3-Day Silk Road Trip to Dunhuang, Mogao Caves, Crescent Lake, Yumenguan Pass

Day 1 · Airport Pickup, Echoing-sand Dune, Crescent Moon Pool

1. 1

   Dunhuang

   one hour

   Upon your arrival in Dunhuang, your guide will meet you outside the arrival hall at the airport and then transfer you to the hotel.

2. 2

   Mingsha Shan - Echoing-Sand Mountain

   2 hours Admission included

   After resting for a while, you will visit the Echoing-sand Dune, which is formed by the pileup of drifting sand. It was named so because the sand dunes utter tremendous sound if there is a gale and murmur while people slide down from the top.

3. 3

   Crescent Moon Pool

   2 hours Admission included

   The Crescent Moon Pool is a crystal clear lake in the shape of the crescent moon. Although encircled by the Echoing-Sand Dune and frequently attacked by squall and furious sand storms, the lake water keeps limpid and sweet for hundreds of thousands of years.

   After that, your guide and driver will transfer you back to your hotel.

Building No. 8 of Dunhuang Hotel (4 stars)

Day 2 · Yumenguan Pass, Great Wall of the Han Dynasty, Yadan National Geology Park

1. 1

   Yumen Pass

   2 hours Admission included

   Your guide and driver will transfer you to Yumen Pass, a part of the Great Wall of China. It is said that the jade from the western regions was brought into the central plains through this pass, hence the name Yumen Pass (Jade Pass). In ancient times, it also functioned as the military strategic pass and significant passage of the ancient Silk Road.

2. 2

   Great Wall of Han Dynasty

   2 hours Admission included

   Then, continue the private tour to the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220). Different from other sections of the Wall built of bricks and stones, this section was built of rammed earth, sanded reeds and the juniper tamarisks. As time passes by, the wall has been heavily destroyed both by the nature and human beings, but still you could get some insights of the original appearance of the wall here.

3. 3

   Yadan National Geological Park

   3 hours Admission included

   After that, the tour will extend to Yadan National Geology Park, a physiognomy landscape formed by aeolian erosion. Entering the park, you could find various nature-made sculptures in different postures and manners.

   Afterwards, transfer you back to your hotel.

Building No. 8 of Dunhuang Hotel (4 stars)

Day 3 · Mogao Grottoes, Dunhuang Museum, Airport See-off

1. 1

   Mogao Caves

   3 hours Admission included

   Today's first stop is Mogao Caves. As one of China's four most famous grottoes, Mogao Grottoes is also the largest and best-preserved Buddhism art treasure house. It is especially famous for a great number of delicate murals and statues. All together it has 492 caves housing over 2,000 statues and more than 50,000 square yards of murals.

2. 2

   Dunhuang Museum

   2 hours Admission included

   In Dunhuang Museum, you will see as many as 4,000 pieces of cultural relics. There are documents discovered in the No.17 cave of Mogao Grottoes, the historical relics unearthed from tombs as well as silk, brocade, tulle and voile, all of which provide materials and reference to the ancient Silk Road.

3. 3

   Dunhuang

   one hour

   Your Dunhuang 3-day tour itinerary comes to an end, and your guide will escort you to the airport and see you off there.