8-Day In-Depth Tour of the Hexi Corridor

—From Lanzhou to Dunhuang, Unlock the Vastness and Splendor of the Northwest✨

🚗 Daily Itinerary
**Day 1: Lanzhou → Wushaoling → Tiantishan Grottoes → Leitai Han Tomb → Western Xia Museum → Wuwei**
✔️ **Tiantishan Grottoes**: The origin of Chinese grottoes, showcasing the primitive style of Northern Liang Buddhist art!
✔️ **Leitai Han Tomb**: Discover the authentic "Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow" (replica) and uncover the burial culture of Han Dynasty nobility!
✔️ **Western Xia Museum**: Artifacts from the Heishui City ruins, decoding the mysterious legacy of the Western Xia Dynasty!
🍜 **Stay in Wuwei**: Visit the Liangzhou Market Night Market—must-tries include lamb with rolled dough and the "Three-Course Meal" (noodles, braised meat, and almond tea)!

**Day 2: Wuwei → Shandan Horse Ranch → Giant Buddha Temple → Zhangye**
✔️ **Shandan Horse Ranch**: Asia's largest horse ranch, lush green in summer—witness thousands of galloping horses! (Horseback riding available.)
✔️ **Giant Buddha Temple**: Home to a 34.5-meter indoor reclining Buddha, the largest in Asia, and legends of the "Western Xia Yipintang"!
🌃 **Stay in Zhangye**: Visit the Ganzhou Night Market for stir-fried dishes and sao noodles—full of local flavor!

**Day 3: Zhangye → Mati Temple → Rainbow Danxia → Zhangye**
✔️ **Mati Temple**: Cliffside grottoes exploring Yugur culture—don’t miss the "Thirty-Three Heavens" Buddhist caves!
✔️ **Rainbow Danxia**: Capture sunset views like an oil painting! Recommended spots: Viewing Platform 4 (Rainbow Fan) and 6 (famous for its "Mazi Noodle Shop" angle).
📸 **Tips**: Wear bright colors for better photos! The shuttle bus costs 10 RMB one-way—don’t miss the sunset!

**Day 4: Zhangye → Pingshanhu Grand Canyon → Jiayuguan Fort → Jiayuguan**
✔️ **Pingshanhu Grand Canyon**: A paradise for hikers! Take the "One-Line Sky" route for thrilling cliffside paths!
✔️ **Jiayuguan Fort**: Climb the "Mighty Pass" for views of the Qilian Mountains and snap a photo with the Overhanging Great Wall!
🌙 **Stay in Jiayuguan**: Try grilled meat with sand onions at Datang Food Street and explore the Tang Dynasty-themed night market!

**Day 5: Jiayuguan → Shuangta Reservoir → Yulin Grottoes → Desert Baby → Dunhuang**
✔️ **Yulin Grottoes**: The sister caves of Mogao! Cave 25’s "Western Xia Water-Moon Guanyin" is stunning—join a guided tour!
✔️ **Desert Baby**: A giant infant sculpture in the Gobi—a striking contrast of desolation and tenderness (free to photograph)!
🚗 **Tips**: Stop by Shuangta Reservoir for its serene blue waters!

**Day 6: Dunhuang → Mogao Caves → Singing Sand Dunes & Crescent Lake**
✔️ **Mogao Caves**: With a Class A ticket, visit 8 caves! Book 30 days in advance and listen to stories of flying apsaras from guides!
✔️ **Singing Sand Dunes**: Enter after 4 PM—ride camels, sandboard, and watch the sunset! Optional desert camping with bonfire under the stars (extra fee).
🍹 **Must-try**: Apricot juice and Li Guang apricots at Dunhuang’s Shazhou Night Market!

**Day 7: Dunhuang → Yumen Pass → Yangguan Pass → Yadan Devil City**
✔️ **Yumen Pass**: The historic site of "Spring Breeze Never Crosses Yumen Pass"—explore Xiaofangpan City and Hecang Fortress!
✔️ **Yangguan Pass**: Dress in Hanfu for epic "West of Yangguan" photos and visit the museum’s artifacts!
✔️ **Yadan Devil City**: Witness the sunset "Fleet Sailing" spectacle—bring snacks and water!

**Day 8: Dunhuang → Departure**