Overview
This private day tour is an ideal extension to explore Yulin Grottoes, Suoyang City Ruins, and the Statue of Son of Earth. After the thrilling car ride on the wild desert, you will visit the splendid Yulin grottoes carvings and wall paintings, explore the mysterious ruins of Suoyang City as well as soul-touching statue of Son of Earth, through which you will discover the ancient art, culture, and civilization hidden in the yellow sand for thousands of year.
Why travelers book this
What's Included
- English Speaking Guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Tolls, fuel surcharges and parking fees
- Entrance Tickets
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Any Optional activities
- Any Meals
Meeting & Pickup
Meeting point, pickup options and start time are confirmed on Viator before checkout.
Itinerary
Stop 1
At 8am, our guide will meet you at your hotel lobby and then drive to the Yulin Grottoes. Yulin Grottoes locates in Jiuquan City, about 100km east away from Dunhuang city. Although not being as famous as Mogao Grottoes and Longmen Grottoes, Yulin Grottoes is rated highly and commented as a surprise by former visitors. It is the lower fame that makes the grottoes less visited and better protected. Engraved in North Wei Dynasty on the cliff of the Yulin River Valley, Yulin Grottoes looks extremely spectacular. The colorful wall paintings here will take you into another world with strong flavor of history and religion.
Stop 2
After a Chinese style lunch at local restaurant（expense on your own）, you will continue the exploration to Suoyang City Ruins. In the lengthy past, about 1380 years, Suoyang City Ruins had been a stage where the ethnic minorities of generations played the historic comedies and tragedies. The scenic area is a complex of historic relics and natural views, including ancient city relics, ancient temples, ancient tomb groups, ancient riverways and so on, gaining great fame with its diversified historic looks and rich content underneath.
Stop 3
The last site to visit today is the Statue of Son of Earth. It was designed by the Professor Dong Shubing from Tsinghua University. In 2016, he raised funds by himself and created such a great work on the wild desert, just to evoke people’s respect and protection to life, environment and earth. It’s a huge visual and emotional impact when you see such a sleeping baby lying on the wild Gobi and forming a strong contrast with the environment around. Finishing the attractions visiting, you will take the car back to your Dunhuang hotel.
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels