• Welcome to Xi'an! Upon arrival at the airport or railway station, your guide will greet you and lead a half-day tour of Xi'an before escorting you to your downtown hotel. Begin with an educational visit to the Hanyangling Museum, offering a tranquil archaeological experience with its miniature terracotta figures depicting warriors, horses, maidens, and animals. Walk atop glass for a unique perspective. (Optional: Try on Hanfu for memorable photos)
• Next, enjoy a scenic one-hour drive to Da Ci'en Temple, famous for Buddhist sutra translations during the Tang Dynasty. Highlighted by the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, standing 64.5 meters tall, built by monk Tripitaka to house scriptures from India. (Note: Additional fee of 30 RMB to climb the pagoda)
• In the evening, visit the vibrant Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City for a picturesque stroll amidst stunning nighttime lighting, evoking the splendor of the Tang Dynasty.

• Visit the Hanyangling Mausoleum Museum
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda
• Tang Dynasty Everbright Town
• Stay in Xi'an

• After breakfast, drive 40 km to explore the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, built by China's first emperor, Qin Shihuang. This site features over 8,000 life-size figures, buried for more than 2,000 years before being discovered in 1974. You'll also have the chance to craft a miniature Terracotta Warrior with a local potter.
• After lunch, return to Xi'an and stroll along the Ancient City Wall, the largest and best-preserved in China. Enjoy panoramic views and consider renting a bike (45 RMB) for a leisurely ride. Next, visit the lively Muslim Quarter to sample local snacks and explore Muslim culture. Don't miss the serene Great Mosque of Xi'an.
• Afterward, you'll be escorted back to your hotel. If you wish to spend more time in the Muslim Quarter or visit the nearby Bell & Drum Towers, inform your tour guide. Optional: Enjoy a Tang Palace Dance Show (8 pm to 9 pm) after a dumpling dinner.

• Visit the Terracotta Warriors Museum
• Bike Ming Dynasty City Wall
• Explore the Great Mosque and Muslim Street
• Stay in Xi'an, B, L

• Early this morning, your tour guide will see you off at the airport for your flight to Dunhuang (about 2.5 hours). Upon arrival, a local guide and driver will transfer you to your hotel.
• After a short rest, visit Mingshashan (Echoing Sand Mountains) and Crescent Lake, about 10 km from downtown. Begin sightseeing in the mid-afternoon to avoid the heat. Mingshashan and Crescent Lake are in the same scenic area. On sunny days, the sand mountains echo like an orchestra. You can hear the echo clearly when sliding down the dunes. Enjoy various activities at your own expense, such as sand skiing, glider or helicopter rides, and motorcycling. Camel rides through the desert are very popular. Crescent Lake, surrounded by the dunes, is a beautiful oasis with traditional Chinese architecture, trees, flowers, and a lake that has never dried up, shaped like a crescent moon.
• In the evening, explore the lively Shazhou night market for beer, kebabs, and souvenirs.

• Visit the Crescent Lake
• Explore the Echoing Sand Mountains
• Discover the Shazhou Night Market
• Stay in Dunhuang

After breakfast, embark on a 100 km drive into the remote Gobi Desert, visiting historical sites along the Silk Road. Start at Yumen Pass (Jade Gate Pass), an ancient defensive and trade route. Explore the Ruins of the Han Dynasty Great Wall, built to deter invaders. Continue 80 km to Yardang National Geologic Park, known as Devil City for its eerie wind sounds and unique rock formations like Mongolian Yurts and Stone Birds, resembling famous landmarks. Return to Dunhuang via Yardang National Geologic Park, stopping at the Echoing Sand Mountains (Mingshashan). These dunes create natural echoes on sunny days, offering a unique acoustic experience. Slide down the dunes to hear the echoing effect. End the day at Crescent Lake, a tranquil oasis nestled amidst the Echoing Sand Mountains. Enjoy the lake's crescent shape, surrounded by traditional Chinese architecture, trees, and flowers, providing a serene setting reminiscent of a crescent moon.

• Gobi Desert Overland Drive
• Explore the Han Dynasty Great Wall Remains
• Visit the Yardan National Geological Park
• Stay in Dunhuang, B, L

After breakfast, drive 10 km to the newly opened Mogao Grottoes Digital Exhibition Center in Dunhuang. Watch informative documentaries on the history and art of the grottoes before taking a shuttle bus to the site itself. Known as the "Louvre of the East," Mogao Grottoes features 492 caves with 45,000 sqm of murals and 2,100 colorful statues spanning 1,600 years of Chinese art history. You'll explore around 7-8 of the approximately 40 caves open to the public, guided by experts. Additional special caves can be visited at an extra cost. Afterward, enjoy free time to depart for your next destination by flight or train, concluding your Dunhuang Silk Road tour.

• Visit the Mogao Grottoes
• Departure, B