Overview

China travel map - Xian Dunhuang Tour

Explore an essential part of the ancient Silk Road from Xian to Dunhuang on 6 days tour package. In Xian, China’s most prosperous historical capital, visit the legendary Terracotta Army, wander the great Old City Wall. Later head off to Dunhuang, further trace the heritages and ruins of the Silk Road. Explore the most significant sites, including the Singing Sand Dune, Gobi desert, Mogao Caves and Yardan National Geological Park. This trip combines both history immersion and nature adventure.

Best for: Chinese Expats, Family, Culture adventurers

Duration: 6 days & 5 nights

Destinations: Xian - Dunhuang

Travel Type: Private tour - FlexibleFree to customize

Highlights:
• Must-see Terra-cotta Warriors, Mogao Caves
• Exciting Gobi desert expore
• Geological adventure for Yadan landforms

Customize Your Tour:
☑  Travel Dates  ☑ Your Interests  ☑ Your Travel Style

Day
Upon your arrival at Xi’an airport or rail station, you will be greeted by your private tour guide holding a sign with your name at the exit. With the window view, you will be transferred to the hotel booked in prior. Your tour guide will help you with the check-in procedure.

In the morning, transfer to visit Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, which is one of the top attractions in China and famous for its historical significance and uniqueness. Visit Old City Wall -- the most intact ancient Chinese wall in existence. It encircles and protects the ancient part of Xian City. The best way to appreciate the grandness of it is by biking around. If weather permits, a bike ride is available. The Moslem Street can’t be missed, where a variety of local flavor snacks will surely dazzle one’s eyes. As long as one can think of, he or she can find the mouthwatering food in the cuisine paradise. The title “A Street for Gourmet” is fully deserved.

Meal: B, L

A solo traveler visit Xian with ETC guide

At an appropriate time, be transferred to airport for your flight to Dunhuang. Upon arrival, be greeted by your private guide in Dunhuang, and transfer to hotel. The rest time of this day is free for your own exploration. 

Meal: B, L

Try to get up early this morning to catch the sunrise from the desert. As one of the top 5 scenic deserts in China, the dunes of Crescent Lake & Singing Sand Dune reach a relative height of 250 meters (820 feet). Do a light hiking in the desert, and climb up to the top of the dunes. You will be rewarded with the breathtaking view back across the rolling desert sands towards the oasis. To feel the charm and joy of the desert, camel riding, sand-sledding and desert motor-riding are available on your own choice and expense.

Afternoon, transfer to visit another highlight of Dunhuang, the Mogao Caves. Mogao Caves are the best known Chinese Buddhist grottoes. In 1987, the Mogao Grottoes was listed as the World Heritage site by UNESCO. You will appreciate a train of exquisite murals inside the caves and understand what they've been through, how they've been preserved and restored. The visit time lasts about 3.5hrs; you will get why it becomes top Chinese treasure.

Optional camel riding experience is available.

   Extra Info of Mogao Caves You May Want to Know:   

 • The ticket we include is type A for peak season (April 1st to November 30th), and type D for low season (December 1st to March 31st). During peak season, 8 caves are included in the visiting, while 12 caves for the low season. • If you want to have any specific caves included, please definitely let us know. For the tickets booking, your accurate passport information is needed. • There are only 6,000 tickets for sale per day, so it’s better to make booking as early as you can. • Visitors will be divided into groups (at most 20 people in a group) and led by interior English guide to explore the mysterious grottoes.

Meal: B, L

The Buddha sculpture at Mogao Grottoes

After breakfast, you will be taken to explore the remote wild Gobi landscape as well as several legendary historical sites. Drive westwards about 90 kilometers, you will arrive at Yumen Pass, which is strategic fort on the ancient Silk Road, connecting Central Asia and China. Next, go ahead to the Ruins of the Great Wall of Han Dynasty, which was built to fight against Xiongnu people in ancient times. You can imagine what it was like to be on the frontier in ancient times.

Later, keep driving about 80 kilometers and you will arrive at Yardan National Geological Park, also called Devil City because of the wind howls at night. It is the biggest Yardan landform groups in the world, seems an architecture art museum of the world. The area contains 77 ruins and huge rocks formations in sculpted shapes; making full use of your imagination, you may found many miniature architectures here, such as Temple of Heaven in Beijing, the Potala Palace in Tibet, the Pyramid in Egypt and so on. In the end, drive back to Dunhuang city.

Meal: B, L

Free at leisure until the appointed time, be met by your guide at hotel and take the private transfer to airport/rail station for your next destination. End of your 6 days Xian Dunhuang tour. 

Meal: B

What's included

  • 1-on-1 Travel Consultant

    Your China based expert listens to your wishes carefully, provides professional advice, ensures unlimited itinerary revisions before done and 24/7 helpline service while traveling.

  • Private Local Guide and Driver

    Your guides are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, and your drivers are professional, polite and patient. They are very flexible to accommodate your personal needs and happy to show you the local attractions, history, culture, foods and real life. 
    Private transfers from hotel to attractions, airport or train station are also included.

  • Accommodation to Suit Your Preference

    We hand pick hotels ranging from luxury 5 star, superior 4 star to comfortable 3 star. Luxury or cozy boutique hotels and budget guesthouses are also among your choices. You could decide where to stay to meet your taste and budget.

  • Gourmet Meals

    Most of the hotels we select offer both Western and Chinese buffet breakfast. Lunch and dinner included are arranged in selected restaurants to taste authentic Chinese cuisine and local specialties. Thus you may also have a unique food tour.
    Meals specified in itinerary as B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner.

  • Attractions and Activities Listed on the Itinerary

    Our city tour packages have included the (first/main) entry to all attractions and the expenses of activities on the itinerary (except the optional activities).

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