Itinerary
- Day 1
Dunhuang
You'll arrive in Dunhuang, a historic frontier town along the ancient Silk Road, and check into your accommodation. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace. If you get in early enough, head over to Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market where you can sample local food and get a feel for how the city operates after dark.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Grand Sun Hotel Dunhuang)
Optional Activities
- Visit Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market for local Dunhuang delicacies
- Try local specialties such as apricot kernel juice, donkey meat yellow noodles, and puffed oil cakes
- Day 2
Dunhuang
Start your morning at the Mogao Digital Exhibition Center to watch an introductory film, then move into the Thousand Buddha Grottoes complex to see the collection of murals and statues spread throughout. After that, head to Mingsha Mountain where you can visit Crescent Spring and walk through the dramatic desert landscape. If you're up for it, you can climb to the summit for sunset views over the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Grand Sun Hotel Dunhuang)
Included Activities
- Mogao Digital Exhibition Center - introductory film
- Mogao Caves (Thousand Buddha Grottoes) - explore cave complex with Buddha statues and celestial figures
- Full-scale replica caves at foot of Sanwei Mountain
- Mingsha Mountain Scenic Area visit
- Crescent Spring visit
Optional Activities
- Climb Mingsha Mountain for panoramic views
- Watch sunset over the desert from Mingsha Mountain summit
Landmarks Mogao Caves Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring - Day 3
Dunhuang to Jiayuguan
After breakfast, drive to Jiayuguan, a historic fortress town known as the 'Key to the Frontier' on the Silk Road. Spend time at Jiayuguan Fortress exploring the inner city, outer city, and moat, then go to the Great Wall Museum to learn about the fortress's history. Climb the tower for views toward the Qilian Mountains, and later head to the nearby Overhanging Great Wall built at a steep 45-degree angle along a mountain ridge.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ChenFeng Grand Hotel)
Included Activities
- Jiayuguan Fortress visit and exploration
- Great Wall Museum visit
- Tower climbing with views of Qilian Mountains
- Overhanging Great Wall (Xuanbi Great Wall) visit
Optional Activities
- Photo opportunity in traditional costumes at fortress stalls
- Purchase calligraphy and paintings from local stalls
Landmarks Jiayuguan Fortress Overhanging Great Wall Qilian Mountains 
- Day 4
Jiayuguan to Zhangye
Travel to Zhangye after breakfast to see a different side of China's northwest. Visit Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park to see the colorful hills and layered rock formations that appear in films and are considered among China's most beautiful landscapes. In the city center, stop by Giant Buddha Temple to see the largest indoor reclining Buddha statue in China.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Zhangye Metropolis Holiday Hotel )
Included Activities
- Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park visit
- Giant Buddha Temple visit
- View the largest indoor clay reclining Buddha in China (34.5 meters length)
Landmarks Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park Giant Buddha Temple 
- Day 5
Zhangye
Your 5-day Best Gansu Silk Road tour ends today. After breakfast, you'll depart for your next destination. The tour operator has extension options available if you want to explore other parts of Gansu or continue elsewhere throughout China.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Extend tour to explore Lanzhou, Wuwei, Jiuquan, Guazhou, or other highlighted parts of Gansu
- Continue exploration to other Chinese cities such as Xining, Turpan, Chengdu, Lhasa, Xi'an, Beijing, or Shanghai
