Yinchuan, Hexi Corridor & Dunhuang 11-Day Silk Road Rail Tour

Travel from Yinchuan through Zhongwei and Lanzhou, across the Hexi Corridor to Dunhuang, on a long-distance Silk Road journey entirely by train.

Connect Ningxia to the classic Silk Road. See the Western Xia heritage in Yinchuan, the desert and Yellow River in Zhongwei, and travel via Lanzhou, Zhangye, and Jiayuguan to Dunhuang, using high-speed trains for intercity travel. Experience the transition from the Yellow River plains to the Gobi Desert on this one-way, non-returning journey, perfect for long-term travelers with ample time. Wuwei and the Qinghai section are skipped. Note that Mogao Caves tickets must be booked well in advance.

Tickets for the Mogao Caves are extremely tight in July, August, and during the National Day holiday. You need to book about one month in advance.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrival in Yinchuan and Museum Visit

Yinchuan（Ningxia Museum、Chengtian Temple Pagoda (West Pagoda)）

Take a taxi or airport shuttle bus to the city center (approx. 40 mins). Travel by taxi in the afternoon; attractions are close to each other.

The Ningxia Museum is closed on Mondays (except on public holidays).

Stay: Jinfeng District · Ningxia Museum

Day 2 · Western Xia Tombs and Zhenbeibu

Yinchuan（Xixia Imperial Tombs、Zhenbeipu Western Film Studio）

Take a chartered car for a round trip. It takes about 40 minutes from the city center to the Western Xia Tombs, and 30 minutes to Zhenbeibu. These are short daily trips.

Stay: Jinfeng District · Ningxia Museum

Day 3 · High-Speed Train to Zhongwei and Shapotou

Shapotou（Shapotou）

Take a bullet train from Yinchuan Railway Station to Zhongwei South (approx. 1.3 hours), then take a taxi to Shapotou (approx. 40 mins).

Stay: Around Shapotou Scenic Area

Day 4 · Gaomiao Temple and High-Speed Train to Lanzhou

Shapotou（Gao Temple (Gaomiao)） → Lanzhou（Zhongshan Bridge (Yellow River Iron Bridge)、Zhengning Road Night Market）

Take a taxi to Gaomiao Temple in the morning (approx. 30 mins). Take a bullet train from Zhongwei South to Lanzhou West (approx. 2 hours), then take a taxi within the city.

Stay: Zhengning Road and Zhongshan Bridge

Day 5 · Provincial Museum and High-Speed Train to Zhangye

Lanzhou（Gansu Provincial Museum） → Zhangye

Take a taxi to the Gansu Provincial Museum in the morning (approx. 15 mins). In the afternoon, take a bullet train from Lanzhou West to Zhangye West (approx. 3 hours).

The Gansu Provincial Museum is closed on Mondays and requires advance reservation.

Stay: Zhangye City Center

Day 6 · Dafo Temple and Rainbow Danxia

Zhangye（Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple、Zhangye Danxia Landform）

Walk or take a taxi to Dafo (Giant Buddha) Temple in the morning. In the afternoon, take a chartered car to the Rainbow Danxia landforms (approx. 1 hour) and return after sunset.

The light is best at sunset in the Danxia area. Keep an eye on the sunset time of the day.

Stay: Zhangye City Center

Day 7 · High-Speed Train to Jiayuguan and the Fort

Jiayuguan（Jiayuguan Fort、Great Wall Museum (Jiayuguan)）

Take a bullet train from Zhangye West to Jiayuguan South (approx. 1.5 hours), then take a taxi to the Jiayuguan Fort (approx. 20 mins).

Stay: Xinhua Road · Xiongguan Square

Day 8 · The First Pier of the Great Wall and on to Dunhuang

Jiayuguan（First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall & Taolai River Gorge、Overhanging Great Wall） → Dunhuang

Take a chartered car to see the Great Wall in the morning (approx. 3 hours). In the afternoon, take a bullet train from Jiayuguan South to Dunhuang (approx. 3 hours).

Direct bullet trains to Dunhuang are limited daily. Secure your train tickets before planning your morning itinerary.

Stay: Shazhou Night Market, Dunhuang City

Day 9 · Mogao Caves and Mingsha Mountain

Dunhuang（Mogao Caves、Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake、Dunhuang Night Market）

Take a taxi or bus to the Mogao Caves Digital Exhibition Center (approx. 30 mins). In the afternoon, head to Mingsha Mountain (approx. 40 mins).

Real-name reservation is required for the Mogao Caves. Tickets are sold for specific time slots and must be booked well in advance.

Stay: Shazhou Night Market, Dunhuang City

Day 10 · Western Route: Yumen Pass and Yadan Landforms

Dunhuang（Yumen Pass、Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark）

Join a carpool or charter a car for a round trip of about 380 km. Total driving time is about 6 hours. Depart early in the morning.

There are almost no supply stops along the way. Bring plenty of drinking water and sun protection.

Stay: Shazhou Night Market, Dunhuang City

Day 11 · Dunhuang Museum and Departure

Dunhuang（Dunhuang Museum）

Walk or take a taxi to the museum (approx. 10 mins), then head to Dunhuang Airport (approx. 20 mins).

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