https://nz.trip.com/moments/detail/dunhuang-8-138731552
EveliinaKuosmaSingapore

Crossing the Millennia-Old Hexi Corridor|5 Days to Cover All the Stunning Scenery of Northwest China

Dear friends! Only by visiting the Hexi Corridor can you truly understand the grandeur of Northwest China! Grasslands, snow-capped mountains, lakes, Gobi Desert, and sand dunes—pack all your dreams of poetry and distant places into this journey! 🚗 Day 1: First Encounter with Lanzhou, Unlocking the Local Life of Northwest China After arriving in Lanzhou, start with a steaming bowl of beef noodles and a sip of bowl-brewed tea made with Yellow River water, experiencing the unique local vibe of this city through which the Yellow River flows. 🍜 Day 2: Lanzhou → Yellow River Stone Forest → Wuwei (140km/2h; 240km/3.5h) Venture into the ravines of the Yellow River Stone Forest and be speechless at the unique yardang landforms of Northwest China! Steep cliffs and peculiar stone pillars, also a filming location for "Mulan," make every snapshot an epic masterpiece! 🎬 Arrive in Wuwei by evening, an ancient city formerly known as "Liangzhou," full of Silk Road stories. Day 3: Wuwei → Tianti Mountain Grottoes → Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park (60km/1h; 330km/4h) In the morning, explore the Tianti Mountain Grottoes, known as the "Forefather of Chinese Buddhist Grottoes," where weathered murals and solemn Buddha statues carry the weight of a thousand years. 🌿 Head to Zhangye Danxia by evening, where the sunset paints the Danxia Mountains like a spilled palette of red, orange, yellow, and green layers—breathtakingly beautiful! Day 4: Zhangye → Jiayuguan Fortress → Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake → Dunhuang (220km/2.5h; 370km/5h) Stand atop Jiayuguan Fortress, touch the ancient walls, and almost hear the camel bells and the shouts of border guards from long ago. 🏯 Arrive at Mingsha Mountain by evening, walk barefoot on the soft sand, and watch the sunset turn Crescent Lake golden—the romantic encounter of desert and spring! 🌙 Day 5: Dunhuang → Mogao Caves (20km) Step into the Mogao Caves to admire exquisite murals and sculptures up close, each hiding the wisdom and faith of ancient people, instantly captivated by the charm of millennia-old civilization! ✨ 🎒 Essential Travel Checklist - Documents: ID card (real-name reservation required for Mogao Caves) - Skincare: High SPF sunscreen, lip balm, hydrating skincare products (Northwest China is very dry!) - Others: Motion sickness medicine, thermos, comfortable sports shoes (lots of walking every day, comfort is key!)
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Posted: Nov 30, 2025
Alison’s Silk Road Travels
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