3-Day Private Tour to Hexi Corridor: Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang from Lanzhou

Hexi Corridor is a valley was once the sole western passage in and out of China. It was an old road scattered with historical sites. On this 3 Day Private Tour from Lanzhou, you will visit three historical cities: Zhangye, Jiayuguan and Dunhuang. You’ll discover their most renowned attractions: Zhangye Danxia Geopark; Dafo Temple, Jiayuguan Pass; Xuanbi Great Wall, Mogao Grottoes, Echoing-Sand Mountain and Crescent Moon Pool. Tour including English speaking tour guide, private car, train tickets, entrance fee, lunches and two nights accommodation.

• Make sure everyone bring passport with
• Full names and passport numbers are required to book tickets for attractions

Itinerary Quick Look

Day 1

Lanzhou-Zhangye-Jiayuguan

1Zhangye Danxia Geopark

Your driver will transfer you from your hotel in Lanzhou to the Train Station. Take the morning train to Zhangye(3 hours.) Upon arrival, meet your friendly local tour guide, hop on your private vehicle to Zhangye Danxia Geopark directly. Enjoy a local lunch before explore the park. The Danxia Geopark was developed about 200 million years ago , it was mainly constituted by red gravel, sandstone and mudstone, with the imprint of a clear arid, semi-arid climate. Known for its colorful rock formations, it has been voted by Chinese media outlets as one of the most beautiful landforms in China. Accompanied by your tour guide, take park’s battery bus and stop at different platforms, enjoy amazing view of the nature and take many photos.

2 Dafo Temple of Zhangye

In the afternoon, explore Dafo Temple in Zhengye city. The temple, also known as “Wofo Temple” (Sleeping Buddha Temple), it is very famous because it contains the biggest indoor sleeping Buddha in China. The temple was originally built in 1098, it was rebuilt many times in history, the temple now still preserved its original main buildings: Giant Buddha Hall, Buddhist Classics Hall, and Clay Pagoda. Stroll around the halls and courtyards with your tour guide, learn about the history of the Buddhism, its belief, people and soul. Finally, heading to Jiayuguan with your tour guide by private vehicle (2.5 hours drive) .Sit back, enjoy the sceneries along the way and relax.

Accommodation: Overnight at Jiayuguan,4 Star Hotel

Meals: Lunch

Day 2

Jiayuguan – Dunhuang

1 Jiayuguan Heritage Scenic Resort

After breakfast in your hotel, meet your tour guide and driver, heading to Jiayuguan Heritage Scenic Resort.

2 Jiayuguan Fortress

Start your exploration with a visit to the Great Wall Museum, learn the history and stories about the Jiayuguan Fortress and Great Wall. Jiayuguan Fortress is considered as “the Impregnable Pass under Heaven”. It is the most magnificent and best-preserved pass among one thousand passes along the Great Wall of China. It was located at a traffic fort along the Silk Road which is the world’s oldest trading route, connecting China, Central Asia and Europe.

3Xuanbi Great Wall

After lunch in the local restaurant, explore Xuanbi Great Wall in the afternoon. As the northern extension of Jiayuguan Fortress, it is an important part of ancient military defense system. First built in 1539, it was made of gravels and loess on the spot. Accompanied by your tour guide, hiking up to the wall, enjoy amazing views of the surroundings and mountains. Afterwards, you will heading to Dunhuang by private vehicle. (4 hours drive).

Accommodation: Overnight Stay in Dunhuang, 4 Stars

Meals: Breakfast Lunch

Day 3

Dunhuang

1 Mogao Caves

After breakfast in your hotel, meet your tour guide and driver, start your tour with a visit to the Mogao CavesDigital Exhibition Center. Watch two documentary movies, get to know the history, culture and art about Mogao Caves. Afterwards, follow your tour guide to discover the charms of this UNESCO world culture heritage site. Mogao Caves are the world’s largest, most richly endowed, and longest used treasure house of Buddhist art. They are located at a strategic point along the Silk Road, at the crossroads of trade as well as religious, cultural and intellectual influences. The carving of the caves started in 366 AD and continued for about 1,000 years. 492 caves are presently preserved, housing about 45,000 square meters of murals and more than 2,000 painted sculptures which are well-known for their statues and wall paintings. As you explore the caves, your guide will point out the meaning of different wall paintings which aspects of medieval politics, economics, culture, arts, religion, ethnic relations, and daily dress in western China.

2 Mingsha Shan – Echoing-Sand Mountain

Enjoy lunch in the local restaurant, then heading to Echoing-Sand Mountain. The sand of the mountain has many colors ranging from red to yellow, green, black and white. When there is strong wind, the sands will be blown up and make loud sound, hence the name. Stroll around the area to enjoy the surroundings. You can choose to go up to the dune to enjoy amazing view of the desert and Crescent Moon Pool

3 Crescent Moon Pool

Move on to Crescent Moon Pool. Just like its name indicates, the Crescent Pool is in a natural shape of half-moon. The pool was surrounded by Echoing Sand Mountain, it was considered as “the first spring in desert”. According to historical record, the lake has been in existence for hundreds of years without ever being buried by the sand. Your wonderful tour will ends here, your tour guide and driver will take you back to your hotel in Dunhuang (booked on your own) or Dunhuang Railway Station to your next destination.

Accommodation: Not included

Meals: Lunch Breakfast

Discount available at low season, please send inquiries!

Free cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours before the travel date in advance for a full refund