{"id":38439,"date":"2025-07-30T03:10:57","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T03:10:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hellochinatrip.com\/?post_type=product&p=38439"},"modified":"2025-09-11T03:01:41","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T03:01:41","slug":"10-days-silk-road-tour-from-xian-to-urumqi-terracotta-warriors-to-hexi-corridor","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/hellochinatrip.com\/product\/10-days-silk-road-tour-from-xian-to-urumqi-terracotta-warriors-to-hexi-corridor\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Days Silk Road Tour from Xian to Urumqi: Terracotta Warriors to Hexi Corridor"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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10 Days Silk Road Tour from Xian to Urumqi: Terracotta Warriors to Hexi Corridor<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Must-see & Must-do\uff1a<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Highlight 1: Unlock Mogao Grottoes (World Heritage) that became famous due to the Dunhuang Manuscripts taken to the UK and France by A. Stein and Paul Pelliot. Uncover the Library Cave and delve into the tales of Monk Le Zun, Daoist Wang, Zhang Daqian\u2026<\/h6><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Highlight 2: Stand in awe in front of Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake, one of the Top 5 Most Beautiful Deserts in China, to witness the unique spectacle of mountains, spring, and sand coexisting in the desert. Sit atop the peak of Singing Sand Dunes and await a stunning sunset in front of the Crescent Spring.<\/h6><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Highlight 3: In Turpan, explore Silk Road relics by wandering through the Jiaohe Ancient City Ruins (World Heritage), a “super” city on the ancient Silk Road. Visit the Karez System, a World Irrigation Project Heritage, to discover how it transforms deserts into oases.<\/h6><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Highlight 4: Visit Heavenly Lake of Tianchi in the northeast of Urumqui – Gaze upon the celestial mirror of Tianchi, nestled amidst towering snow-capped peaks, where the sky and earth intertwine in a breathtaking symphony of blue and jade.<\/h6><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Highlight 5: In China’s westernmost city, Kashgar, experience the unique charm of the Western Regions. Wander through the maze-like streets of Kashgar’s Old Town, admiring the colorful buildings that blend Central Asian and Islamic styles. The marketplace is filled with a dazzling array of products, drawing merchants from various regions, as if you’ve traveled through time to the ancient and prosperous era of the Silk Road.<\/h6><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Highlight 6: Stand in awe in front of Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake, one of the Top 5 Most Beautiful Deserts in China, to witness the unique spectacle of mountains, spring, and sand coexisting in the desert. Sit atop the peak of Singing Sand Dunes and await a stunning sunset in front of the Crescent Spring.<\/h6><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Highlight 7: Take a speedboat trip from Liujiaxia Dam to the Bingling Temple Grottoes (a World Heritage Site). It\u2019s a all-covering scenic ride to admire the 1,600-year-old grottoes, the famous convergence of the Yellow River and Tao River, the magnificent Liujiaxia Gorge and the Danxia landforms.<\/h6><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Highlight 8: Embark on our China Silk Road Tour from Xi’an to Urumqi via modern High-speed Train. Journey from the iconic Terracotta Warriors, marking the Starting Point of the Silk Road, to the enchanting Hexi Corridor in Gansu and onwards to Xinjiang, where you’ll immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Silk Road culture.<\/h6>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Highlight 9: Step into the “underground military museum,” witness the marvel of Terracotta Warriors and be awe-inspired by the thousands of meticulously crafted terracotta soldiers, horses, and chariots that have stood guard for over 2,000 years. You can even create your own miniature Terracotta Warrior.<\/h6><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Itinerary Quick Look\uff1a<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Nihao!\u00a0Welcome to Xi\u2019an<\/span>, which served as the capital for 13 dynasties! Upon your arrival at the airport\/train station in Xi\u2019an, the tour guide and driver will meet and greet you at the exit, and then\u00a0drive back downtown to visit the\u00a0Ancient City Wall<\/span>. Xi’an is one of the few cities in China where the imposing old city walls still stand. Built in 1370 during the Ming dynasty, the magnificent 12-meter-high walls, form a rectangle with a perimeter of 14 kilometers. To get an idea of Xi’an’s former grandeur, take a leisurely walk on the wall. Each step here is a chance to resonate with the echoes of history that the stones reverberate. Or\u00a0cycling (Optional )<\/span>\u00a0the full extent of the wall offers a rewarding panoramic view of the city – a tangible contrast between the old and new, and a testament to Xi’an’s historical significance and modern vibrancy. Once you’ve delved into the city’s historical narrative, don’t forget to indulge in the delicious food and experience the vivid local life. The\u00a0Muslim Quarter<\/span>\u00a0is a paradise mixed with different local snacks and Muslim culture, and you can surely taste the most authentic local food there. Don’t miss\u00a0the\u00a0Great Mosque<\/span>, an architectural gem that beautifully blends Islamic and Chinese design styles.\u00a0After the tour, you will be escorted to a well-selected hotel in downtown Xi’an. The rest of the day is free for you to either rest and recover from jet lag or explore the area around your hotel on your own.<\/p>

Optional activities:<\/strong>
1). Rent a bike cycling on the Ancient City Wall;
2). Enjoy a wonderful Tang Palace Dance Show with or without Dumpling Banquet.<\/p>

Arrival Ideas:<\/strong>
Xi’an is well-connected by air and train. The city is served by Xi’an Xi’anyang International Airport, which offers domestic and international flights. You can easily reach Xi’an by air from major cities in China as well as from international destinations. Additionally, Xi’an is a major transportation hub with high-speed train connections to cities such as Beijing (4-5.5 hours), Shanghai (6-7 hours), Guangzhou (8.5-9 hours), Hangzhou (7-8 hours), Pingyao (3 hours), Chengdu (4 hours), etc, allowing for convenient travel.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDay 2 Xi\u2019an Tour | Terracotta Warriors (World Heritage) & DIY, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Hanfu Experience, Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

After breakfast, drive about 40 km to the\u00a0Terracotta Warriors Museum<\/strong>\u00a0(Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses). Here, you can discover the\u00a0Terracotta Warriors and Horses<\/strong>: an army of around 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots, 520 horses, and 150 cavalry entirely made of baked clay or terracotta. This\u00a0Terracotta Army\u00a0has silently stood guard over the soul of China’s first emperor, Qin Shihuang, for more than 2,000 years. Until an accidental local farmer digging a well in 1974 struck upon one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world.\u00a0Upon stepping into this “underground military museum,<\/strong>” you will encounter two awe-inspiring shocks. The first is the magnitude of the archaeological marvel before you: thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots arranged in battle formations. The second shock is that the faces of thousands of\u00a0Terracotta Warriors<\/strong>\u00a0are still vivid, despite the passage of more than 2,000 years. Each figure is unique, with distinct postures, hairstyles, and armor, making them seem to come back to life in the next moment.<\/p>

During your visit, an knowledgeable guide can take you to highlights of the museum, including\u00a0Pit One<\/strong>,\u00a0Pit Two<\/strong>,\u00a0Pit Three<\/strong>\u00a0and provide valued explanations and insights that you might not get from simply observing the sculptures on your own. Afterward, you will have a rare opportunity to\u00a0create your own miniature Terracotta Warrior<\/strong>\u00a0under the guidance of a local potter. This will allow you to appreciate the craftsmanship and techniques of the Qin Dynasty as well as gain a deeper understanding of how terracotta warriors were made.<\/p>

After lunch, drive back downtown to visit\u00a0the\u00a0Giant Wild Goose Pagoda<\/strong>\u00a0which is one of Xi’an’s most recognizable landmarks and a symbol of the magnificence of the Tang Dynasty. This seven-story pagoda,\u00a0standing in the tranquil\u00a0Da Ci’en Temple<\/strong>, is one of China’s best examples of a Tang-style pagoda (squarish rather than round). It was completed in AD 652 to house Buddhist sutras brought back from India by the monk Xuan Zang. His travels inspired one of the best-known works of Chinese literature,\u00a0Journey to the West. While at the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, you’ll also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture by\u00a0trying on Hanfu<\/strong>\u00a0(traditional Chinese clothing), and capture memorable moments in Hanfu.<\/p>

As evening falls, visit the\u00a0Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City<\/strong>\u00a0which showcases the life and times of the Tang Dynasty. The light show is decorated with structures, creating a vibrant and immersive atmosphere that transports you back to the times of the Tang Dynasty, providing a magical experience of walking through time.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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This morning, you will take a High-speed Train from Xian to Lanzhou (3-3.5 hrs or 6.5-7 hrs base on different bullet train ticket that avalible).<\/p>

Welcome to Lanzhou<\/strong>, the\u00a0Capital City of Gansu Province<\/strong>! Upon arrival in Lanzhou, your guide will meet you at the airport\/train station and escort you to your hotel. You can explore on your own based on your arrival time. Feel free to seek travel ideas from your tour guide.<\/p>

Lanzhou<\/strong>\u00a0is China’s only provincial capital city with the\u00a0Yellow River<\/strong>\u00a0flowing through its heart. It was also a crucial node city on the\u00a0Ancient Silk Road<\/strong>. Known as the\u00a0Jincheng<\/strong>\u00a0(Golden City; \u91d1\u57ce), Lanzhou has a history of over 2,200 years. The Chinese idiom “As Solid As A Rock<\/strong>” (\u56fa\u82e5\u91d1\u6c64) refers to Lanzhou. Moreover, the renowned Western Han Dynasty hero\u00a0Huo Qubing<\/strong>\u00a0(\u970d\u53bb\u75c5, ever-victorious general) is also known as the “Father of Lanzhou<\/strong>.” In 121 BC, commissioned by Emperor Liuche (\u6c49\u6b66\u5e1d\u5218\u5f7b) of Western Han Dynasty, Huo Qubing led his troops to defeat the Xiongnu (\u5308\u5974) and opened up the\u00a0Hexi Corridor<\/strong>\u00a0(\u6cb3\u897f\u8d70\u5eca; Gansu Corridor). Upon his return, he ordered Li Xi (\u674e\u606f) to build a city on the banks of the Yellow River, naming it Jincheng. Spanning both sides of the Yellow River (Lanzhou’s Mother River<\/strong>), with Gao Lan Mountain (Lanzhou’s Mother Mountain<\/strong>) to the south, Jincheng was surrounded by natural geographical advantages and man-made walls that could accommodate a million troops, forming “an unassailable fortress” (as solid as a rock). It served as a frontline strategic city to defend against Xiongnu attacks. In 583 AD (Sui Dynasty), “Jincheng” was renamed “Lanzhou,” named after Gao Lan Mountain (\u768b\u5170\u5c71; meaning “riverside mountain” in the Xiongnu language). Today,\u00a0statues of Huo Qubing<\/strong>\u00a0riding a horse into battle can be seen in Wuquanshan Park (\u4e94\u6cc9\u5c71\u516c\u56ed) and Huo Qubing Theme Park (\u970d\u53bb\u75c5\u4e3b\u9898\u516c\u56ed) in Lanzhou. These statues witness the changes and transformations of the Silk Road and the city of Lanzhou.<\/p>

As the “Pearl of the Yellow River<\/strong>\u9ec4\u6cb3\u660e\u73e0”, Lanzhou is not only the \u201cCrossroads of Northwest China<\/strong>\u201d but also a core node of\u00a0the Belt and Road Initiative<\/strong>\u00a0(\u4e00\u5e26\u4e00\u8def) and a major international transportation corridor and land port connecting the New Eurasian Continental Bridge (\u65b0\u4e9a\u6b27\u5927\u9646\u6865) to Central Asia, West Asia, and Europe. The long-standing\u00a0Yellow River Culture<\/strong>\u00a0(\u9ec4\u6cb3\u6587\u5316), Silk Road Culture<\/strong>(\u4e1d\u8def\u6587\u5316), Central Plains Culture (\u4e2d\u539f\u6587\u5316), and Western Regions Culture (\u897f\u57df\u6587\u5316) converge here. Additionally, it is one of the\u00a0Top 10 Most Popular Summer Destinations in China<\/strong>\u00a0and one of the\u00a0Top 10 Internet Celebrity Cities<\/strong>\u00a0with the fastest-growing number of tourists.<\/p>

When arrive in Lanzhou, you should not miss the chance to visit the\u00a0landmarks of Lanzhou<\/strong>\u00a0such as the\u00a0First Bridge of Yellow River<\/strong>\u00a0(\u5929\u4e0b\u9ec4\u6cb3\u7b2c\u4e00\u6865; Zhongshan Bridge; Named in memory of Dr. Sun Yat-sen\/\u5b59\u4e2d\u5c71; Over 100-year-old Iron Bridge; Sheepskin Raft),\u00a0White Pagoda Park<\/strong>\u00a0(White Pagoda Mountain; Ancient Architectural Complex; Panoramic View of Lanzhou City & Zhongshan Bridge),\u00a0Yellow River Mother Statue<\/strong>\u00a0(Symbol of Chinese Culture), and Waterwheel Park (Waterwheel, as famous as Dutch windmills). Sample the Lanzhou food at\u00a0Zhengning Road Night Market<\/strong>\u00a0such as\u00a0Lanzhou Beef Noodle<\/strong>\u00a0(\u5170\u5dde\u62c9\u9762; China’s No. 1 Noodle), Pulled Lamb (\u624b\u6293\u7f8a\u8089), Sweet Barley Wine(\u751c\u9185\u5b50), Gray Pea Porridge(\u7070\u8c46\u5b50), and more. A cup of\u00a0Lanzhou Sanpaotai Tea<\/strong>\u00a0(\u5170\u5dde\u4e09\u70ae\u53f0\/\u76d6\u7897\u8336) by the Yellow River to wait for the night view of Zhongshan Bridge & White Pagoda Mountain is also highly recommended as it looks even more beautiful when the lights are turned on at night!<\/p>

Free Time Ideas:<\/strong>
1.\u00a0Half-day Classic Lanzhou City Tour<\/strong>: Pay a visit to Zhongshan Iron Bridge (Iron Bridge of Yellow River), White Pagoda Park\/Mountain, Statue of Mother Yellow River, Waterwheel Park & Zhengning Road Night Market.
2.\u00a0Full-day Lanzhou Culture Tour with Museums<\/strong>\u00a0(Closed on Mondays): Add one more day to explore Lanzhou by visiting Gansu Province Museum (\u7518\u8083\u7701\u535a\u7269\u9986; Flying Horse of Gansu; Need to book ahead of the time; relics from the Silk Road & Gansu Corridor), Dunhuang Art Gallery (\u6566\u714c\u827a\u672f\u9986; recreated Cave 220 of the Mogao Grottoes), Duzhe Museum (\u8bfb\u8005\u535a\u7269\u9986; Museum about Reader magazine, “the recreational reading material for Chinese people” & “No. 1 brand of Chinese periodicals”. Since its founding in 1981, the magazine’s headquarters is based in Lanzhou), and Lanzhou Old Street.<\/p>

Arrival Ideas:<\/strong>
1.\u00a0How to get to Lanzhou By Air:<\/strong>\u00a0Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport (\u5170\u5dde\u4e2d\u5ddd\u56fd\u9645\u673a\u573a) is the only airport in Lanzhou & one of the major airports in the northwest of China at the fringe of the Qing-Tibet Plateau. There are flights connecting Lanzhou with Xian (1h 15min). It’s essential to check flight schedules in advance, as not all routes operate year-round.
2.How to get to Lanzhou By High speed Train:<\/strong>\u00a0Lanzhou West Railway Station is only the high-speed railway station in Lanzhou city, and it operates bullet trains to Xian (3-4hrs or 6-7 hurs). It’s essential to check tickets in advance.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDay 4 Lanzhou to Zhangye Tour by High Speed Train | Liujiaxia Reservoir (Speedboat), Bingling Temple Grottoes (World Heritage)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

This early morning, drive 75 km (about 2 hours) to\u00a0Liujiaxia Reservoir<\/strong>\u00a0(\u5218\u5bb6\u5ce1\u6c34\u5e93), which is famed as \u201cA Shining Gem of the Highlands\u9ad8\u539f\u660e\u73e0\u201d & “Little Erhai Lake” of Gansu. You will take a speedboat (about 2 hours round-trip on the boat: 108 km) at\u00a0Liujiaxia Dam<\/strong>\u00a0(\u5218\u5bb6\u5ce1\u5927\u575d) to visit\u00a0Bingling Temple Grottoes<\/strong>\u00a0(\u70b3\u7075\u5bfaabout 1.5 hours of visit), a World Heritage Site. After exploring Bingling Grottoes (\u70b3\u7075\u5bfa\u77f3\u7a9f), you will return to Lanzhou for your\u00a0High-speed Train to Zhangye<\/strong>\u00a0(3 hours).<\/p>

On the speedboat, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery of\u00a0Liujiaxia Gorge<\/strong>\u00a0(\u5218\u5bb6\u5ce1), a canyon landscape shaped by water erosion & one of the\u00a0Yellow River Three Gorges<\/strong>\u00a0(\u9ec4\u6cb3\u4e09\u5ce1; story background of the tale “Yu and the Flood\u00a0\u5927\u79b9\u6cbb\u6c34”). As your boat goes through the\u00a0Liujiaxia Reservoir<\/strong>\u00a0(altitude of 1,560-2,851m, famed as “China’s Pokhara” by high-altitude paragliding community), you will witness a wondrous sight – the Yellow River (green one) and the Tao River (yellow one) converge in a ‘Y’ shape in front of Long Hui Mountain (\u9f99\u6c47\u5c71). One clear, one turbid, one green, one yellow, the two rivers meet, forming a clear boundary. This is the famous “convergence of the Yellow River and Tao River<\/strong>” (\u9ec4\u6d2e\u4ea4\u6c47). You see that the Yellow River is not yellow until it joins with the\u00a0Tao River<\/strong>\u00a0(\u6d2e\u6cb3), the second largest tributary of the upper Yellow River, which becomes muddy after passing through the Loess Plateau (\u9ec4\u571f\u9ad8\u539f). Stretching about 5,464 km, the\u00a0Yellow River<\/strong>\u00a0is China’s second longest river. Its name, “Yellow,” comes from the immense amount of sediment it carries, making it the world’s muddiest river. Your boat trip on the Yellow River may help you to get a better understanding of this “Mother River<\/strong>” of the Chinese people (the birthplace of Chinese civilization). You can also admire the\u00a0Liujiaxia Bridge<\/strong>\u00a0(\u5218\u5bb6\u5ce1\u5927\u6865; 568 m) &\u00a0Danxia landscape<\/strong>\u00a0on the way to Binglingsi Temple, which is located on the bank of the Yellow River.<\/p>

With a history of 1,600 years,\u00a0Bingling Temple Grottoes<\/strong>\u00a0(Bingling Cave-Temple Complex) is 100 years older than Mogao Grottoes. Bingling Grottoes is not only\u00a0the first Yellow River grotto on the Silk Road<\/strong>\u00a0but also one of\u00a0the earliest dated grottoes in China<\/strong>\u00a0which was initially carved during the Western Qin period (414-431 AD; \u897f\u79e6). Bingling Grottoes, following the Mogao Grottoes and the Maijishan Grottoes, is\u00a0the third-largest grotto in Gansu<\/strong>. While the Mogao Grottoes are renowned for their murals and the Maijishan Grottoes for their clay sculptures, Bingling Temple (Bingling Thousand Buddha Caves<\/strong>) is famous for its\u00a0stone carvings<\/strong>. “Bingling” is a transliteration from Tibetan meaning “a hundred thousand Buddhas.” Currently, there are 183 alcoves, 694 stone carvings, 82 clay sculptures, and a large number of murals (about 900 \u33a1) in Bingling Temple Grottoes, which, due to their rich content and wide range of subjects, are hailed as the “Encyclopedia of Chinese Grottoes<\/strong>\u4e2d\u56fd\u77f3\u7a9f\u7684\u767e\u79d1\u5168\u4e66”. Here, you can witness various artistic styles and cultural elements from different historical periods, including Gandhara art and Mathura art from West Asia, as well as the Kucha art that developed and evolved after Buddhism entered Xinjiang from India, Central Plains Buddhist art, Southern Dynasties Buddhist art, and Tibetan Buddhist art.<\/p>

At Bingling Temple, be sure to visit the magnificent\u00a027-meter-tall Seated Clay Maitreya Buddha Statue<\/strong>\u00a0dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907) in Cave 171, a remarkable\u00a0Landmark of Bingling Temple<\/strong>\u00a0and the fifth largest Buddha statue in China, ranking ninth globally. When standing at this iconic statue alongside numerous grottoes and murals, you can sense that they seem to be silently contemplating or meditating with great compassion. Standing atop the grotto and gazing out over the surrounding mountains and canyons, you might truly feel transported to a fairyland.<\/p>

Notes:
1. Liujiaxia Dam Speedboat<\/strong>: There might be a wait for enough passengers to share a speedboat before departure. Alternatively, you have the option to charter a speedboat (at your own expense) to skip the wait. Given the strong winds and lower temperatures in the valley, it’s essential to dress warmly and stay comfortable.
2. Please note that the\u00a0time limit<\/strong>\u00a0for visiting the Bingling Temple grottoes is 1.5 hours when taking the round-trip speedboat. Visitors must return to the boat on time to go back to the dam. Typically, 1.5 hours is sufficient for a tour if you are not visiting the special grottoes. For enthusiasts of grotto art, it is recommended to either take the land route (though the mountain road can be challenging) or charter a boat (faster than the land route but more expensive) to ensure you have enough time to explore the site.
3. Photography<\/strong>\u00a0is allowed in the main grotto of Bingling Temple, while photography is not permitted in the other 5\u00a0special grottoes<\/strong>\u00a0(Caves 169, 172, 126, 128, 132). You can bring your binoculars to view the details. There is an additional fee for the special grottoes, which includes the cost of a local guide. If you are particularly interested in the sculptures from the Western Qin period and the Tang Dynasty, you can pay to visit Caves 169 and 172 (located above Cave 171, where the large Buddha statue is).
4. There are\u00a0limited dining options<\/strong>\u00a0within the scenic area, and the journey can be tiring, so it is advisable to prepare some food in advance (such as packed lunches) to bring with you.<\/p>

Optional Visiting Spots: (If time permits)
1. Yellow River and Tao River Confluence Viewpoint<\/strong>\u00a0(\u9ec4\u6d2e\u4ea4\u6c47\u89c2\u666f\u5e73\u53f0, self-pay). With a bird\u2019s eye view of the Tao River and the Yellow River, it appears as if a yellow dragon and a green dragon are engaged in a battle for treasure (two dragons playing with a pearl). In Chinese culture, mountains and rivers often symbolize “dragons.” In this setting, the mountains and rivers complement each other like dragons converging, creating an exceptionally magnificent scenery.
2. Yellow River Cultural Museum<\/strong>\u00a0(\u9ec4\u6cb3\u6587\u5316\u535a\u7269\u9986; self-pay), located right next to Liujiaxia Dam, is the first specialized museum on the Yellow River (the nation’s only water management culture theme park and hydropower exhibition center). The museum is divided into 4 floors with 4 exhibition halls, showcasing Yellow River culture,\/management\/hydropower\/scenery, and more. It takes you through a time tunnel of Yellow River culture, providing insights into the source and historical culture of China’s mother river.<\/p>

In the afternoon, head back to Lanzhou for your\u00a0High-Speed Train to Zhangye<\/strong>\u00a0(for example: take a bullet train depart at 17:20). Taking a bullet train to Zhangye, you will pass through the oasis plains between the\u00a0Qilian Mountains<\/strong>\u00a0(\u7941\u8fde\u5c71) and the Longshou Mountains (\u9f99\u9996\u5c71), experiencing its unique geographical position as the vital\u00a0gateway of the “Hexi Corridor.”<\/strong>\u00a0Zhangye is situated in the narrowest section of this ancient trading route, spanning just 50 km, yet it boasts fertile soil and pleasant scenery. This is why there is a poetic praise saying, “Not seeing snow on the Qilian Mountains, mistaking Zhangye for Jiangnan \u4e0d\u671b\u7941\u8fde\u5c71\u9876\u96ea\uff0c\u9519\u628a\u5f20\u6396\u5f53\u6c5f\u5357,” and it is also renowned as the “Jiangnan Watertown of Abundance in the Frontier Region<\/strong>\u00a0\u585e\u4e0a\u6c5f\u5357” and the “Golden Zhangye<\/strong>\u91d1\u5f20\u6396.” Formerly known as Ganzhou (\u7518\u5dde, Ganzhou is the place of origin of the “Gan” character in Gansu Province\u7518\u8083\u7684\u201c\u7518\u201d), Zhangye was renamed due to Emperor Wu (\u6c49\u6b66\u5e1d) of the Han Dynasty’s decision to “extend the reach of Zhangye to facilitate connections with the Western Regions \u5f20\u56fd\u81c2\u6396\uff0c\u4ee5\u901a\u897f\u57df,” making it\u00a0a crucial node along the Silk Road<\/strong>\u00a0and a mandatory stop for the propagation of Buddhist teachings from the East. And you see the airport in Zhangye is called Zhangye Ganzhou Airport (\u5f20\u6396\u7518\u5dde\u673a\u573a).<\/p>

Zhangye not only served as a pivotal point for the\u00a0Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang<\/strong>‘s journey (\u7384\u5958\u897f\u884c) to the West in search of Buddhist scriptures but is also considered the legendary birthplace of “Journey to the West<\/strong>\u00a0” (\u897f\u6e38\u8bb0 Wukong). In the evening, Zhangye’s night market awaits you, offering a chance to savor authentic\u00a0donkey meat<\/strong>\u00a0(\u9a74\u8089) and\u00a0apricot skin tea<\/strong>\u00a0(\u674f\u76ae\u8336), allowing you to indulge in a culinary adventure. Overnight in Zhangye.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDay 5 Zhangye to Jiayuguan | Dafo Temple (Big Buddha Temple), Zhangye National Geopark (Zhangye Danxia Geological Park)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Today, you will explore Zhangye City through Dafo Temple (1-2 hours) & Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park (3-4 hours) before heading to Jiayuguan (260 km, 4hrs). It is a long day trip, when reach Jiayuguan, you can have a good rest at your hotel.<\/p>

Dafo Temple<\/strong>\u00a0(\u5927\u4f5b\u5bfa; Big Buddha Temple) is a must-visit place in Zhangye if you are particularly interested in Buddhist culture and ancient architecture. The Big Buddha Temple is\u00a0the iconic building of Zhangye<\/strong>, known for housing a 34.5-meter-long statue of the reclining Buddha, commonly called the “Reclining Buddha Temple<\/strong>\u00a0\u5367\u4f5b\u5bfa” by locals. Built in the year 1098, the Giant Buddha Temple was a royal temple built by the Western Xia Dynasty (\u897f\u590f\uff1b1038-1227), making it\u00a0one of the Four Remaining Royal Temples in China<\/strong>\u00a0(the other three being the Lama Temple in Beijing, the Famen Temple in Baoji Of Shaanxi, and the Chongsheng Temple in Dali Of Yunnan). Legend has it that\u00a0Kublai Khan<\/strong>\u00a0(\u5ffd\u5fc5\u70c8), the founder of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), was\u00a0born in the Big Buddha Temple in Zhangye<\/strong>. The Italian traveler\u00a0Marco Polo<\/strong>\u00a0was captivated by the magnificent architecture of the Giant Buddha Temple and the prosperity of Zhangye, leading him to stay there for a year. Covering an area of over 60,000 m\u00b2, the temple could accommodate 5,000 worshipers simultaneously in the 16th century.<\/p>

Visit Big Buddha Temple in Zhangye to explore\u00a0the only surviving Western Xia temple<\/strong>\u00a0in China, the\u00a0largest indoor reclining Buddha in Asia<\/strong>, and the complete Yongle Canon and Prajna Paramita Sutra (\u300a\u6c38\u4e50\u5317\u85cf\u300b). It is a Buddhist art museum that integrates architecture, sculpture, murals, carvings, scriptures, calligraphy, and cultural relics. When you step into the temple, you’ll see the\u00a0Grand Buddha Hall<\/strong>\u00a0which has maintained its original appearance from over 900 years ago. Besides the reclining Buddha, the walls on the east and west sides of the hall feature murals inspired by “Journey to the West<\/em>\u897f\u6e38\u8bb0,” “Investiture of the Gods<\/em>\u5c01\u795e\u6f14\u4e49,” and the “Classic of Mountains and Seas<\/em>\u5c71\u6d77\u7ecf.” Among these, the\u00a0“Journey to the West” mural<\/strong>\u00a0is said to predate the novel by approximately 200 years, depicting the story of\u00a0Tang Dynasty Monk Xuanzang<\/strong>\u00a0(\u5510\u50e7) and his disciples embarking on their journey to the West in a comic strip format, showcasing episodes like “Fetching Water from the Motherhood River\u200c,” “A Battle with Red Boy,” “Obstacle at Flaming Mountain,” “The\u00a0Monkey King<\/strong>: Uproar in Heaven,” and “Expulsion of the Monkey King\/Wukong<\/strong>” (\u53d6\u6c34\u5b50\u6bcd\u6cb3\u3001\u5927\u6218\u7ea2\u5b69\u513f\u3001\u8def\u963b\u706b\u7130\u5c71\u3001\u5927\u5723\u95f9\u5929\u5bab\u3001\u6068\u9010\u7f8e\u7334\u738b). Interestingly, the character\u00a0Zhu Bajie<\/strong>\u00a0(\u732a\u516b\u6212) in the mural is portrayed as simple, honest, and hardworking, in stark contrast to the Zhu Bajie character in the novel\u00a0Journey to the West<\/em>. Even today, within the Zhangye region, one can find many place names from the novel\u00a0Journey to the West<\/em>, such as Gaolaozhuang (\u9ad8\u8001\u5e84Bajie’s hometown), Liusha River (\u6d41\u6c99\u6cb3), Liangjintai (\u667e\u91d1\u53f0), Bull Demon King’s Cave (\u725b\u9b54\u738b\u6d1e), and the Eight Thousand Ruoshui River(\u516b\u5343\u91cc\u5f31\u6c34).<\/p>

A pair of Chinese characters written on a\u00a0couplet outside the Grand Buddha Hall<\/strong>\u00a0reads, “The Sleeping Buddha slumbers a thousand years without awakening, those who inquire will forever question, the answer remains elusive\u7761\u4f5b\u957f\u7761\u7761\u5343\u5e74\u957f\u7720\u4e0d\u9192\uff0c\u95ee\u8005\u6c38\u95ee\u95ee\u767e\u4e16\u6c38\u95ee\u96be\u660e,” provoking deep contemplation and worth a look. Remember to ask the guide to show you another pair of couplets written in the\u00a0Western Xia script<\/strong>\u00a0with the same content. Additionally, the scripture hall of the reclining Buddha temple houses a Buddhist art exhibition hall and a Buddhist scripture exhibition hall, showcasing Buddhist artifacts extracted from the Buddha’s abdomen. Among them, the “Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra<\/strong>\u300a\u5927\u822c\u82e5\u6ce2\u7f57\u871c\u591a\u7ecf\u300b”\u00a0written in gold and silver ink<\/strong>\u00a0is a treasured artifact. Rare and exquisite\u00a0Persian silver coins<\/strong>\u00a0have been discovered in this temple, serving as compelling evidence of the bustling foreign trade along the\u00a0Silk Road<\/strong>.<\/p>

Optional Visiting Place: (If Time Permits)
1. Shanxi Guild Hall<\/strong>\u00a0(\u5c71\u897f\u4f1a\u9986) : Located next to the Big Buddha Temple, the Shanxi Guild Hall was constructed by\u00a0Shanxi merchants<\/strong>\u00a0(\u664b\u5546) in 1724 with a history of over 300 years for their commercial activities in Zhangye. It is said that “where there is prosperous trade, there are Shanxi merchants; where there are Shanxi merchants, there are guild halls\u51e1\u5546\u8d38\u7e41\u534e\u5904\u5fc5\u6709\u664b\u5546\uff0c\u6709\u664b\u5546\u5c45\u5904\uff0c\u5fc5\u6709\u4f1a\u9986.” During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Shanxi merchants built around 400 Shanxi Guild Halls across the country, all characterized by the presence of a Guan Gong Temple (\u5173\u5e1d\u5e99; dedicated to Guan Yu\u62dc\u5173\u7fbd) and an Opera Stage (\u897f\u697c).
2. Zhangye Museum<\/strong>\u00a0(\u5f20\u6396\u535a\u7269\u9986Closed on Mondays): Located opposite the Zhangye Big Buddha Temple, the Zhangye City Museum houses over 10,000 cultural relics spanning various historical periods from the Neolithic Age to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. These relics are diverse and include bronze ware, pottery, jade artifacts, as well as cultural remnants from the Silk Road. You can admire a 1:1 replica of the Golden Tower Temple grottoes (\u91d1\u5854\u5bfa1:1\u590d\u5236\u77f3\u7a9f) in this museum.<\/p>

Note:<\/strong>
Currently, the reclining Buddha statue in Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple is undergoing digital restoration, covered by scaffolding. The project is expected to be completed by June 2025.<\/p>

After lunch, head to visit\u00a0Zhangye National Geopark<\/strong>\u00a0(Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot\u4e03\u5f69\u4e39\u971e\u666f\u533a) which is renowned for its strikingly colorful rock formations, often referred to as\u00a0Rainbow Mountains<\/strong>. Zhangye is famous worldwide for its colorful Danxia landforms, a must-visit attraction for people traveling to Zhangye. This is a paradise for geologist & photography enthusiasts, and a great place to experience the marvelous work of nature. The\u00a0Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot<\/strong>\u00a0(\u4e03\u5f69\u4e39\u971e\u666f\u533a), part of the Zhangye National Geopark, is China’s only highly composite area that combines\u00a0Danxia landforms with colorful hilly landscapes<\/strong>. Zhangye Danxia has been honored as one of the world’s top ten geographical wonders, one of the 22 most unforgettable landscapes worldwide, and the most beautiful exterior filming location at the 74th Venice Film Festival. This location served as a filming site for the movie\u00a0The Great Wall<\/em>\u300a\u957f\u57ce\u300b directed by Zhang Yimou and Disney’s\u00a0Mulan<\/em>\u300a\u82b1\u6728\u5170\u300b. The Rainbow Mountains featured on the cover of high school English textbooks are not only geological relics of special scientific significance, rarity, and aesthetic value but also hold archaeological, ecological, historical, and cultural significance.<\/p>

During the Cretaceous period, approximately 135 to 65 million years ago, the Zhangye region underwent the Himalayan orogeny, multiple erosions by water and wind, and long-term weathering processes, leading to the formation of the current\u00a0Danxia landforms<\/strong>. The strata are mainly composed of sandstone and mudstone, formed in a dry and hot environment, where divalent iron in minerals oxidized to trivalent iron, giving the strata a red hue. As the environment gradually became wetter, the high-priced iron was reduced, causing a change in strata color to shades of brown, yellow-green, and bluish-gray, creating a palette resembling that of an overturned divine paintbox. The term “Danxia (\u4e39\u971e)” originates from Cao Pi’s poem (\u66f9\u4e15) “Danxia surrounded by the bright moon, with splendid stars emerging amidst the clouds (\u4e39\u971e\u5939\u660e\u6708\uff0c\u534e\u661f\u51fa\u4e91\u95f4).” “Danxia,” literally means the sacred or auspicious celestial sight – the rosy clouds illuminated by light. When geologists first discovered the cinnabar-colored landform, the romantic scientists named it the “Danxia landscape,” leading to the coinage of the geographical term “Danxia landform (\u4e39\u971e\u5730\u8c8c).”<\/p>

The scenic area comprises five\u00a0Observation Decks<\/strong>\u00a0(No. 3 and No. 2 have been merged).\u00a0Shuttle buses<\/strong>\u00a0connect each Observation Deck (entering and exiting at the north gate, with shuttle stops at four points in the order of Observation Deck #2-1-5-4). Observation Deck #1 and Observation Deck #4 are the most recommended.\u00a0Yunhai Platform<\/strong>\u00a0(\u4e91\u6d77\u53f0 No. 1) is where the image was taken on the ticket and the largest viewing platform, offering a panoramic view of the entire Danxia landscape, including the winding S-shaped road.\u00a0Hongxia Platform<\/strong>\u00a0(\u8679\u971e\u53f0 No. 4), highly popular and considered the most beautiful spot with the most vibrant colors, is the best place to watch the sunset. In the eyes of the Chinese people, the Rainbow Mountains here resemble delicious Pork Belly or Strawberry Cake layers.<\/p>

At the\u00a0Zhangye Rainbow Mountains<\/strong>, you can admire unique features like the Rainbow Screen, Sleeping Beauty, Giant Scallop, Monks Worshiping Buddha, Monkey Gazing at the Sea, Turtle Asking the Heavens, and the Red Cliff Great Wall (\u4e03\u5f69\u5c4f\u3001\u7761\u7f8e\u4eba\uff0c\u5927\u6247\u8d1d\u3001\u4f17\u50e7\u62dc\u4f5b\u3001\u7075\u7334\u89c2\u6d77\u3001\u795e\u9f9f\u95ee\u5929\u3001\u8d64\u58c1\u957f\u57ce). Standing at the mountaintop, one can witness the colorful watercolor-like mountain ranges, feeling as if stepping into a painting.<\/p>

After visiting Zhanghe,\u00a0head to Jiayuguan<\/strong>\u00a0(210km, 3hrs) via Jiuquan City (\u9152\u6cc9).\u00a0If time permits<\/strong>, you can arrive at the Great Wall on the Cliff\u00a0before 17:00<\/strong>\u00a0to hike and witness the sunset at Great Wall of Jiayuguan. Jiayuguan is a good place to grasp the essence of a famous Chinese poem that goes, ‘In the boundless desert, lonely smoke rises straight; Over the endless river, the sun sinks round<\/strong>\u5927\u6f20\u5b64\u70df\u76f4\uff0c\u957f\u6cb3\u843d\u65e5\u5706’. Overnight stay in Jiayuguan.<\/p>

Optional Visiting Place:
Zhangye UNESCO Global Geopark Museum<\/strong>\u00a0(\u5f20\u6396\u5730\u8d28\u516c\u56ed\u535a\u7269\u9986 Closed on Mondays):<\/strong>\u00a0You can enter from the North Gate (\u5317\u95e8) as it is where the Zhangye UNESCO Global Geopark Museum (Closed on Mondays) located. With a visit to the museum that serving as a popular science base for understanding the professional knowledge of Zhangye Danxia Landform, you may gain deeper understanding of this Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park (Zhangye Danxia Geopark\u5f20\u6396\u56fd\u5bb6\u5730\u8d28\u516c\u56ed).<\/p>

Notes:<\/strong>
1. The best time for photography is at sunrise when the light is soft, colors are vivid, and there is a strong contrast, ideal for capturing both the panoramic view and detailed textures of the Rainbow Mountains. Sunset, with the setting sun casting its warm glow on the hills, creating golden silhouettes, is also an excellent time to capture the beauty of the Rainbow Mountains. If you want to capture the sunrise, do double check with your travel consultant to overnight at the hotel near the\u00a0Rainbow Mountains.
2. Another optimal time to appreciate the Danxia landforms is after rainfall when the colors become even more vibrant and captivating due to the moisture.
3. Comfortable shoes are essential as climbing uphill sections may occur.
4. The scenic area also offers entertainment options such as camel rides, hot air balloons, gliders, helicopters, and other activities (at an additional cost).<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDay 6 Jiayuguan to Dunhuang | Jiayuguan Pass (World Heritage), Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake, Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market (Optional)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Today, you will\u00a0explore Jiayuguan City<\/strong>\u00a0for the Jiayuguan Pass (Jiayuguan Fortress). Then, head to Dunhuang (400 km, 5hrs) and visit Singing Sand Dunes & Crescent Spring.<\/p>

Jiayuguan Pass<\/strong>\u00a0(\u5609\u5cea\u5173\u5173\u57ce), built in 1372, is known as one of the “Three Great Passes of the Great Wall of China\u4e2d\u56fd\u957f\u57ce\u4e09\u5927\u5947\u89c2\u4e4b\u4e00” (Shanhaiguan Pass in the east, Zhenbeitai Terrace in the middle, and Jiayuguan Pass in the west). Standing atop the\u00a0Jiayuguan Pass<\/strong>, a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “The Great Wall of China”, you can feel the magnificence and grandeur of this ancient military defense structure. Jiayuguan is\u00a0the Westernmost Pass of the Ming Great Wall<\/strong>, in the middle of the\u00a0Hexi Corridor<\/strong>. “Jiayu” means “beautiful valley.” Nestled against mountains and water, with its strategic location and majestic architecture, it is renowned as the “The Impregnable Pass under Heaven\u5929\u4e0b\u7b2c\u4e00\u96c4\u5173.”<\/strong><\/p>

From the Jiayuguan Pass walls, you can see the Great Wall traversing the desert and the Gobi, while the beautiful\u00a0Qilian Mountains<\/strong>\u00a0(\u7941\u8fde\u5c71Snow Mountains) and the Heishan Mountains (\u9ed1\u5c71) act as natural barriers, stretching across the north and south of Jiayuguan. The magnificent scene described in the elementary school Chinese textbook “The Great Wall\u300a\u957f\u57ce\u300b” – “From Shanhaiguan in the east to Jiayuguan in the west, spans over 13,000 li (Chinese miles)\u4ece\u4e1c\u5934\u7684\u5c71\u6d77\u5173\u5230\u897f\u5934\u7684\u5609\u5cea\u5173\uff0c\u6709\u4e00\u4e07\u4e09\u5343\u591a\u91cc” – finds perfect embodiment here.<\/p>

You might imagine over 600 years ago when this place was a battleground where the\u00a0Great Walls were built<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0met with the Ancient Silk Road<\/strong>, connecting the Central Plains (\u4e2d\u539f) with the Western Regions (\u897f\u57df), and witnessing numerous commercial exchanges and cultural interactions. During the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC-8 AD),\u00a0Zhang Qian<\/strong>\u00a0(\u5f20\u9a9e) passed through here three times to open up the Western Regions, and General\u00a0Huo Qubing<\/strong>\u00a0(\u970d\u53bb\u75c5) departed to battle the Huns, or Xiongnu (\u5308\u5974). During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Monk\u00a0Xuanzang<\/strong>\u00a0(\u7384\u5958) passed through here to retrieve Buddhist scriptures.\u00a0Marco Polo<\/strong>\u00a0(\u9a6c\u53ef\u6ce2\u7f57) traveled through China in the Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368) and visited Jiayuguan. In 1841 (Qing Dynasty),\u00a0Lin Zexu<\/strong>\u00a0(\u6797\u5219\u5f90) was sentenced to exile in Yili, Xinjiang for his involvement in the anti-opium campaign. Passing through Jiayuguan, he composed the poem “Southeast, who compares to this mighty pass\u4e1c\u5357\u8c01\u6bd4\u6b64\u5173\u96c4.”<\/p>

Today, in\u00a0Jiayuguan Fortress<\/strong>, you can obtain a\u00a0passage permit<\/strong>\u00a0(Optional; Self-pay) and experience the process of entering and exiting Jiayuguan as it was centuries ago. This unique experience transports you through time, back to an era where official “passes” (an early form of passport) were required for passage. The Chinese phrase “qing duo guanzhao<\/strong>” (\u8bf7\u591a\u5173\u7167literally means please take care of me; similar to nice to meet you) originates from the polite language used by people entering and exiting Jiayuguan, symbolizing mutual care and assistance.<\/p>

Jiayuguan Pass\/Fortress is one of the\u00a0best-preserved gate cities along the Great Wall<\/strong>, making it a popular destination for\u00a0architecture enthusiasts<\/strong>. It consists of three overlapping defense lines – the inner city, outer city, and moat – forming a military defense system with watchtowers every five li, beacon towers every ten li, fortresses every thirty li, and a city every hundred li. Jiayuguan is not just a city; it’s a legendary tale waiting for you to uncover its secrets. Additionally, Jiayuguan is an oasis at the foot of the\u00a0Qilian Snow Mountains<\/strong>, with numerous lakes and lush greenery, making it a rare\u00a0summer retreat<\/strong>.<\/p>

After that, head to Dunhuang. You will visit\u00a0Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake<\/strong>\u00a0(\u9e23\u6c99\u5c71\u6708\u7259\u6cc9) and even sit on the peak of Singing Sand Dunes (1,715 m) to wait for a\u00a0stunning sunset in front of the Crescent Spring<\/strong>. The\u00a0Singing Sand Dunes & Crescent Lake<\/strong>\u00a0is praised as \u201cone of the Top 5 Most Beautiful Deserts in China,” “China’s Best Natural Landscape Tourist Destination,” and “China’s Most Beautiful Moon-watching Spot.” It is a\u00a0geological park<\/strong>\u00a0known for the unique spectacle of mountains, spring, and sand coexisting in the desert. You can enjoy various\u00a0activities<\/strong>\u00a0(self-pay) such as\u00a0camel riding<\/strong>,\u00a0sand sliding<\/strong>, desert motorcycles, off-road vehicles, helicopters, gliders… You will meet people in costumes of traditional Han clothing or Flying Apsaras.<\/p>

The\u00a0Mingsha Mountain<\/strong>\u00a0is named for the sound produced by the moving sands, with recorded volumes of the singing reaching up to 83 decibels. This phenomenon of sand-producing sound is\u00a0one of the Dunhuang Eight Views<\/strong>, known as “ShalingQingming\u6c99\u5cad\u6674\u9e23” in the Dunhuang County Chronicles\u300a\u6566\u714c\u53bf\u5fd7\u300b, where Dunhuang’s ancient name of\u00a0Shazhou<\/strong>\u00a0(\u6c99\u6d32) also originates. The\u00a0Singing Sand Dunes<\/strong>\u00a0stretches from the Mogao Caves in the east to the Dang River in the west, spanning about 40 km east to west and 20 km north to south. The mountain is formed from deposits of fine sand in five colors (red, yellow, green, black, white). The sand of Mingsha Mountain is carried by the wind from the Gobi Desert and the Kumtag Desert to settle here, gradually accumulating over time. The\u00a0Crescent Lake<\/strong>\u00a0is nestled amidst the Mingsha Mountain, named for its crescent moon-like shape. The spring water spans 242 meters from east to west and can reach up to 50 meters wide from north to south, with an average depth of around 1.5 meters. The spring is home to the Ironback Fish (\u94c1\u80cc\u9c7clocal fish) and Seven Star Grass (\u4e03\u661f\u8349; medicinal herb) which is included in the “Three Treasures of Crescent Spring<\/strong>\u6708\u7259\u6cc9\u4e09\u5b9d” by locals (the third one is Five-colored Sand\u4e94\u8272\u6c99), believed to bring good luck to people. So try your luck to find them. Remarkably, the sand has not encroached upon the spring, and the water remains clear and abundant, traversing through time, creating the world wonder of the “First Spring in the Desert<\/strong>\u6c99\u6f20\u7b2c\u4e00\u6cc9.”<\/p>

Notes\uff1a<\/strong>
1. Optional activities in the Mingsha Mountain Scenic Area: Shoe covers; Sightseeing vehicle; Camel riding; Motorcycle; Off-road vehicle (seats 3 people); Paragliding; Helicopter (seats 3 people).
2. When participating in desert recreational activities, take care of your photographic equipment and prevent sand from entering the camera. When riding a camel, follow the staff’s instructions when mounting and dismounting.<\/p>

After that, you can pay a visit to\u00a0Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market<\/strong>\u00a0(\u6566\u714c\u6c99\u6d32\u591c\u5e02;\u00a0Optional<\/strong>) for Dunhuang food. There are many distinctive snacks that you must try, such as Apricot Skin Water (\u674f\u76ae\u6c34), Donkey Meat Noodles (\u9a74\u8089\u9ec4\u9762), and Bubble Oil Cakes (\u6ce1\u513f\u6cb9\u7cd5). The locals in Dunhuang enjoy eating lamb, chicken, and beef, and they are good at noodle making.<\/p>

Optional Evening Show:<\/strong>\u00a0(Reservation Required)
1. “Ancient Sound of Dunhang<\/strong>\u300a\u4e50\u52a8\u6566\u714c\u300b” (available yearround) is the world’s first cave-style immersive theatrical experience, telling the story of a young man from the Western Regions named Bai Xin in the early years of the Tang Dynasty who discovers the essence of music in the dancing murals of Dunhuang. Using modern technology and combining live performances, the performance reproduces cultural elements such as music, dance, poetry, costumes, and paintings from the Dunhuang murals.
2. “Dunhuang Celebration<\/strong>\u300a\u6566\u714c\u76db\u5178\u300b” (peak season only) is the world’s first large-scale desert live performance, set against the backdrop of the Crescent Lake in the Mingsha Mountain. The unique feature of a 360-degree rotating and movable audience seat enhances the tragic love story of the young painter and the princess, reimagining the former prosperity of the ancient Silk Road and showcasing the unique cultural and folk customs of Dunhuang (including “Iron Flower”).
3. “Encore Dunhuang<\/strong>\u300a\u53c8\u89c1\u6566\u714c\u300b” (peak season only) is a large-scale indoor experiential drama directed by Wang Chaoge\u738b\u6f6e\u6b4c, one of the chief directors of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Audience members “journey” through the scripture caves, Mogao Caves, and Silk Road, experiencing Dunhuang culture and the Silk Road firsthand.
4. “Thousand-Handed, Thousand-Eyed<\/strong>\u300a\u5343\u624b\u5343\u773c\u300b”(peak season only) is a large-scale theatrical production performed by the China Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe, showcasing the folk story of “Wonderful Kindness Saves Father.” The dance movements are graceful, with deep cultural significance and extremely high artistic standards.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDay 7 Dunhuang to Turpan by High speed Train | Mogao Grottoes (World Heritage), Train Station Transfers<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

In the morning, you will enjoy a wonderful\u00a0Dunhuang Culture Tour<\/strong>\u00a0by visiting Mogao Grottoes (4-4.5hrs), a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the afternoon, travel from the Mogao Grottoes to Liuyuan South Station (140 km, 2.5 hours) to catch the high-speed train to Turpan (3.5 hours).<\/p>

Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes<\/strong>\u00a0is the must-visit place for a trip to Gansu. You may have read many stories about\u00a0A. Stein<\/strong>\u00a0(\u65af\u5766\u56e0a British archaeologist and explorer) and the vast trove of artifacts (Paintings, Sculptures, Manuscripts) he brought from the Mogao Grottoes in the early 20th century. You may have already seen\u00a0the artifacts Stein collected in the British Museum<\/strong>\u00a0in London. Or you may have heard of\u00a0Paul Pelliot<\/strong>\u00a0(French archaeologist & Sinologist) who like A. Stein, conducted several expeditions to Dunhuang and collected a large number of artifacts which is primarily housed in the\u00a0Guimet Museum in Paris<\/strong>, France. Welcome to visit Mogao Grottoes the source of the\u00a0world famous Dunhuang Manuscripts<\/strong>\u00a0(Dunhuang Yi shu\u6566\u714c\u9057\u4e66; Cave 16-17) and explore valuable insights into the history and culture of the Silk Road.<\/p>

The\u00a0Mogao Caves<\/strong>\u00a0(Mogao Grottoes\u83ab\u9ad8\u7a9f), also known as the\u00a0Thousand Buddha Grottoes<\/strong>\u00a0(\u5343\u4f5b\u6d1e), are acclaimed as the “Treasure House of Eastern Art<\/strong>\u4e1c\u65b9\u827a\u672f\u5b9d\u5e93.” The remaining 735 caves are dotted along cliffs rising about 15-30 m high and over 1,700 m, forming a magnificent spectacle of this\u00a0world cultural heritage site<\/strong>. Despite the significant loss of artifacts to oversea museums, the Mogao Caves remain one of the world’s largest and most richly endowed repositories of Buddhist art. Spanning sixteen kingdoms, Northern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, and Western Xia dynasties, the construction of the Mogao Grottoes\u00a0lasted for over a thousand years<\/strong>\u00a0until the Yuan Dynasty, resulting in about 45,000 \u33a1 murals and 2,415 clay sculptures. In the year 366 AD, the first cave of the Mogao Caves was carved into the cliff by the\u00a0Monk Le Zun<\/strong>\u00a0(\u4e50\u50d4; over 1,650 years ago). In the 7th century,\u00a0Xuanzang<\/strong>\u00a0(\u5510\u50e7) translated numerous Buddhist scriptures at the Mogao Caves. In 1900,\u00a0Daoist Wang<\/strong>\u00a0(\u738b\u5706\u7b93) discovered the Library Cave (\u85cf\u7ecf\u6d1e; Sutra Cave; Cave 16). From 1941 to 1943,\u00a0Zhang Daqian<\/strong>\u00a0(\u5f20\u5927\u5343), a prodigious Chinese artist of the twentieth century, copied 276 murals here.<\/p>

At the Mogao Caves, you can explore\u00a0various types of grottoes<\/strong>\u00a0(large statue caves, Nirvana caves, central pillar caves, vaulted ceiling caves, hall caves) and learn about the pigments used by ancient artists in\u00a0painting murals<\/strong>\u00a0(cinnabar, orpiment, azurite, mica, gamboge, gold leaf, shell powder). You can admire narrative\u00a0paintings of Buddhist themes<\/strong>\u00a0(the life of Shakyamuni Buddha, the Nine-Colored Deer Sacrificing Itself to Save Others), diverse\u00a0clay sculptures<\/strong>\u00a0(Buddha statues, Bodhisattva figures, guardians, deities), Flying\u00a0Apsaras (\u98de\u5929) and\u00a0Swirling\u00a0Dances<\/strong>\u00a0(Sema; \u80e1\u65cb\u821e)\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0prosperous\u00a0Tang\u00a0Dynasty, as well as the attire and customs of\u00a0patrons from various dynasties<\/strong>. At the Mogao Caves, you can witness the brilliance and charm of the ancient Silk Road and the efforts and achievements of generations of cultural heritage\u00a0preservation workers and researchers<\/strong>\u00a0(such as\u00a0Chang Shuhong<\/strong>\u5e38\u4e66\u9e3f, a Chinese painter known as the “guardian\u00a0of\u00a0Dunhuang”\u6566\u714c\u5b88\u62a4\u795e).<\/p>

You can start at the\u00a0Mogao Caves Digital Center<\/strong>\u00a0(\u83ab\u9ad8\u7a9f\u6570\u5b57\u4e2d\u5fc3), watch a 40-minute digital film, and then take a shuttle bus to the caves. Guided by the site interpreters, you will\u00a0visit 8 caves<\/strong>\u00a0sequentially (Ticket A; no photography allowed inside the caves). You may have the chance to see significant caves like the Library Cave (Caves 16-17; the largest cave), the Nine-Storey Tower (Cave 96; one of Mogao’s iconic structures; the largest Buddha statue), the Nirvana Sutra Cave (Cave 148; reclining Buddha), the Early Tang Treasures Cave (Cave 332), and the Northern Wei Masterpieces Cave (Cave 257). The actual eight caves visited may vary based on the site’s conditions. If interested, you can visit the\u00a0Cultural Relics Protection and Display Center<\/strong>\u00a0(\u6587\u7269\u4fdd\u62a4\u9648\u5217\u4e2d\u5fc3) to see 1:1 replicas of eight special caves, including Caves 275, 249, 285, 419, 220, 217, 25, and 3 (photography allowed).<\/p>

After the tour, you will head to Liuyuan South Station for the bullet train to Turpan.<\/p>

Notes\uff1a<\/strong>
1. To protect the caves, the Mogao Caves implemented a real-name reservation system for timed visits, implementing a daily limit on the number of visitors. The ticketing system includes A\/Regular tickets (6,000 tickets\/day) and B\/Emergency tickets (12,000 tickets\/day; for domestic visitors only). A Ticket includes access to 8 caves and 2 digital movies. B ticket includes access to 4 caves and the Cave Artifacts Conservation and Research Exhibition Center.
2. Visitors must follow the visiting arrangement set by the management of the Mogao Caves on the day of the visit. The visiting order of the Mingsha Mountain and the Mogao Caves is subject to change.
3. If you are particularly interested in the caves, you can also purchase tickets for special caves at the site (may require queuing) to explore more exquisite caves. The special caves (self-pay) are divided into Line 1 (Caves 45, 320, 321, 420, 9) and Line 2 (Caves 275, 45, 156, 158, 159).
4. During the Dunhuang Cultural Expo or in case of inclement weather or other factors affecting the visit, if the Mogao Caves cannot be visited as planned, our company will refund the Mogao Caves tickets according to the actual cost, or arrange a visit to the Western Thousand Buddha Caves as an alternative.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Today, you will delight in a splendid\u00a0Turpan Culture Tour<\/strong>, exploring the Jiaohe Ancient City Ruins (a World Heritage site), the Karez System (one of China\u2019s three Great Ancient Engineering Projects, alongside the Great Wall & the Grand Canal), and the Emin Minaret (Islamic and Uyghur Buildings<\/strong>) before traveling to Urumqi, a journey of about 210 km (4 hours).<\/p>

After breakfast, begin your visit to\u00a0Jiaohe Ancient City (\u4ea4\u6cb3\u6545\u57ce)<\/strong>,\u00a0one of the best-preserved ruins of ancient cities along the Silk Road and inscribed\u00a0on the UNESCO World Heritage List<\/strong>\u00a0as part of the joint application “Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor.”\u00a0Jiaohe\u00a0Ruins<\/strong>\u00a0offers a profound glimpse into ancient city planning and the historical complexity of the civilizations on the Silk Road.<\/p>

Nestled between two deep river valleys, Jiaohe, meaning “the confluence of two rivers,” is strategically positioned on a large, steep plateau that provides formidable natural defenses. As a key city connecting the Central Plains (\u4e2d\u539f) and the vast regions of the Western Regions (\u897f\u57df), Jiaohe Ancient City played\u00a0a vital role in the transportation network of the Silk Road<\/strong>. It witnessed the bustling trade along the Silk Road and the exchange and integration of Eastern and Western cultures.<\/p>

Unlike many ancient cities, its structures were not built up from the ground but carved down into the existing plateau of loess soil. Walking through the ruins, you can see the remains of government offices, residential houses, Buddhist stupas, and temples. These remnants not only provide important physical evidence for studying the history and culture of the Silk Road but also offer valuable insights into the social, economic, and religious life that shaped this region.\u00a0Tips:<\/strong>\u00a0There is no shelter inside the ruin, so be mindful of sun protection.<\/p>

The History of Jiaohe Ancient City<\/strong><\/em>
The Ancient City of Jiaohe witnessed the development of civilization in the Western Region and the Silk Road. Approximately 2,000 years ago, it was established as the capital of the\u00a0Jushi Kingdom<\/strong>\u00a0(\u8f66\u5e08\u56fd), one of the 36 kingdoms in the Western Regions (\u897f\u57df\u4e09\u5341\u516d\u56fd). Following\u00a0Zhang Qian<\/strong>‘s pioneering efforts during the Western Han Dynasty to carve a path through the Western Regions, Jiaohe City emerged as a crucial hub on the Silk Road. In 60 BC, the Han Dynasty central government established the Protectorate of the Western Regions (\u897f\u57df\u90fd\u62a4\u5e9c) to administer the various states in the region, officially incorporating the Western Regions into the Chinese domain. During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Jiaohe became a county under the jurisdiction of Gaochang (\u9ad8\u660c). The city reached its zenith during the Tang Dynasty with the establishment of the Anxi Protectorate (\u5b89\u897f\u90fd\u62a4\u5e9c), marking a new era in the governance of the Western Regions. During this period, Jiaohe was a bustling center of international trade and vibrant cultural exchanges among diverse ethnic groups. From the 19th to the 14th century, due to the impact of wars, Jiaohe gradually declined and eventually became a ruin.<\/p>

Next, head to the\u00a0Karez System\u00a0(\u574e\u513f\u4e95<\/strong>) to learn about the ancient\u00a0underground irrigation\u00a0system<\/strong>\u00a0a few thousand years ago and how this system has benefited the people along the desert’s edge, transforming barren land into a lush oasis. This traditional engineering marvel is considered\u00a0one of China\u2019s three great ancient engineering projects<\/strong>, alongside the Great Wall and the Grand Canal. It has been recognized in\u00a0the 2024 World Irrigation Project Heritage list (\u4e16\u754c\u704c\u6e89\u5de5\u7a0b\u9057\u4ea7\u540d\u5f55).<\/strong><\/p>

The origin of the Karez Irrigation System<\/strong><\/em>
Turpan, in Xinjiang, is one of China’s most arid regions, with annual rainfall of only 16 millimeters and evaporation exceeding 3,000 millimeters. These extreme conditions have led to severe surface water scarcity. To improve their survival prospects, people ingeniously utilized the natural slope of mountains to channel underground rainwater, glacial melt, and snow-melt from spring and summer to the surface for irrigation. This method greatly reduced water loss through surface evaporation, meeting the water needs of this arid region. It\u2019s often said, “Without the Karez, there would be no Turpan; without the Karez, there would be no civilization in Turpan.” The Karez has turned extremely arid basins into green havens, making Turpan a crucial corridor for East-West exchanges along the Silk Road and a place where diverse cultures converge and coexist.<\/p>

The\u00a0Karez system<\/strong>\u00a0is often referred to as the “Underground Great Wall<\/strong>“. In Xinjiang, there are over 1,700\u00a0Karez Wells<\/strong>\u00a0which, if connected, would stretch over 5,000 kilometers, forming a vast underground river network. It is estimated that the Karez system has a history of over 2,000 years. Imagine centuries ago, without modern measuring tools or mechanical assistance, how ancient people located underground water sources, determined the gradient and direction in complete darkness, and connected such lengthy channels. Today, you have the opportunity to step into the Karez and personally unravel the secrets of this most mysterious hydraulic engineering project, experiencing first-hand how ancient innovation works.<\/p>

Next, continue your exploration at the\u00a0Emin Minaret<\/strong>\u00a0(\u989d\u654f\u5854), the tallest Islamic minaret in Xinjiang. Also known as\u00a0Sugong Ta<\/strong>\u00a0(\u82cf\u516c\u5854), this remarkable structure was erected in 1778 by the local ruler Suleiman, in tribute to his father, Emin Khoja, whose considerable efforts helped maintain national unity.<\/p>

It stands 44 meters (144 feet) tall and is made from sun-dried bricks, which give it a distinct, earthy color. The tower’s cylindrical body tapers elegantly as it rises, topped by an ornate, pointed dome. Uyghur artisans crafted up to 15 different types of brick patterns, including waves, diamonds, floral clusters, and crosses, which create endlessly looping designs around the tower. Gazing up from beneath the tower, you can fully appreciate the simplicity and grandeur of these designs. The accompanying mosque is an integral part of the complex, which you can visit as well. Emin Minaret serves not only as a religious structure but also as a cultural icon for the\u00a0Uyghur people<\/strong>, embodying a unique blend of\u00a0Islamic and Uyghur architectural traditions<\/strong>.<\/p>

Then, head to Urumqi for Overnight. Welcome to\u00a0Urumqi (\u4e4c\u9c81\u6728\u9f50)<\/strong>, the capital of the\u00a0Xinjiang<\/strong>\u00a0Uygur Autonomous Region in China. It is notable for being the largest city in the world that is furthest from the ocean, with a distance of over 2,500 km from the nearest coastline. Urumqi is located in northwestern China, adjacent to Central Asian countries, and is often referred to as the “Urban Heart of Asia<\/strong>.” Historically, Urumqi played a significant role as a major stop on the ancient Silk Road, facilitating trade between China and the West.<\/p>

This history has left a lasting impact, making Urumqi\u00a0a melting pot of ethnic groups<\/strong>, including Uyghurs, Han, Kazakhs, and others, which has shaped the unique cultural ambiance of western China. In addition to its rich history, the city is surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Tian Shan Mountains, providing stunning backdrops and opportunities for outdoor activities.<\/p>

Note:<\/strong>\u00a0Xinjiang follows the unified Beijing Time, which is UTC+08:00. However, due to its geographical location within the UTC+6 time zone, the actual local sunrise and sunset in Xinjiang occur about two hours later than they would according to Beijing Time.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDay 9 Urumqi Tour | Heavenly Lake of Tianshan (World Heritage), Xinjiang Regional Museum (Closed on Mondays)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Today, you’ll embark on a full-day tour around Urumqi to explore the breathtaking natural beauty of Tianshan Tianchi Lake (Heavenly Lake of Tianshan) and the enlightening exhibits at the Xinjiang Regional Museum.<\/p>

In the morning, you’ll be driven about 70 km (about 1-1.5 hours) to\u00a0Heavenly Lake of Tianshan\u00a0<\/strong>(\u5929\u5c71\u5929\u6c60), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nestled at an elevation of around 1,980 meters (6,500 feet) above sea level, this serene alpine lake is surrounded by lush forests, snow-capped peaks, and breathtaking landscapes. Renowned for its crystal-clear waters, panoramic\u00a0Bogda mountain<\/strong>\u00a0views, and connections to ancient myths and legends, Heavenly Lake is a must-see. One such legend involves the\u00a0Queen Mother of the West<\/strong>\u00a0(\u897f\u738b\u6bcd), who is said to have hosted a banquet for the Eight Immortals here.<\/p>

Upon arrival, you’ll first take 40-minute sightseeing bus ride through the dramatic mountains. Then, enjoy 10-minute walk to the picturesque lake. Enjoy a\u00a0leisurely stroll around Heavenly Lake<\/strong>, taking in the fresh mountain air and diverse flora and fauna.<\/p>

Optional Activities (Additional Fee Required):<\/strong>
1.\u00a0Boat Ride:<\/strong>\u00a0Cruise across the peaceful waters of the lake, immersing yourself in its beauty and the reflections of the snow-capped mountains.
2.\u00a0Cableway Ride:<\/strong>\u00a0Take a cableway up to Mayashan for even more stunning views of Bogda Mountain.<\/p>

After lunch, return to Urumqi and visit the\u00a0Xinjiang Regional Museum\u00a0<\/strong>(\u65b0\u7586\u7ef4\u543e\u5c14\u81ea\u6cbb\u533a\u535a\u7269\u9986).<\/strong>\u00a0This renowned museum\u00a0showcases the region’s rich history, ethnic cultures, and the ancient Silk Road.\u00a0Explore extensive collections that include\u00a0exotic artifacts from the Silk Road, and fascinating displays of traditional ethnic costumes and household items from various cultures such as Uyghur, Kazakh, and Han.\u00a0The most unique is\u00a0the exhibit of ancient mummies, which houses some of\u00a0the world\u2019s best-preserved mummies<\/strong>, including the famous \u201cLoulan Beaut<\/strong>y\u697c\u5170\u7f8e\u5973\u201d,\u00a0one of the 3,800-year-old desert-mummified bodies of Indo-European ancestry. Remember to take a look at the ‘Five Stars Rise in the East, Benefit China<\/strong>‘\u00a0Han Dynasty Brocade Armband<\/strong>\u00a0(\u201d\u4e94\u661f\u51fa\u4e1c\u65b9\u5229\u4e2d\u56fd\u201d\u6c49\u4ee3\u9526\u62a4\u81c2), which is one of the first batches of cultural relics in China that were prohibited from being exhibited abroad. It is acclaimed as one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of 20th-century China. Also, the “Fu Xi and Nu Wa Silk Painting<\/strong>\u00a0(\u4f0f\u7fb2\u5973\u5a32\u56fe)” illustrates the image of human ancestors from ancient Chinese myths and legends, dating back to the\u00a0Tang Dynasty<\/strong>. The museum\u2019s immersive exhibits will transport you back in time, allowing you to learn about the fascinating history of the Silk Road and the cultural interactions that have shaped Xinjiang.<\/p>

Note:<\/strong>\u00a0When the Xinjiang Regional Museum is closed on Mondays, we will visit the Urumqi Grand Bazaar (\u65b0\u7586\u56fd\u9645\u5927\u5df4\u624e) instead.<\/p>

After the tour, return to your hotel in Urumqi.<\/p>

Free Time Ideas:<\/strong>
The\u00a0Urumqi Grand Bazaar<\/strong>, also known as the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, is a vibrant marketplace and a perfect way to spend your free time. Explore the many shops and stalls offering various local products, including traditional Uyghur clothing, carpets, handmade crafts, silk scarves, jewelry, spices, and dried fruits. Be sure to try local favorites such as lamb kebabs, polu (pilaf), naan bread, and laghman (hand-pulled noodles). Additionally, the architecture of the Grand Bazaar itself is worth admiring with its grand minarets, domes, and intricate Islamic-inspired designs.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Though it is time to end your\u00a010 Days Silk Road Tour from Xian to Urumqi<\/strong>\u00a0today, you will have some free time in\u00a0Urumqi<\/strong>\u00a0and explore more on your own till your guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to next destination.<\/p>

Thank you for choosing <\/span>HelloChinaTrip<\/strong>\u00a0for your\u00a0<\/span>China\u00a0Tour<\/strong>, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next\u00a0<\/span>trip to Asia<\/strong>. Safe journey!<\/span><\/p>

Extension Ideas:<\/strong>
1. If you prefer to spend more time in\u00a0Dunhuang, you can add a 1-2-days to include the Yulin Grottoes,Yangguan Pass, Yumenguan Pass, Yardan Landform Park, Great Wall of the Han Dynasty, Thousand Buddha Caves…
2. If you wish to extend your trip and explore other highlighted parts of\u00a0Gansu, such as\u00a0Zhangye,\u00a0Lanzhou,\u00a0Jiayuguan, Wuwei, Jiuquan, Guazhou, and more, we can help you with the arrangements.
3. If you plan to continue your exploration to other cities in\u00a0China, such as Xining, Turpan, Chengdu, Lhasa,\u00a0Xian,\u00a0Beijing, and\u00a0Shanghai, please feel free to let us know. We can customize your itinerary and assist you with travel arrangements.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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