Why Travel with Discover Beijing Tours
Unique Experiences
Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
Well-Selected Local Guides
Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and attentive — your personal local guides will share interesting stories, insider information, and even create unexpected highlights!
Your Booking is Risk-Free
Cancel up to 24 hours before the travel date in advance for a full refund
Start from 318 USD P/P
Per Person
Start from 318 USD P/P
Per Person
99.6% positive customer reviews among 1500+
Why Travel with Discover Beijing Tours
Unique Experiences
Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.Well-Selected Local Guides
Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and attentive — your personal local guides will share interesting stories, insider information, and even create unexpected highlights!Your Booking is Risk-Free
Cancel up to 24 hours before the travel date in advance for a full refund
Dunhuang Private Tour: Western Thousand Buddha Caves and Yadan Geological Park
Discover Dunhuang’s dual charms on a full-day tour: explore the Western Thousand Buddha Caves’ exquisite Buddhist murals (a sister site to Mogao Caves) and venture into the surreal Yadan Devil City for otherworldly rock formations and optional sunset views. Enjoy private transfers, expert guiding, and a local lunch for a seamless blend of ancient art and desert adventure.
- Make sure everyone brings their passport
- Full name and passport number are required to book attraction tickets
Quick itinerary view
Morning: Meet-Up & Western Thousand Buddha Caves Exploration
Your tour guide will greet you at your hotel lobby with a personalized name sign, then you’ll hop aboard a private air-conditioned vehicle for a 1-hour scenic drive to the Western Thousand Buddha Caves.
As you travel, your guide will share engaging stories about the site’s history and significance—this cliffside complex perches on the northern bank of the Dang River, is part of the Mogao Grottoes system, and boasts frescoes similar in structure and artistic style to its famous counterpart, making it a vital component of Dunhuang’s Buddhist art heritage. Upon arrival, follow a professional site guide to explore 5 carefully selected caves, marveling at vivid murals that depict medieval politics, economics, culture, arts, religion, ethnic relations, and daily life in western China. Let your guide walk you through the hidden tales behind every brushstroke, bringing these ancient artworks to life.
Lunch: Local Flavor Break
After your cave exploration, enjoy a tasty lunch at a nearby restaurant, savoring authentic Dunhuang dishes made with fresh regional ingredients—think hearty lamb noodles, crispy flatbread, and sweet desert jams—to recharge for your afternoon desert adventure.
Afternoon: Yadan National Geological Park (Yadan Devil City) Adventure
Next, embark on a 1.5-hour drive to the otherworldly Dunhuang Yadan National Geological Park, also known as Yadan Devil City—the largest Yardang landform site discovered to date, where strong winds howl through rock formations to create eerie, haunting sounds that inspired its spooky name.
Hop on the park’s battery bus to explore four main scenic sites, where nature has carved the desert rocks into incredible, whimsical shapes. Keep an eye out for formations that resemble Mongolian yurts, stone birds, peacocks, and even iconic buildings like Tibet’s Potala Palace and Beijing’s Temple of Heaven—let your imagination run wild! You’ll have plenty of free time to wander the surreal desert landscape, snap stunning photos of these natural masterpieces, and soak in the vast, quiet beauty of the Gobi.
If you want to stay longer to witness the park’s spectacular sunset—when golden light bathes the rocks in warm, dramatic hues, turning the desert into a dreamlike canvas—just let your guide know (extra cost applies).
Tour Conclusion
After your unforgettable day of ancient art and desert wonders, your guide and driver will transfer you back to your Dunhuang hotel (booked independently), wrapping up a perfect blend of culture and adventure.
| group size | Adult (11-80 years old) price/person | Children (4-10 years old) price/person | Infant (0-3 years old) price/person |
| 1 person | $ 458 | $ 128 | Free but no seats |
| 2 adults | $ 318 | / | / |
| 3 adults | $ 268 | / | / |
| 4 adults | $ 228 | / | / |
| 5 adults | $ 218 | / | / |
| 6 adults | $ 208 | / | / |
| 7 adults | $ 198 | / | / |
| 8 adults | $ 188 | / | / |
| 9 adults | $ 178 | / | / |
| 10-15 adults | $ 168 | / | / |
There are discounts in the off-season, please call us!
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours before your travel date and get a full refund
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DepartureOur driver will hold a sign with your name on and meet you in the lobby of your Dunhuang Downtown hotel
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Departure Time7:30am, 8:30am, 9:30am
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Return TimeTour is about 8 hours
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IncludedBattery bus at Yadan National Geological ParkEnglish speaking tour guideEntrance feeTravel by private air-conditioned vehicleBottled waterLunch
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Not IncludedGratuitesThe entrance fees is only for regular caves, you can pay extra if you want to visit special caves.Accommodation
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