Lanzhou to Dunhuang Small Group Tour 8D: Deep into Badain Jarhan Desert

Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrival Lanzhou: Transfer service to hotel

   
   

   Meals: No meals

   Accommodation: In Lanzhou

   Today we will arrive in Lanzhou. Check in the reserved hotel. No sightseeing activity will be arranged today so the rest time is for you to explore the city on your own. You can also try some local cuisines if time permits.

   Start pointPickup from Lanzhou airport/railway station and transfer to hotel., Lanzhou Shi, Gansu, China09:00 - 21:00

   Accommodation

   
   

   Hotel

   
   

   
   
2. Day 2 Lanzhou – Zhangye: Mati Temple, Zhangye Rainbow Mountain, Kaoshan Camp

   
   

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

   Accommodation: In Zhangye Kaoshan Camp

   After breakfast, we will head to Mati Temple (about 2hrs including sightseeing and driving). First built in the northern Liang period (397-460), Mati Temple is a famous Buddhist site along the historical Hexi Corridor. With a history of more than 1,600 years, the Mati Temple Grottoes, together with Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang and Yulin Grottoes in Anxi, are called the "three art treasures of Hexi Buddhism." 

   After lunch we will proceed to Zhangye Rainbow Mountain (about 2hrs, scenic bus not included). Extending along the northern slope of Qilian Mountain in west China, Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park in Gansu is the best representative of China's colorful Danxia landform and the largest Danxia landscape in an arid area, with a wide variety of landforms. Undulating fiery-red ridges together with amazing multicolored mountain folds transform the park into an immense sea of fire with rolling waves, earning it the reputation of China's Rainbow Mountains and also one of the 'Top 10 Geographical Wonders of the World' selected by the National Geographic. Then we will check in the Kaoshan Camp.

   Accommodation

   
   

   Yurt

   
   

   
   
3. Day 3 Zhangye – Badain Jarhan: Pingshanhu Grand Canyon

   
   

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

   Accommodation: In Badain Jarhan

   We will head to Pingshanhu Grand Canyon (about 4hrs), which is only 56km from the city, is one of the most beautiful geomorphologic landscapes in Zhangye’s grand view garden. In the canyon, the mountains wind leaning the walls, peaks tower along the terrain, stone forest interlock with each other, as if a mirage and fairy mountain. Then let’s proceed to Badain Jarhan.

   Accommodation

   
   

   Yurt

   
   

   
   

   
   
4. Day 4 Badain Jarhan: Deep in Badain Jarhan Desert

   
   

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

   Accommodation: In Badain Jarhan Desert

   Today we will visit the Badain Jarhan Desert after breakfast. The Badain Jarhan desert is the 3rd largest desert in the world roughly 150 kilometers north of the Hexi corridor and covering an area of over 49,000 square kilometers. It is home to the largest dunes on earth, the highest of which tower over 450 meters tall and stretch over 5 km in length. In addition to its megadunes, the Badain Jarhan also boasts roughly 140 spring fed-lakes that reside in the interspaces of its giant mega dunes, creating one of the most captivating desert landscapes in the world. It is not a "Waterless place", from these lakes that the Badain Jaran has derived its name, which means "mysterious lake" in the local Mongolian dialect.

   Accommodation

   
   

   Yurt

   
   

   
   
5. Day 5 Badain Jarhan – Jiayuguan: Jiayuguan Pass

   
   

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

   Accommodation: In Jiayuguan

   In the morning we will head to Jiayuguan Pass (about 2hrs). It is the first pass at the west end of the Great Wall of China and was built during the Ming Dynasty. It is located at the foot of Jiayuguan Hill, between two hills of which the Pass lies, so earned the name “The First and Greatest Pass under the Heaven”.

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   Hotel

   
   

   
   
6. Day 6 Jiayuguan – Dunhuang: Yangguan Pass

   
   

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

   Accommodation: In Dunhuang

   
   

   After breakfast, we’ll visit Yangguan Pass Scenic Area in Dunhuang (at least 3 hours). It’s 70 km southwest of Dunhuang, built during the Han Dynasty. Named for being south of Yumen Pass, it was a key Silk Road gateway back then. You’ll see ancient relics like the old pass, watchtowers, and parts of the Han Great Wall. Stay the night in Dunhuang.

   
   

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   Hotel

   
   

   
   
7. Day 7 Dunhuang – Lanzhou: Singing Sand Dune & Crescent Lake, Mogao Grottoes, Take a Overnight train to Lanzhou

   
   

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight Train

   After breakfast, we’ll go to Singing Sand Mountain & Crescent Lake in Dunhuang (scenic shuttle bus not included, at least 3 hours). These twin desert wonders are famous for their sand dunes and spring coexisting for thousands of years—like a magical pairing of sand and water! People say the mountain “sings” with its echoes, and the spring “cleanses” the heart. 

   After lunch, visit Mogao Grottoes (about 3.5 hours total), also called Thousand Buddha Caves. It’s the world’s biggest Buddhist art treasure, packed with amazing murals and statues from ancient times. Walking through these caves feels like stepping into a mix of legends and history. Afterwards, we’ll take you to the railway station for your overnight train to Lanzhou.

   
   

8. Day 8 Departure Lanzhou: Yellow Riverside, Transfer service to airport

   
   

   Meals: Breakfast

   When you arrive in Lanzhou, we’ll pick you up and take you for a local breakfast—famous Lanzhou beef noodles! After that, we’ll explore the Yellow River Scenic Road (about 2 hours in total). This is Lanzhou’s main riverside area, stretching along the Yellow River for over 50 kilometers. People call it the "Lanzhou Bund" because it’s got beautiful views and cool spots along the water!

   
   

   After the tour, we’ll drive you to the airport for your flight.

   End pointTransfer to Lanzhou airport/railway station from hotel., Lanzhou Shi, Gansu, China09:00 - 21:00