Overview:
The Hexi Corridor (the corridor at the west of the Yellow River) is the essence of ancient China Silk Road, a glorious path full of stories and natural wonders. This 8 days tour takes you to explore this glorious wonder land – Hexi Corridor, from Lanzhou to Dunhuang, via incredible “rainbow mountains” in Zhangye and historical Jiayuguan.
Attractions: Yellow River Stone Forest National Geological Park
Meal: Not Included
Hotel: Overnight in Longwan Village
Meet at airport, in the afternoon drive 2.5 hours to Yellow River Stone Forest National Geological Park, it is located in Jingtai County. After arriving at the entrance, take the shuttle bus driving in the desolate desert hills along the Yellow River, stay in Longwan village tonight.
Attractions: Yellow River Stone Forest National Geological Park, Yongtai Ancient City
Meal: Not Included
Hotel: Overnight in Lanzhou
In the morning, the battery cars transfer us from hotel to the wharf, drifting downstream by taking the sheepskin raft. After landing, enjoy donkey carts ride into the narrow road between the unique and beautiful rock ravine formations. Later, take the kart to the viewing point, appreciate the panoramic view of Yellow River and the Stone Forest. After it, returned by the same way as how we come, kart-donkey carts- motorboat(upstream). In the afternoon, drive to Yongtai ancient city, it’s also dubbed “the turtle city” for it looks like a turtle when seen above. The once military fortress is now a barren wasteland in the Gobi. After sightseeing, drive back to Lanzhou.
Attractions: Matisi Temple
Meal: Not Included
Hotel: Overnight in Zhangye
After breakfast, drive to Zhangye to visit Matisi Temple(Horse Hoof Temple), it is located in the Qilian Snow Mountain, the first caves were dug about 1,600 years ago. A miraculous view of temples hanging from the rocky hill. If time and weather allows, we can enjoy the beautiful sunset here. After it, drive back to Zhangye.
Attractions: Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park
Meal: Not Included
Hotel: Overnight in Jiayuguan
Drive to Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, also named as the Rainbow Mountains, it is a geological wonder of the world. The mountains are of unbelievable colors, changing tone as with the height of the sun. The sightseeing bus take you to different Viewing Platforms.
After that, drive to Jiayuguan.
Attractions: Jiayuguan Fort
Meal: Not Included
Hotel: Overnight in Dunhuang
This morning visit Jiayuguan Fort outside of the city, it is last portion of Great Wall of China built from Ming Dynasty in 14th century, and an essential part of Silk Road to the west. You can choose to climb on the Overhanging Great Wall (20 minutes up).
After that, drive to Dunhuang.
Attractions: Mogao Grottoes, White Horse Pagoda
Meal: Not Included
Hotel: Overnight in Dunhuang
After breakfast, drive to Mogao Grottoes. Mogao Grottoes is famed as the “Louvre of the East”, which is outstanding for its exquisite mural paintings and statues. There are now 492 grottoes in which about 45000 square meters mural paintings and 2100 colorfully painted statues from which you can trace the development of Chinese art over 1600 years from one dynasty to the next because each dynasty built own caves to record its own features. There are about 40 common caves opened to the public.
After lunch, visit the White Horse Pagoda .The White Horse Pagoda was built by an eminent monk to commemorate a white horse in 386 AD. It is an important part of the Silk Road. People repaired the structure in every dynasty, therefore the White Horse Pagoda keeps its original beauty and always take the lead among the tourist attractions in Dunhuang as is regarded as “scenery within the scenery”.
Attractions: Yardang National Geologic Park, Yumen Pass, Great Wall of Han Dynasty, Mingshashan Desert
Meal: Not Included
Hotel: Overnight in Dunhuang
After breakfast, you will be taken to explore the remote wild Gobi Desert landscape as well as several legendary historical sites. Drive westwards about 100 km, you will firstly arrive at Yumen Pass (Jade Gate Pass) which used to be a military defensive pass as well as an important border for international trading along the ancient Silk Road. It is said that the jade wares from West were imported to China through this gate, which is how the name Yumen was given. About 5 km from Yumen Pass is the Ruin of Great Wall of Han Dynasty which was built to fight against Xiongnu in the ancient time.
Keep driving more 80 km, you will get to Yardang National Geologic Park. It is also called Devil City in that you will hear the sound just like the devil screaming when the strong wind goes through the desert. The park is featured Yardang landforms in distinct shapes like Mongolian Yurt, Stone Bird, Peacock and others. Make full use of your imagination, you may find some rocks with some miniatures similar to famed architectures, like the Potala Palace in Tibet, Heaven Temple in Beijing or something else.
Leave Yardang National Geologic Park, and drive along the coming way back to Dunhuang. The following attraction is the Echoing Sand Mountains (Mingshashan). It is said, in the sunny days, the sand mountains echo like Orchestra music even if there is no wind. If you slide from the sand mountains, you can hear the echoing sound clearly. Your last thing to do for today is the Crescent Lake. Surrounded by the Echoing Sand Mountains, Crescent Lake is a beautiful oasis with some well decorated traditional Chinese architecture, some trees and flowers and a lake that has never dried up and shapes like a crescent moon.
Attractions: No
Meal: Not Included
Hotel: Not Included
Today is free for you until your tour guide and driver escort you to the airport in time for the scheduled flight/railway station to other destination. Tour ends.
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