Western Thousand Buddha Caves & Yadan National Geologic Park

After 45 minutes (33km) of driving, our first stop of the day is at the Western Thousand Buddha Caves, located on a cliff on the bank of Dang River with colorful frescoes narrating the stories of Buddhism.

Continue for 1 hour (62km) to Yumen Pass (the Pass of Jade Gate), named after the many jade caravans that passed through it. You will then visit a section of Han Great Wall dating from the Han Dynasty (206BC - 220), boasting a heritage 1,300 years older than the Ming section and is the best-preserved Han Great Wall in China. Visit He Cang Ruins, a military warehouse from Han Dynasty surrounded by panoramic Gobi desert.

In the afternoon, drive 2 hours (70km) to Yadan National Geologic Park with varied topography and land structures resembling animals, personal images, pagodas, temples, buses and boats.