2026 (線路5-SRT-E) 【大西北探索5天】（甘肅敦煌、嘉峪關、張掖)

Overview: Arrive in Dunhuang Airport or Dunhuang Train Station, and be escorted to Dunhuang downtown area.

Attractions: explore freely on your own

Activities: Vehicle

Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel in Dunhuang

Welcome to Dunhuang, a must-visit city located in the Gansu province of China! Upon arrival in Dunhang, your guide will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. You can explore on your own based on your arrival time. Feel free to seek travel ideas from your tour guide. Dunhuang, a city in Jiuquan (酒泉市), which was formerly known as Suzhou (肃州), is the birthplace of the "su" character in Gansu Province (甘肃的“肃”). Dunhuang is a desert oasis of ancient wonders. Discover the hidden gems of China's western frontier. Explore the breathtaking Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site adorned with vibrant murals and intricate sculptures. Trek through the Gobi Desert, marveling at the Crescent Lake's turquoise waters and towering sand dunes. From stargazing under pristine skies to experiencing the thrill of sandboarding, and camel riding, Dunhuang offers a captivating journey through time and nature. Dunhuang is also famous for Tunhuangology (敦煌学), a specialized field of study dedicated to exploring and interpreting the vast cultural and historical treasures in the Mogao Caves. Free Time Ideas: 1. Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market (敦煌沙洲夜市) for Dunhuang food. There are many distinctive snacks that you must try, such as Apricot Skin Water (杏皮水), Donkey Meat Noodles (驴肉黄面), and Bubble Oil Cakes (泡儿油糕). The locals in Dunhuang enjoy eating lamb, chicken, and beef, and they are good at noodle making. Arrival Ideas: 1. How to get to Dunhuang By Air: Dunhuang Mogao International Airport (敦煌莫高国际机场; or Dunhuang Airport) is located about 13 km from city center and 22 km from the Mogao Caves. Direct flights connect Dunhuang with major cities in China, such as Beijing (3h 45min), Shanghai (4h 25min), Chengdu (2h 40min), Xian (2h 40min), Lanzhou (1h 35min)... It's essential to check flight schedules in advance, as not all routes operate year-round. 2. How to get to Dunhuang By High-speed Train: Dunhuang can be reached by train through Dunhuang Railway Station and Liuyuan Railway Station. Dunhuang Railway Station is situated 10 km from the city center and offers bullet trains from Lanzhou (8-9 hrs) and Jiayuguan (3 hrs). Liuyuan Railway Station, around 130 km from downtown Dunhuang, provides high-speed trains to Urumqi (4.5 hrs), Jiayuguan (2 hrs), Zhangye (3-4 hrs), Turpan (3.5 hrs), among others. Normal trains from major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu also make stops at Liuyuan station.

Overview: Explore Mogao Grottoes, marvel at the Singing Sand Dunes, and witness the serene Crescent Spring. (B)

Attractions: 2 iconic sites

Activities: Vehicle

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel in Dunhuang

Today, you will enjoy a wonderful Dunhuang Culture Tour by visiting Mogao Grottoes (4-4.5hrs), a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can enjoy the relaxing time in Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake, don't miss the delicious food at the local market. Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes is the must-visit place for a trip to Gansu. You may have read many stories about A. Stein (斯坦因a British archaeologist and explorer) and the vast trove of artifacts (Paintings, Sculptures, Manuscripts) he brought from the Mogao Grottoes in the early 20th century. You may have already seen the artifacts Stein collected in the British Museum in London. Or you may have heard of Paul Pelliot (French archaeologist & Sinologist) who like A. Stein, conducted several expeditions to Dunhuang and collected a large number of artifacts which is primarily housed in the Guimet Museum in Paris, France. Welcome to visit Mogao Grottoes the source of the world famous Dunhuang Manuscripts (Dunhuang Yi shu敦煌遗书; Cave 16-17) and explore valuable insights into the history and culture of the Silk Road. The Mogao Caves (Mogao Grottoes莫高窟), also known as the Thousand Buddha Grottoes (千佛洞), are acclaimed as the "Treasure House of Eastern Art东方艺术宝库." The remaining 735 caves are dotted along cliffs rising about 15-30 m high and over 1,700 m, forming a magnificent spectacle of this world cultural heritage site. Despite the significant loss of artifacts to oversea museums, the Mogao Caves remain one of the world's largest and most richly endowed repositories of Buddhist art. Spanning sixteen kingdoms, Northern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, and Western Xia dynasties, the construction of the Mogao Grottoes lasted for over a thousand years until the Yuan Dynasty, resulting in about 45,000 ㎡ murals and 2,415 clay sculptures. In the year 366 AD, the first cave of the Mogao Caves was carved into the cliff by the Monk Le Zun (乐僔; over 1,650 years ago). In the 7th century, Xuanzang (唐僧) translated numerous Buddhist scriptures at the Mogao Caves. In 1900, Daoist Wang (王圆箓) discovered the Library Cave (藏经洞; Sutra Cave; Cave 16). From 1941 to 1943, Zhang Daqian (张大千), a prodigious Chinese artist of the twentieth century, copied 276 murals here. At the Mogao Caves, you can explore various types of grottoes (large statue caves, Nirvana caves, central pillar caves, vaulted ceiling caves, hall caves) and learn about the pigments used by ancient artists in painting murals (cinnabar, orpiment, azurite, mica, gamboge, gold leaf, shell powder). You can admire narrative paintings of Buddhist themes (the life of Shakyamuni Buddha, the Nine-Colored Deer Sacrificing Itself to Save Others), diverse clay sculptures (Buddha statues, Bodhisattva figures, guardians, deities), Flying Apsaras (飞天) and Swirling Dances (Sema; 胡旋舞) in the prosperous Tang Dynasty, as well as the attire and customs of patrons from various dynasties. At the Mogao Caves, you can witness the brilliance and charm of the ancient Silk Road and the efforts and achievements of generations of cultural heritage preservation workers and researchers (such as Chang Shuhong常书鸿, a Chinese painter known as the "guardian of Dunhuang"敦煌守护神). You can start at the Mogao Caves Digital Center (莫高窟数字中心), watch a 40-minute digital film, and then take a shuttle bus to the caves. Guided by the site interpreters, you will visit 8 caves sequentially (Ticket A; no photography allowed inside the caves). You may have the chance to see significant caves like the Library Cave (Caves 16-17; the largest cave), the Nine-Storey Tower (Cave 96; one of Mogao's iconic structures; the largest Buddha statue), the Nirvana Sutra Cave (Cave 148; reclining Buddha), the Early Tang Treasures Cave (Cave 332), and the Northern Wei Masterpieces Cave (Cave 257). The actual eight caves visited may vary based on the site's conditions. If interested, you can visit the Cultural Relics Protection and Display Center (文物保护陈列中心) to see 1:1 replicas of eight special caves, including Caves 275, 249, 285, 419, 220, 217, 25, and 3 (photography allowed). After the tour, you can return to your hotel to rest after lunch. In the afternoon, time to visit Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake (鸣沙山月牙泉) and even sit on the peak of Singing Sand Dunes (1,715 m) to wait for a stunning sunset in front of the Crescent Spring. The Singing Sand Dunes & Crescent Lake is praised as “one of the Top 5 Most Beautiful Deserts in China," "China's Best Natural Landscape Tourist Destination," and "China's Most Beautiful Moon-watching Spot." It is a geological park known for the unique spectacle of mountains, spring, and sand coexisting in the desert. You can enjoy various activities (self-pay) such as camel riding, sand sliding, desert motorcycles, off-road vehicles, helicopters, gliders... You will meet people in costumes of traditional Han clothing or Flying Apsaras. The Mingsha Mountain is named for the sound produced by the moving sands, with recorded volumes of the singing reaching up to 83 decibels. This phenomenon of sand-producing sound is one of the Dunhuang Eight Views, known as "ShalingQingming沙岭晴鸣" in the Dunhuang County Chronicles《敦煌县志》, where Dunhuang's ancient name of Shazhou (沙洲) also originates. The Singing Sand Dunes stretches from the Mogao Caves in the east to the Dang River in the west, spanning about 40 km east to west and 20 km north to south. The mountain is formed from deposits of fine sand in five colors (red, yellow, green, black, white). The sand of Mingsha Mountain is carried by the wind from the Gobi Desert and the Kumtag Desert to settle here, gradually accumulating over time. The Crescent Lake is nestled amidst the Mingsha Mountain, named for its crescent moon-like shape. The spring water spans 242 meters from east to west and can reach up to 50 meters wide from north to south, with an average depth of around 1.5 meters. The spring is home to the Ironback Fish (铁背鱼local fish) and Seven Star Grass (七星草; medicinal herb) which is included in the "Three Treasures of Crescent Spring月牙泉三宝" by locals (the third one is Five-colored Sand五色沙), believed to bring good luck to people. So try your luck to find them. Remarkably, the sand has not encroached upon the spring, and the water remains clear and abundant, traversing through time, creating the world wonder of the "First Spring in the Desert沙漠第一泉." Notes： 1. To protect the caves, the Mogao Caves implemented a real-name reservation system for timed visits, implementing a daily limit on the number of visitors. The ticketing system includes A/Regular tickets (6,000 tickets/day) and B/Emergency tickets (12,000 tickets/day; for domestic visitors only). A Ticket includes access to 8 caves and 2 digital movies. B ticket includes access to 4 caves and the Cave Artifacts Conservation and Research Exhibition Center. 2. Visitors must follow the visitingarrangement set by the management of the Mogao Caves on the day of the visit. The visiting order of the Mingsha Mountain and the Mogao Caves is subject to change. 3. If you are particularly interested in the caves, you can also purchase tickets for special caves at the site (may require queuing) to explore more exquisite caves. The special caves (self-pay) are divided into Line 1 (Caves 45, 320, 321, 420, 9) and Line 2 (Caves 275, 45, 156, 158, 159). 4. During the Dunhuang Cultural Expo or in case of inclement weather or other factors affecting the visit, if the Mogao Caves cannot be visited as planned, our company will refund the Mogao Caves tickets according to the actual cost, or arrange a visit to the Western Thousand Buddha Caves as an alternative. 5. Optional activities in the Mingsha Mountain Scenic Area: Shoe covers; Sightseeing vehicle; Camel riding; Motorcycle; Off-road vehicle (seats 3 people); Paragliding; Helicopter (seats 3 people). 6. When participating in desert recreational activities, take care of your photographic equipment and prevent sand from entering the camera. When riding a camel, follow the staff's instructions when mounting and dismounting.

Overview: Transfer from Dunhuang to Jiayuguan, marveling at the iconic Overhanging Great Wall and the historic Jiayuguan Pass. (B)

Attractions: 2 iconic sites

Activities: Vehicle

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel in Jiayuguan

Today, you will head to Jiayuguan (400km, 5hrs) to explore Jiayuguan City for the Great Wall on the Cliff (Overhanging Great Wall) & the Jiayuguan Pass (Jiayuguan Fortress). Jiayuguan is a good place to grasp the essence of a famous Chinese poem that goes, 'In the boundless desert, lonely smoke rises straight; Over the endless river, the sun sinks round大漠孤烟直，长河落日圆'. You will climb the Great Wall on the Cliff (Overhanging Great Wall悬壁长城) which was acclaimed as the "end of the Great Wall". It was constructed in 1539 (Ming Dynasty) and only 750 meters remain. As the northern extension of the Jiayuguan Pass, it was built following the natural terrain, using local gravel and loess, the steepest section reaches about 45 degrees (over 200 m), earning its name for its appearance of hanging upside down in the air. After renovations in 1987, it consists of parapets, crenellations, and platforms. Two additional platforms were added at both ends, totaling three platforms. Climbing along the Great Wall trail (over 400 steps; kid-friendly ) to the highest watchtower, you can admire the magnificent scenery both inside and outside the Great Wall. From the desert landscapes beside the expressway to the towering chimneys in the oasis, every sight is breathtaking. Here, you can discover the remnants of ancient warfare and beacon fires while marveling at the wisdom of ancient military defense and the rapid development of modern civilization. After that, visit Jiayuguan Pass (嘉峪关关城). Built in 1372, Jiayuguan is known as one of the "Three Great Passes of the Great Wall of China中国长城三大奇观之一" (Shanhaiguan Pass in the east, Zhenbeitai Terrace in the middle, and Jiayuguan Pass in the west). Standing atop the Jiayuguan Pass, a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "The Great Wall of China", you can feel the magnificence and grandeur of this ancient military defense structure. Jiayuguan is the Westernmost Pass of the Ming Great Wall, in the middle of the Hexi Corridor. "Jiayu" means "beautiful valley." Nestled against mountains and water, with its strategic location and majestic architecture, it is renowned as the "The Impregnable Pass under Heaven天下第一雄关." From the Jiayuguan Pass walls, you can see the Great Wall traversing the desert and the Gobi, while the beautiful Qilian Mountains (祁连山Snow Mountains) and the Heishan Mountains (黑山) act as natural barriers, stretching across the north and south of Jiayuguan. The magnificent scene described in the elementary school Chinese textbook "The Great Wall《长城》" - "From Shanhaiguan in the east to Jiayuguan in the west, spans over 13,000 li (Chinese miles)从东头的山海关到西头的嘉峪关，有一万三千多里" - finds perfect embodiment here. You might imagine over 600 years ago when this place was a battleground where the Great Walls were built and met with the Ancient Silk Road, connecting the Central Plains (中原) with the Western Regions (西域), and witnessing numerous commercial exchanges and cultural interactions. During the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC-8 AD), Zhang Qian (张骞) passed through here three times to open up the Western Regions, and General Huo Qubing (霍去病) departed to battle the Huns, or Xiongnu (匈奴). During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Monk Xuanzang (玄奘) passed through here to retrieve Buddhist scriptures. Marco Polo (马可.波罗) traveled through China in the Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368) and visited Jiayuguan. In 1841 (Qing Dynasty), Lin Zexu (林则徐) was sentenced to exile in Yili, Xinjiang for his involvement in the anti-opium campaign. Passing through Jiayuguan, he composed the poem "Southeast, who compares to this mighty pass东南谁比此关雄." Today, in Jiayuguan Fortress, you can obtain a passage permit (Optional; Self-pay) and experience the process of entering and exiting Jiayuguan as it was centuries ago. This unique experience transports you through time, back to an era where official "passes" (an early form of passport) were required for passage. The Chinese phrase "qing duo guanzhao " (请多关照literally means please take care of me; similar to nice to meet you) originates from the polite language used by people entering and exiting Jiayuguan, symbolizing mutual care and assistance. Jiayuguan Pass/Fortress is one of the best-preserved gate cities along the Great Wall, making it a popular destination for architecture enthusiasts. It consists of three overlapping defense lines - the inner city, outer city, and moat - forming a military defense system with watchtowers every five li, beacon towers every ten li, fortresses every thirty li, and a city every hundred li. Jiayuguan is not just a city; it's a legendary tale waiting for you to uncover its secrets. Additionally, Jiayuguan is an oasis at the foot of the Qilian Snow Mountains, with numerous lakes and lush greenery, making it a rare summer retreat. Overnight stay in Jiayuguan.

Overview: From Jiayuguan to Zhangye, visit the Zhangye Danxia Landform National Geopark and the Great Buddha Temple. (B)

Attractions: 2 iconic sites

Activities: Vehicle

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel in Zhangye

Today, you will head to explore Zhangye City (260 km, 4hrs) through Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park & Dafo Temple. Zhangye is situated in the narrowest section of Hexi Corridor (ancient trading route), spanning just 50 km, yet it boasts fertile soil and pleasant scenery. This is why there is a poetic praise saying, "Not seeing snow on the Qilian Mountains, mistaking Zhangye for Jiangnan 不望祁连山顶雪，错把张掖当江南," and it is also renowned as the "Jiangnan Watertown of Abundance in the Frontier Region 塞上江南" and the "Golden Zhangye金张掖." Formerly known as Ganzhou (甘州, Ganzhou is the place of origin of the "Gan" character in Gansu Province甘肃的“甘”), Zhangye was renamed due to Emperor Wu (汉武帝) of the Han Dynasty's decision to "extend the reach of Zhangye to facilitate connections with the Western Regions 张国臂掖，以通西域," making it a crucial node along the Silk Road and a mandatory stop for the propagation of Buddhist teachings from the East. And you see the airport in Zhangye is called Zhangye Ganzhou Airport (张掖甘州机场). Firstly, pay to visit Zhangye National Geopark (Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot七彩丹霞景区) which is renowned for its strikingly colorful rock formations, often referred to as Rainbow Mountains. Zhangye is famous worldwide for its colorful Danxia landforms, a must-visit attraction for people traveling to Zhangye. This is a paradise for geologist & photography enthusiasts, and a great place to experience the marvelous work of nature. The Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot (七彩丹霞景区), part of the Zhangye National Geopark, is China's only highly composite area that combines Danxia landforms with colorful hilly landscapes. Zhangye Danxia has been honored as one of the world's top ten geographical wonders, one of the 22 most unforgettable landscapes worldwide, and the most beautiful exterior filming location at the 74th Venice Film Festival. This location served as a filming site for the movie The Great Wall《长城》 directed by Zhang Yimou and Disney's Mulan《花木兰》. The Rainbow Mountains featured on the cover of high school English textbooks are not only geological relics of special scientific significance, rarity, and aesthetic value but also hold archaeological, ecological, historical, and cultural significance. During the Cretaceous period, approximately 135 to 65 million years ago, the Zhangye region underwent the Himalayan orogeny, multiple erosions by water and wind, and long-term weathering processes, leading to the formation of the current Danxia landforms. The strata are mainly composed of sandstone and mudstone, formed in a dry and hot environment, where divalent iron in minerals oxidized to trivalent iron, giving the strata a red hue. As the environment gradually became wetter, the high-priced iron was reduced, causing a change in strata color to shades of brown, yellow-green, and bluish-gray, creating a palette resembling that of an overturned divine paintbox. The term "Danxia (丹霞)" originates from Cao Pi's poem (曹丕) "Danxia surrounded by the bright moon, with splendid stars emerging amidst the clouds (丹霞夹明月，华星出云间)." "Danxia," literally means the sacred or auspicious celestial sight - the rosy clouds illuminated by light. When geologists first discovered the cinnabar-colored landform, the romantic scientists named it the "Danxia landscape," leading to the coinage of the geographical term "Danxia landform (丹霞地貌)." The scenic area comprises five Observation Decks (No. 3 and No. 2 have been merged). Shuttle buses connect each Observation Deck (entering and exiting at the north gate, with shuttle stops at four points in the order of Observation Deck #2-1-5-4). Observation Deck #1 and Observation Deck #4 are the most recommended. Yunhai Platform (云海台 No. 1) is where the image was taken on the ticket and the largest viewing platform, offering a panoramic view of the entire Danxia landscape, including the winding S-shaped road. Hongxia Platform (虹霞台 No. 4), highly popular and considered the most beautiful spot with the most vibrant colors, is the best place to watch the sunset. In the eyes of the Chinese people, the Rainbow Mountains here resemble delicious Pork Belly or Strawberry Cake layers. At the Zhangye Rainbow Mountains, you can admire unique features like the Rainbow Screen, Sleeping Beauty, Giant Scallop, Monks Worshiping Buddha, Monkey Gazing at the Sea, Turtle Asking the Heavens, and the Red Cliff Great Wall (七彩屏、睡美人，大扇贝、众僧拜佛、灵猴观海、神龟问天、赤壁长城). Standing at the mountaintop, one can witness the colorful watercolor-like mountain ranges, feeling as if stepping into a painting. Notes: 1. Comfortable shoes are essential as climbing uphill sections may occur. 2. The scenic area also offers entertainment options such as camel rides, hot air balloons, gliders, helicopters, and other activities (at an additional cost). Then, head to visit Dafo Temple (大佛寺; Big Buddha Temple), a must-visit place in Zhangye if you are particularly interested in Buddhist culture and ancient architecture. The Big Buddha Temple is the iconic building of Zhangye, known for housing a 34.5-meter-long statue of the reclining Buddha, commonly called the "Reclining Buddha Temple 卧佛寺" by locals. Built in the year 1098, the Giant Buddha Temple was a royal temple built by the Western Xia Dynasty (西夏；1038-1227), making it one of the Four Remaining Royal Temples in China (the other three being the Lama Temple in Beijing, the Famen Temple in Baoji of Shaanxi, and the Chongsheng Temple in Dali of Yunnan). Legend has it that Kublai Khan (忽必烈), the founder of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), was born in the Big Buddha Temple in Zhangye. The Italian traveler Marco Polo was captivated by the magnificent architecture of the Giant Buddha Temple and the prosperity of Zhangye, leading him to stay there for a year. Covering an area of over 60,000 m², the temple could accommodate 5,000 worshipers simultaneously in the 16th century. Visit Big Buddha Temple in Zhangye to explore the only surviving Western Xia temple in China, the largest indoor reclining Buddha in Asia, and the complete Yongle Canon and Prajna Paramita Sutra (《永乐北藏》). It is a Buddhist art museum that integrates architecture, sculpture, murals, carvings, scriptures, calligraphy, and cultural relics. When you step into the temple, you'll see the Grand Buddha Hall which has maintained its original appearance from over 900 years ago. Besides the reclining Buddha, the walls on the east and west sides of the hall feature murals inspired by "Journey to the West西游记," "Investiture of the Gods封神演义," and the "Classic of Mountains and Seas山海经." Among these, the "Journey to the West" mural is said to predate the novel by approximately 200 years, depicting the story of Tang Dynasty Monk Xuanzang (唐僧) and his disciples embarking on their journey to the West in a comic strip format, showcasing episodes like "Fetching Water from the Motherhood River‌," "A Battle with Red Boy," "Obstacle at Flaming Mountain," "The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven," and "Expulsion of the Monkey King/Wukong" (取水子母河、大战红孩儿、路阻火焰山、大圣闹天宫、恨逐美猴王). Interestingly, the character Zhu Bajie (猪八戒) in the mural is portrayed as simple, honest, and hardworking, in stark contrast to the Zhu Bajie character in the novel Journey to the West. Even today, within the Zhangye region, one can find many place names from novel Journey to the West, such as Gaolaozhuang (高老庄Bajie's hometown), Liusha River (流沙河), Liangjintai (晾金台), Bull Demon King's Cave (牛魔王洞), and the Eight Thousand Ruoshui River(八千里弱水). A pair of Chinese characters written on a couplet outside the Grand Buddha Hall reads, "The Sleeping Buddha slumbers a thousand years without awakening, those who inquire will forever question, the answer remains elusive睡佛长睡睡千年长眠不醒，问者永问问百世永问难明," provoking deep contemplation and worth a look. Remember to ask the guide to show you another pair of couplets written in the Western Xia script with the same content. Additionally, the scripture hall of the reclining Buddha temple houses a Buddhist art exhibition hall and a Buddhist scripture exhibition hall, showcasing Buddhist artifacts extracted from the Buddha's abdomen. Among them, the "Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra《大般若波罗蜜多经》" written in gold and silver ink is a treasured artifact. Rare and exquisite Persian silver coins have been discovered in this temple, serving as compelling evidence of the bustling foreign trade along the Silk Road. Note: Currently, the reclining Buddha statue in Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple is undergoing digital restoration, covered by scaffolding. The project is expected to be completed by June 2025. Overnight in Zhangye. Zhangye not only served as a pivotal point for the Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang's journey (玄奘西行) to the West in search of Buddhist scriptures but is also considered the legendary birthplace of "Journey to the West " (西游记 Wukong). In the evening, Zhangye's night market awaits you, offering a chance to savor authentic donkey meat (驴肉) and apricot skin tea (杏皮茶), allowing you to indulge in a culinary adventure.

Overview: Conclude your journey with a hotel check-out in Zhangye, be escorted to the airport/train station. (B)

Activities: Vehicle

Meals: Breakfast

It is time to end your 5-day Best Gansu Silk Road Group Tour. Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your China Tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to Asia. Safe journey! Extension Ideas: 1. If you wish to extend your trip and explore other highlighted parts of Gansu, such as Lanzhou, Wuwei, Jiuquan, Guazhou, and more, we can help you with the arrangements. 2. If you plan to continue your exploration to other cities in China, such as Xining, Turpan, Chengdu, Lhasa, Xi'an, Beijing, and Shanghai, please feel free to let us know. We can customize your itinerary and assist you with travel arrangements.

欢迎来到敦煌，这座位于中国甘肃省、非常值得一去的城市！抵达敦煌后，导游会在机场接您，并送您前往酒店。您可以根据抵达时间自行安排探索，也可以向导游咨询旅行建议。 敦煌位于酒泉市，酒泉古称肃州，是甘肃省“肃”字的来源。敦煌是一片沙漠绿洲，保留着古老的奇迹。您可以探索中国西部边陲不为人熟知的宝藏，参观令人惊叹的莫高窟——联合国教科文组织世界遗产，内有色彩鲜艳的壁画和精美的雕塑。穿越戈壁沙漠，欣赏月牙泉的碧水和高耸的沙丘。从在纯净天空下观星，到体验滑沙和骑骆驼的乐趣，敦煌带来一段穿越时间与自然的迷人旅程。敦煌还以敦煌学闻名，这是一门专门研究和解读莫高窟中丰富文化与历史宝藏的学科。 自由活动建议： 1. 去敦煌沙洲夜市品尝敦煌美食。这里有许多特色小吃值得一试，如杏皮水、驴肉黄面、泡儿油糕。敦煌当地人喜欢吃羊肉、鸡肉和牛肉，也擅长做面食。 抵达建议： 1. 如何乘飞机抵达敦煌：敦煌莫高国际机场（或称敦煌机场）距离市中心约13公里，距离莫高窟22公里。直飞航班连接敦煌与中国主要城市，如北京（3小时45分钟）、上海（4小时25分钟）、成都（2小时40分钟）、西安（2小时40分钟）、兰州（1小时35分钟）等。请务必提前查询航班时刻，并非所有航线全年运营。 2. 如何乘高铁抵达敦煌：可通过敦煌火车站和柳园火车站抵达敦煌。敦煌火车站距离市中心10公里，有来自兰州（8-9小时）和嘉峪关（3小时）的动车。柳园火车站距离敦煌市中心约130公里，有前往乌鲁木齐（4.5小时）、嘉峪关（2小时）、张掖（3-4小时）、吐鲁番（3.5小时）等地的高铁。来自北京、上海、成都等主要城市的普通列车也会在柳园站停靠。 概述：抵达敦煌机场或敦煌火车站，随后送您前往敦煌市区。 景点：自行自由探索 交通与活动：车辆 住宿：敦煌3星级酒店

今天，您将参观世界遗产莫高窟（4-4.5小时），体验一段愉快的敦煌文化之旅。您可以在鸣沙山和月牙泉享受休闲时光，也别错过当地市场的美食。 敦煌莫高窟是甘肃之旅的必去之地。您可能读过不少关于A·斯坦因（英国考古学家和探险家）以及他在20世纪初从莫高窟带走的大量文物（绘画、雕塑、手稿）的故事。您可能已经在伦敦的大英博物馆见过斯坦因收集的文物。或者您可能听说过保罗·伯希和（法国考古学家和汉学家），他与A·斯坦因一样，多次前往敦煌探险，收集了大量文物，这些文物主要收藏在法国巴黎的吉美博物馆。欢迎参观莫高窟，这里是世界闻名的敦煌遗书（第16-17窟）的源头，探索丝绸之路历史和文化的宝贵见解。 莫高窟，又称千佛洞，被誉为“东方艺术宝库”。现存的735个洞窟分布在约15-30米高、绵延1700多米的悬崖上，构成了这一世界文化遗产的壮丽景观。尽管大量文物流失到海外博物馆，莫高窟仍然是世界上规模最大、藏品最丰富的佛教艺术宝库之一。莫高窟的建造跨越十六国、北魏、西魏、北周、隋、唐、五代、宋和西夏等朝代，持续了一千多年，直到元代，形成了约45000平方米的壁画和2415尊泥塑。公元366年，乐僔和尚在悬崖上开凿了莫高窟的第一个洞窟（距今1650多年）。公元7世纪，玄奘（唐僧）在莫高窟翻译了大量佛经。1900年，王圆箓道士发现了藏经洞（第16窟）。1941年至1943年，20世纪杰出的中国艺术家张大千在此临摹了276幅壁画。 在莫高窟，您可以探索各种类型的洞窟（大像窟、涅槃窟、中心塔柱窟、覆斗顶窟、殿堂窟），了解古代艺术家绘制壁画所用的颜料（朱砂、雌黄、石青、云母、藤黄、金箔、贝壳粉）。您可以欣赏佛教主题的故事画（释迦牟尼佛生平、九色鹿舍己救人），多样的泥塑（佛像、菩萨像、天王、力士），盛唐时期的飞天和胡旋舞，以及各个朝代供养人的服饰和习俗。在莫高窟，您可以见证古丝绸之路的辉煌与魅力，以及一代代文化遗产保护工作者和研究人员的努力与成就（如常书鸿，被誉为“敦煌守护神”的中国画家）。 您可以从莫高窟数字中心开始，观看40分钟的数字电影，然后乘坐穿梭巴士前往洞窟。在景点讲解员的带领下，您将依次参观8个洞窟（A类票；洞窟内禁止拍照）。您可能有机会看到重要的洞窟，如藏经洞（第16-17窟；最大的洞窟）、九层塔（第96窟；莫高窟的标志性建筑之一；最大的佛像）、涅槃经变窟（第148窟；卧佛）、初唐珍宝窟（第332窟）和北魏杰作窟（第257窟）。实际参观的八个洞窟可能因景点情况而有所不同。如果有兴趣，您可以参观文物保护陈列中心，观看八个特窟的1:1复制品，包括第275、249、285、419、220、217、25和3窟（允许拍照）。游览结束后，您可以在午餐后返回酒店休息。 下午，参观鸣沙山和月牙泉，甚至可以坐在鸣沙山（1715米）的山峰上，在月牙泉前等待壮丽的日落。鸣沙山和月牙泉被誉为“中国五大最美沙漠”之一、“中国最佳自然景观旅游目的地”和“中国最美赏月地”。这是一个地质公园，以沙漠中山、泉、沙共存的独特奇观而闻名。您可以享受各种活动（自费），如骑骆驼、滑沙、沙漠摩托车、越野车、直升机、滑翔机……您会遇到穿着传统汉服或飞天服饰的人们。 鸣沙山因沙粒移动时发出的声音而得名，有记录的鸣沙音量高达83分贝。这种沙鸣现象是敦煌八景之一，在《敦煌县志》中被称为“沙岭晴鸣”，敦煌的古名沙洲也源于此。鸣沙山东起莫高窟，西至党河，东西长约40公里，南北宽约20公里。这座山由五种颜色（红、黄、绿、黑、白）的细沙沉积而成。鸣沙山的沙子由风从戈壁沙漠和库姆塔格沙漠吹来并沉积于此，随着时间的推移逐渐累积。月牙泉位于鸣沙山之中，因其形似新月而得名。泉水东西长242米，南北最宽可达50米，平均深度约1.5米。泉中有铁背鱼（当地鱼类）和七星草（药用植物），被当地人列为“月牙泉三宝”（第三宝是五色沙），相信能给人们带来好运。所以试试运气去寻找它们吧。值得注意的是，沙子没有侵入泉水，水保持清澈丰沛，穿越时空，创造了“沙漠第一泉”的世界奇迹。 备注： 1. 为了保护洞窟，莫高窟实行实名预约制，分时段参观，每日限制游客数量。票务系统包括A类/普通票（每天6000张）和B类/应急票（每天12000张；仅限国内游客）。A类票包括参观8个洞窟和2部数字电影。B类票包括参观4个洞窟和石窟文物保管研究陈列中心。 2. 游客必须遵守莫高窟管理处当天的参观安排。鸣沙山和莫高窟的参观顺序可能会有所变化。 3. 如果您对洞窟特别感兴趣，还可以在现场购买特窟门票（可能需要排队），探索更精美的洞窟。特窟（自费）分为1号线（第45、320、321、420、9窟）和2号线（第275、45、156、158、159窟）。 4. 在敦煌文化博览会期间，或遇恶劣天气等其他因素影响参观，如果莫高窟无法按计划参观，我公司将根据实际费用退还莫高窟门票，或安排参观西千佛洞作为替代。 5. 鸣沙山景区可选活动：鞋套；观光车；骑骆驼；摩托车；越野车（可坐3人）；滑翔伞；直升机（可坐3人）。 6. 参加沙漠娱乐活动时，请保管好您的摄影设备，防止沙子进入相机。骑骆驼时，上下骆驼请遵循工作人员的指示。 概述：探索莫高窟，惊叹于鸣沙山，见证宁静的月牙泉。（含早餐） 景点：2个标志性景点 交通与活动：车辆 用餐：早餐 住宿：敦煌3星级酒店

今天，您将前往嘉峪关（400公里，5小时），在嘉峪关市探索悬臂长城和嘉峪关关城（嘉峪关要塞）。嘉峪关是一个绝佳之地，让您领略著名中国诗句“大漠孤烟直，长河落日圆”的意境。 您将攀登被誉为“长城尽头”的悬臂长城。它建于1539年（明朝），仅存750米。作为嘉峪关关城的北向延伸，它依自然地形而建，采用当地砾石和黄土，最陡峭部分约达45度（超过200米），因其外观似悬于空中而得名。1987年修缮后，它由护墙、垛口和平台组成。两端各增建一座平台，共计三座平台。沿着长城步道（超过400级台阶；适合儿童）攀登至最高敌楼，您可以欣赏长城内外的壮丽景色。从高速公路旁的沙漠景观到绿洲中高耸的烟囱，每一处景象都令人叹为观止。在这里，您可以发现古代战争和烽火的遗迹，同时惊叹于古代军事防御的智慧和现代文明的快速发展。 之后，参观嘉峪关关城。嘉峪关建于1372年，被称为“中国长城三大奇观之一”（东有山海关，中有镇北台，西有嘉峪关）。站在嘉峪关关城之上，作为联合国教科文组织世界遗产“中国长城”的一部分，您可以感受到这座古代军事防御结构的宏伟与壮丽。嘉峪关是明长城最西端的关隘，位于河西走廊中部。“嘉峪”意为“美丽的山谷”。它依山傍水，地势险要，建筑雄伟，被誉为“天下第一雄关”。 从嘉峪关城墙上，您可以看到长城穿越沙漠和戈壁，而美丽的祁连山（雪山）和黑山作为天然屏障，横跨嘉峪关南北。小学语文课本《长城》中描述的壮丽场景——“从东头的山海关到西头的嘉峪关，有一万三千多里”——在这里得到了完美体现。 您可能会想象600多年前，这里是长城修建并与古丝绸之路交汇的战场，连接中原与西域，见证了无数的商业交流和文化互动。西汉时期（公元前202年—公元8年），张骞三次经过这里开辟西域，霍去病将军从此出发抗击匈奴。唐朝（618—907年），玄奘法师经过这里去取佛经。元朝（1206—1368年），马可·波罗游历中国并到访嘉峪关。1841年（清朝），林则徐因参与禁烟运动被贬谪至新疆伊犁。途经嘉峪关时，他写下了“东南谁比此关雄”的诗句。 如今，在嘉峪关要塞，您可以获得通关文牒（可选；自费），体验几个世纪前进出嘉峪关的过程。这种独特的体验将您带回到需要官方“关文”（早期护照形式）才能通行的时代。中文短语“请多关照”源于进出嘉峪关的人们使用的礼貌语言，象征着相互关心和帮助。 嘉峪关关城是长城沿线保存最完好的门城之一，使其成为建筑爱好者的热门目的地。它由三条重叠的防线组成——内城、外城和护城河——形成五里一燧、十里一墩、三十里一堡、百里一城的军事防御体系。嘉峪关不仅仅是一座城；它是一个等待您揭开秘密的传奇故事。此外，嘉峪关是祁连雪山脚下的绿洲，湖泊众多，绿树成荫，是难得的避暑胜地。夜宿嘉峪关。 概述：从敦煌前往嘉峪关，惊叹于标志性的悬臂长城和历史悠久的嘉峪关关城。（含早餐） 景点：2个标志性景点 交通与活动：车辆 用餐：早餐 住宿：嘉峪关3星级酒店

今天，您将前往张掖市（260公里，约4小时车程），游览张掖丹霞国家地质公园和大佛寺。 张掖位于河西走廊（古代贸易路线）最狭窄的一段，宽度仅50公里，但土地肥沃、景色宜人。因此有诗赞美道：“不望祁连山顶雪，错把张掖当江南”，这里也被称为“塞上江南”和“金张掖”。张掖原名甘州，是甘肃省“甘”字的发源地，后因汉武帝“张国臂掖，以通西域”的战略而更名为张掖，成为丝绸之路上的重要节点和佛教东传的必经之地。张掖的机场就叫张掖甘州机场。 首先，购票参观张掖国家地质公园（七彩丹霞景区），这里以色彩斑斓的岩石地貌闻名，常被称为彩虹山。张掖因其多彩的丹霞地貌而闻名世界，是到访张掖的必游景点。这里是地质学家和摄影爱好者的天堂，也是感受大自然鬼斧神工的好地方。七彩丹霞景区是张掖国家地质公园的一部分，是中国唯一集丹霞地貌与彩色丘陵景观于一体的高度复合区域。张掖丹霞被誉为世界十大地理奇观之一、全球22个最令人难忘的景观之一，以及第74届威尼斯电影节最美外景拍摄地。这里曾是张艺谋导演的电影《长城》和迪士尼电影《花木兰》的取景地。高中英语课本封面上展示的彩虹山不仅是具有特殊科学意义、稀有性和美学价值的地质遗迹，还具有考古、生态、历史和文化意义。 在约1.35亿至6500万年前的白垩纪时期，张掖地区经历了喜马拉雅造山运动、多次水和风的侵蚀以及长期的风化过程，形成了如今的丹霞地貌。地层主要由砂岩和泥岩组成，在干热环境中形成，矿物中的二价铁氧化成三价铁，使地层呈红色。随着环境逐渐变湿润，高价铁被还原，地层颜色变为棕色、黄绿色和灰蓝色，形成宛如打翻的调色盘般的色彩。“丹霞”一词源自曹丕的诗句“丹霞夹明月，华星出云间”。“丹霞”字面意思是神圣或吉祥的天象——被光照亮的彩霞。当地质学家首次发现朱红色的地貌时，浪漫的科学家将其命名为丹霞景观，从而创造了“丹霞地貌”这一地理术语。 景区包括五个观景台（3号和2号已合并）。穿梭巴士连接每个观景台（从北门进出，穿梭巴士按2号-1号-5号-4号观景台的顺序停靠四个点）。1号观景台和4号观景台最受推荐。云海台（1号）是门票照片拍摄地，也是最大的观景平台，可全景欣赏整个丹霞景观，包括蜿蜒的S形道路。虹霞台（4号）非常受欢迎，被认为是最美丽、色彩最鲜艳的景点，是观赏日落的最佳地点。在中国人眼中，这里的彩虹山看起来像美味的五花肉或草莓蛋糕层。 在张掖彩虹山，您可以欣赏到七彩屏、睡美人、大扇贝、众僧拜佛、灵猴观海、神龟问天、赤壁长城等独特景观。站在山顶，可以看到色彩斑斓如水彩画般的山脉，仿佛步入画中。 注意事项： 1. 建议穿舒适的鞋子，因为可能需要攀爬上坡路段。 2. 景区还提供骑骆驼、热气球、滑翔机、直升机等娱乐活动（需额外付费）。 然后，前往参观大佛寺，如果您对佛教文化和古建筑特别感兴趣，这是张掖的必游之地。大佛寺是张掖的标志性建筑，以供奉34.5米长的卧佛像而闻名，当地人俗称卧佛寺。大佛寺建于1098年，是西夏（1038-1227）修建的皇家寺庙，是中国仅存的四大皇家寺庙之一（另外三座是北京的雍和宫、陕西宝鸡的法门寺和云南大理的崇圣寺）。相传元朝（1271-1368）的开国皇帝忽必烈就出生在张掖大佛寺。意大利旅行家马可·波罗被大佛寺的宏伟建筑和张掖的繁荣所吸引，在此停留了一年。寺庙占地超过6万平方米，在16世纪可同时容纳5000名信徒。 参观张掖大佛寺，探索中国唯一保存至今的西夏寺庙、亚洲最大的室内卧佛，以及完整的《永乐北藏》和《大般若波罗蜜多经》。它是一座集建筑、雕塑、壁画、雕刻、经书、书法和文物于一体的佛教艺术博物馆。当您步入寺庙，会看到保存了900多年前原貌的大佛殿。除了卧佛，殿内东西两侧墙壁上还有以《西游记》《封神演义》和《山海经》为灵感的壁画。其中，《西游记》壁画据说比小说早约200年，以连环画形式描绘了唐僧师徒西行取经的故事，展示了取水子母河、大战红孩儿、路阻火焰山、大圣闹天宫、恨逐美猴王等情节。有趣的是，壁画中的猪八戒被描绘得朴实、诚实、勤劳，与小说《西游记》中的猪八戒形象形成鲜明对比。即使在今天的张掖地区，仍可找到许多小说《西游记》中的地名，如高老庄、流沙河、晾金台、牛魔王洞和八千里弱水。 大佛殿外的一副对联写道：“睡佛长睡睡千年长眠不醒，问者永问问百世永问难明”，发人深省，值得一看。记得请导游带您看另一副用西夏文书写的相同内容的对联。此外，卧佛寺的藏经殿内设有佛教艺术展厅和佛经展厅，展示从佛像腹部取出的佛教文物。其中，金银墨书写的《大般若波罗蜜多经》是珍贵文物。寺内还发现了罕见精美的波斯银币，是丝绸之路对外贸易繁荣的有力证据。 注意： 目前，张掖大佛寺的卧佛像正在进行数字化修复，被脚手架覆盖。工程预计于2025年6月完成。 夜宿张掖。张掖不仅是唐代玄奘西行取经的重要节点，也被认为是《西游记》（孙悟空）的传奇发源地。晚上，张掖的夜市等着您，可以品尝地道的驴肉和杏皮茶，尽情享受美食之旅。 概述：从嘉峪关到张掖，参观张掖丹霞地貌国家地质公园和大佛寺。（含早餐） 景点：2个标志性景点 交通与活动：乘车 用餐：早餐 住宿：张掖三星级酒店

为期5天的甘肃丝绸之路精华跟团游到此结束。感谢您选择亚洲奥德赛旅游安排此次中国之旅，我们随时为您服务，期待您下次到亚洲旅行时再次相见。祝您旅途平安！ 延展建议： 1. 如果您想延长行程，前往甘肃其他精彩目的地，如兰州、武威、酒泉、瓜州等，我们可以协助您安排。 2. 如果您计划继续前往中国其他城市，如西宁、吐鲁番、成都、拉萨、西安、北京和上海，请随时告知我们。我们可以为您定制行程，并协助您安排旅行事宜。 概述：在张掖酒店退房，结束行程后送您前往机场/火车站。（含早餐） 交通与活动：车辆 用餐：早餐