Dunhuang 4-Day Tour
Yadan Devil City + Double Buddhist Caves + Desert Camping
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Mogao Grottoes (A/B Class Tickets + Special Caves) + Dunhuang Research Institute + Hidden Library Cave Exhibition
Yangguan Yumen Pass Tourist Area (Yumen Pass)
Yumen Pass (Jade Gate Pass) is a pass on the Great Wall west of Dunhuang in Gansu Province, China. During the Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD), it was a vital passage on the Silk Road and the only route connecting Central Asia with East Asia (China), the latter being known as the Western Regions. Just to its south is Yangguan Pass, which was also an important location on the Silk Road. These passes and other sites along the Silk Road were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014 as part of the Silk Roads: Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor World Heritage Site. The pass is located at an altitude of 1400 meters.
2
Dunhuang Yadan (Golden Lion Welcoming Guests + Fleet Formation) + Devil’s City Sunset + Black & White Volcano + Desert Off-road
Golden Lion Greeter (Pagoda-shaped Yardang)
The Golden Lion Greeter Yardang is a unique yardang landform landscape within Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark, named for its resemblance to a male lion welcoming guests. It is a natural wonder formed by the long-term erosion of soft surface parts by wind and rain, leaving behind hard rocks, and is one of many peculiar rock formations within Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark. Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark is located in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, covers an area of 398 square kilometers, and is famous for its large-scale yardang landforms.
3
Western Thousand Buddha Caves + Yulin Grottoes (Reservation Required) + Yumen Pass + Han Dynasty Great Wall Overhanging Section
Western Thousand Buddha Caves
The Western Thousand Buddha Caves are located in Dunhuang City, Gansu Province, situated on the cliffs north of the Dang River, approximately 35 kilometers from the center of Dunhuang City. This grotto complex is the western counterpart to the Mogao Grottoes, excavated from the Northern Wei to Yuan and Ming dynasties (6th to 14th centuries AD). It currently preserves 22 decorated caves, containing 34 painted sculptures and 800 square meters of murals, showcasing exquisite Buddhist art. It once served as an important station on the Silk Road and was designated a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level in 1961, along with the Mogao Grottoes. Opening hours are Monday to Sunday, 08:30-17:30.
Yumen Pass Xiaofangpan City Ruins
The Yumen Pass Xiaofangpan City Ruins are an important pass on the ancient Silk Road, located in the northwest of Dunhuang City, Gansu Province. It is an important part of the Han Great Wall. Xiaofangpan City is a common name for Yumen Pass, named for its square city walls and relatively small scale. It was once a gateway to the Western Regions, witnessing the exchange and integration of Chinese and Western cultures.
4
Mingsha Mountain Sunrise + Desert Camping + Sand Sliding + Bonfire Party + Camel Milk Coffee
Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring
Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring is located in Dunhuang City, Gansu Province, and is a unique natural landscape composed of Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring. Mingsha Mountain is famous for its wonder of 'mountain and spring coexisting, sand and water coexisting,' and gets its name from the sound made by moving sand. Crescent Spring is a crescent-shaped lake, shimmering with clear water in the desert, remaining unfrozen for thousands of years, and is hailed as a 'desert marvel.' It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and recognized by UNESCO as part of the Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark, making it an excellent destination to experience desert scenery and Silk Road culture.
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