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Silk Road Classics 9 Days · Hexi Corridor Direct to Dunhuang
9 days / 8 nights · Xi'an / Lanzhou / Zhangye / Jiayuguan / Dunhuang / Kashgar

Silk Road Classics 9 Days · Hexi Corridor Direct to Dunhuang

Xi'an / Lanzhou / Zhangye / Jiayuguan / Dunhuang / Kashgar · 9 days 8 nights · Moderate

Reference Price

$1,570Rise / Person

  • Purely for fun, no shopping
  • The itinerary can be slightly adjusted
  • Includes ticket reservation service
Number of people in a group2–10 people
IntensityMedium
Best seasonMay–Oct
Traffichigh-speed rail + tour bus + 1 flight segment
AccommodationFour-star hotel 8 nights + Dunhuang Characteristic Homestay 1 night
Departure MonthMay to October
View daily schedule Customized according to this line

Prices vary between peak and off-peak seasons; the following order confirmation shall prevail · Tickets for highlands and peak seasons need to be booked in advance

Itinerary Details

All routes are for reference only, the actual route is subject to the explanation of customer service

The best compromise when it's unrealistic to go from Xi'an to Kashgar: fully explore the Hexi Corridor, then fly directly to Kashgar after Dunhuang.

Day-by-day itinerary9 days in total · daily destination, meals, accommodation and transport

Expand day by day; click a title to collapse. Itinerary for reference and may be adjusted for weather and traffic.

  1. D1Arrive in Xi'an · Terracotta Army

    DestinationFrom various locations → Xi'an

    Meals
    Meals are self-managed
    Accommodation
    Xi'an Hotel
    Transport
    Airport/Station Pickup and Drop-off
    Distance
    Within the city
    Stops
    Daily detailArrive in Xi'an from various locations, private transfer from the airport/station to the hotel, free activity in the afternoon.
    Thirteen dynasties ancient capital, the city wall is complete and can be cycled around, the Terracotta Army and Shaanxi History Museum are the two most recommended stops for first-time visitors to China.
    Terracotta Army
    Meals: Roujiamo, persimmon cakes, cold noodles on Muslim Street; for a quieter meal, go to Yongxingfang.

  2. DestinationXi'an → Lanzhou

    Meals
    Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
    Accommodation
    Xi'an Hotel
    Transport
    High-speed train / tourist bus → Lanzhou
    Distance
    Intercity Transfer
    Stops
    Daily detailShaanxi History Museum
    Giant Wild Goose Pagoda at Daci'en Temple
    Meals: Roujiamo, persimmon cakes, cold noodles on Muslim Street; for a quieter meal, go to Yongxingfang.
    In the evening, take the high-speed train or tourist bus to Lanzhou, overnight in Lanzhou.

  3. DestinationLanzhou → Zhangye

    Meals
    Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
    Accommodation
    Lanzhou Hotel
    Transport
    High-speed train / tourist bus → Zhangye
    Distance
    Intercity Transfer
    Stops
    Daily detailGansu Provincial Museum: the provincial museum with the most concentrated Silk Road artifacts, Ferghana horse figurines and courier murals are here.
    Yellow River Iron Bridge: Zhongshan Bridge, completed in 1909, the first permanent iron bridge over the Yellow River, best viewed in the evening when the lights are on.
    Mother River Statue and Waterwheel Expo Park: walking along the south bank of the river, you can see traditional Lanzhou waterwheels.
    Zhengning Road Night Market: a hub for milk and egg rice wine, barbecue, and grey beans.
    Meals: Beef noodles, hand-pulled mutton, milk and egg rice wine.
    Tip: Beef noodles emphasize "one clear, two white, three red, four green," best eaten at breakfast for the most authentic taste; the highland sun is strong, sunscreen is needed even during the day.
    In the evening, take the high-speed train or tourist bus to Zhangye, overnight in Zhangye.

  4. DestinationZhangye → Jiayuguan

    Meals
    Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
    Accommodation
    Zhangye Hotel
    Transport
    High-speed train / tourist bus → Jiayuguan
    Distance
    Intercity Transfer
    Stops
    Daily detailColorful Danxia: The sandstone layers are most brilliant at sunset. The park has four viewing platforms; Platform 2 offers the most stable full view.
    Great Buddha Temple: Founded in the Western Xia period, the temple houses a wooden core clay reclining Buddha about 35 meters long, the largest indoor reclining Buddha in China.
    Wooden Pagoda Temple and Zhenyuan Tower: Located in the center of Zhangye Old Town, ideal for an evening stroll to observe local life.
    Horseshoe Temple: A grotto group at the foot of the Qilian Mountains south of the city. The Thirty-three Heavens Grottoes are carved along the cliffside, with far fewer visitors than Danxia.
    Meals: Sao noodles, rolled fish noodles, mutton noodle soup.
    Tips: Walking on the rock layers in the Danxia park is prohibited; stay on the boardwalk. Entering the park one hour before sunset is most cost-effective.
    In the evening, take a high-speed train or tour bus to Jiayuguan, overnight in Jiayuguan.

  5. DestinationJiayuguan → Dunhuang

    Meals
    Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
    Accommodation
    Jiayuguan hotel
    Transport
    High-speed train / tour bus → Dunhuang
    Distance
    Intercity Transfer
    Stops
    Daily detailJiayuguan Fort: The inner city, outer city, enclosures, and ramparts are complete. Climb Guanghua Tower to overlook the entire fort.
    First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall: The westernmost first beacon tower of the Great Wall, standing on the edge of the Talai River Gorge, very dangerous terrain.
    Cliff-side Great Wall: Climb a section of the Great Wall on the Heishan ridge. The slope is steep; those with average fitness can walk only half.
    Wei and Jin Dynasty Painted Tombs: Underground gallery with brick paintings depicting farming, hunting, and kitchens, very lifelike.
    Meals: Barbecue, mixed pot, rolled fish noodles.
    Tips: There is no public bus between the fort and the first beacon tower; chartered car or taxi is recommended. The Gobi has strong sunlight, so hats and water are essential.
    In the evening, take a high-speed train or tour bus to Dunhuang, overnight in Dunhuang.

  6. DestinationDunhuang city area

    Meals
    Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
    Accommodation
    Dunhuang hotel
    Transport
    City bus Walking
    Distance
    Walking about 4-6 km within the city
    Stops
    Daily detailMogao Caves
    Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring
    Meals: Donkey meat yellow noodles, Populus euphratica baked pancake, apricot peel water; Shazhou Night Market is a local late-night snack spot.

  7. DestinationDunhuang → Kashgar

    Meals
    Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
    Accommodation
    Dunhuang hotel
    Transport
    High-speed train / tour bus → Kashgar
    Distance
    Intercity Transfer
    Stops
    Daily detail
    Dining at Yumen Guanyangguan
    : donkey meat yellow noodles, poplar braised cakes, apricot peel water; Shazhou Night Market is the local late-night snack spot.
    In the evening, take a high-speed rail or tour bus to Kashgar and stay overnight.

  8. DestinationKashgar city center

    Meals
    Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
    Accommodation
    Kashgar Hotel
    Transport
    City bus Walking
    Distance
    Walking about 4-6 km within the city
    Stops
    Daily detailKashgar Ancient City: The old city of Sheng Chengdu, with the best lighting in the morning and dusk. You can walk directly into residential courtyards through the alleys.
    Etiqaq Mosque: One of the largest mosques in China, with its gatehouse and square serving as landmarks of the old city.
    Meals: Baked buns, pilapia, jar meat, pomegranate juice.
    Tip: In the old city residential area, please signal before taking photos; Avoid entering the main hall during mosque prayer hours; Be sure to bring ID at border areas.

  9. DestinationKashgar → Airport drop-off / station drop-off

    Meals
    Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
    Accommodation
    Not included
    Transport
    Private vehicle for transfer to airport/station
    Distance
    Walking about 4-6 km within the city
    Stops
    Daily detailCentral Asia Grand Bazaar: The liveliest place on Sundays, with everything from carpets and bronzeware to dried fruits and livestock, making it the best place to observe local trade.
    Xiangfei Garden and Gaotai Residences: A cluster of traditional dwellings in the northeast corner of the old city, where you can clearly see how the earth-made buildings are constructed.
    Dining: Baked buns, pilaf, jar meat, pomegranate juice.
    Tip: Please signal in the old town residential area before taking photos; Avoid entering the main hall during mosque prayers; Be sure to bring ID in border areas.
    Arrange a dedicated shuttle to the airport or station according to the flight or train time; the tour will end.
Key facts
Departure pointAssemble in Xi'an, disband in Kashgar
Number of people in a groupSmall group of 2-10 people
Recommended monthMay–Oct
AccommodationFour-star hotel 8 nights + Dunhuang Characteristic Homestay 1 night
TrafficHigh-speed rail Tourist bus 1 flight
IntensityMedium

Route Overview

The complete main route of the Silk Road in China: starting from Xi'an, passing through Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan to Dunhuang, then entering Xinjiang through Turpan to Kashgar. It includes the Mogao Caves, Danxia Rainbow Mountains, Jiayuguan Fortress, Jiaohe Ancient City, and Kashgar Old Town. The entire route can be viewed day by day.

The full journey is 9 days, moving along "Xi'an → Lanzhou → Zhangye → Jiayuguan → Dunhuang → Turpan → Kashgar": Xi'an / Lanzhou / Zhangye / Jiayuguan / Dunhuang / Kashgar. The pace is arranged as "one city per segment," with high-speed rail as the main intercity transport, and flights used for segments exceeding 5 hours.

Destinations on this Route

  • Xi'an: A capital of thirteen dynasties, with intact city walls suitable for a circular ride. The Terracotta Warriors and Shaanxi History Museum are the two must-visit stops for first-time visitors to China.
  • Lanzhou: The Gansu Provincial Museum and Yellow River Iron Bridge can be seen in one day, with the evening reserved for the Zhengning Road Night Market.
  • Zhangye: Danxia in the morning, Giant Buddha Temple in the afternoon—one day is just right; stay an extra day to visit the Mati Temple.
  • Jiayuguan: The fortress and the first pier of the Great Wall can be completed in one day; visiting the Hanging Wall of the Great Wall depends on your stamina.
  • Dunhuang: The Mogao Caves require real-name reservation in advance; it is recommended to enter Mingsha Mountain in the late afternoon to avoid sun exposure and catch the sunset.
  • Kashgar: At least two and a half days for the old town—one day for exploring the streets and mosque, another day for the Grand Bazaar and Gaotai residences.

Cultural Series

This route belongs to the Great Desert Camel Bells・Silk Road Thousands of Miles series. Other itineraries of different durations on the same theme are also available for comparison.

Costs include

  • Accommodation listed in the itinerary (double occupancy)
  • First entrance tickets to the attractions listed in the itinerary
  • Ground transportation listed in the itinerary (high-speed rail / tour bus / scenic area sightseeing bus)
  • Full-time Chinese-speaking tour guide service
  • Daily breakfast, and meals specified in the itinerary
  • Travel agency liability insurance and travel accident insurance

Cost not included

  • Round-trip international airfare between the place of departure and China
  • Personal visa and document fees
  • Main meals and personal expenses not listed
  • Optional items (cable car, additional boat rides, performances, etc.)
  • Tips for guides and drivers (voluntary)
  • Single room supplement

Booking Reminder

After confirming the itinerary and dates, pay the deposit, and the remaining balance should be paid 15 days before the trip. Cancellation more than 30 days before departure will get a full refund of the deposit, 70% refund for 15-30 days, 50% refund for 7-15 days, and no refund within 7 days. Popular sites such as Mogao Caves and Sanxingdui require real-name reservation, please submit ID information at least 15 days in advance. Seniors over 70 and children under 12 should be noted in the remarks, and we will adjust the daily walking distance accordingly.