Jinan-Xi’an City Highlights (L)

The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses - The driver will meet you in the lobby of your Jinan hotel, holding a sign with your name, and transfer you to the airport for a 2-hour flight to Xi’an.

Upon arrival, your tour guide will be waiting at the exit of the arrival hall with a sign displaying your name. Board your private vehicle and head directly to the renowned Terracotta Warriors Museum, often referred to as “the Eighth Wonder of the World.”

Your tour guide will share fascinating histories and stories along the way, and you are welcome to ask any questions you may have.

The museum is divided into three sections: No.1 Pit, No.2 Pit, and No.3 Pit. The original site was discovered by four local farmers while drilling a well in 1974 and has since become Xi’an’s most significant attraction. Explore the museum and gain valuable insights from your tour guide.

Xi’an City Wall (Chengqiang) - Enjoy a delightful lunch at a local restaurant, then proceed to Xi’an city to visit the 600-year-old Xi’an City Wall. Ascend to the top of the ancient city wall and take in the views of the city below.

Muslim Quarter - Next, head to the Muslim Quarter, the heart of the Muslim community in Xi’an City. Follow your tour guide through the Muslim food and souvenir market.

After the tour concludes, you will be transferred to your hotel in Xi’an.

Xi’an - Dunhuang: Mogao Grottoes (L)

Airport Highway - Your driver will be waiting for you in the lobby of your Xi’an hotel with a sign displaying your name, and you will be transferred to the airport for a 2.5-hour flight to Dunhuang.

Your tour guide in Dunhuang will be waiting at the exit of the arrival hall with a sign displaying your name. Board your private air-conditioned vehicle and head directly to the Mogao Caves.

Pause for a quick lunch.

Mogao Caves - Upon arrival, begin your tour with a visit to the Mogao Caves Digital Exhibition Center.

Watch two documentary films to learn about the history, culture, and art of the Mogao Caves. Then, follow the professional tour guide from Mogao Caves to explore this UNESCO World Heritage site. You will visit 7 to 9 caves. As you explore, your guide will explain the significance of various wall paintings, which depict aspects of medieval politics, economics, culture, arts, religion, ethnic relations, and daily life in western China.

The Mogao Caves are the world’s largest, most richly endowed, and longest-used treasure house of Buddhist art. They are located at a strategic point along the Silk Road, at the crossroads of trade and religious, cultural, and intellectual influences. The carving of the caves began in 366 AD and continued for about 1,000 years. Currently, 492 caves are preserved, housing approximately 45,000 square meters of murals and over 2,000 painted sculptures, renowned for their statues and wall paintings.

Dunhuang: Yumen Pass–Han Great Wall Ruins–Yadan Ghost City(B, L)

Yumen Pass - Your tour guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel with a sign displaying your name. Board your private air-conditioned vehicle and head directly to Yumen Pass (1.5 hours). Your tour guide will share related histories and stories, and you are welcome to ask any questions you may have.

The Yumen Pass was a strategic pass on the ancient Silk Road, protecting Dunhuang from western invasions about two thousand years ago.

Follow your tour guide and take the attraction’s battery bus to explore the area. Admire the thousand-year-old ruins of Hecang City, the Han Dynasty Great Wall Ruins, and Yumen Pass.

The existing Yumen Pass is a square castle standing amidst the sandy rocks of the Gobi. Climb up to the tower and overlook a long scroll filled with scattered mashes, ravines, the winding Great Wall, and tall poplars, creating an atmosphere of nostalgia.

Great Wall of Han Dynasty - Continue to explore the ruins of the Han Dynasty Great Wall.

With a history of over 2,000 years, the Han Dynasty Great Wall was built between 101 and 121 BC. Stretching over a thousand kilometers in the western lands of ancient China, it played a crucial role in defending the country against northern invaders and greatly contributed to the prosperity of the Silk Road. Under its security, merchants from both the east and west could continue their business and exchange goods and information. Adapting to local conditions, the Han Great Wall was constructed using branches, reeds, sand, gravel, and other local materials instead of masonry. Although the existing Han Great Wall relics in Dunhuang have lost their original style and features due to weathering over millennia, you can still discern the outline and admire the wisdom of ancient people.

Yadan National Geological Park - Take a break after your time at Yumen Pass with a delicious lunch, then continue to Yadan National Geological Park.

Dunhuang Yadan National Geological Park, also known as Yadan Devil City due to its bleak desert and eerie sounds, presents an astonishing scene of Yardang landforms. If you are interested in natural landscapes or seeking an adventurous trip, this is a must-visit. The spectacular natural formations of the landscape will provide you with unexpected photo opportunities.

As the largest Yardang Landform discovered so far, you will hear sounds resembling a devil’s scream when strong winds pass through the desert.

Accompanied by your tour guide, take the battery bus to explore four main sites in the park. You will have free time to enjoy the stunning views and take beautiful photos. You can see uniquely-shaped rocks like Mongolian Bao, Stone Bird, Peacock, and others. Use your imagination, and you may find rocks resembling famous architectures, such as the Potala Palace in Tibet, the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, or others.

Perhaps you have watched sunsets in many places, but you may never have experienced such a grand sight as in Yadan Geologic Park. If you wish to stay longer to experience the unique sunset moment, just inform your tour guide (additional cost applies).

After the tour concludes, you will be transferred to your hotel in Dunhuang.

Dunhuang: Singing Dunes - Crescent Moon Spring(B, L)

Mingsha Shan - Echoing-Sand Mountain - Your tour guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel with a sign displaying your name between 6-7:00 am. Board your private air-conditioned vehicle and head directly to the Singing Dunes.

The sand of the mountain displays various colors, ranging from red to yellow, green, black, and white. When strong winds blow, the sands are lifted, creating loud sounds, hence the name.

Stroll around the area to enjoy the surroundings. You can choose to climb the dune to enjoy the breathtaking view of the desert and Crescent Moon Pool.

Crescent Moon Pool - Proceed to Crescent Moon Pool. As its name suggests, the Crescent Pool is naturally shaped like a half-moon. Surrounded by Echoing Sand Mountain, it is considered “the first spring in the desert.” According to historical records, the lake has existed for hundreds of years without ever being buried by sand.

If you choose to return to Jinan, you will head to the airport around 12:30 pm. You will fly to Xi’an first, then take the next flight to Jinan (Tour does not include lunch).

Xiqian Buddha Caves - If you choose to end your tour in Dunhuang, you can start the tour later, then visit Xiqian Buddha Caves or Dunhuang Museum in the morning, followed by Singing Dunes and Crescent Moon Pools in the afternoon. The tour includes lunch.

As part of the Mogao Grottoes, the Western Thousand-Buddha Cave is set into a cliff on the northern bank of the Dang River. Due to the similarities in structure and artistic style to the Mogao Caves, the Western Thousand-Buddha Cave is considered an important component of Dunhuang Buddhist art.

Follow the professional tour guide from the attraction to discover the charms of this site. You will explore 5 caves. As you explore, your guide will explain the significance of various wall paintings, which depict aspects of medieval politics, economics, culture, arts, religion, ethnic relations, and daily life in western China.

Dunhuang Museum - You can choose to visit Dunhuang Museum in the morning, followed by Singing Dunes and Crescent Moon Spring in the afternoon.

Dunhuang Museum is an excellent place to gain knowledge about Dunhuang and the ancient Silk Road. There are over 10,000 Chinese and Tibetan items to appreciate, including exquisite and vivid replicas of the murals and sculptures in the Mogao Grottoes. As photography is not allowed in the Dunhuang Mogao Caves, tourists can take photos here instead.

Follow your tour guide to visit one Preface Hall and five Exhibition Halls. You will visit these halls one by one to learn about the history of Dunhuang from prehistoric times to the Qing Dynasty.

• Hotel pick up and drop off
• Battery bus at Mogao Caves
• Plane tickets (economy class)
• Battery bus at Yumen Pass
• Private guide
• Lunch
• Private air-conditioned comfortable car
• Breakfast
• Entrance fee
• Overnight accommodation of standard twin room (two beds), based on twin share if choose the option
• Battery bus at Yadan National Geological Park

• Single supplement charge of accommodation
• The entrance fees is only for regular caves, you can pay extra if you want to visit special caves.
• Accommodation if you choose the option to have tour only
• Gratuities

Embark on a journey through time via the ancient Silk Road on this cultural expedition from Jinan to the historical cities of Xi’an and Dunhuang, accessible by plane. Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Terra-cotta Warriors, the Mogao Grottoes, the Crescent Moon Pool, and the Singing Dunes. Enjoy the local food and nightlife by walking around the Muslim Quarter in Xi’an and the Shazhou night market in Dunhuang. Explore historic landmarks such as the 2000-year-old Yumen Pass, Haicang City, and the Ruins of the Great Wall from the Han Dynasty, and marvel at the ancient wisdom. Be captivated by the unique landscape at the Yadan National Geologic Park that makes for incredible photo opportunities. A friendly and knowledgeable private guide will provide detailed historical context for the various attractions. This tour covers plane tickets, entrance fees, lunch, an English-speaking guide and private transportation. You have the choice to conclude your tour in Dunhuang or head back to Jinan. There’s also an option to include 4-star accommodation with breakfast served daily.

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.