7 Days Dunhuang Itinerary, Plan a 7 Days Trip in Dunhuang

7 Days Dunhuang Travel Itinerary

Dunhuang, a cultural city with a long history, boasts the world-renowned Mogao Caves and unique northwest scenery. If you only have seven days to explore Dunhuang, how can you make the most of your time and fully experience its allure? This guide will provide you with a detailed itinerary for an unforgettable seven-day trip, ensuring that you can explore Dunhuang to the fullest without missing out on its wonders.

7 Days Dunhuang Itinerary for Family with Kids

Day 1: Depart from Jiuquan City, take a photo with the iconic Jiuquan Drum Tower. Then head to the Natural Treasures Scenic Spot, where your family will explore and enjoy plenty of treasure-like rare stones.

Day 2: Take a train to Guazhou County and head west to Dunhuang, along the way you will visit Yulin Caves and Suoyang City Ruins and watch the 3D-printed statues. In the evening arriving in Dunhuang, explore Shazhou Night Market and enjoy the delicious food.

Day 3: Head to Dunhuang Museum to get an understanding of Dunhuang history and culture. Then drive to the Mogao Caves to admire the murals and sculptures, and take your family to the art museum to try their hand at mural copying, immersing in the essence of ancient art.

Day 4: Make your way to Mingsha Mountain to visit the marvel Crescent Spring, enjoying sand sliding, desert cross-country, or camels riding. In the evening, step up on the top of dunes to watch the stunning desert sunset, then camp in the desert for enjoy a passionate night, with desert barbecue and concert under the starry sky.

Day 5: Drive to the west, you will meet Yang Pass, Yumen Pass, Canghe city and the Great Wall of Han Dynasty, feeling the vicissitudes of time. Then you can hike among the Yardang Geopark and watch the amazing craftsmanship of nature.

Day 6: Explore Dunhuang Ancient City, where you can experience the architectural art and cultural life of ancient Dunhuang, and participate in activities such as archery, horseback riding, or dress up in traditional Han Chinese Clothing. In the evening, you can watch large-scare performance See Dunhuang Again or Ancient Sound of Dunhuang.

Day 7: Enjoy your free time in Dunhuang city area, strolling along the Dang River Line and seeing the Playing Pipa Statue. Seek for your souvenirs before returning.

7 Days Dunhuang Itinerary for Seniors with Slow Travel Pace

Day 1: Arrive in Dunhuang and take a rest, then in the afternoon, watch the performance of See Dunhuang Again. In the evening, head to Yueyaquan Town where you can see the desert under the starry sky directly, and stay in the Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel.

Day 2: Visit Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring to admire the marvels of the desert oasis, and ride a camel across the desert. Enjoy yourself in Yueyaquan small town, and don’t forget to watch the sunset in the evening.

Day 3: Have a Dunhuang traditional breakfast, and then head to the Dunhuang Museum to get an introduction to the unique culture of the Silk Road in Dunhuang. In the evening, delve into the flavors and handcrafts of the Shazhou Night Market.

Day 4: Head to Mogao Caves to witness the ancient art of murals, immersing yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Dunhuang. Then walk to Sanwei Sacred Site to view the Buddhist resort. In the evening, watch the performance of Ancient Sound of Dunhuang

Day 5: Driving westward, pass by the West Thousand Buddha Caves, the Sites of Yang Pass, and the Sites of Yumen Pass. You can reach Yangguan Town for lunch, and visit the local graperies. Then continue to the west to the Yardang Devil City to watch the amazing craftsmanship of nature bathed in the golden sunset.

Day 6: If your physical strength allows, head east to Guazhou County to visit Yulin Caves and Suoyang City. Otherwise, you can visit Dunhuang Ancient City for a relaxing exploration, where you can immerse in the ancient-style area.

Day 7: Explore the city area. Head to White Horse Pagoda Scenic Spot, hike along the Dang River Line and visit the Playing Pipa Statue, experiencing the tranquility and leisure of this border city.

7 Days Dunhuang Itinerary for Young Travelers

Day 1: Depart from Jiuquan City, take a photo with the iconic Drum Tower. Then head to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, a must-see for visitors who are passionate about space and satellites, and experience the charm of aerospace technology.

Day 2: Drive to Jiayuguan City, view the greatest pass under heaven, Jiayu Pass, and climb the Cantilever Great Wall, tracing back the days of battle flames. If you have plenty of time and energy, you can drive to the July 1 glacier, explore the different sight of the northwest.

Day 3: Take a flight to Dunhuang, check your hotel for a little rest. Then head to the Dunhuang Museum, recognizing Dunhuang history and culture preliminary. In the evening, go to the Shazhou Night Market, immersing yourself in the delicious food.

Day 4: In the morning, head to the Mogao Caves to admire the ancient mural art, then watch the large-scare performance See Dunhuang Again in the afternoon. As the evening approaches, head to Mingsha Mountain to witness the sunset on the top of the dunes. In the evening, camp in the desert, enjoying the ten-thousand-people starry sky concert and the view of the Milky Way overhead.

Day 5: Visit Yueyaquan small town and explore the Crescent Spring, take a sightseeing helicopter or an aerodone to get a bird’s eye view of the desert under the golden sunlight. Play in the sand, enjoy sand sliding and camel riding. In the evening, you can return to Shazhou district or stay at the Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel.

Day 6: Drive to yangguan town, ride a camel across Yang Pass, experience the feeling of opening up the Silk Road. At lunch, you can head to the nearby graperies. Continue to the west to visit the Yuman Pass and the Han Great Wall, then take a "sky tour" above Yardang Devil City, enjoying an unobstructed view of the craftsmanship of nature.

Day 7: Head to the Dunhuang ancient city, ride horses through the streets and experience the beauty of wearing Han Clothing. Afterward, return to Dunhuang for your final moments to enjoy the freedom and charm of this unique place.

7 Days Dunhuang cultural Immersion Itinerary and Leisure

Day 1: Arrive in Jiuquan City and take a short rest, and then visit the city landmark, Jiuquan Drum Tower, for a photo opportunity. Afterward, head to the Jiuquan Museum and the Western Han Jiuquan Historic Sites to immerse yourself in the historical heritages.

Day 2: In the morning, head to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, feeling the scientific spirit of the Chinese first satellite center. In the afternoon, take a flight to Dunhuang and take a pause. Head to Shazhou Night Market in the evening, enjoying the local delicious food.

Day 3: Visit the Dunhuang Museum, get an entire understanding of Dunhuang's culture. In the afternoon, head to the Mogao Caves, visit caves under the guide explaining the fascinating stories behind the murals. Then watch large-scare performance See Dunhuang Again in the evening, feeling the transition of the ancient Silk Road.

Day 4: Head to Crescent Spring to explore the green oasis in the Desert, and ride a camel to experience the spirit of the Silk Road. Then visit Leiyin Temple and Sanwei Moutain to admire the charm of Buddhist culture.

Day 5: Travel west to visit the Western Thousand Buddha Caves, Yang Pass and Yumen Pass, where you can find the traces left by a thousand years of history. If you have enough knowledge of Chinese culture, you can experience the beauty of Chinese poetry in Yangguan Town.

Day 6: Head to the Dunhuang Ancient City to explore its ancient-style architecture and immerse yourself in the local customs and culture. You can experience Chinese traditional recreational activities such as Touhu and archery, and try the beautiful Han Clothing.

Day 7: Drive to Guazhou to visit the Suoyang City Ruins and the Yulin Caves, appreciate the ancient architecture and art that tell the stories of the Silk Road. Afterward, take photo of the 3D-printed sculpture group, the fascinating blend of modern art and historical culture.

Customize Your Unique Dunhuang Silk Road Trip

If you are interested in one of the Dunhuang itineraries mentioned above, please contact us, and we will be happy to customize it and provide a quote tailored to your preferences.

Alternatively, if you would like to customize your Dunhuang Tour, please visit our Dunhuang Tour Customized Center. We assure you that you will receive a reply within 24 working hours.

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