Xi'an to Dunhuang Grottoes Silk Road

Travel west from Xi'an along the Longhai and Lanzhou-Xinjiang lines to see Maijishan, Bingling Temple, Labrang Monastery, Yulin Caves, and the Mogao Caves.

This is a comprehensive cultural journey through Gansu, utilizing high-speed rail for the main segments and chartered cars for Gannan and Dunhuang. Explore Maijishan, Bingling Temple, Yulin Caves, and the Mogao Caves, with a detour to Linxia and Xiahe to experience Hezhou and Tibetan culture. The pace is steady and does not require self-driving. With its longer duration and focus on cultural heritage, it is perfect for in-depth cultural travelers and seniors. Note that this route skips Langmusi and Zhagana in southern Gannan.

Xiahe sits at an elevation of about 3,000 meters. Boat trips to Bingling Temple are subject to water levels and weather conditions.

Day by day

Day 1 · High-Speed Rail to Tianshui & Maijishan

Tianshui（Maijishan Grottoes）

Take a high-speed train from Xi'an to Tianshui South Railway Station (approx. 1.5 hours), transfer to Maijishan (approx. 30 minutes), and return to Qinzhou in the evening.

Stay: Qinzhou Old Town and City Center

Day 2 · Fuxi Temple & High-Speed Rail to Lanzhou

Tianshui（Fuxi Temple） → Lanzhou（Zhongshan Bridge (Yellow River Iron Bridge)、Baita (White Pagoda) Mountain Park、Zhengning Road Night Market）

Visit Fuxi Temple in the morning, then take a high-speed train to Lanzhou in the afternoon (approx. 1.5–2 hours). Stroll along the Yellow River in the evening.

Stay: Zhengning Road and Zhongshan Bridge

Day 3 · Gansu Provincial Museum to Liujiaxia

Lanzhou（Gansu Provincial Museum） → Linxia（Liujiaxia Reservoir & Yellow River Three Gorges）

Visit the museum in the morning, then charter a car to Yongjing County in the afternoon (approx. 2 hours). View the reservoir in the evening.

The Gansu Provincial Museum is closed on Mondays; keep this in mind when planning.

Stay: Yongjing County Town (Liujiaxia)

Day 4 · Bingling Temple Speedboat to Bafang Shisanhang

Linxia（Bingling Temple Grottoes、Bafang Thirteen Lanes）

Take a round-trip speedboat from the pier to Bingling Temple (approx. 3 hours total), then charter a car to Linxia in the afternoon (approx. 1.5 hours).

Stay: Bafang Thirteen Lanes

Day 5 · Linxia to Xiahe Labrang Monastery

Xiahe（Labrang Prayer Wheel Circuit、Gongtang Stupa）

Take a chartered car from Linxia to Xiahe (approx. 1.5 hours). Walk the kora corridor in the afternoon and visit the Gongtang Pagoda in the evening.

Take it easy upon arrival at high altitude and avoid strenuous exercise on the first day.

Stay: Xiahe County Town near Labrang Monastery

Day 6 · Labrang Monastery & Sangke Grassland to Lanzhou

Xiahe（Labrang Monastery、Sangke Grassland） → Lanzhou

Visit the monastery and Sangke Grassland in the morning, then take a chartered car back to Lanzhou in the afternoon (approx. 250 km, 4 hours).

Stay: Xiguan Crossroads

Day 7 · High-Speed Rail to Zhangye Danxia

Zhangye（Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple、Zhangye Danxia Landform）

Take a high-speed train from Lanzhou West to Zhangye West (approx. 2–3 hours), then charter a car to the Danxia landform in the afternoon (approx. 1 hour).

Take an early train to Zhangye to ensure you make it in time for the Danxia sunset.

Stay: Zhangye City Center

Day 8 · Jiayuguan Pass & Overhanging Great Wall

Jiayuguan（Jiayuguan Fort、Overhanging Great Wall）

Take a high-speed train from Zhangye West to Jiayuguan South (approx. 1 hour), then charter a local car to visit the fort pass and the Overhanging Great Wall.

Stay: Xinhua Road · Xiongguan Square

Day 9 · Suoyang City & Yulin Caves to Dunhuang

Guazhou（Suoyang City Ruins、Yulin Grottoes）

Charter a car from Jiayuguan heading west, passing Suoyang City and the Yulin Caves to Dunhuang (approx. 400 km, 5 hours drive).

Some special caves at Yulin require reservations or additional fees; confirm in advance.

Stay: Shazhou Night Market, Dunhuang City

Day 10 · Mogao Caves & Mingsha Mountain Sunset

Dunhuang（Mogao Caves、Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake）

Visit the Mogao Caves Digital Exhibition Center in the morning, return to the city for a rest in the afternoon, and take a taxi to Mingsha Mountain in the evening.

Class A tickets for the Mogao Caves should be reserved about a month in advance.

Stay: Shazhou Night Market, Dunhuang City

Day 11 · West Line: Yumenguan & Yadan

Dunhuang（Yangguan Pass、Yumen Pass、Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark）

Take a chartered or pooled car for a full-day round-trip along the West Line (approx. 300+ km, 10 hours total), returning after sunset.

Stay: Shazhou Night Market, Dunhuang City

Day 12 · Dunhuang Museum & Departure

Dunhuang（Dunhuang Museum、Dunhuang Night Market）

Take a taxi to the museum (approx. 10 minutes). In the afternoon, take a taxi from downtown to the airport (approx. 20 minutes).

The museum is typically closed on Mondays; if closed, you can explore the city instead.

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