Xi'an, Dunhuang tour
Discover the ancient Silk Road on a 5-day private journey from Xian to Dunhuang and Jiayuguan, exploring the Mogao Grottoes, Crescent Lake, and the Great Wall at Jiayuguan Pass.
Embark on a captivating 5-day private tour tracing the legendary Silk Road from Xian to Dunhuang and Jiayuguan. Begin with a morning flight to Dunhuang, where you'll explore the awe-inspiring Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring hundreds of ancient Buddhist cave temples. On day two, visit the crescent-shaped Crescent Lake (Yueyaquan) and the Echoing-Sand Dune, where you can enjoy camel rides and desert adventures. Travel by afternoon train to Jiayuguan, home to the formidable Jiayuguan Pass, the westernmost fortress of the Great Wall. Explore the Suspension Great Wall and the Wei-Jin Mural Tombs, an underground gallery of vibrant ancient art. Return to Xian by overnight train, arriving the next morning. This tour offers a seamless blend of history, culture, and natural wonders, perfect for discerning travelers seeking an authentic Silk Road experience.
The map shows the tour area. The detailed plan below remains the source for stops and timing.

Pick up from your hotel in Xian, transferred to Xian Xianyang International Airport and take the 2.25-hour morning flight for Dunhuang. Arrival in Dunhuang, met by our representative from Dunhuang and transferred to your hotel in Dunhuang.
After lunch, visit Mogao Grottoes. Mogao Grottoes are a group of 492 temples 25 km southeast of the center of Dunhuang, an oasis strategically located at a religious and cultural crossroads on the Silk Road. The caves house some of the finest examples of Buddhist art with a span of 1,000 years.
Then visit Dunhuang Museum. It is a local museum for housing the cultural relics that were excavated in the Dunhuang area. Now there are over 4000 historical items contained in the museum. The museum is divided into four exhibition halls. Back to your hotel and free for rest of the day.

After breakfast, first visit Crescent Lake, or called Yueyaquan in Chinese. It is a crescent-shaped lake in the oasis, 5 km southwest of the city Dunhuang. It was named Yueyaquan since Qing Dynasty. The lake and the surrounding deserts are very popular with tourists, who are offered camel and 4x4 rides.
Then move on to Echoing-Sand Dune - Located 6 kilometers south of Dunhuang city, Singing Sand Hill which is also known as the sand dunes of Mingsha, offers fantastic desert scenery. The dune, surrounded by rolling ridges and precipitous cliffs, reaches a relative height of 250 meters.
After lunch, you are free till your transfer to Dunhuang and take the later afternoon train K9668(19:07 - 23:45) for Jiayuguan ( 4-berth cabin ). Arrival in Jiayuguan and transferred to your hotel in Jiayuguan.

After breakfast, first visit Jiayuguan Pass. It is the first pass at the west end of the Great Wall of China,6 kilometers southwest of the city of Jiayuguan. Along with Juyongguan and Shanhaiguan, it is one of the main three passes along the Great Wall. The pass is trapezoid-shaped with a perimeter of 733 meters and an area of more than 33,500 square meters.
After lunch move on to Suspension Great Wall, 11 kilometers to the downtown Jiayuguan City, the Suspension Great Wall was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It gets its name because there is a 231 meter long section, with an obliquity of 45 degrees, built onto a 150m high ridge. From a distance, it looks like a dragon about to extend its body towards the ground.

After brealkast , visit Wei-jin Mural Tombs - Located about 15 kilometers northeast of Jiayuguan, Wei-Jin Mural Tomb is a big tomb group with over 1,400 tombs built between the 3rd Century and 5th Century during the Wei and Jin dynasties. It is the largest subterranean art gallery in the world, containing a large number of colorful murals, attracting tourists from both home and abroad.
After lunch, transferred to Jiayuguan Train Station and take the overnight train No.K592 ( 14:15 - next morning 9:15 ) ( 4-berth cabin ).
for Xian.
Arrival in Xian at 9:15am, and transferred to your hotel in Xian ( or Xian Train Station, or Xian Airport connecting your next destination).
| Included | Not included |
|---|---|
| All transfers and city transportation for your own use | Tips to your tour guide and driver |
| Entrance fees and meals as mentioned | |
| Private car or van with English speaking guide | |
| Hotel with breakfast | |
| Xian-Dunhuang airfare (economic class), Dunhuang-Jiayuguan Train ticket and Jiayuguan-Xian train ticket ( 4-berth cabin ) | |
| The above private escorted tour is customized for you, your family or your friends exclusively. No other travelers will join in your group. |
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