Sep | 2026-09 | $ 919 | Book now |
| Oct | 2026-10 | $ 919 | Book now |
You are consulting 2025-04-12 Nine day Essence of Hexi Corridor: A Glance at the Millennium
Fee Description
Tour Price Includes
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Private 9-seat luxury vehicle (1+1 seating)
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8 nights of high-end local 4-diamond hotels with breakfast
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All listed attraction entrance tickets and mandatory sightseeing buses
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Professional driver-guide service (excellent-rated, non-designated)
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Travel insurance (liability, vehicle, and personal accident)
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Complimentary Silk Road–style photoshoot & drone photography (weather permitting)
Not Included
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International & domestic flights or train tickets
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Lunches, dinners, and personal entertainment expenses
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Optional activities (camel riding, sandboarding, desert off-road vehicles, etc.; prices subject to on-site confirmation)
