Welcome to China! Upon your arrival, your friendly tour guide will hold your name-sign and greet you at the arrival hall, then transfer you to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day free for your own exploration.

Today, your discovery starts with the eighth world wonder the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. Get ready to be amazed by the life-sized underground army buried underneath for over 2,000 years, each owning distinctive facial expression, hair style, figure as well as uniform, protecting the emperor in his afterlife.

Then drive back to the city to visit the largest and best-preserved City Wall with a moat outside still running around. Stroll along the top of the wall and enjoy an overview of the old capital.

Afterwards, drive to the famous local Muslim Quarter and the ancient Great Mosque built in traditional Chinese style and enjoy some free time in the famous bazaar.

Terracotta Army

After breakfast, drive to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda built for storage of Buddhism scriptures taken back by the great monk Xuanzang when he travelled to India on foot during the early 7th century.

Then delve into the Shaanxi History Museum where demonstrates the rich history of the ancient capital Xi'an and Shaanxi Province proved by its magnificent collection of over 37, 000 relics including a lot of national treasures.

Afterwards, take the high-speed train to Lanzhou. Upon arrival, your local guide will pick you up and transfer back to your hotel.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Green Glazed Pot from Song Dynasty

This morning, you will visit the Binglingsi Grottoes with over 1,600 years history. The temple houses 212 caves, 694 stone statues, 82 mud statues of Sakyamuni, Mercy Buddha, Maitreya, etc. carved by sculptors and craftsmen on ropes along the cliffs over 60 meters high. Upon arrival, a boat ride will take you to the caves to admire the exquisite artworks among which No. 25, 169 and 172 are the most renown three caves.

Afterwards, hop on your private car and get transferred to Xiahe. Enjoy the rest of the day free to explore the local life in this small county on your own.

Today's exploration starts from the Labrang Monastery, one of the six largest Gelug Sect Tibetan Buddhism temples and meanwhile the best-preserved Tibetan Buddhism learning system with 6 institutes of learning. Appreciate the large collections of Tibetan treasures and Buddhism artworks of sutras, stupas, statues, etc.

Afterwards, you will be driven to the magnificent Sangke Grassland and get immersed in the stunning and peaceful scene of horses and sheep eating grass quietly. Then you will visit a local Tibetan family to learn about the Tibetan culture. At last, you will be transferred back to Lanzhou.

In the morning, your guide and driver will transfer you to the railway station to catch the highspeed train to Zhangye.

After 3 hours' ride, you will arrive in Zhangye and you will be transferred to the Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park to see the staggering Rainbow Mountains. A shuttle bus will show you around inside the park to take in the amazing colorful mountains from one viewing deck to another.

Then you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park

Today you will first head to the Mati Temple that was named after the footprints of a heavenly horse, which are now stored in the Horse Footprints Hall. Mati Temple is another important temple housing hundreds of caves, Buddha statues carved out of the cliffs.

Continue your visit to the Giant Buddha Temple built over 1,000 years ago. The temple houses a giant declining Buddha with a total length of 34.5m which is the largest indoor Buddha statue in China.

Afterwards, you will drive for about 2 hours to Jiayuguan. 

This morning, you will first visit Jiayuguan Pass, the western end of the Great Wall in Ming Dynasty (1368AD-1644AD). Ascend the Jiayuguan Gates and stroll along the city wall to learn about the smartly-designed military defense system.

Afterwards, drive to the Overhanging Great Wall built in 1539AD with stones and rammed dirt. The extant Wall is around 750m long with 3 ramparts built on top of the mountain.

Next, you will be transferred to Dunhuang on a 4-hour ride. Upon arrival, head to the Echoing Sand Dune, a unique desert where the sand will make noises when things slide down from the top. Ride a camel to view the stunning desert view with a peaceful oasis sitting at the foot, the Crescent Spring. Afterwards, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Nightlife Recommendation: Shazhou Night Market featuring various famous delicacies and snacks in the Gobi area is in walking distance to your hotel. You could venture into the market to experience the lively night life of local people.

Today, you will visit the spectacular Mogao Grottoes, the world's largest Buddhism collections with 735 caves, 2415 colored mud Buddha statues, and mural paintings of over 450,000 square meters. You will start your exploration from a wonderful 5D movie introducing you to the world of Buddhism art.

Then hop on the 2.5-hour highspeed train to Turpan. Upon arrival, your local guide will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel.

Mogao Grottoes

Set out for today's exploration to discover the famous Flamming Mountain which is named after its reddish outlook with the highest temperature up to 47.8 ° (118℉).

Then admire the exquisite Buddhism collections of statues and murals in Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves. Next, follow your guide to Astana Tombs where buried Han and many minorities among which the well-preserved mummy shows the common burial way for people back in the old times.

Finish today's exploration at Gaochang Ruins where the remains of the castles, temples and folk houses show you the prosperity of the small city in Gobi over 2,000 years ago. Afterwards, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Today, you will first visit the famous local irrigation system of Karez Well. Consisted of shafts, culverts, channel and small reservoirs, the system smartly uses groundwater and collects rainwater for drinking and irrigation.

Then visit the Sugong Pagoda, a featured Islamic brick Tower built in 1777 without a piece of wood. Afterwards, move to Jiaohe Ruins, the best-preserved remains of the ancient cities thanks to the drought. The most amazing part of this ancient city is the whole city was dug into the highland instead of being built on top of the highland that the construction of the city is more like a sculpture.

Then, you will be transferred to Urumuqi on a 2-hour ride.

Today, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Tips: Urumqi enjoys convenient transportation with many flights to big cities in China. If you would like to extend your trip to any city, please share your idea with our travel consultant for a more in-depth discovery of China.