Explore the Majesty of Buddhist Grotto Art Along the Silk Road
Journey with us through the Hexi Corridor in search of ancient and remote Buddhist grottoes.
The Silk Road was not one specific pathway, but instead refers to an ancient network of routes that once connected central China to continents as far-reaching as Europe. While the primary intention of these routes was for trade, they also served as a major conduit for technology, art, language, and culture to move from one country to another. In particular, there was one religion which traveled into China via the Silk Road that has had an incalculable impact on the country ever since.
Buddhism entered what is now western China around 60 AD from an ancient region known as Gandhāra, which now makes up part of modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan. From there, it travelled via the Hexi Corridor further inland into the heart of China, where it took hold quickly.
The Hexi Corridor is flanked by the towering Tibetan Plateau in the north and the inhospitable Gobi Desert to the south. The dangerous and impenetrable nature of the surroundings meant that travellers along the Silk Road were forced to exclusively use this route, as it was the only safe way to enter central China from western China.
During Buddhism’s eastward dissemination, the Hexi Corridor served as a pioneer region for the religion and its followers. Throughout their travels, Buddhist monks would frequently stop at oasis towns to teach others about their religion and translate scriptures. The numerous Buddhist grottoes that can be found throughout the Hexi Corridor are a testament to their piety and their tenacity. In fact, there are substantially more Buddhist grottoes here than there are in any other region of China. The most famous of these is undoubtedly the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang. In total, about 150 grotto complexes were built along this “corridor.”
During this in-depth cultural tour, we will travel back in time and witness the march of progress, as most of the complexes we will visit were established during the 5th century but were added to right up until the 12th century. In some cases, they were still being expanded during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912).
During our tour, we will be visiting both the larger and more famous grotto complexes, and also several smaller grotto complexes that have not been as well preserved.
Alongside visiting the main caves that are open to the public, we’ll also be granted the opportunity to visit a few of the most special and celebrated caves that are not included in a general entrance ticket.
The Buddhist art within the grottoes will not be the only attraction along our journey, as we will also have the chance to visit temples, a mausoleum, a traditional Chinese mansion, and the stunning landscapes. We will travel through the Loess Plateau, the grasslands, and the Gobi Desert. We will get to travel across the Yellow River and we'll be accompanied by the snow-capped mountains throughout our trip.
Participants Max: 8
Duration: 15 days and 14 nights
Tour in 2024: 11th of May - 25th of May
Tour in 2025: 10th of May - 24th of May
An Introduction to the Grottoes introduction (from East to West According to our Journey)
The Northern and Southern Grottoes
According to records from the Tablet on the Reparation of the Seven Temple at the Grottoes, which dates back to 1769 during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), these two grottoes were founded by Xi Hou, who was the military commissioner of Jingyuan during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-535). Construction of these grotto complexes began in 509 AD, but they were added to and restored for over a thousand years.
The Northern and Southern grottoes are 40 kilometres (25 mi)apart from one another. The earliest caves to have been established were identified as Cave 1 within the Southern Grottoes and Cave 165 within the Northern Grottoes. Both of them are square in shape and contain platforms in their interior. Within the caves, there are three Buddha statues stood against the main wall and two statues lining both the left and right walls. This has earned them the nickname of the “Seven Buddha” caves. It is believed that Seven Buddha worship became popular during the Later Qin Dynasty (384-417) of the Sixteen Kingdoms Period (303-439) and similar examples of the Seven Buddha motif can be found throughout the Hexi Corridor.
Alongside the aforementioned “Seven Buddhas,” the other most noteworthy attractions within these grotto complexes are the statue of Samantabhadra (Puxian) on an elephant and the statue of Ashura with three heads and two arms.
The complex also contains a temple dedicated to Wangmu or the Queen Mother of the West, which was constructed at around about the same time as the two grottoes. Within the temple, you will find a large elephant pillar and about 200 statues, but unfortunately most of them have not been well preserved.
An Introduction to the Grottoes introduction (from East to West According to our Journey)
The Maijishan Grottoes
The name “Maiji” in Chinese literally translates to mean “wheat,” “corn,” or “grain stack” and is derived from the unusual appearance of the Maiji Mountains. This is because the mountain is very wide and has a completely flat roof that narrows into a point, which means that it resembles a stack of wheat.
While the mountain itself is undoubtedly impressive, the most awe-inspiring sight of all is the 16-metre (52 ft.) tall statue of Buddha on its cliff-face. To put that into perspective, this statue is over four times the size of a fully grown African elephant! This colossal statue, however, represents just a small portion of the Maijishan Grottoes, a complex of 194 caves that have been cut directly into the cliff-face and filled with over 7,200 Buddhist sculptures and 1,000 square metres (10,700 sq. ft.) of intricate murals. They are ranked in China as one of the Four Grand Groups of Grottoes.
This colossal project began sometime during the Later Qin Dynasty (384-417 AD) but didn’t reach its peak until the Northern Wei (386-535) and Northern Zhou (557-581) dynasties. Construction and renovation of this cave complex continued well into the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties, representing over 1,000 years’ worth of effort and artistry. Thanks to the Silk Road, Central Asian culture rapidly disseminated across northern China and this can be seen most strongly in the artistic style of the earlier caves. Read more about the Maijishan Grottoes.
An Introduction to the Grottoes introduction (from East to West According to our Journey)
The Wushan Grottoes
Like the Maijishan Grottoes, the Wushan Grottoes are located near to the city of Tianshui and include the Lashao Temple, the Shuilian Cave, the Xiansheng Pond, and the One Thousand Buddha Grotto. This complex is the ideal place to study Buddhist art from the 6th century.
The Lashao Temple is not like a convetional wooden temple, so it might be better described as a grotto complex embedded on the cliff-face. Within this complex, you’ll find a colossal 40-metre (131 ft.) tall carving of Sakyamuni Buddha, along with carvings of Guanyin (the Goddess of Mercy) and the bodhisattva Mahastamaprapta. All of these magnificent carvings were etched into the 50-metre (164 ft.) tall cliff-face in the year 559 AD and rank as the largest embossed statues in China.
Shuilian Cave is a natural cavern that has been incorporated into the complex. During the rainy season, water falls from the edge of the cliff above the cavern opening and resembles a beaded curtain, which unsurprisingly earned it the name of “Shuilian” or “Water Curtain” Cave. Alongside the ethereal beauty of the cave itself, the area is also home to a luxurious hall and pavilions that were built during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. The murals within the cave, however, date all the way back to the Northern Zhou Dynasty (557-581).
Similarly, the statues and murals within the One Thousand Buddha Grotto primary date back to the Western Wei Dynasty (535-557) and the Northern Zhou Dynasty. While the paint has tragically faded, you can still make out the vivid expressions of the characters and perhaps even speculate as to what they might be thinking about.
An Introduction to the Grottoes introduction (from East to West According to our Journey)
The Bingling Temple Grottoes
The Binglingsi or Bingling Temple Grottoes boast a history that stretches back over 1,600 years ago! Within these ancient grottoes, there are statues and murals that were constructed from the Western Qin Dynasty (385-431) right through until the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). This cluster of caves has been carved directly onto a steep cliff-face within the Dasigou Gorge on the northern bank of the Yellow River.
In Tibetan, the term “Xianba Bingling” translates to mean “one thousand Buddhas” or “one hundred thousand Buddhas,” which is where the temple’s holy name was derived. The temple complex, however, didn’t receive this illustrious name until the reign of the Yongle Emperor (1403-1425) during the Ming Dynasty.
It was during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) that Tibetan Buddhism began to flourish in the region and numerous Tibetan Buddhist monks would flock to the Bingling Temple Grottoes to worship. As a consequence, many of these monks converted the existing Buddhist statues into ones that followed the Esoteric style, and similarly painted over some of the simpler murals. For this reason, you may notice that colour of the paint on all of the Esoteric Buddhist murals is still very bright, since they are relatively new by comparison to their counterparts. Read more about the Bingling Temple Grottoes.
An Introduction to the Grottoes introduction (from East to West According to our Journey)
The Tiantishan Grottoes
The name “Tiantishan” literally translates to mean “Heavenly Ladder Mountain” and should give some indication as to how sacred these grottoes are. Excavated from the eastern cliffs that line the banks of the Huayang River, this complex of hand-carved Buddhist grottoes dates all the way back to the Sixteen Kingdoms Period (303-439 AD). This magnificent grotto complex was being added to and renovated right up until the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), meaning it offers an invaluable insight into the progression of Buddhist art throughout Chinese history.
The complex is made up of 17 grottoes that are arranged in three tiers, yet arguably its most iconic feature is a 15-metre (49 ft.) tall and 10-metre (33 ft.) wide statue of Shakyamuni Buddha that rests inside its largest grotto. To put that into perspective, this colossal statue is over three times the height of the average giraffe!
An Introduction to the Grottoes introduction (from East to West According to our Journey)
Mati Temple
Nestled within the lush forests and flanked by the rippling rivers surrounding the village of Mati, this temple complex dates back to the Northern Liang Dynasty (397-460) and is home to over 70 beautifully decorated shrines and caves. It is typically separated into a number of grotto groups, the most famous of which are the main Mati Temple, and the Qianfo or “Thousand Buddha” Caves.
The main Mati Temple, sometimes referred to as the “Thirty-Three Layers of the Heavens,” is the most striking looking, as it features 21 grottoes arranged in 7 levels that were made to resemble the shape of a pagoda. The Bodhisattva Tara is enshrined inside this temple for visitors to worship. Stairwells, hidden passageways, and balconies lead to the many grottoes that were hand-carved from the cliff-face by diligent monks, providing stunning views from both the ground and the dizzying heights of the upper caves. Of these grottoes, the Hidden Buddha Grotto is the largest one of its kind in existence in China!
The Thousand Buddha Caves are easy to navigate, since they are primarily in the form of a square. There are four main sites within these caves that together contain over 40 Buddhist statues and 300 square metres (3,230 sq. ft.) of stunning murals, which date back to the Northern Wei (386–535), Western Wei (535–557), Yuan (1271-1368), and Ming (1368-1644) dynasties. Read more about the Mati Temple.
An Introduction to the Grottoes introduction (from East to West According to our Journey)
The Manjushri Hill Grottoes
Manjushri is an extension of the Qilian Mountains and was unsurprisingly named after the bodhisattva Manjushri, who supposedly manifested at one point on the mountain. Unfortunately there is no exact record of when the Manjushri Hill Grottoes were founded. Based on the study of the earliest statues and murals, researchers believe that it may have been originally constructed during the Later Qin Dynasty (384-417) of the Sixteen Kingdoms Period (303-439).
The complex, which consists of around 70 temples and over 100 caves, is built on either sides of the hill. In ancient times, it ranked as one of the largest grotto complexes in the world. Many of its buildings and caves, however, have tragically fallen to ruin over the years. The only exceptions are the Ten Thousand Buddha Cave, the One Thousand Buddha Cave, the Ancient Buddha Cave, and a few other small caves. It is one of the most remote and arguably “wildest” grotto complexes during our journey.
An Introduction to the Grottoes introduction (from East to West According to our Journey)
The Yulin Grottoes
Sprawling along two cliffs that face each other from across the shimmering Yulin River, the Yulin Grottoes are a collection of 42 hand-carved caves that contain over 250 Buddhist statues and a staggering 4,200 square metres (45,208 sq. ft.) of colourful murals. The name “yulin” (榆林) is derived from the jade-hued elm trees that line the bank of the river, which endow the area with a picturesque beauty. It is easy to see how this verdant place inspired Buddhist monks to produce such magnificent works of art.
The first few caves were initially carved during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) and the complex was added to right up until the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), but arguably the grottoes most unique feature is that it contains grottoes that were constructed during the Western Xia Dynasty (1038–1227). Historians know very little about this mysterious empire, which was ruled by a Turkic people known as the Tanguts. The scenes depicted in these grottoes provide an unparalleled insight into what Tangut culture was like and have given historians invaluable examples of the Tangut language, which is related to the language of the Qiang ethnic minority.
What makes these grottoes still more exceptional is that, alongside scenes of Buddhist significance, the murals within some of the grottoes contain secular images, such as tableaus of people making wine, dancing, milking cows, playing games, or getting married. Within these scenes, you can witness the traditional dress of several ethnic groups who inhabited this region throughout Chinese history. Read more about the Yulin Grottoes.
An Introduction to the Grottoes introduction (from East to West According to our Journey)
The Western Thousand Buddha Grottoes
Embeedded on a cliff overlooking the Danghe River, the Western Thousand Buddha Grottoes can be found just 35 kilometres (22 mi) southwest of Dunhuang. Construction of this grotto complex began during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-535) and continued right through until the Song Dynasty (960-1279), including the mysterious Western Xia Dynasty (1038-1227). Some scholars believe that these caves may have been constructed even earlier than the Mogao Caves.
Out of the 16 caves that have survived, tourists are allowed to visit between 4 or 5 of them on a specially guided tour. Arguably the most distinctive feature of these caves is the traditional Uyghur art, which was added during the Western Xia Dynasty. Many of the figures in these paintings have the distinct facial features of the Uyghur people, although they were also influenced by the Tang Dynasty style of painting, which favoured chubby or rubenesque figures.
The Five Temple Grottoes
Located not far from the Western Thousand Buddha Grottoes, the Five Temple Grottoes are also located on the banks of the Danghe River. It is believed that their construction began during the Northern and Southern Dynasties Period (420-589), but most of the murals were repainted during the Western Xia Dynasty (1038-1227). Unfortunately none of the statues within the Five Temple Grottoes have survived, but there are still plenty of vivid murals to admire.
The most magnificent murals are said to be “Buddhist Paradise” in Cave 4 and “Laoducha Challenges the Buddha” in Cave 3. You may notice that the dancers depicted within these murals have distinctive Indian and Nepalese feature.
An Introduction to the Grottoes introduction (from East to West According to our Journey)
The Mogao Caves
Sometime during the 4th century, a monk named Le Zun supposedly had a vision of a thousand Buddhas bathed in golden light and thus began building what is now the Mogao Caves. By the Tang Dynasty (618-907), there were over 1,000 caves, so Le’s vision did in fact come true, give or take a few caves! Although only just over 400 of these caves have been uncovered to date, perhaps the most phenomenal discovery came in 1900 when a Taoist monk named Wang Yuan-lu pushed through a walled-up cave and found a vast ancient library. Of the 1,100 bundles of scrolls and over 15,000 paper books that were excavated from this cave, several have now made their way into the collections of overseas museums.
The grotto complex boasts a great variety of painting styles, with the earlier caves showing more of a Western influence and those built during the Tang Dynasty onwards incorporating an amalgamation of Chinese and Central Asian styles known as the Dunhuang style. Some of the most decorated caves have paintings all over the walls and ceilings. It’s hard enough just painting a single room one colour, so imagine trying to cover it with beautiful murals!
Towards the end of the Tang Dynasty, the site gradually declined and construction of new caves had ceased entirely by the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). As Islam slowly conquered much of Central Asia and the Silk Road was superseded by sea-routes, the popularity of Dunhuang and Buddhism plummeted. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the city was steadily abandoned and the Mogao Caves were all but forgotten. The 20th century saw renewed interest in the site, where it became popular once again as a place of worship. Read more about the Mogao Caves.
Please Note: If you have visited the Mogao Caves before, you may find that it is still worthwhile to visit them again. All visitors to the Mogao Caves are required to join a guided tour and it is up to the expert guide to decide which caves you visit. This is designed so that one cave doesn’t get visited too many times in one day. The upside is that no two tours of the Mogao Caves are every alike, so you’re bound to see something new!
Itinerary
Day 01 Arrive in Xi’an
Meeting point: Xi’an airport or you can come to the hotel directly by yourself.
Suggested flights:
There is a direct flight that leaves from London to Xi'an every Friday:
London (LHR) to Xi’an: 22:00 - 16:15 (the next day, Saturday)
We will come to the airport at 16:30 to arrange a pick-up service.
Please Note: If you decide to take the train from another city in China to Xi’an, please let us know in advance and we can meet you either at the hotel or the railway station. If you need any help making travel arrangements, please don’t hesitate to ask us!
Dinner: Included. We will enjoy a welcome dinner together, where we will sample traditional Shaanxi-style cuisine.
Itinerary
Day 02 The Northern and Southern Grottoes
We will take our private mini coach to Qingyang, where the Northern and Southern grottoes are located. The journey will take about 3 hours, during which time we can enjoy the unique landscapes and landforms of the Loess Plateau as we drive through it. Keep a watchful eye on the landscape outside, as you may catch sight of a special type of dwelling that is unique to this area, which is known as a yaodong or loess cave house.
As we mentioned in the Highlights section of the tour, this grottoes complex is separated into three parts. First, we will pay a visit to the Southern Grottoes, followed by the Wangmu Temple, and finally the Northern Grottoes.
Once we have finished our sightseeing for the day, it will only take us half an hour to drive to the town of Qingyang, where we will stay overnight.
Itinerary
Day 3 The Mausoleum of the King of Qin
We will spend the morning driving once again through the Loess Plateau, towards the Qinling Mountains. It will take us about 4 hours to arrive at the City of Baoji, where a lost gem is waiting for us.
The Mausoleum of the King of Qin is not a famous tourist attraction, in part thanks to the fact that Baoji is not a tourist city. The name of the mausoleum can be quite confusing. The “King of Qin” was a title that was conferred on the mausoleum during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period (907-960), but the resident of the tomb was actually a powerful minister named Li Maozhen (856-924), who lived and served under the later Tang Dynasty (618-907).
Accompanied by his wife, Li Maozhen has enjoyed his eternal rest within the mausoleum for over 1,000 years. The tomb itself was designed to be very complex, in order to fool grave robbers, but sadly these nefarious thieves were too smart. Fortunately they didn’t take everything from the tomb. In fact, its most valuable asset was something the robbers could not take away, the beautiful murals on its walls.
After our expedition underground, we’ll head into the city centre for a proper rest.
Itinerary
Day 4 The Maijishan Grottoes
You may be pleased to hear that we will be traveling through lush grassland on this day, rather than the barren Loess Plateau. After our 2.5-hour journey, we will be greeted by the marvellous Maiji Mountains.
We will spend nearly the whole afternoon there, since it is a place worthy of deep exploration. Alongside the caves that are open to the public, we will also have the unique opportunity to visit one of the most valuable caves in the complex. These special caves are known as Cave 133, Cave 135, and Cave 44, but which caves are open on that day will be up to the discretion of the site management.
Cave 133, which is known as the “Thousand Bodhisattva Hall,” is the largest cave within the grotto complex and contains its most valuable statues, including the smiling monk and the Thousand Bodhisattva Tablet.
Cave 135, which is also named the “Paradise Cave,” perches dizzingly at the top of the cliff.This cave contains the largest stone statues in the complex, some of which are nearly 2 metres (6.5 ft.) tall.
The main claim to fame in Cave 44 is a large statue of Buddha dating back to the Western Wei Dynasty (535–557), which is widely considered to be one of the finest examples of Western Wei art and also one of the most beautiful statues within the Maijishan Grottoes.
Itinerary
Day 5 The Wushan Grottoes
Before we start our road trip along the Qinling Mountains today, we will pay a visit to a beautiful old mansion that was built during Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Hu Family Mansion is an ideal example of a traditional style of Chinese architecture known as a “quadrangle courtyard.” As you wander through the mansion, you’ll get an idea of the simple and scholarly life that its inhabitants enjoyed over 500 years ago. You may be surprised to find just how amazing the decorative art and paintings inside this mansion are. Read more about the Hu Family Mansion.
After that, it will take us about 1.5 hours to drive from the city to Tianshui to the Wushan Grottoes. The whole area is quite big and there are normally very few tourists, so we can enjoy a pleasant and relaxing afternoon here without having to worry about the crowds. The only thing we need to be mindful of is leaving enough time to drive to Lanzhou, which will take about 3 hours.
Dinner: Included. We will enjoy one of the most famous dishes in China, Lanzhou-style pulled noodles!
Itinerary
Day 6 The Bingling Temple Grottoes
We will spend the whole day exploring this gigantic complex of grottoes.
First, we will visit Cave 169(500rmb) in order to see the earliest “Three Saints in the West” statues and “Buddhas of the Ten Directions” mural. There are also several niches in the cave, where you will find beautiful painted figures that are standing or sitting. Most of them were painted with an aureole as their background. Cave 169 is considered to be one of the most important caves within the Hexi Corridor, so it deserves to be carefully explored and examined.
From Cave 169, we will climb a wooden staircase to Cave 172, where the “smile from the Northern Wei” is waiting for us.
While we are enjoying the spectacular manmade art, you may also be interested in the art of Mother Nature. If you gaze down the hills, you’ll be greeted by a beautiful panoramic view of the Yellow River, which is as breathtaking as the murals within the grottoes.
Itinerary
Day 7 The Tiantishan Grottoes
The Tiantishan Grottoes are similarly located by water, although this time it is by a reservoir and not a river. This grotto complex is smaller than others, so we won’t need too much time to explore it. This means that we use our extra time in the afternoon to do some sightseeing around the city of Wuwei, where the Dayun Temple is waiting for us.
The ethereally named Dayun or “Great Cloud” Temple is widely considered to be the oldest Buddhist temple in the city of Wuwei, which was once an integral oasis trading hub along the ancient Silk Road. Although the exact date remains a mystery, the temple was originally founded during the East Jin Dynasty (317–420) by a man named Zhang Tianxi, who was serving as the regional governor of Liangzhou (modern-day Wuwei) at the time. It was established under the name Hongzang or “Spacious Repository” Temple, which is believed to be due to its status as a reliquary for sacred Buddhist objects. In particular, there was once a magnificent seven-storied wooden stupa known as the Gantong stupa that was part of the temple complex, which was said to be one of the original Ashokan reliquaries. Read more about the Dayun Temple.
Itinerary
Day 8 The Giant Buddha Temple
In the morning, we will drive down the highway from Wuwei to Zhangye, where we will be able to admire the splendor of the snow-capped Qilian Mountains on our left-hand side. What’s more, we will pass the beautiful Shandan Horse Ranch, where we will stop to enjoy the view.
After lunch, we will go to visit the Giant Buddha Temple. With a name like Giant Buddha Temple, it shouldn’t be too hard to guess what this place is famous for! Originally built during the Western Xia Dynasty (1038-1227), the Giant Buddha Temple in Zhangye is home to the largest statue of the Reclining Buddha in China. The eponymous Giant Buddha statue is 33 metres (108 ft.) high, 49 metres (161 ft.) wide, and 24 metres (79 ft.) long. To put that into perspective, it is over six times the height of a giraffe and about as long as the average blue whale!
The Giant Buddha is not the only work of art that we’ll find in the temple. There are 18 statues of Buddhist Arhats in the main hall. Unlike depictions of the Buddha, the Arhat statues have rich and diverse facial expressions.
We will also take a short detour to visit the Shanxi Guild, which was technically not part of the original temple but has since been incorporated into the complex. The Shanxi Guild was founded in 1724 during the Qing Dynasty and still contains a well-preserved gate, theatre stage, audience tower, bell and drum tower, memorial archway, wing rooms, and hall. The guild was used by traveling merchants from Shanxi province to help them network with one another, as well as making them feel more at home in this far-flung city. Read more about the Giant Buddha Temple.
This day will be much more relaxing, so that we can have a good break in the middle of our art expedition.
Itinerary
Day 9 The Mati Temple
It will take us just over 1 hour to reach the Mati Temple from Zhangye. Once we arrive, we will start at the Tibetan Buddhist part, where we will see the large statues of Buddha in the Mati Temple, and climb inside of the cliff to climb up the 7 levels of the “Thirty-Three Layers of the Heavens.” On each level, we will encounter several altars that are dedicated to the worship of different Buddhist deities, with the shrine to the bodhisattva Tara being the last one.
The second place we will visit is the prayer wheel, which is an essential element in any Tibetan Buddhist temple. After that, we will visit a site of historical rather than religious significance: the Temple of King Gesar. King Gesar is one of the most well-known heroes according to Tibetan legend. The final place will visit is the Thousand Buddha Caves, which is far more Han Chinese in design and presents the Sinicised side of Buddhism.
Before our final stop, we may have time to visit the Jinta Temple. Alongside the statue of the Apsara, the temple boasts over two dozen statues of various deity figures such as Buddhas and bodhisattvas. Jinta Temple(300rmb) is not open to the public. We may be able to visit if we make a special request, but the office has the right to cancel any visit for certain reasons.
If we are not able to visit the Jinta Temple, we will make a detour instead to the most famous attraction in Zhangye! Although it is not related to Buddhism or grotto art, the Zhangye Danxia Landform, also known as the “Rainbow Mountains,” demonstrates the artistry of nature. Since we are already in Zhangye, it would be good to seize the opportunity to pay this scenic area a visit.
Itinerary
Day 10 The Manjushri Hill Grottoes
On this day, we will have to make a long journey, following the Qilian Mountains again and heading deep into the heart of the Gobi Desert.
After 2.5 hours driving, we will arrive at the Manjushri Hill Grottoes. Very few visitors ever come to these tranquil grottoes. From the hill, we can see the majestic snow-covered ridges of the Qilian Mountains to the south and the vast Gobi desert to the north.
Once we have finished sightseeing for the day, we will head out on a 3-hour drive to Guazhou, which was once an integral town along the ancient Silk Road.
Itinerary
Day 11 The Yulin Grottoes
This morning, we will finally get to explore the interior of the Gobi Desert as we head out to visit the Yulin Grottoes.
As usual, alongside visiting the general caves that are open to the public, we will also have the opportunity to visit two of the most valuable caves that require a special entry ticket (2,3,4,25 50RMB each).
After spending the morning admiring Buddhist art, we will be head to Dunhuang, an oasis city located deep within the desert. On the way to Dunhuang, we will make a stop at the Suoyang Relics. These are the last remnants of an illustrious Silk Road oasis city known as Suoyang, which was established over 2,000 years ago! The city was first founded during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) under the name Kugu, but its name was changed to Suoyang during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). Read more about the Suoyang Relics.
Itinerary
Day 12 The Mogao Caves, the Western Thousand Buddha Grottoes and the Five Temple Grottoes
In the morning, we will head out to visit what is widely considered to be the most magnificent repository of grotto art: the Mogao Caves.
We will join one of the English guided groups, which is organised by the tourist administration at the Mogao Caves. Before the tour, we will be treated to a screening of two movies: one about the history of the Mogao Grottoes; and one displayed on a panoramic screen that shows the interior of several grottoes that aren’t currently open to the public.
In the afternoon, we will follow the Dang River away from the oasis city of Dunhuang and down into the desert, where we will find the Five Temple Grottoes.
After visiting the Five Temple Grottoes, we go back the same way we came and stop at the Western Thousand Buddha Grottoes. We will also join a guided tour there but they don’t always have an English guide available, so in this case our guide help to translate and interpret.
Please Note: The Five Temple Grottoes is currently undergoing a large restoration project, so it is occasionally closed to the public. If it is closed during our trip, we will add the Crescent Lake to the itinerary instead. Even if we are able tovisit the Five Temple Grottoes, we can also make a trip to Crescent Lake an optional add-on, which will incur a small extra cost per person and will involve visiting the lake during its period of greatest beauty, at the moment when the sun sets.
Itinerary
Day 13 Jiayu Pass
Over the past 11 days, we have travelled for 1,250 miles (2,011 km), so it is a long way back to Xi’an! In order to break up the journey, we will make a pit-stop in Jiayuguan, so that we can see the famous Jiayu Pass.
Heralded as the “First and Greatest Pass under Heaven,” Jiayu Pass was once one of the most important military fortresses along the Great Wall. Its grand nickname derives from the fact that it is the first pass at the western end of the Great Wall and, for hundreds of years, it was widely regarded as impregnable.
Unlike other sections of the Great Wall, which were constructed from grey bricks, this section of the wall was made from loess soil that was tamped together in layers, giving it a markedly yellowish hue. Just outside of Jiayu Pass, there are also some relics of the Han Dynasty Great Wall that can be found within the Gobi Desert. Read more about the Jiayu Pass.
After admiring the first pass along the Great Wall, we will drive for another 3 hours before arriving back in the city of Zhangye.
Itinerary
Day 14 The High Speed Train Journey
The high speed train is widely regarded as one of the greatest achievements of modern China. On this day, you’ll get to find out just how fast this high-speed train is!
The train journey back to Xi’an will take about 7.5 hours, which means we will spend nearly the whole day on the train. Along the way, we can marvel at how the landscape drastically changes mile by mile. The train route will also take us through Qinghai province, which is known for its boundless grasslands.
When we arrive in Xi’an, we will enjoy a celebratory dinner together.
Dinner: Included. We will enjoy a celebratory dinner together, where we will sample traditional Shaanxi-style cuisine.
Day 15 Your Onward Journey
There is no direct flight from Xi'an to London on Saturday. The next direct flight will be on Sunday that leaves from Xi'an (16:05) and arrives into London (20:00);
We will escort you to the airport or train station with plenty of time for you to catch your flight or train;
If you would like to explore Xi’an in more depth, you can choose to take part in our two-day optional add-on (see next page).
Optional add-on (choose one day or two days):
Day 1 Explore the History of Religion in Xi’an
On this day, we’ll be focusing on the three most important religions that influenced Chinese culture.
We’ll start with the local Chinese religion of Taoism and pay a visit to a Taoist temple called the 8 Immortals Temple. According to historical records, it was originally constructed during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and continues to be an active house of worship to this day. Once we have finished exploring the temple, we’ll venture out to a nearby antique market and another specialty market, which sells the paper money that is traditionally burned at funerals. It is believed that, once burned, this paper money will pass on to the deceased for use in the afterlife.
Secondly, we will visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, which stands as a monument to the beginnings of Buddhism in China.
In the afternoon, let’s explore the Muslim Quarter. Before we sample the exotic and delicious local dishes on offer there, we’ll visit the Great Mosque of Xi’an.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the day might be our visit to the ancient Gao Family Mansion, where we can enjoy a traditional Qiang Opera performance and a Shadow Puppet Show. Once we have finished our tour of the main attractions in the Muslim Quarter, you’ll be free to explore the area at your leisure and sample any of the food that catches your eye. Your guide will be on hand to offer recommendations and to translate if you need them to.
What’s Included: Entrance ticket to the 8 Immortals Temple; entrance ticket to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda; entrance ticket to the Great Mosque; entrance ticket to the Gao Mansion; tickets for the Qiang Opera performance and the Shadow Puppet show.
Optional add-on:
Day 2 The Terracotta Army
We will travel to this internationally renowned attraction via private mini coach and spend roughly 4 hours there so that we can explore everything the museum has to offer.
What’s Included: Entrance ticket to the Museum of the Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses
If you decide to continue traveling, we’ll be on hand to help you book any travel tickets or hotels should you need us to. If you need any recommendations on where to travel, please do not hesitate to ask us.
Additional information:
During the tour, our guide will provide an introduction to each grotto. In some of the sites, we are required to follow a guided tour arranged by the site itself. In this case, our guide will make a brief introduction at the beginning of the tour and then help to translate if needed.
During our various road-trips, we will make a few planned pit-stops so that we can enjoy the view and take a break. Please be advised that we cannot stop anywhere along the road, so please do not ask the driver to stop if you see a beautiful view.
Prices and What’s Included
Unlike other tours in China, we do not ask you to tip your tour guides and drivers each day. Instead, we pay our tour guides and drivers a fair wage, so they do not need to ask for tips.
Cost pp: £2,750/7-8 people in one group; £2,980/5-6 people in one group; £3,680/3-4 people in one group; £4,280/2 people in one group
Single supp: £400 (Please be advised that, if you are the last person joining the tour or if there is no one in the group who you can share with, you may need to pay for the single supplement. We will advise you if this is the case when you enquire about the tour).
Including: 14 nights of accommodation; all entrance fees to the attractions mentioned in the itinerary; 3 dinners; all breakfasts; all transportation fees during the designated tour times; the services of an English speaking guide; a pdf file with useful information about the Grottoes; and any further help or information we can provide if you decide to continue traveling in China after the tour.
Accommodation: We will stay in 4-star and 3-star hotels for the entirety of our trip (14 nights).
Food: Breakfast will be provided every day and we will also provide 3 dinners consisting of local cuisine in each city. Aside from this, you are welcome to explore the local restaurants and sample the signature dishes by yourself, although we will always be on hand to help arrange for you to have dinner together.
Transportation: The use of a private 7 or 9 seater car throughout the whole journey except for day 14 and the add-on tour; the high-speed train from Zhangye to Xi’an; private taxis on day 14 and day 15.
How can I sign up to this tour?
Step 1 ⇒ Contact us directly to talk about the tour in more detail.
Step 2 ⇒ Book online and pay the £100 deposit. If you have an exclusive discount code, please enter it into the Enquiry box.
Step 3 ⇒ We will send you the invoice confirming you have been booked on the tour. Once you receive the invoice, you have 30 days to pay an additional £500, which will secure your place on the tour.
Step 4 ⇒ Please note that the final cost of the tour will be based on the number of participants and will be split into two payments. The first payment must be made within 3 months of the tour’s start date and is based on the minimum price of the tour minus your £600 deposit. After that, you will need to pay the remaining balance one month before the tour is due to leave based on the tour subscription. In the meantime, we will advise you on how to apply for your visa and keep you updated on the subscription of the tour.
Step 5 ⇒ Once you have made the final payment, we will send you our exclusive tour e-book, which contains a detailed itinerary of the tour and in-depth information on the areas we’ll be visiting.
Step 6 ⇒ Prepare yourself for an unforgettable adventure!
We are happy to answer any questions you may have and we will always keep you up to date on the progress of the tour subscription.