https://ph.trip.com/moments/detail/dunhuang-8-131033470
StarlightWaves56789Singapore

May Day Reverse Tour | The most comprehensive guide to Dunhuang for 6 days from Xi'an

|The most comprehensive guide to a 6-day trip to Dunhuang from Xi'an. 🚩General route: Xi'an→🚝Zhangye (D1)→🚗Jiayuguan (D2)→🚗Guazhou (D3)→🚗Dunhuang (D4-5)→🚝Xi'an (D6) 🟩DAY1: Xi'an - Zhangye - Dafo Temple - Zhangye 🔸In the morning, take Xi'an to Zhangye West, and arrive in about 6 hours. 🔸Afternoon: Visit the Big Buddha Temple (about 2 hours). The 34.5-meter reclining Buddha in the Xixia Buddhist complex is a must-see. It must be explained! ! ‌ 🔸‌Evening‌: If you live in downtown Zhangye, you can go to Ganzhou Market or Drum Tower to taste fish noodles, fried cannonballs, etc. ———————— 🟩DAY2: Zhangye-Mati Temple-Colorful Danxia-Jiayuguan 🔸Drive along Zhangsu Highway and arrive at Mati Temple before 9 am. Tour route three is more cost-effective, including the first gate ticket, and visiting Thousand Buddha Caves - Special Cave - North Temple in sequence. 🔸At noon, taste the special food of Yugu people near Mati Temple, such as fat-wrapped liver, hand-pulled lamb, fried firecrackers, butter tea and fried noodles, etc. 🔸Depart for Danxia before 13:00. The colorful Danxia is known as "one of the seven most beautiful Danxia landforms in China." It is recommended to enter the park after 16:00, enter from the west entrance, and focus on visiting the No. 2 (Colorful Screen) and No. 4 Observation Deck (best for sunset). Wear bright-colored clothes (red/yellow) for better photos; 🔸 Leave after 20:30 and go to Jiayuguan to check in; recommend "Yanjing BBQ" (local time-honored brand, yellow noodles + BBQ), hand-pulled lamb can choose "Zhou Ji" or "Axia" ———————— 🟩‌D3: Jiayuguan→Jiayuguan Pass→The First Tower of the Great Wall→Guazhou‌ 🔸In the morning, head to Jiayuguan Pass: the western starting point of the Great Wall of Ming Dynasty, known as "the most majestic pass in the world". After the Guancheng was renovated, it was very photogenic to take photos here. 🔸At noon, visit the first tower of the Great Wall (about 1 hour) 🔸Depart for Guazhou at 14:00 (3 hours’ drive), where you can enjoy the Gobi scenery from afar; stay in Guazhou County. You can try the donkey meat yellow noodles. ———————— 🟩D4: Guazhou → Son of the Earth → Yadan Ghost City → Dunhuang 🔸Morning: 8:00 Visit the "Son of the Earth" sculpture (free, 0.5 hours) 🔸‌Noon‌: Drive to Dunhuang (2 hours), and make a brief stop at the Suoyang City Ruins. 🔸Afternoon: After arriving in Dunhuang at 14:00, head to Yadan Ghost City (Dunhuang West Line, 2h drive) and enter 2 hours before sunset. 🔸Then return to Dunhuang city to check in. Go to Shazhou Night Market to taste donkey meat yellow noodles, mutton stewed cakes, stuffed skin and other delicacies. ———————— 🟩D5: Dunhuang → Mogao Grottoes → Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Lake 🔸Morning: Mogao Grottoes (normal tickets must be booked 30 days in advance). It is recommended to choose the 8:00 show, watch the movie first and then visit the caves. You can choose to visit the special caves by yourself. 🔸Afternoon: Enter Mingsha Mountain after 16:00 to avoid the high temperature period; ride a camel to Crescent Lake (about 1 hour), and climb to the top of the sand mountain to watch the sunset. Overnight in Dunhuang. ———————— 🟩D6: Dunhuang 🚝Xi'an If you still have time, you can buy cultural and creative souvenirs or visit the Dunhuang Museum (free). Then return.
View original text
*This content is provided by our partner and translated by AI
Posted: Apr 11, 2025
Submit
0
Mentioned in this post
Attraction

Mogao Caves

4.4/59777 reviews | Historic buildings
Dunhuang
2025 Asia 100 – Best Things to Do
PHP 5,276.67
Details
Show more
Related Trip Moments
Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring

Life Advice: You Must Take Your Kids to Dunhuang This Summer!

OF. Ava 30
Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot

Locals' secret Qinghai-Gansu divine route, the ultimate travel experience!

David Harris
Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring

Explore the Great Northwest! The vibrant colors of the Northwest are a must-see in your lifetime

PathfindingPleasures
Mogao Caves

Mom's Must-Save! The Ultimate Parent-Child Travel Guide to 8 Stress-Free Kid-Friendly Paradises

LILLIANA CUMMINGS
Mogao Caves

Divine Intervention? The Mysterious "Breathing" Murals of Mogao Caves Defy Scientific Explanation

Foster_24-Logan
Mogao Caves

8 Unforgettable Family Travel Experiences for 2025! Ultimate Parent-Child Destination Guide

BRADLEY BECKER
Mingsha Mountain And Crescent Spring

No confusion after graduation, head west chasing the sun!

Phoenix_Blackwooden_38
Mogao Caves

Mogao Caves Ultimate Guide! Detailed Touring Tips to Avoid Pitfalls

AbigailYoung
Mogao Caves

5-Day 4-Night Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop Travel Guide

SelmaMortensen
Mogao Caves

The Northwest's Aftermath is Insane! Kid Steals Martian Seeds, Salt Lake Treasure Stirs Aliens

venus&&
Mogao Caves

Northwest family trip ceiling: sleep at Mars Base, kids ride camels chasing the Milky Way​

LEONA JACOBS
Bars Snow Mountain

Dancing on the peak of Qilian, I am the essence born from wind and snow

Chunxiang Travel Agency