Itinerary
- Day 1
Lanzhou
You'll arrive in Lanzhou and get settled into your hotel. The afternoon and evening are open for you to walk around the city and try some local food if you're interested. It's a good time to shake off travel fatigue and get a feel for the place.
- Start point
- Lanzhou Shi, Gansu, China (Pickup from Lanzhou airport/railway station and transfer to hotel., 09:00 - 21:00)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Explore Lanzhou city independently
- Try local cuisines
- Day 2
Lanzhou to Zhangye Kaoshan Camp
After breakfast, you'll head to Mati Temple, a Buddhist site with over 1,600 years of history. From there, you drive to Zhangye Rainbow Mountain to see the colorful layered rock formations that make up this famous Danxia landscape. You'll spend the night at Kaoshan Camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Yurt
Included Activities
- Visit Mati Temple
- Visit Zhangye Rainbow Mountain at Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park
Optional Activities
- Scenic bus at Zhangye Rainbow Mountain (not included)
Landmarks Mati Temple Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park 
- Day 3
Zhangye to Badain Jarhan
This morning you travel to Pingshanhu Grand Canyon, where you'll find dramatic canyon walls, winding rock formations, and stone forests throughout the area. Later in the day you head to Badain Jarhan to set up for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Yurt
Included Activities
- Visit Pingshanhu Grand Canyon
Landmarks Pingshanhu Grand Canyon - Day 4
Badain Jarhan
You spend the day exploring Badain Jarhan Desert, one of the world's largest deserts. The massive sand dunes here reach over 450 meters tall, and between them you'll find around 140 spring-fed lakes scattered throughout, creating an unusual desert landscape with water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Yurt
Included Activities
- Visit Badain Jarhan Desert
Landmarks Badain Jarhan Desert 
- Day 5
Badain Jarhan to Jiayuguan
You travel to Jiayuguan Pass, the western edge of the Great Wall of China. Built during the Ming Dynasty, this pass was considered 'The First and Greatest Pass under the Heaven' and served as an important military stronghold.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Jiayuguan Pass
Landmarks Jiayuguan Pass - Day 6
Jiayuguan to Dunhuang
You'll visit Yangguan Pass Scenic Area, located about 70 km southwest of Dunhuang. This was a Han Dynasty landmark and important Silk Road gateway. You can see the old pass structure, watchtowers, and remains of the Han Great Wall. You'll stay overnight in Dunhuang.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Yangguan Pass Scenic Area
Landmarks Yangguan Pass Scenic Area 
- Day 7
Dunhuang
Start with Singing Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake, where massive dunes and a natural spring have existed side by side for thousands of years. After that, you head to Mogao Grottoes to see the Buddhist art collection and ancient murals and statues carved into the rock faces. Later in the evening you board an overnight train headed back to Lanzhou.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Singing Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake
- Visit Mogao Grottoes
Optional Activities
- Scenic shuttle bus at Singing Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake (not included)
Landmarks Singing Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake Mogao Grottoes 
- Day 8
Lanzhou
You arrive back in Lanzhou and start with a local breakfast of the city's famous beef noodles. Then you take time to walk along the Yellow River Scenic Road, which runs for over 50 kilometers along the riverbank with nice water views. After that, it's time to head to the airport for your flight home.
- End point
- Lanzhou Shi, Gansu, China (Transfer to Lanzhou airport/railway station from hotel., 09:00 - 21:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast (Lanzhou beef noodles)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at Lanzhou (Lanzhou beef noodles)
- Explore Yellow River Scenic Road
Landmarks Yellow River Scenic Road
