Overvew:

The Silk Road is the lifeline of trade and cultural exchange between the East and the West in ancient times. It began in ancient China, crossed the mountains and rivers and deserts, and extended to Central Asia, West Asia and even Europe. On this legendary road, the caravan came and went endlessly, full of oriental specialties such as silk, tea and porcelain, and transported to all over the world, making China's exquisite goods famous all over the world. It is also a cultural communication link, promoting the exchange of papermaking, printing and other technologies, and promoting the common progress of human civilization.

Tour Highlights:

Day 1: Arrive in Beijing 

Day 2: Visit Beijing 

Day 3: Visit Beijing 

Day 4: Beijing to Xi`an 

Day 5: Xi`an 

Day 6: Xian to Lanzhou 

Day 7: Lanzhou -Xiahe 

Day 8: Xiahe 

Day 9: Xiahe -Lanzhou - Jiayuguan 

Day 10: Jiayuguan 

Day 11: Jiayuguan - Dunhuang 

Day 12: Dunhuang 

Day 13: Dunhuang to home 

Detailed itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Beijing and check into the hotel for rest

Beijing, as the capital of China, is the ancient capital of the Five Dynasties with a history of more than 3,000 years and more than 870 years of capital construction, carrying the profound heritage of Chinese civilization. It not only has many world cultural heritages such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, but also brings together high-tech industries and modern service industries. It is a modern international metropolis full of innovative vitality.

Day 2: Beijing

Visit Tiananmen Square to pay respects at the Monument to the Peoples Heroes and the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, feeling the solemnity and dignity of history. Tour the Palace Museum to admire the imperial palaces and precious artifacts from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Ascend to the top of Jingshan Park to overlook the panoramic view of the Forbidden City and the central axis of Beijing, then head to Nanluoguxiang to experience the cultural charm of old Beijing and savor local specialties.

Day 3: Beijing

Go to Badaling Great Wall, you can walk or take the cable car to climb the mountain. Feel the grandeur of the Great Wall.The Great Wall is a miracle created by the working people in ancient China. It winds thousands of miles from Shanhaiguan in the east to Jiayuguan in the west. It is not only one of the greatest architectural projects in the world, but also a symbol of the tenacity of the Chinese nation.

Day 4: Beijing-Xi an

Visit the Summer Palace to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery and pavilions of the imperial garden. Visit the Yuanmingyuan to feel the vicissitudes and weight of history.

In the afternoon, I took a flight to Xi an and stayed in a hotel after arriving.

 Day 5: Xi an

Xian City Wall offers the option to stroll or cycle along it, enjoying the scenery both inside and outside the wall, and experiencing the charm of the ancient city. The Mosque is a cluster of Chinese-style ancient buildings that perfectly blend classical Chinese architecture with Islamic architectural styles. Visit the Great Wild Goose Pagoda to learn about Tang Dynasty Buddhist culture. Taste various delicacies in Hui Street, such as mutton soup with flatbread, roujiamo, and cold noodles.

Day 6: Xi an-Lanzhou

Every terracotta warrior in the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang has unique facial features and fine details of clothing, showing the superb sculpting skills of ancient craftsmen. It leaves a deep impression with its huge scale and overwhelming momentum. In the afternoon, take the high-speed train to Lanzhou to check into the hotel

Day 7: Lanzhou-Xiahe

The Gansu Provincial Museum vividly recreates the historical scenes of the Silk Road, allowing people to feel the hardships and wisdom of ancient people on this road of cultural exchange and trade. The murals, sculptures, and scriptures inside the Lhabrang Monastery are all valuable materials for studying Tibetan art and religious philosophy.

Day 8: Xiahe

The quiet mountain scenery around the nunnery makes peoples soul purified and peaceful. Sangke grassland brings visual shock with its vast grassland, clear lakes and deep forests.

Day 9: Xiahe-Lanzhou-Jiayuguan

On the way back to Lanzhou, I visited the stone carvings of Bingling Temple, which not only showed the superb skills of ancient craftsmen, but also reflected their rich imagination and creativity. In the evening, I took a soft sleeper train to Jiayuguan

Day 10: Jiayuguan

After arriving at the hotel, I checked in and rested in the morning. In the afternoon, I went to Jiayuguan Pass to feel the magnificent momentum of the ancient military fortress. I visited the Overhanging Wall and the first pier of the Great Wall to learn about the history and cultural connotation of the Great Wall.

Day 11: Jiayuguan-Dunhuang

After breakfast, we headed to Dunhuang. Upon arrival, we toured the Western Thousand Buddha Caves. The steep cliffs and deep gorges here are shaded by dense foliage, while the riverbed below is covered with red willows and towering ancient trees. A gentle stream flows through, creating a serene environment. Watching the sunset at Crescent Lake in Mingsha Mountain, riding a camel as the sun slowly sets, the moonlit water ripples under the fading light, with endless sand dunes stretching behind. Only then did I truly understand the breathtaking beauty and awe of the coexistence of sand and water.

Day 12: Dunhuang

Yumen Pass not only witnessed the prosperity of cultural exchanges between the East and the West, but also carried the tragic stories of countless border guards. The murals in Mogao Grottoes are not only a representation of religious art, but also a microcosm of ancient social life, religious beliefs and artistic development.

Day 13: Dunhuang-home

The trip is over and we return to our warm home