Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Yangzi region cities of Hangzhou and Suzhou, and finally coming
to a halt in Shanghai.
Beijing (
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)
Spend three days sizing up Beijing and its epic sights, including
Tian'anmen
Square
, the
Forbidden City
, the
Summer Palace
and the bars and restaur-
ants of
Nanluogu Xiang
. Put aside a day for the
Great Wall
and half a day
for the
Temple of Heaven
. Also make sure you get some exploration under
your belt.
BEIJING MOGAO CAVES
Four hours
Fly to Dunhuang (April to October only), then bus to Mogao Caves
(30 minutes) or
26 hours
From Beijing West Train Station to Liuyuan (24
hours), then bus (two hours) to Dunhuang, change bus for Mogao Caves (30 minutes).
Mogao Caves (
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)
Fly from Beijing to Dunhuang in the distant northwest of China and journey out
of town to visit the astonishing
Mogao Caves
. China's grandest collection of
Buddhist art, these caves are an incredible testament to the once splendid
Buddhist civilisation that lay along the Silk Road.
MOGAO CAVES LANZHOU
Two hours
from Dunhuang or
14 hours
from Dunhuang.
Lanzhou (
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)
If taking the train from
Dunhuang
consider stopping off en route in
Jiayuguan
to visit
Jiayuguan Fort
at the western end of the Great Wall (whose remains
disappear in the Gobi Desert around here). Lanzhou itself has little of interest,
but it's the stopping-off point for the four-hour bus trips to
Labrang Monastery
in
Xiahe
. A visit here is essential for travellers who want to get a taste of
Tibet, and you can overnight in Xiahe.
LANZHOU XI'AN
One hour
or
Nine hours
