7- Day Mysteries Silk Road

Our 7 day tour itinerary starts with an explosion for the senses. Be prepared to tackle the largest night market of Dunhuang and explore all its interesting facets from food to crafts and enjoy an easy and relaxing night life before heading out for exploration the next day.

• Pick up from airport and proceed directly to the Dunhuang-Shazhou Night Market.
• Explore the interesting Dunhuang-Shazhou Night Market. It is the largest night market in Dunhuang and is divided into 5 sections: food & snacks, souvenirs, agricultural products, art crafts, and Sanbaotai teahouses. The night market starts late in the afternoon and goes well into the night and will surely be an interesting way to spend the first day.
• Transfer to hotel and check in. Free time afterwards.

This day covers the first stops in our Silk Road adventure with an exploration into the historic Yumen Pass, one of 2 important gateways on the western frontier during the Han dynasty as well as exploring the Han Dynasty Great Wall noted for its significance and length. An exploration into the rocky landscape of Yardang National Geological Park showcases nature-made beauties as well.

• Pick up from hotel and drive to the first stop - Yumen Pass.
• Explore the historic Yumen Pass. This is one of the routes that the Silk Road passes through.
• Time for some chow. Lunch stop.
• After lunch visit the Han Dynasty Great Wall. One of the longest ones in China's history.
• Next, proceed to the Yardang National Geological Park for some stunning rock formations and spectacular views.
• Drive back to hotel
• Hotel arrival and free time after.

More amazing explorations greet us on the 3rd day. We go through desert sand dunes and wonder at the Crescent Moon Lake and how it has kept alive a tiny town because in the midst of a desert. The 2nd part of this day is a visit to one of China's most famous grotto well known for its amazing and well preserved statues and frescos.

• Pick up from hotel and proceed to Desert-Sand Dunes and Crescent Moon Lake.
• Explore the beautiful sights of the desert sand dunes and the renowned Crescent Moon Lake which is one of a kind. It's a 2,000 year old lake shaped into a crescent in the midst of the desert sand dunes and is believed to be keeping a tiny town alive amidst the dryness of that area.
• Lunch stop.
• After lunch, transfer to Buddhism-Mogao Grottos.
• Explore the Buddhism-Mogao Grottos. One of the 4 famous and prestigious grotto complexes in China. This is the best preserved among the 4 with its many colorful frescos and statues.
• Transfer to hotel and free time for more exploration or rest.

Today's itinerary is exploring the Yangguan Pass, the other pass which was responsible for the defense of the Han dynasty way back and also checking out the beautiful Buddhist caves. The day ends with going back into time and reliving the history of the prestigious Silk Road through the important historical pieces on display in the Dunhuang Museum.

• Pick up from hotel and drive to Yangguan Pass.
• Discover interesting ruins and wonder at the impressive scenery around Yangguan Pass.
• Lunch stop.
• After lunch is finished, we proceed to the Western Thousand-Buddha Caves.
• Visit the charming and elegant Western Thousand-Buddha Caves which are also home to many splendid frescos and age-old Buddhist statues. It is a quiet oasis in the middle of the desert.
• Drive to Dunhuang Museum.
• Visit Dunhuang Museum and marvel at the relics and other cultural and historical artifacts collected over time and showcases the richness of cultural exchange when the Silk Road was at its peak of being a major trading route for China and the West.
• Transfer back to hotel and free time after.

We explore the famous and grand Yulin cave also called Wan Fo Xia (The Gorge of Ten Thousand Buddhas) for this day as well as proceed on to the next place in the Silk Road Route which is Jiayuguan.

• Check out from hotel and guide will pick you up and we will proceed to Yulin Caves.
• Have lunch first before Yulin Cave exploration.
• Yulin Cave exploration. Also one of the more beautiful and famous Buddhist cave temples in China. The Yulin Cave houses around 42 surviving grottos which have been cut into the walls.
• Drive to Jiayuguan.
• Check in to the hotel upon arrival and free time for rest or more discoveries.

Today is a visit to one of the more important sections of the Great Wall - Jiayuguan Pass and checking out the largest underground art gallery which is a treasure trove of historical art and the last stop in our Silk Road adventure.

• Pick up from hotel and drive to Jiayuguan Pass.
• Visit and explore Jiayuguan Pass. This is one of the main passes of the Great Wall and there is a temple and museum as well to visit in this section.
• Lunch stop. Refreshments.
• Once lunch is done, proceed to the Weijin Mural Tomb.
• Visit and wonder at the Weijin Mural Tomb which is also known as the world's largest underground art gallery.
• Transfer to hotel.

This last day is just all about getting ready and checking out from the hotel. We hope you had a blast going throughout the historical and mysterious Silk Road of China.

• Check out from hotel.
• Pick up from hotel and drive to airport. Back to your sweet home.