Mingsha Shan - Echoing-Sand Mountain

Today we will pick you up at Dunhuang airport, and then transfer to visit Crescent Lake and Mingsha Echo-sand Mountain. Shazhou Night Market. After that transfer to hotel check in.

Mogao Caves

After breakfast spend the whole morning at World heritage famous Mogao Grottoes which were constructed over a millennium ago from the 4th to 14th centuries. The caves are also known as the Thousand Buddha Caves with two distinctions of being one of the most notable grottoes in China as well as the best-preserved treasure house of Buddhist art, sutras, murals and sculptures in the world.

Dunhuang Museum

In the afternoon we will visit Dunhuang City Museum which exhibits relics excavated from the local area, including paper and coins. The museum is also home to an excellent reconstruction of the Great Wall during the Han Dynasty.

Yulin

After breakfast we drive to Jiayuguan City 380km about 5 hours ride , we will visit Yulin Grottoes on the way ,it is famous as twin grottoes with Mogao Grottoes since the art style and date is very similar to Mogar grottoes . After lunch in Guazhou we will drive to Jiayuguan .

Jiayuguan Fortress

After breakfast exploring some exciting sites around Jiayuguan, first visit Jiayuguan pass (Jiayuguan Fort) also known as the “Impregnable Pass under Heaven,” Jiayuguan is the western end of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty as well as the most magnificent and well-preserved pass among over a thousand passes along the Ming Great Wall. Then visit great wall museum which is one of the first museums to give a comprehensive and systematic understanding of the history of the Great Wall, and then head to the Over-hanging cliff Great Wall which is situated 11km away from the city and 7 km away from the Jiayuguan Pass.

Wei-Jin Tombs

In the afternoon we will visit Weijin Ancient tomb which is well-known as the biggest underground art gallery in the world , The murals bricks discovered from this tomb were exhibited in many foreign countries and gained very high reputation . this place will be your another highlight for your tour . After lunch in Jiayuguan we will drive to Zhangye 250km 2.5hours ride .

Zhangye

After breakfast we will visit Giant Buddha Temple which is renowned for the largest indoor reclining Buddha in China. Even a finger of the Buddha can hold one adult to lie down. It is said that this giant Buddha statue is made in the image of Sakyamuni. Our guide will also introduce other statues and delicate murals in the hall. Numerous scriptures and ancient books are also displayed in here. In this temple, we will not miss the earth tower and a typical folk residence with traditional carved beams and painted pillars. Then we will drive to Pingshanhu Grand Canyon which is listed as world top 5 canyons, as equally famous as Colorado Canyon. It's also China top most outdoor photographic creation base for those seek nature incomparable and breathtaking pictures.The attraction itself is not yet very popular and hence less crowded.Be ready for long walk and climbing lot of steps. It is little tiring but manageable. But to enjoy the canyon you must go all the way down and walk through and come back up again. The views are amazing and many places for good photos. Remark: Morning visit Giant Buddha temple (9:00-10:30). Then you will take around 1.30 hours drive transfer to Pingshanhu Grand Canyon, bring some picnic and start hiking & visit Canyon whole afternoon, either 3-4 hours based on your wish, after that go out and have some dinner. Or if you like morning hiking the Canyon, we can go for Canyon first, then to the Temple, I think you can decide based on the weather, just check with the guide would be ok. So that would be enough for your hiking in Canyon, no need add one more day to waste.

Zhangye

After breakfast we drive one hour to visit the Mati Temple Grottoes. It is said that a heavenly horse once left its hoof print on a rock there and you can still find that print in the temple. It is a unique temple house building of both Han Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism. Follow the guide to admire the Buddha statues carved in the caves and appreciate the painted scriptures of heroes in Tibetan myths. And it is a complex of Qilian Snow Mountain forest and .exclusive Yugu ethinic culture and view here is fantastic . After lunch we drive to Zhangye Danxia Rainbow Mountain (Zhangye Danxia Geo-park),where we will see different colors and view is charming at different times; the scenery here is really fantastic and incredible. It is the best representative of China’s colorful Danxia landform and the largest Danxia landscape in an arid area, with a wide variety of landforms.

Zhangye

Today you'll drive into the gorgeous Badain Jaran desert, where you'll be able to hike and drive through the dunes. The Badain Jaran Desert, which covers parts of Gansu and Inner Mongolia, is the third largest desert in China, with an area of 49,000 square kilometers. The name Badain Jaran is of Mongolian origin, and it means “mysterious lakes”. There are more than 100 lakes in this part of desert – all spring-fed, some salt water, some fresh water. After exploring the desert, you'll have dinner at your campsite and stay overnight in your tent or a local Mongolian family yurt.

Lanzhou

Activities: come out from Badain Jaran Desert and to train Lanzhou. (D2712/19.04-23.43, second seats) You'll head out to the highest sand dune in the Badain Jaran Desert and climb to the top of Bilutu Peak, the third-tallest dune in the world. From there you'll enjoy a beautiful view of the surrounding desert and the mysterious lakes. After your hike, you'll have lunch by the serenity of a pristine desert lake. Afterward you'll head backto Zhangye and train to Lanzhou. After arrival our experienced guide and professional driver will pick you up from the train station and transfer to your hotel .

Lanzhou

After breakfast we will drive to Liujiaxia small town to visit Bingling Grottos which filled with Buddhist sculpture carved into natural caves and caverns in a canyon along the Yellow River. So we have to take a boat from Liujiaxia town to Bingling temple which takes about one hour to get there through Liujiaxia Reservoir and we spend about 2 hours to explore the sculptures, carvings and frescoes which is an outstanding examples of Buddhist artwork.

Lanzhou

Today we will pick you up and transfer to airport with suitable time so you can take your flight to Bejing or other place.