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Hear about travel to the Silk Road as the Amateur Traveler talks about his recent trip to the Gansu province of China, Buddhist Grottos, stunning landscapes, barren deserts, and the original Great Wall of China.

Historic Background

More than 2,000 years ago, Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty sent his prodigy general Huo Qubing to seize the Hexi Corridor from the Xiongnu nomads, founding four fortified outposts—Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan, and Dunhuang—that anchored the eastern Silk Road.

Centuries later, the monk Xuanzang left Lanzhou for India along the same desert corridor, returning with Sanskrit scriptures that reshaped Chinese Buddhism.

Following their footsteps today reveals grottoes, Great Wall forts, and rainbow-striped badlands that still echo with the sounds of camel bells and caravan legends.

Day‑by‑Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Lanzhou

• Transfer & check‑in: Fly into Zhongchuan Airport and settle downtown.
• Yellow River walk:
  • Cross the century‑old Zhongshan Iron Bridge.
  • Pause at the Yellow River Mother Statue and the old Waterwheel Garden.
  • Sip some Eight Treasures tea at a tea house
• Night flavors: Slurp Lanzhou hand‑pulled beef noodles, then graze at a Night Market for local delights.

Day 2 – Explore Lanzhou

• Visit the local Taohai Market
• Learn about the Silk Road at the Gansu Provincial Museum
• Take a class on how to make hand-pulled noodles
• As time permits, explore White Pagoda Mountain & Lanzhou Intangible
  Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall

Day 3 – Lanzhou ➜ Zhangye

• High‑speed rail: Ride the morning train (≈ 2 h 40 m) through hills into the oasis plains of Zhangye.
• Mati Temple (Horse‑Hoof Grottoes):
  • Explore 5th‑century cliff‑cut caves filled with Buddhist murals.
  • Climb interior staircases that tunnel through sandstone to lofty balconies.
• Stay in Zhangye

Day 4 – Zhangye Danxia ➜ Dunhuang

• Rainbow Mountains:
  • Drive 40 km to Zhangye Danxia Geological Park.
  • Walk the boardwalks for view decks over red‑and‑gold striped ridges; splurge for the VIP tour.
• High‑speed rail: Board the high-speed train (≈ 4 h) across wind farms and gravel flats to Dunhuang.
• Shazhou Night Market: Feast on charcoal‑grilled kebabs, apricot‑skin tea, and handmade noodles beneath glowing lanterns.

Day 5 – Mogao Caves & Singing Sand Dunes

• UNESCO masterpiece:
  • Watch two orientation films, then join a guided tour of the Mogao Grottoes—murals, stucco Buddhas, and Silk Road art.
  • Don’t miss the museum where you can take pictures of recreations.
• Desert oasis:
  • Late‑afternoon camel ride to the Singing Sand Dunes.
  • Gaze at mirror‑like Crescent Lake as the sun sets.
• Evening culture: Catch the dance‑and‑music spectacular “Music, and Dance of Dunhuang”

Day 6 – Yumen Pass & Yardang National Geopark

• Gobi expedition (full day):
  • Continue 190 km west to Yardang (Devil City) Geopark; walk wind‑eroded corridors shaped like ships and fortresses, with vast silence all around.
  • Drive 90 km back to the mud‑brick ruins of Yumen Pass (Jade Gate), the Han dynasty Great Wall of China, and the forts that protected it.
• Return to Dunhuang: Enjoy a desert‑sky stargaze or sample local dates and wine in town.

Day 7 – Departure from Dunhuang

• Onward travel: Catch a high‑speed train eastward or fly to Xi’an or Beijing to connect onward.

Practical Tips

• Reserve early: Mogao tickets open 30 days ahead and sell out fast—book as soon as your dates are fixed.
• Pack layers: Desert days can reach temperatures of 95°F (35°C), while nights drop below 60°F (15°C); a sun hat and sunscreen are essential.
• Payments: Alipay and WeChat Pay work almost everywhere; carry a bit of cash for remote snack stalls.
• Stay on paths: Danxia and Yardang formations are fragile—use marked boardwalks only.
• Connectivity: Download offline maps; hotels usually offer Wi‑Fi, but cell service can fade in the western desert.
• Connectivity: Use T-Mobile or buy an eSim for your phone

Trace the route of generals, monks, and merchants and witness how the Hexi Corridor still guards the doorway between China and the wider world.

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Show Notes

Travel to China (Beijing and Gannan) – Episode 954
Lanzhou
Emperor Wu of Han
Huo Qubing
Xuanzang’s Journey to the West
Hexi Corridor
Gansu Provincial Museum
Lanzhou Olympic Sports Rosy Huaxi Hotel
How to Make Chinese Eight Treasures Tea
Mati Temple
Zhangye Danxia Geopark (Rainbow Mountain)
Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Lake
Mogao Caves
Youjian Dunhuang Theatre
Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark
Yumen Pass
Gansu Tours – TourRadar
China Tour – Affordable Tours to Asia
Silk Road Photos

Community

on Travel to Samoa – Episode 952:

I love Samoa and Samoans. I have many Samoans living in my city. It is said Samoans are the Irish of the Pacific, passionate about their religion and very friendly. I climbed the very steep way to Robert Louis Stevenson’s grave. I had to laugh, the high school track & field team ran up the trail to the summit and back before I even hit the halfway mark up. “Fa’a Samoa”, the Samoan way!

-Jeff

Amateur Traveler Trips

This podcast is about a 2-week trip to China sponsored by the Chinese Tourism Board. I am grateful for the trip, but all opinions expressed are my own.