Western Thousand Buddha Caves & Yadan National Geologic Park
Dunhuang, China
Today's journey brings you to the Western Thousand Buddha Caves through the Yumen Pass to visit a section of the Han Great Wall and He Cang Ruins. In the afternoon, we visit the Yadan National Geological Park with unique topographical structures.
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.