Travelers are advised to take a soft seat train T295 1601/1919 to Wuwei city from Lanzhou. The train ticket costs CNY72.00 net per person. Upon arrival in Wuwei, check in at a local hotel. (Recommended hotel: Tianma Hotel, 3 star, Address: No. 41, West Road, Liangzhou District; Telephone numbers: 0935-2212355/ 2215170)

Wuwei Confucius Temple

On the next day, take a taxi (about CNY4.00) to the Wuwei Wenmiao Temple, which is located at No. 43 Fazhan Lane Liangzhao District. Occupying an area of around 1500 square meters, Wuwei Wenmiao Temple is a majestic building complex in the royal garden style. The Wuwei Museum is situated in the courtyard of the temple. (Admission fee: CNY40.00 per person) Then take a taxi to Leitai Park where Leitai Han Tomb is located. The tomb is famous for the bronze galloping horse, also called horse on a swallow, was unearthed in 1969. (Admission fee: CNY50.00 per person) Continue on to the Haizang Temple, which is 1 kilometer west of Leitai Park and can be accessed by 30 minutes' walking or by taking a taxi. Covering an area of 11,600 square meters, the well-preserved Haizang Temple is a noted shrine in the Hexi Corridor. It was originally built in the Jin Dynasty and was rebuilt as a Buddhist temple in the Yuan Dynasty when Saban, the forth founder of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism, came to Liangzhou (former Wuwei). The temple attracts more and more people, not only for its cultural value but also for the spectacular scenery. (Admission fee: CNY4.00 for the park and CNY4.00 for the temple)

Leitai Han Tomb, Wuwei

On the third day, take a taxi to Wuwei Desert Park which is 19 kilometers east of the city. Occupying an area of around 8 million square meters, it is the largest desert park in China. The park shows travelers a picturesque landscape of desert, prairie and rural characteristics. Afterwards, take a coach to Zhangye city, a journey of around 3 or 4 hours. Upon arrival, check in at a local hotel. (Recommended hotel: Zhangye Hotel; Address: No.56 Xianfu Street, Telephone numbers: 0936-8212601/ 8212425)

The fourth day's tour will lead travelers to the Bell and Drum Tower, the Giant Buddhism Temple and the Wooden Pagoda Temple. All of them are located in the downtown area and can be easily reached by taxi. Zhangye Bell and Drum Tower was built in the Ming Dynasty and was regarded as the largest tower in the Hexi Corridor. Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple is the only Buddhist temple in the Western Xia (1038-1227). China's largest reclining Buddha is found in the temple. (Admission fee: CNY20.00 per person) Wooden Pagoda Temple, with a history of more than 1000 years, is now the Zhangye Folk-custom Museum. (Admission fee: CNY5.00 per person)

The Bell Tower in Zhangye

In the late afternoon, rent a minibus for about CNY150.00 for the one way trip to the Mati Temple Scenic Area, 65 kilometers from Zhangye, which is situated on Mati Town, a Tibetan autonomous region. Spend the night in a characteristic Yugu tent.

Explore the Mati Temple Scenic Area on the fifth day. The scenic spot, 73 kilometers from east to west and 40 kilometers from south to north, perfectly integrates the grotto arts, the mountain scenery and the folk-customs of the local Yugu people. It is well worth a visit. (Admission fee: CNY35.00 per person)