Compare Gansu: Origins of the Silk Road Tour by WildChina vs China Adventure Tour by Discovery Nomads
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 7 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 2,550 | $ 2,219 |
| Price Per Day | $ 364 | $ 247 |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Self-guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
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| Description |
Situated along the legendary Silk Road, Gansu served as a crossroads for China and Central Asia. The temples, Buddhist art, and tombs left behind by travelers, merchants, and artists make Gansu one of the most culturally rich provinces in China. On this trip you'll stop for a bowl of famous Lanzhou noodle soup and show your satisfaction by slurping it down like a local. Float down the Yellow River in a traditional goatskin raft, explore mysterious grottoes filled with medieval Buddhist art, marvel at the iridescent Rainbow Mountains, and wander along the western edge of the Great Wall. |
Climb the Great Wall, take a walk on Tiananmen Square and at the Forbidden City, see amazing Terracotta Warriors statues, taste local food in Shanghai and take a evening cruise to see sparkling Hong Kong from the water. |
Day 1: Lanzhou
Meet your local WildChina guide at Lanzhou airport and transfer to your hotel in a private vehicle • If there's time, cruise down the Yellow River (the second longest river in China) on a traditional goat skin raft. This was the major form of transportation along the river until the first steel bridge was built in 1907
Day 2: Lanzhou – Zhangye
After breakfast, visit a local cooking school and learn the history behind the region's famous beef noodle soup; Learn the art of pulling noodles as thin as thread and then enjoy your own bowl of noodle soup for lunch; Take the high-speed train to Zhangye (3 hours) and drive to the Danxia land formation, more popularly known as the 'Rainbow Mountains'; Hike through five different "platforms" of height and explore the changing views; Get your camera ready for a sunset view over the colorful mountains.
Day 3: Zhangye
Start the day early and visit the 12th century Giant Buddha Temple, home to the largest clay Buddha in Asia and the only well-preserved Western Xia Royal Temple in China; Before entering the temple, practice water calligraphy or Chinese Kungfu (weather permitting) from a local master in the temple grounds; Continue your exploration of Zhangye's unique landscapes when you hike in Pingshanhu Grand Canyon
Day 4: Jiayuguan
Meet a local Yugu Minority family and learn about their way of life over a cup of tea. Visit the Matisi Grottoes (1-hour drive) one of the three most important Buddhist Grottoes in Gansu. The legend of Matisi (Horse Hoof Temple) can be traced back to the 4th century. Here you'll find Tibetan and Chinese cave art and the hoof print of the legendary flying horse who chose the mountains as a holy site; Hike or ride a horse through the surrounding pine forest to Linsong Waterfall (1 hour; Enjoy a picnic lunch on the way ; In the afternoon, drive to Jiayuguan City (3 hours); Your guide will help you check into your hotel and the evening will be spent at your leisure
Day 5: Jiayuguan – Dunhuang
Visit Jiayuguan, the first pass on the western end of the Great Wall. The Jiayuguan Pass has been fully restored and is now the wall's best preserved fortress ; Continue your drive to the Wei-Jin Dynasty Tombs and see underground murals dating back 1700 years; If Try your hand at stone painting - a traditional local craft that uses stones from the Gobi Desert ; After lunch, drive to Dunhuang (4 hours), a fertile outpost close to where the Silk Road split into its southern and northern routes either side of the impassable Taklamakan Desert ; Spend the evening exploring local night markets or enjoy dinner on the roof of your hotel
Day 6: Dunhuang
Start the day in the 'singing' Minsha Sand Dunes, named for the way they 'rumble' in the wind ; Stop by Crescent Moon Lake, an oasis nestled in the desert ; Enjoy a local lunch in the city's most famous food street ; Visit the Mogao Grottoes, a complex of 492 grottoes representing the pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art ; The caves were created over the course of 1,000 years and were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 ; OPTIONAL: We'll arrange an expert in Chinese Buddhism to accompany you through caves not open to the general public ; In the evening, visit a local artist's studio or head out on a foodie's adventure with your guide to Yue Quan Xiao Zhen Market.
Day 7: Departure
Watch the sunrise in the desert from the roof of your hotel; Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before transferring to the airport for your departure flight
Day 1-3 Beijing
Arrive in Beijing at any time. On the first day we have not planned any events. On Day 2 visit some of the top attractions of Beijing and the surrounding area on this guided group tour. You’ll have the opportunity to walk along the Great Wall, marvel at the Royal Palace and other sites in the Forbidden City and stop to see Tiananmen Square.
Hotel: Grand Hyatt Beijing or similar.
Day 3-5 Xi`an
Travel by high speed comfortable train to Xian (5h). On the Day 4 uncover the mysterious mask of the eighth world wonder, the Terracotta Warriors. Feast your eyes on over 7,000 terracotta sculptures, an army ready for battle and explore one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world.
Hotel: Sheraton Xian or similar.
Day 5-7 Shanghai
Flight to Shanghai. In the evening explore the local restaurant scene of Shanghai on a 3-hour food tasting tour of the city center. Sample more than 15 traditional dishes from Shanghai on a 3-hour food tasting tour of the Yunnan Road. Try some of the best dumpling soup in the city and indulge your sweet tooth at a dessert store. On Day 6 explore the highlights of Shanghai, visit local markets, and the trendy Xintiandi district.
Hotel: Grand Kempinski Shanghai or similar.
Day 7-9 Hong Kong
Flight to Hong Kong. In the evening cruise along the coastal lines of Hong Kong and Kowloon Peninsula, see the the sparkling night city filled with skyscrapers and dazzling neon lights. Enjoy the famous the Symphony of Lights Cruise with unlimited drinks. On Day 8 get scenic photos of the city's famous Victoria Harbor view at Sky Terrace 428 after riding the Peak Tram on this city tour. Visit an ancient fishing village to get to know old Hong Kong and shop for souvenirs at Stanley Market.
Hotel: JW Marriott Hong Kong or similar.
