7 days Silk Road Tour from Lanzhou
English Speaking Guide
Max Group size of 12 people
All accomodations included
Our tours get great reviews!
We have over 15 years experience
Price of tour: $877*
* (Price can be 10% lower or higher depending on the season. Please tell us your preferred travel month in the booking form)
Tour summary
Embark on a journey along China’s ancient trade route with this 7-day Silk Road tour starting from Lanzhou. Discover a blend of history, unique landscapes, and vibrant cultures as you travel west across Gansu Province.
Your adventure begins in Lanzhou, where you’ll take a scenic boat ride to the cliffside Buddhist statues and murals of the Binglingsi Caves. Continue to the city of Zhangye, home to the breathtaking Danxia Rainbow Mountains—famous for their otherworldly colors and layered rock formations.
Head to Jiayuguan, the legendary western terminus of the Great Wall of China, and wander its imposing Ming Dynasty fortress. Along the way, stop at dramatic canyons and historic Silk Road outposts.
End your trip in the storied oasis of Dunhuang. Here, explore the ancient masterpieces of the Mogao Caves, marvel at Buddhist art, and climb up the sandy slopes of the Singing Sand Dunes. Watch a magical sunset, and if you wish, try a camel ride through the desert.
Throughout the tour, enjoy comfortable hotels, daily breakfasts, private transfers, and the insight of an experienced English-speaking guide. This route is perfect for travelers who want a true taste of the Silk Road’s history, art, and natural wonders—all in one unforgettable week.
Tour Itinerary
Tour Table of Contents
Day 1: Lanzhou Arrival & Drive to Yellow River Stone Forest Park 130km
Meet at airport, in the afternoon drive 2.5 hours to Yellow River Stone Forest National Geological Park, it is located in Jingtai County. After arriving at the entrance, take the shuttle bus driving in the desolate desert hills along the Yellow River, stay in Longwan village tonight.
Day 2: Yellow River Stone Forest Park- Yongtai Ancient City- Lanzhou 280km
In the morning, the battery cars transfer us from hotel to the wharf, drifting downstream by taking the sheepskin raft. After landing, enjoy donkey carts ride into the narrow road between the unique and beautiful rock ravine formations. Later, take the kart to the viewing point, appreciate the panoramic view of Yellow River and the Stone Forest. After it, returned by the same way as how we come, kart-donkey carts- motorboat(upstream). In the afternoon, drive to Yongtai ancient city, it’s also dubbed “the turtle city” for it looks like a turtle when seen above. The once military fortress is now a barren wasteland in the Gobi. After sightseeing, drive back to Lanzhou.
Day 3: Lanzhou-Zhangye High Speed Train 3.2hrs & Matisi Grottoes 114km
Take high speed train to Zhangye. Upon arrival, driving to Matisi Temple(Horse Hoof Temple), it is located in the Qilian Snow Mountain, the first caves were dug about 1,600 years ago. A miraculous view of temples hanging from the rocky hill. If time and weather allows, we can enjoy the beautiful sunset here. After it, drive back to Zhangye.
Day 4: Zhangye- Jiayuguan 260km
Drive to Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, also named as the Rainbow Mountains, it is a geological wonder of the world. The mountains are of unbelievable colors, changing tone as with the height of the sun. The sightseeing bus take you to different Viewing Platforms. After that, drive to Jiayuguan.
Day 5: Jiayuguan- Dunhuang 380km
This morning visit Jiayuguan Fort outside of the city, it is last portion of Great Wall of China built from Ming Dynasty in 14th century, and an essential part of Silk Road to the west. You can choose to climb on the Overhanging Great Wall (20 minutes up). After that, drive to Dunhuang.
Day 6: Mogao Grottoes, Singing Sands Dune
Our Mogao Grottoes visit is reserved at 8am today. Traders and officials donate and create them with colorful murals and delicate buddha statues inside. They were to pray for a safe journey to the west. After sightseeing, drive back to hotel to have a rest. In the afternoon around 4pm, drive to Dunhuang Sands Dune, the wind blows the sand in the vast desert land, just as if it were singing. Climb on the sand dunes, if weather permits, you will see beautiful sunset.
Day 7: Dunhuang Departure
Drive to airport, tour finishes.
Included in the price
- airport and train station pickup and drop service
- experienced, knowledgable english-speaking guide
- transportation whilst on tour
- 4 star hotels, based on double occupancy(one night economy hotel in Yellow River Stone Geopark)
- breakfast
- entrance fee
- sheepskin raft, donkey cart, kart
- bottle water
- lots of fun people
- lanzhou to zhangye train ticket
Excluded from the price
- flights or trains to Lanzhou and out of Dunhuang
- other meals
- tips for guide and driver
- single room supplement fee 1200rmb (If you are alone and willing to share, we shall put another solo taveler with you in same room. We can’t guarantee the roommate.)
Enquiry & Booking
Please complete this short form and we’ll send you an itinerary and booking options for this tour. Thank you for your trust, and we look forward to welcoming you on this incredible tour!
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Meet Our Expert Local Team
Our multilingual team’s passion ensures you receive personal, attentive, and friendly guidance—from planning to the last day of your trip.
Jessie | Founder
10 years experience in organizing expat tours in China.
Jessie first worked as travel consultant for many years, her excellent organizing skills and great travel route planning have won the trust of many customers. In 2018 she founded experiencetibet.org, an agency offering tours in Tibet autonomous region and other Tibetan areas in China such as Gansu, Yunnan and Sichuan. In 2020 she started yellowbirdtour.com, with destinations all over China.
Penny | China travel consultant
Penny has rich experience in organizing foreigners tours to many places in China, such as Tibet, Gansu, Yunnan, Xinjiang, Zhangjiajie. She is very responsive, always quick and patient. Customers like her, they always come back for more tours, and also recommend many of their friends to join.
Dawei | Tour guide / operator
Dawei is a Tibetan Buddhist, and comes from the most north edge of the Tibetan plateau in Qinghai province, Western China. He has travelled as a tour leader to many South Asian countries such as India, Bhutan and also nearly the entire country of China. He focuse especially on guiding in Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, Ningxia provinces and Tibetan regions. The activities of these various tour groups have included adopting family, horse racing, hiking, bird watching, cycling, camping, overseas students, cultural and religious sightseeing.
Andrew | Touir guide / operator
Andrew was born and grew up in a small village of Zhangjiajie, Hunan. From 2009-2012 he works for royal Caribbean International cruise as an onboard guest services officer. After that, he dedicates his life/time to guiding and operating tours in Zhangjiajie and around. As a native person, he knows all the corner of the scenic area, such as good restaurants, souvenir shops and cultures. He is very experienced and super flexible, he knows how to avoid the crowds and take advantage of the weather and offer the best travel experience to customers, all you need to do is just relax and enjoy!
