Xi'an to Dunhuang 20-Day Budget Itinerary: Only $1327
Terracotta Warriors to Silk Road desert oasis—all for ¥8982.
This 20-day budget trip covers Xi'an (7 nights), Lanzhou (7 nights), Dunhuang (6 nights) — connected by a mix of high-speed rail and flights.
Xi'an: Terracotta Warriors Museum, Huaqing Hot Springs, Xi'an Ancient City Wall; flight to Lanzhou (1h 16m, ¥550). Lanzhou: Mount Xinglong Nature Reserve. Dunhuang: Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake, Yangguan Pass.
Estimated total: ¥8,982 for one traveler on a budget budget — hotels average ¥216/night, with meals, inter-city transport, and attraction tickets included.
What to eat
- Braised pork in flatbread肉夹馍 · Ròujiāmó
- Cold skin noodles凉皮 · Liángpí
- Lamb stew with torn flatbread羊肉泡馍 · Yángròu pàomó
- Lanzhou beef noodle soup兰州牛肉面 · Lánzhōu niúròu miàn
- Hand-grabbed mutton手抓羊肉 · Shǒuzhuā yángròu
- Sweet pea porridge灰豆子 · Huīdòuzi
- Donkey meat with yellow noodles驴肉黄面 · Lǘròu huángmiàn
- Sweet apricot drink杏皮水 · Xìngpí shuǐ
- Dunhuang hand-grabbed mutton敦煌手抓羊肉 · Dūnhuáng shǒuzhuā yángròu
中国之旅
Xi'an
7泊Lanzhou
7泊Dunhuang
6泊よくある質問
Is $2,001 enough for a 20-day Xi'an-Lanzhou-Dunhuang trip?
Yes, $2,001 is a realistic budget for 20 days on a budget tier. This covers accommodation, food, inter-city transport, and major attractions.
What is the best time to visit Xi'an and Lanzhou?
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are the best times to visit. Avoid Chinese national holidays (Golden Week in October and May) as crowds and prices surge.
How many days do I need for this Xi'an-Lanzhou-Dunhuang route?
This route is designed for 20 days: Xi'an (7 nights), Lanzhou (7 nights), Dunhuang (6 nights).