9 Days Ancient Silk Road Buddhist Culture Tour
Trace the Developing History of Buddhism in China
Trace the Developing History of Buddhism in China
The Silk Road connecting the East and West acted on not only transporting goods, but also transmitting ideas. In fact, it plays an influential role in the spread of Buddhism. The earliest waves of western translators (like Dharmaraksa and Kumarajiva) of Buddhist sutras came to central China via Silk Road 1,600 years ago, and later many Chinese monks (like Fa Xian and Xuan Zang) go to the western regions to bring Buddhist classics and relics via the Silk Road as well.
As Buddhism in China developed gradually, many Buddhist sites such as grottoes, temples, pagodas, etc. along the Silk Road were established, and many of them are preserved now. As it should be, Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor are inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. This 9-day tour takes you to follow the ancient dignitaries’ footprints and appreciate the most brilliant Buddhist treasures along the Silk Road from Chang’an (Xian now) to Dunhuang. No matter you are a Buddhist pilgrim or not, the elaborate Buddhist art and unique scenic splendor on this trip are difficult to resist.
We offer all-inclusive private tour packages and this itinerary can be tailormade according to your own needs. Don’t hesitate to contact us for a unique Silk Road experience.
Day 1 Xian Arrival
Xian Airport or Train Station Pick-up
Welcome to Xian! Your tour guide will meet you at Xian Xianyang International Airport (or railway station), then escort you to your hotel in a private vehicle. The rest of today is on your own to explore this ancient capital of China.
Arrival Ideas: Xian is only about 2~3 hours flying from majority of big cities in China, such as Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, etc. You can also get to Xian by high speed trains from Beijing (5.5hrs), Shanghai (6-7hrs), Guangzhou (8.5-9hrs), Hangzhou (6.5-7hrs), Pingyao (3hrs), Zhengzhou (2hrs), and so on.
Day 2 Xian (B, L)
Today's highlights: Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter
After breakfast, drive about 40 km to discover one of the greatest man-made wonders in the world - the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, built by the first emperor of China Qin Shihuang to protect him in his afterlife. Over 8,000 life-size warriors, horses and chariots, buried in 3 pits for more than 2,000 years until uncovered by a local farmer in 1974, form an ancient military army with complete battle units of infantry, cavalry, etc. Standing in front of these figures, one can’t help being amazed not only by the ambition of Emperor Qin Shihuang but also by the fabulous artistic skills of ancient Chinese artisans.
After lunch, return to Xian to visit Da Cien Temple, a famous Buddhist sutra translation site during the Tang Dynasty. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is the most famous building in the temple. The pagoda, rising to a height of 64.5 meters, was built by the famous Buddhist master Xuanzang to preserve classic scriptures he bought back from India during the early Tang Dynasty. Xuanzang was the prototype character for Tang Seng in the famous Chinese novel “Journey to the West”. (Note: It costs an extra 30 RMB if you want to climb up the Big Wild Goose Pagoda).
This evening you will be offered an interesting visit to Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City which is a great place to walk, enjoy amazing nightscape and recall the prosperity and glory of the mighty Tang Dynasty most importantly. Seeing this area at night is totally different than during the day as the lighting is marvelous yet tastefully done.
Optional activities: 1) trying on the Hanfu which is traditional clothing of the Han Chinese in the ancient dynasties. Seize this rare opportunity to take some photos to record this unique memory! 2) enjoy a wonderful Tang Palace Dance Show (usually from 8pm to 9pm).
Day 3 Xian - Famen Temple - Tianshui (B, L)
Today's highlight: Famen Temple
After breakfast, head to Da Cien Temple, a famous Buddhist sutra translation site during the Tang Dynasty. Big Wild Goose Pagoda is the most famous building in the temple. The pagoda, rising to a height of 64.5 meters, was built by the famous Buddhist master Xuanzang to preserve classic scriptures he bought back from India during the early Tang Dynasty. Xuanzang was the prototype character for Tang Seng in the famous Chinese novel “Journey to the West”. (Note: It costs an extra 30 RMB if you want to climb up the Big Wild Goose Pagoda)
After Big Wilk Goose Pagoda visit, you will drive about 2 hours to Famen Temple, which is inscribed as “the Ninth World Wonder” by UNESCO in 2004. It was built during late East Han Dynasty with a history more than 1700 years. During Tang and Song Dynasties, Famen Temple was worshiped as Royal Temple. Today Famen Temple is a world famous Buddhist place of pilgrimage because it keeps a finger bone of the Shakyamuni Buddha. The finger bone, together with other many Buddhist treasure relics, is displayed in a fully protected underground palace which is said to be built in Tang Dynasty.
After that, drive back to Xian to catch your high speed train (about 1.5 hours) to Tianshui. Accommodate in Tianshui City.
Day 4 Majishan Grottoes (B, L)
Today's highlights: Majishan Grottoes, Fuxi Temple
In the morning, you will transfer to visit the famous Buddhist cave - Maijishan Grottoes. Maijishan Grottoes, together with Longmen Grottoes, Yungang Grottoes and Dunhuang Grottoes, are known as the "Four Greatest Grottoes in China." Caves were chiseled on a hill shaped like a stack of wheat. The ancient artisans carved more than 7800 Buddhist statues with different colors and size. The largest statue, Dongyan Giant Buddha, has a height of 15.8 meters.
Leave Maijishan Grottoes for the holy Fuxi Temple which was built in Ming Dynasty(1483-1484) to worship the ancient legendary "Fuxi Emperor". Fuxi was very knowledgeable, and created the Eight Diagrams, which made great progress in Chinese civilization.
Drive back to Tianshui City for Accommodation.
Day 5 Tianshui - Zhangye (B, L)
Today's highlight: Giant Buddha Temple
After breakfast, you will take a morning high speed bullet train to Zhangye City from Tianshui (about 4 hours). Enjoy the beautiful landscape along the road. After arrival at Zhangye West Railway Station, you will be met by local tour guide.
In the afternoon, you will go to visit the famous Giant Buddha Temple which is famous for having the largest indoor sleeping Buddha in Asia. This temple is a large complex with regal arrangements built in Xixia Dynasty(1098), and keeps many precious Buddhist scriptures and wall paintings. Its famous treasure is the Sleeping Buddha which is the centrally seated, symmetric buildings situate along the sides. The Buddha statue was carved by woods with a length of 34.5 meters, telling the story of Buddha’s Nirvana. His ears are as big as the space in which 4 adults can sit side by side.
Accommodate in Zhangye City!
Day 6 Zhangye Danxia Sightseeing (B, L)
Today's highlights: Binggou Danxia Landform, Zhangye Danxia Landform
Zhangye is famous for its unparalleled Danxia Landforms which is a spectacular petrographic geomorphology landscape formed from red-colored sand stones and conglomerates. Among all the Danxia places in Zhangye, Binggou Danxia Landform Scenery Area and Zhangye Danxia Landform Geographical Park (Linze Danxia) have most significant Danxia landscapes. Today you will go to explore both of them.
After breakfast, you will go to visit Binggou Danxia Landform first which is about 1 hour's driving from Zhangye downtown. Even though just being visited by fewer travelers, Binggou Danxia Landform Scenery Area has its own featured charms. If the Linze Danxia Scenery is a visual feast of colors, then the Binggou Danxia is a great joy to find how the Mother Nature became a sculptor who sculptured the mountains to amazing different shapes, like grand palaces, long corridors, giant pillars, etc. You will hike leisurely about 2 hours to look the spectacular landform closely.
In the afternoon, drive about 30mins to visit the Zhangye Danxia Landform Geographical Park which was formed in the pre-Jurassic Age. Thousands of mountains and stiffs stretch like the colorful sunset glow. The barren mountains are covered by a red grit rock stratum. At the same time, some surfaces of mountains appear other colors, such as white, yellow, etc, and form many irregular lines and blocks looking like some abstract oil paintings. There are five viewing decks for you to watch and shoot. You will visit one by one, and will be transferred by park buses from one deck to another.
You won't miss the precious opportunity to enjoy the amazing sunset. Viewing Deck No. 4 is the best location to take sunset of the Danxia Landform. It's better to get there earlier to occupy a good location. After sunset, drive back to Zhangye downtown for accommodation.
Useful Tips: 1) Pack with sun creams, sun glasses, protective clothing and hat to protect from strong sunlight in summer; 2) sunset is the best time for taking photos which happen around 19:00~20:00 in summer and 18:00~19:00 in winter.
Day 7 Zhangye - Jiayuguan (B , L)
Today's highlights: Jiayuguan Fort, Great Wall Museum, Overhanging Wall
Today, you will drive about 220km (2.5hrs) to Jiayuguan City and check in your hotel. Then you will go to visit "the First and Greatest Pass under Heaven", also the westernmost starting point of Great Wall of Ming Dynasty - Jiayuguan Pass. Start your exploration with an education visit to the Great Wall Museum to learn some interesting facts about both the Jiayuguan Fort and Great Wall, including history, old photos, relics, etc. Then enter the gate to explore the grandiose Jiayuguan Fort. It is a complex of towers, city walls and other military buildings covering more than 25,000 square meters. The city wall is nearly 11 meters high, and comprises an outer and inner wall. There are two large gates standing at the east and the west of the inner wall. Walkways lead to the top of the wall, allowing horses to climb up the wall.
In the afternoon, you will go to the Xuanbi Great Wall (Overhanging Wall) which is about 18km away from the Fort. The walls were built on lofty cliffs with incredibly large gradient looking like an overhanging cantilever. Climbing up to higher gives you excellent views of the surrounding land and mountains.
Day 8 Jiayuguan - Dunhuang (B, L)
Today's highlight: Echoing Sand Mountains, Crescent Lake
Today you will travel to Dunhuang from Jiayuguan in the early morning. After arriving at Dunhuang city, you will visit Echoing Sand Mountains (Mingshashan). It is said, in the sunny days, the sand mountains echo like Orchestra music even if there is no wind. If you slide from the sand mountains, you can hear the echoing sound clearly. Your last thing to do for today is the Crescent Lake. Surrounded by the Echoing Sand Mountains, Crescent Lake is a beautiful oasis with some well decorated traditional Chinese architecture, some trees and flowers and a lake that has never dried up and shapes like a crescent moon.
Nightlife Ideas: 1) Go out to go for a walk in the Shazhou Night Market where you can try some local food, relax in a drinking bar, or buy some interesting handcrafts, etc. 2) Enjoy the fascinating Silk Road Show - Silk Road Flower Rain which is a relaxing feast of unparalleled visual beauty with impressively elaborate dances performed by professional dancers wearing stunning costumes and an incredible set design.
Day 9 Dunhuang Departure (B)
Today's highlight: Mogao Grottoes
After breakfast, drive about 10 km from the Dunhuang city to visit the newly opened Mogao Grottoes Digital Exhibition Center before go to Mogao Grottoes. You will watch two short but well-produced educational documentary movies that introduce the history, arts, and other facts about Mogao Grottoes. After the movies, take the interzonal bus to Mogao Grottoes.
Mogao Grottoes is famed as the "Louvre of the East", which is outstanding for its exquisite mural paintings and statues. There are now 492 grottoes in which about 45000 square meters long mural paintings and 2100 colorfully painted statues from which you can trace the development of Chinese art over 1600 years from one dynasty to the next because each dynasty built own caves to record its own features. There are about 40 common caves opened to the public. In the tourist area, you will be divided into groups by different tour guides who will accompany you to visit the caves (usually 7~8 caves during April~November and 12 caves during December~March) with great introduction. After that, if you want to visit more other caves, you can do it by yourselves or follow other tour guides. Besides, there are 10 special caves (with extra fees) available for your extensive visit.
The rest of today is free for you to catch your flight/train to the next destination. Your Dunhuang Silk Road tour ends!
Useful Tips:
1. If you want to see the Special Caves (excluded in the regular visit, and only open for limited individual visitors or small groups with reservations), you can contact our travel consultants or your tour guide to arrange for you, but you have to pay the extra admission fee for each cave. 2. To protect the mural paintings, it is not allowed to take photos or use any flashlight inside grottoes.
1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons.
2. This price is subject to change according your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy class hotels.
3. This price is only valid to March 31, 2026.
4. Reference exchange rate of USD 1=RMB 7.00. The final quote is based on current exchange rate. It may change according to the currency fluctuation, while the RMB quotation will be remained the same.
Hi Tracy, evolution form as follows
1. Tracy is ever patient in clarifying our queries. Even when on vacation herself, she answered our email. When we made several adjustments to our itinerary, Tracy dutifully made changes and updated us. As my elderly mother is only able to read in Chinese, I requested for a Chinese itinerary. Although it was not available, Tracy typed out the summarised daily itinerary just for us. We really appreciate Tracy's dedication in providing excellent service to us.
2. The local guides at all the districts are professional, knowledgeable and very friendly. All of them took extra care of my elderly mother who is 75 years old. On my birthday, Xiao Rong (Eileen) of Kunming even prepared a bouquet of flowers and a gift for me. Her recommendations for eating out were all very good. We enjoyed the Guo Qiao Mi Xian at Yun Xian Lou and the lunch we had before visiting the Stone Forest was fantastic! When we left for Dali, she prepared fruits for us. She is very generous and thoughtful indeed. Amy Du of Lijiang was very apologetic about us missing out on Mu Mansion tour, even though it was because we moved from point to point at a pace too leisurely in Dali. We eventually arrived late in Lijiang and could not enter Mu Mansion before its closing time at 5pm. She was especially considerate to us trying to acclimatise to high altitude and observed us carefully and gave us tips to avoid altitude sickness.
Travelling from point to point throughout the whole itinerary was at a leisurely and comfortable pace. Our main transport were minivans. The drivers drove in a safe manner that puts us at ease. From Dali to Shangrila, the minivan was new and very comfortable. The service staff at ArroKhampa in Shangrila were especially affable and friendly. It was very interesting to chat with them during our cosy breakfasts.
3. Yes, I'm willing to recommend your service to people who also have an interest in visiting China. In fact, we have already done so.
4. We are impressed with the service provided by your company and the tour guides. We greatly appreciate your seamless service and never felt lost throughout the trip. It was truly an enjoyable experience.
5. It will be helpful if the presence of your company is publicised in Singapore and the region.
Chua
Hi Wonder, here are feedbacks.
1. My travel consultant always answers all my queries patiently and promptly and provides advice when appropriate.
2. We are happy with the tour arrangement. We wanted a more relaxing tour and we are happy that the tour was well arranged. It was not rushed but we were able to visit all the places we wanted without feeling tired. We were happy with the tour guide and driver. The guide was very friendly and helpful and made us feel like her friends. The driver was a careful driver and was helpful.
3. I am happy to recommend your company.
Hoon
Dear Reya and Judy,
Sorry for the delay in replying. After our return, we had a lot of accumulated work and we also struggled a bit with the time difference....
We hereby thank you for the beautiful and unforgettable experiences. Your city is beautiful, modern and clean. Ancient monuments breathtaking. Judy did a great job. She was kind and patient with our poor knowledge of English, she actually spent the whole Sunday with us and was very helpful in everything. We really have a lot to remember.
Thank you very much.
Best regards
Jana with family and friends.
Thanks, Jack.
Happy New Year.
It was a great two days comprehensive tour of Putuoshan organised by you. The timing, transportation and meal breaks and selection of restaurants, hotels are great. You have been very helpful and with your good connections at Putuoshan, the trip was very enjoyable. Your good knowledge of the temples we visited was a great help. I will not hesitate to recommend you anytime.
Regards,
Choon
Dear Wonder,
Sorry for late response as we just returned from our vacation.
Please see below feedbacks:
1. Our travel consultant - Wonder Wang is absolutely fantastic throughout the entire process! From the initial consultation to the final details of our trip, his professionalism and attention to detail were exceptional.
2. Hotel are all good, except in Snow Town which already been well informed by Wonder of the guest house's condition in this town. Special thanks to David, our tour guides for ChongQing's day trip for his excellent services. Providing useful information, advice, and insights to help ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip.
3. I Would like to recommend your company.
Once again, thank you very much for your kind assistance for arranging our trip.
Regards,
Stefanie
excellent assistance, helpfulness and courtesy. My contact 'was Shirley, prepared friendly and punctual. Highly recommended...
"Highest Standards of Quality and Honesty" is the core value of each specialized team at China Discovery.
Eveyone in our company is working hard for only one goal, which is to ensure the highest level of service, luxury, and attention to detail from the minute you begin planning your trip, to the day you return home.
Our travel consultants are professional, experienced and responsible, helping you from the very beginning to the end of your China trip!
After sending us an inquiry, one of our travel consultants will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hrs. In the next few days, he/she will be working closely with you to formulate a customized tour plan, as well as providing professional suggestions based on your travel interests, time, and budget.
Beside, he/she will keep in contact with you during your entire tour in China, continually checking if everything is going well as planned.
We're working at Chengdu Bamboo International Tours, local based in Chengdu.
Our local guide in every destination is not only very friendly, enthusiastic but also very informative and knowledgeable.
Once you arrive in the destination, the patient and punctual guides will pick you up and take you to get under skin of the city at your own pace. By in-depth discovery and explanation, they’ll show you more about the history, culture, customs and authentic local life. Throughout the journey, they're not only expert guides who take care of all the details but also fellow travelers who are dedicated to help you explore in comfort and style.
Our guides are passionate about what they do, and it shows all the way!
Using our private transfer service makes you comfortable, relaxed and worry free all the way!
Our private service includes licensed drivers with many years’ driving experience and air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean and well-maintained cars/vans. Drivers are local, polite, friendly and helpful, taking you to your tourist sites, hotels, airport/train stations in safety. All kinds of vehicle are offered, and yours depends on the size of your group. Usually, we offer sedan cars, SUVs, business vans (MPV) and different types of buses, all with extra space for your luggage.
Our private transfer service guarantees you the highest comfort!
In each destination, you’ll enjoy a comfortable stay in a great location!
The hotels we choose are based on star rating, great locations, well-equipped facilities, cozy bed, high quality service and guests’ feedbacks. Choices are a lot ranging from luxury 5 star, comfortable 4 star to budget 3 star. You could decide where to stay to best suit for your budget and likes. Generally, the hotels have both Western and Chinese breakfast with a wide choices.
If you have already got an ideal hotel, please feel free to tell our travel consultants and they'll book the hotel for you.
Have good sleep in our well-selected hotels in all the destinations of China.
We can satisfy all the dietary requirements no matter you want Chinese local food, western food, vegetarian food or muslin food.
The restaurants we will take you for lunch or dinner are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. They have very good sanitary conditions and the food is prepared fresh and clean.
There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants to taste like Beijing Roast Duck, Xian Dumpling Dinner, Sichuan Hotpot, etc., if you are interested in local food tasting.
All the dining options will satisfy your stomach!
Xianyang International Airport
Our guests biking on the Ancient City Wall
Terracotta Warriors in Xian - Our Customers
Visit beautiful Muslim Quarter
Great Mosque-20230811-Armando from Italy-CD-Wi-107319
The Modern Buddhist Archtiecture in Famen Temple
The Ancient Pagoda in Famen Temple
Big wild goose pagoda
Maijishan Grottoes
Fuxi Temple
Giant Buddha Temple
Zhangye Danxia Landform Views After Rain
Zhangye Danxia Landform Photography
Binggou Danxia Landform - Richard's Group from Australia
Jiayuguan Fort
Great Wall Museum
Glamorous Mingshashan (Echoing Sand Mountains)
Mogao Grottoes Giant Buddha in No. 96 Cave
Mogao Caves
Lanzhou / Zhangye / Jiayuguan / Dunhuang / Turpan / Urumqi / Kashgar
Tianshui - Lanzhou - Zhangye - Jiayuguan - Dunhuang
Xining - Tongren - Xiahe - Lanzhou - Zhangye - Jiayuguan - Dunhuang
“Very good experience”
“WONDERFUL 25 DAYS IN CHINA - PRIVATE TOUR”
“Awesome China tour from northeast to southwest”
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