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Day
1
Xi'an - Tianshui (L)
Transfer via: Train T75 (7:17am-10:35am)-on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Maijishan Grottoes, Fuxi Temple
Pick up from your hotel in Xi'an and transferred to Xi'an Train Station and take train T75 (7:17am - 10:35am) for Tianshui.
Arrival in Tianshui at 10:35 am, you will be met at Tianshui railway station and transferred to your hotel. After lunch, visit Maijishan Grottoes. The Maijishan Grottoes are a series of 194 caves cut in the side of the hill of Maijishan in Tianshui. This example of rock cut architecture contains over 7,200 Buddhist sculptures and over 1,000 square meters of murals. Construction began in the Later Qin era (384-417 CE). The mountain, which is shaped like a haystack, gets its name from the Chinese for haystack, Although many earthquakes and conflagration, it still remains 194 caves, 7200 sculpture, 1000 square M fresco which are excavated on the cliff about 30-80m high form the ground, more than 70 percent caves were excavated in the North dynasty.
Then visit Fuxi Temple. The temple was initially built in the year 1483 to commemorate Fuxi, who was the earliest ancestors of ancient China. In particular, he first used Ba-gua in divination, a great contribution to human civilization.
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Day
2
Tianshui / Lanzhou / Xiahe (B, L, D)
Transfer via: Train T112/T113 (8:44am - 12:22)
Sightseeing: Binglingsi Grottoes
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Tianshui train station and take the train T112/T113 (8:44am - 12:22) for Lanzhou.
Arrival at Lanzhou at 12:22, be met and transferred to your hotel in Lanzhou. After lunch, we will drive 75km southwest of Lanzhou to visit the Binglingsi Grottoes. Located on the north bank of the Yellow River, Binglingsi Grottoes is one of the six famous Buddhist Caves started by some Buddhist monks from as early as the year of 265-316. After many years' work, there are 183 caves with 694 stone statues, 82 earth statues and 900 square meters murals existing.
Then continue to drive from Bingling temple to Xiahe which takes about five hours. Xiahe is densely populated by Tibetan people.
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Day
3
Xiahe / Lanzhou / Xi'an (B, L, D)
Transfer via: Overnight Train K120 (21:59 - next morning 7:02)
Sightseeing: Labrang Monastery, Sangke Grassland
After breakfast, visit Labrang Monastery. As one of the six great monasteries of the Gelukpa (Yellow Hat) Sect, Labrang Monastery is Tibetan Buddhism's most important monastery town outside Tibet itself. It is famous for thousands of statues of Buddha made of gold, silver, copper, and aluminum. Seven large-scale summon ceremonies are held a year here.
After lunch, we will continue move to visit Sangke Grassland and a Tibetan Family. Sangke Grassland is bordered by the Daxia River and famous for its excellent pasture and frequent magnificent Buddhist ceremonies. Lush green grass and colorful flowers form a natural carpet covering this expansive area. Groups of sheep and yaks plus white tents form a beautiful picture.
Then drive 280km back to Lanzhou and take overnight train K120 (21:59 - next morning 7:02) for Xi'an.
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Day
4
Arrival in Xi'an
Arrival in Xi'an railway station at 7:02am, then you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Xi'an, or directly to Xi'an airport for your flight to next destination.