Classic Silk Road Tour plus Buddhist Grottoes Exploration

Your Silk Road Gansu adventure begins in Tianshui. Upon arrival, your local guide of Easy Tour China will meet you at the airport/train station and transfer to the hotel for check in. 

If you arrive early, drive to visit Fuxi Temple. Named after Chinese nation’s earliest ancestor Fuxi, it is one of top ancient architectural complexes in Northwest China. 

Good to know:

• Get to Tianshui by train: You can take a high-speed bullet train to Tianshui from Xian (about 1.5 -2 hours), Lanzhou (about 1-1.5 hours), Baoji (about 40-50 minuites), Xining (about 3-3.5 hours).
• Get to Tianshui by flight: You can fly to Tianshui from Chongqing, Tianjin, Yinchuan, and other cities (the flight route is unstable). 

Meal: D

Drive to visit Maijishan Grottoes. It is one of China’s top four famous Buddhist grottoes, and famed as an "Oriental Statues Museum", being the finest example of China's sculpture.

Built over 1,600 years ago during the Sixteen Kingdoms period, hundreds of caves were intricately carved into the vertical cliff face that rises over 80 meters high. Ascending along the cliffside walkway to the main cave complex, you will be captivated by the exquisite Buddhist sculptures ranging from the graceful and slender figures of the Northern Wei Dynasty to the plump and rounded forms of the Sui and Tang Dynasties.

Here, the 44th cave is the most famous one, known as the "Mona Lisa" of Maijishan Grottoes - a Bodhisattva statue from the Western Wei Dynasty, with a slightly raised mouth and gentle, smiling eyes.

Along the mountain walkway, you can also capture the panoramic view of the valley.

Meal: B, L

After Breakfast, drive 25km/16mi for Shuiliandong Caves, also constructed during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. The scenic area is divided into four parts: Shuiliandong Cave, Lashao Si, Thousand Buddha Cave and Xiansheng Pond.

The Shuiliandong Cave is a large, arched natural cave about 50 meters high and over 20 meters deep. It features a complex of ancient religous architectures such as the Four Saints Temple, the Guanyin Temple, and the Bodhisattva Hall, as well as various Buddhist murals carved on the cliff face from different eras. 

The place is also known as Wushan Rock Carvings. In Lashao Si Temple, there is the world's largest cliff relief Buddha, being 42.3 meters tall, thus earning its reputation as "a gem of rock art".

Transfer to Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province. You have a free evening to take in the views of Yellow River – you may like to go for a walk around the Zhongshan Bridge.

Meal: B, L

Drive about 5 hours from Lanzhou to Xiahe. Visit Binglingsi Temple Grottoes en route. Built in 420AD of Western Qin Dynasty, it is rare treasure house of Buddhist art along Ancient Silk Road, and a UNESCO-protected heritage. 

After continuous construction by various dynasties including the Northern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing, the 216 caves and 815 statues at Bining Temple, along with approximately 1,000 square meters of murals, reveal the evolution history of Chinese Buddhist grotto art over a thousand years.

Located on the west cliff of Xiaojishi Mountain on the north bank of the Yellow River, Bining Temple is different from other caves. It is also listed by UNESCO as a World Geopark, featuring distinctive Danxia landforms and the scenery of the Yellow River.

Continue your journey to Xiahe to sample authentic Tibetan cuisine. You’ll spend an overnight in Xiahe with serene surroundings and primitive Tibetan dwellings.

Meal: B, L

Located on the northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Xiahe is a tiny but important Tibetan town in Gansu, where Tibetan Buddhist culture is prevalent and the grassland scenery captivates. 

After breakfast, tour Labrang Monastery. Built in 1709, the monastery is the activity center of the town and one of the six most important monasteries of the Gelupka sect of Tibetan Buddhist. 

More than just a temple, Labrang Monastery is a Buddhist university with six colleges -- numerous monks from Tibet and other areas come here to study.

Have a peaceful morning immersed in the magic of Tibetan Buddhism, walk along the world's longest prayer wheel corridor, 3.5 kilometers long, with approximately 1,700 prayer wheels. Explore iconic Labrang Monastery buildings such as the Great Assembly Hall, the Medical College, the Butter Sculpture Hall, the Gongtang Pagoda, and the Buddha Display Platform.

Drive back to Lanzhou and sample more flavoursome Gansu regional cuisine.

Meal: B, L

Today you’ll journey out into the breathtaking wilderness of Zhangye. Transfer to the train station, and board a high-speed train bound for Zhangye. 

Here, you’ll first visit Dafo Temple, dating to 900 years ago and giving an insight into the Xixia kingdom's Buddhist art and mysterious past. The reclining Buddha enshrined in the temple is the largest indoor wooden-cast clay statue of Buddha in Asia. It is the image of Sakyamuni after his nirvana, with a total length of 34.5 meters (approximately the height of a ten-story building). Interestingly, as you move from the head to the feet, the expression of the Buddha seems to change from alert to serene.

Thereafter, Visit Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park, known as China's Rainbow Mountain, where layers of red, yellow, orange, green, white, and gray colors intertwine.. Marvel at its majestic table mountain terrain, odd-shaped Danxia cliffs, and dynamic, dramatic colors. Get ready for taking some breathtaking photos. 

Meal: B, L

Today, you'll travel to Jiayuguan along the Hexi Corridor by high-speed train (around 1.5h) and check into your hotel. This afternoon, your guide will lead you to Jiayuguan Fortress. The west end of the Great Wall of China built in 1372 in Ming Dynasty, it is a magnificent, well-preserved ancient military fort and still dotted with historic sites ripe for exploring. You’ll wander through the Inner city, outer city, ward city, and city tower. When you stand on the city wall and look down upon the entire defense system of the Jianguan City and the desolate Gobi landscape.

Thereafter, transfer to visit what is known as to as one of the seven wonders of the world – China Great Wall in Jiauguan, named Overhanging Great Wall. It was built on the 45-degree steep slope of the northern side of the Black Mountain, as if hanging in the air, hance the name. Summit Great Wall, taking in the panoramic views of Jiayuguan City and the distant continuous Qilian Mountains.

Arrive at the First Tower of the Great Wall, which stands on a 56-meter-high cliff at the edge of the Taolai River Canyon. This now insignificant mound was once the exact western starting point of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. Beyond it, the canyon is very spectacular.

Meal: B, L

Say goodbye to Jiayuguan and continue your China Silk Road adventure. Transfer to Dunhuang in the morning, and visit Yulin Grottoes in Anxi. Yulin Grottoes is the sister grottoes of Mogao grottoes in Dunhuang, but more quiet. It has 42 caves, mostly of Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) style. The murals of the Western Xia Dynasty (1038 - 1227) are the best highlights, covering a much wider range than any other area in Dunhuang. You can see stunning flying Apsaras on the wall painting and many more.

Continuing south, you'll enter a surreal Gobi landscape, where the World Heritage Site of Xuanquanzhi, a stunning large-scale outdoor sculpture group, and a magnificent western wind farm are situated with the majestic Qilian Mountains as a backdrop.

Xuanquanzhi was built during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty (around 111 BC) and is the most complete Han Dynasty post station discovered and preserved in China to date. Numerous artifacts have been unearthed, including over 25,000 Han Dynasty bamboo slips, over 450 pieces of hemp paper, as well as various silk books, daily necessities, and grain crops. Wander through its courtyards, stables, and post roads.

Among the many artworks in the Guazhou Gobi International Sculpture Art Gallery, the most striking is "Son of the Earth," a red sandstone infant lying face down, fast asleep. Then, you'll climb the 100-meter-high wind turbine observation deck to witness how the Guazhou Wind Farm works in the Gobi Desert.

Arrive in Dunhuang, with an optional private guided trip to Shazhou Night Market of various street food.

Meal: B, L

This morning, you’ll tour Mogao Caves – a treasure trove of Buddhist art along the Silk Road and a World Heritage Site. Construction began during the Sixteen Kingdoms period, more than 1600 years ago. The Mogao Caves are hailed as the “Louvre of the East,” housing exquisite Buddhist murals and painted sculptures from the Northern Wei to the Yuan Dynasty. You’ll learn from your guide all about this incredible Buddhist cave, from the style of the Buddha statues to the colors of the murals and the architectural structure.

In the afternoon, visit Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring, one of China's most beautiful and accessible deserts. Perhaps ride a camel deep into the desert. Watch the sun gradually set, the desert turning to glitter, and the light entering the “golden hour,” the best time of day for photography. Capture the golden sand dunes and Crescent Spring.

Meal: B, L

Transfer to the airport or train station to head for your next destination.For Buddhist culture lovers, you may extend your tour to Tibet. If your interest also lies in the Silk Road journey, make your way to Xinjiang. End of your 10 Days Classic Silk Road Tour package plus Buddhist Grottoes Exploration. Thanks for choosing Easy Tour China! 

Meal: