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info@tour-beijing.comXi'an, Lanzhou, Xiahe tour
Explore ancient grottoes and Tibetan Buddhist culture on a 4-day private journey from Xi'an through Tianshui, Lanzhou, and Xiahe.
This 4-day private tour takes you from the ancient capital Xi'an to the remote Tibetan monastery town of Xiahe, via the historic cities of Tianshui and Lanzhou. Travel by train and road, visiting the magnificent Maijishan Grottoes—one of China's four great grotto complexes—and the Binglingsi Grottoes, a riverside treasure with thousand-Buddha carvings. In Xiahe, explore Labrang Monastery, one of the six great Geluk monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism, offering an authentic glimpse into monastic life. This journey blends art, history, and spirituality, with comfortable hotels and seamless transfers arranged throughout. Ideal for travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path cultural experience in northwest China.
The map shows the tour area. The detailed plan below remains the source for stops and timing.
Pick up from your hotel in Xian and transferred to Xian Train Station and take train T75 ( 7:17am - 10:35am ) for Tianshui.
Arrival in Tianshui at 10:35am, met by our representative in Tianshui and transferred to your hotel in Tianshui. After lunch, visit Maijishan Grottoes. It is one of the four famous Grottoes in China with other three being Yungang Grottoes in Datong, Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang and Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang. They are a group of 194 caves cut in the side of the hill of Majishan in Tianshui.
Then visit Fuxi Temple. The temple was initially built in the year 1483 to commemorate Fuxi, who was the earliest ancestors of ancient China. In particular, he first used Ba-gua in divination, a great contribution to human civilization. Stay at the hotel in Tianshui.
After breakfast, transferred to Tianshui train station and take the train T112/T113 ( 8:44am - 12:22) for Lanzhou.
Arrival at Laznhou at 12:22, met by our representative in Lanzhou. First have lunch, then drive 75km southwest of Lanzhou to Binglingsi Grottoes. "Bingling" means "thousand Buddhas" or "ten-thousand Buddhas" in the Tibetan language. Also known as Bingling Temple, the grottoes are carved on Jishi Hill 75 km from Lanzhou. Bingling Temple Grottoes are famous for stone sculptures of Budda Buddhist pagodas in relief and murals of Esoteric Buddhism.
Then continue to drive from Bingling temple to Xiahe which takes about five hours. Xiahe is well noted for its old Laprung Temple. Xiahe is densely populated by Tibetan people. Stay at Laprung Hotel.
Xiahe - Lanzhou by Road - Xian by train K120 ( 21:59 - next morning 7:02 ) ( B L )
After breakfast, visit Labrang Monastery. It is one of the six great monasteries of the Geluk (Yellow Hat) school of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery was founded in 1709 by the first Jamyang Zhaypa, Ngawang Tsondru. It is Tibetan Buddhism's most important monastery town outside the Tibetan Autonomous Region.
Then drive 280km back to Lanzhou and take overnight train K120 ( 21:59 - next morning 7:02 ) for Xian ( 4-berth cabin ).
Arrival in Xian at 7:02am 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 -Tianshui - Lanzhou - Xian Train tickets ( 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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