Exclusive luxury tour of Dunhuang for 5 days and 4 nights

Overview

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive at Dunhuang

Full Day |

Arrive in Dunhuang. Meet at Dunhuang Airport or railway station for a dedicated pickup service. Proceed to the hotel (approximately 30-minute drive) for rest. Alternatively, explore the Shazhou Night Market and admire the scenic views of the Dang River.

Day2 Dunhuang

Morning |  

After breakfast, visit Dunhuang Mogao Caves (40-minute drive). Watch the digital center film and explore the regular caves along with two special ones. The Mogao Caves in Dunhuang preserve a remarkable collection of cave types spanning over a millennium, dating from the Sixteen Kingdoms period through the Northern Wei Dynasty to the Yuan Dynasty. These interconnected grottoes, resembling intricate beehives and pigeon coops, create a breathtaking spectacle. The murals feature meticulously crafted compositions that vividly depict historical scenes. Visitors can explore eight regular caves and two special caves not open to the public, while also enjoying digital center films at the Mogao Caves.

Afternoon |

Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring: When fierce winds blow, the sand dunes emit thunderous roars; when gentle breezes caress, they sound like a symphony of strings and bamboo flutes, hence the name. The Crescent Spring, embraced by the Mingsha Mountain, has a surface resembling a crescent moon. Surrounded by golden sands on all sides, its waters remain crystal clear and vibrant, remaining unfaded for millennia. Riders can ascend the mountain on camels to admire the breathtaking desert sunset.

Evening |

In the evening, head to the theater for an immersive live-action indoor theater experience titled "Youjian Dunhuang" show

Day3 Dunhuang

Full Day |

After breakfast, we will head to Yardan National Geologic Park (about 150 minutes by car) for sightseeing. Situated 180 kilometers from Dunhuang City, the Yadan Devil City is a remarkable cluster of Yardan landforms. Stretching approximately 25 kilometers east-west and 1-5 kilometers north-south, this geological wonder boasts an extraordinary scale and bizarre shapes that are truly world-renowned. The formations range from 4-5 meters in height to over 20 meters, with dimensions varying from tens to hundreds of meters. Their irregular arrangement creates striking patterns: some resemble lion-bodied human faces, others mimic peacocks. The entire complex evokes the appearance of a medieval ancient city.

Along the way, we will visit the ruins of Yumen Pass, Han Great Wall, He Cang City, beacon towers, and Guyang Pass ruins. Yumen Pass, lies 95 kilometers northwest of Dunhuang City. Its name originates from ancient jade shipments through this route to Central China from regions like Hotan in the Western Regions. This strategic pass, complementing Yangguan Pass in northern-southern coordination, served as a western frontier checkpoint since the Han and Wei dynasties. During the Western Han period, it housed the Yumen Commandery's administrative center, while the Eastern Han administration maintained its jurisdiction. The Han Dynasty Great Wall and beacon tower ruins stand 6 kilometers west of Yumen Pass. This 1,600-meter stretch features a 3-meter-high structure with a 3-meter-wide base and 1-meter-plus top, constructed from earth, sand, lime, and reeds.

Then return to Dunhuang city (about 150 minutes by car), and then go to the restaurant to enjoy Dunhuang food. You can enjoy the pastoral scenery of the desert and enjoy the farmhouse dinner under the grape trellis in Yangguan scenic spot.

Evening |

Head to have the dinner. After dinner, return to the hotel for rest.

Day4 Dunhuang - Jiayuguan

Full Day |

After breakfast, we will go to Jiayuguan Pass, and then visit Jiayuguan Cantilever Great Wall (about 20 minutes by car). Jiayuguan City Tower & Overhanging Great Wall :The Jiayuguan City Tower stands 6 kilometers southwest of Jiayuguan urban area, located in the central part of the narrowest valley of Jiayuguan. Perched atop the highest point of Jiayu Mountain, its two wings of the city wall traverse the desert and Gobi, connecting to the Heishan Overhanging Great Wall 8 kilometers north and the First Great Beacon Tower 7 kilometers south. As the western terminus of the Ming Dynasty's Great Wall, it has been the foremost pass of Hexi since ancient times. Construction of the pass began in the fifth year of Hongwu (1372) during the Ming Dynasty, taking 168 years (1372-1539) to complete. It remains the most formidable among over a thousand passes under the jurisdiction of nine towns along the Ming Great Wall, still well-preserved today. The Overhanging Great Wall lies 8 kilometers north of Jiayuguan Pass, on the northern slope of Heishan Mountain at the entrance of Shiguan Gorge. Completed in the 19th year of Jiajing (1540), this engineering marvel features a wall that plunges steeply from the mountain ridge, resembling an inverted Great Wall suspended in mid-air. This dramatic structure sealed off the Shiguan Gorge entrance, earning it the popular name "Overhanging Great Wall".

Day5 Jiayuguan - Departure

Full Day |

After breakfast, end of the tour, transfer to airport or railway station. 

Reference Hotel | Dunhuang local special hotel  ( or same level )

This hotel is located at the foot of Mingsha Mountain, a famous scenic area in Dunhuang. It is the most important strategic location along the ancient Silk Road and an essential stop for experiencing the famous scenic spots of the Silk Road.

This hotel is a unique international tourist hotel with a distinctive style. Its architectural complex follows the style of ancient mansions in both design and material selection, featuring elements such as large sloping roofs, wooden corridors, elegant antique furniture from the late Tang Dynasty and the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and northwest-style enclosed courtyard houses and earthen walls mainly constructed with stone and soil, all brimming with traditional and local characteristics.

The hotel is also equipped with various modern and advanced service facilities, including a complete air conditioning system and communication network. Here, you can simultaneously experience the nostalgia for ancient times and enjoy the comforts of modern life.

PRICE INCLUDES

1.  High-rated local hotels 4 nights ( 2 persons per room )

2. Meals | 4 breakfasts, bottled water

3. Comfortable car for the entire trip

4. Experienced professional drivers-guide 

5. Entrance tickets to Mogao Caves and two special grottoes, Mogao caves guided tour, entrance tickets to Yumen Pass and Yuangguan Pass and Jiayuguan City wall, Yardan Geological National Park entrance ticket

6. Customized route planning ensures a unique travel experience (any itinerary adjustments can be negotiated up to ten days before departure)

7. Personal accident insurance

PRICE DO NOT INCLUDE 

1. round-trip transportation ( transportation to Dunhuang, transportation from Jiayuguan).

2. Additional expenses may occur due to personal circumstances, transportation delays, traffic accidents, weather conditions, or other uncontrollable factors.

3. Single room supplement

4. Meals | all other meals ( all the main meals ) not-mentioned above

5. Tickets | tickets and activities not-mentioned above ( Youjian Dunhuang Show, rock painting experience,  other tickets in the scenic area besides the first entrance ticket, scenic area shuttle bus etc.)

6. Other expenses including activity project fees and all personal consumption; additional costs caused by private matters, traffic delays, traffic accidents, weather conditions or other circumstances not controllable by the company; other expenses beyond the itinerary; driver/guide tips

*This itinerary requires at least 2 people to travel together

CANCELLATION POLICY

If for any reason, you decide to cancel the activity or excursion, the cancellation conditions specified in the product description or in the voucher will be valid.

a.  No refund within 7 days before departure

b. 30% refund for 7-15 days in advance

c. 50% refund for 15-30 days in advance

d. 100% refund for 30 days in advance