Highlights

West China, the most mysterious part of China with various tour resources, especially tour for traditional Chinese cultures and ethnic groups, is attractive for its breathless scenes, which could not be found in the plain. This 7-day classic route will cover DunhuangJiayuguan, Zhangye, Xining, Qinghai LakeChaka and where you can explore the fascinating landscape of West China and to experience different cultures of Chinese ethnic groups in the west. 

Driving on the highway to discover the beautiful Qinghai Lake; Visit the Buddhist Temples with profound history and culture; Explore the World Heritage Mogao Grottoes; Enjoy the splendid views of Danxia Landform, as well as the mysterious Crescent Lake surrounded by desert. 

ITINERARY Close All

Day 1Dunhuang Arrival

Today your flight will touch down in Dunhuang. We will meet you at the airport exit with a welcome board and then transfer to the local hotel check in. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this city.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: In Dunhuang
Altitude: 1139m

Day 2Dunhuang Sightseeing

Today we will have a full day sightseeing in Dunhuang, our first stop is the "cultural treasure" — Mogao Grottoes. Start with the 4D movie tracing back to the thousands of years Chinese history. Then we will visit 8 grottoes with the introducing of the professional guide. Here you can enjoy the magnificent grottoes and mural art, and get to know the history of Buddhism in Dunhuang through explanation and film display, which is the best option for tourists to travel here.

After lunch, then we will head to Echoing Sand Mountain. When there is wild wind, the sands will be blown up and make a loud sound. There is also a Crescent Lake that has been in existence for hundreds of years without ever being buried by the sand. The camel riding in the vast desert and sand sliding are highly recommended.

*Special Arrangement:

1 bottle cold beer for each person


In the evening, we will stroll around the Shazhou Night Market, where is a distinctive local attraction, you can taste the local cuisine and relax here. In addition to local specialties, there are many handicrafts waiting for you to discover.


After visiting, back to hotel and have some rest, tomorrow will be more exciting.



Traffic: Car
Hotel: In Dunhuang
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 1139m
  • Mogao Grottoes.jpg

    Mogao Grottoes

  • Echoing Sand mountain & Crescent Lake

    Echoing Sand Mountain & Crescent Lake

Day 3Dunhuang - Danxia

After enjoying your buffet at hotel, today we're going to drive 4hrs to visit the Jiayuguan Pass. This Ming Dynasty fort guards the strategic Jiayuguan Pass, at the western end of the Great Wall – this was the last section built by the Ming Dynasty. 


After that, we will head to explore the Great Wall Museum, which was opened to the public in October 1989 and it is the first one to exhibit the Great Wall culture in a comprehensive and systematic way.


Then say goodbye to Jiayuguan, drive about 2hrs to Danxia National Geological Park for  overnight stay. Amazing Starry night is waiting for you.


*Reminder: the climate in Jiayuguan may a bit dry, remember to drink water in time.


Traffic: Car
Hotel: In Kaoshan Tent
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 1438m
  • Jiyuguan Pass.jpg

    Jiyuguan Pass

  • jiayuguan pass

    Jiayuguan Pass

Day 4Danxia - Mati Temple

Get up early to catch the sunrise in the splendid Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, which is the most typical arid area of northern China. Ribbons of reds, oranges and yellows slice through the rock, to create a rainbow vista contained only by the contours of the jagged mountain peaks. So many people also call it "Rainbow Mountain".  


Continue our trip to Mati Temple, which was built in Jin Dynasty. We are about to drive 2hrs to the site. A series of horse shoe prints are visible in Grotto 9, which are said to be left by a heaven horse. Hence, the temple was named for the horseshoe prints left by the legendary heaven horse, which become the treasure of the temple. 


After the visiting, we will stay overnight under the foot of the mountains. The hotel is basic but full of the local style.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: In Mati Temple
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 1700m
  • Zhangye Danxia Park.jpg

    Zhangye Danxia Park

  • Zhangye Mati Temple

    Zhangye Mati Temple

Day 5Mati Temple - Xining

After enjoying your breakfast in the hotel, around 9am, we will drive along the Qilian Mountain with the splendid scenery to Xining. We will visit Ta'er Monastery at 16:00  (Kumbum Monastery) which is the most populous monks outside of Tibet. Standing on Thangka Sunning Terrace, you will have the bird-view of the monastery and surrounding scenery. 


Inside the monastery, apart from magnificent Buddha stupas and wall paintings, prayer wheels are also the must-see spot. The whole monastery is surrounded by wheels, walk along the corridor, rotate the wheels and pray for blessings.


Butter sculpture is one of the "Three Wonders of Art" of Ta’er Monastery. It is a variety of artistic boutiques, such as statues of Buddha, figures, landscapes, pavilions, birds, animals, flowers and trees, which are made of butter.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: In Xining
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 2261m
  • Ta'er Monastery.jpg

    Ta'er Monastery

  • Ta'er Monastery.jpg

    Ta'er Monastery

Day 6Xining - Qinghai Lake - Chaka

Another delighted day is coming. We will ride the bikes around the beautiful Qinghai Lake after 2hrs driving, or have the light trekking in the cole flower sea. It's no exaggeration to say that Qinghai Lake is a miracle that is endowed by a deity. 

*Special Arrangement: 

① biking/hiking 1-2 hrs around Qinghai Lake

② having a nice time in Cole Flower Sea


Every year from May to October, the nomadic tibetan family will move to the side of the lake, it is so great to visit their family and learn their lifestyle. After that, drive 2.5 hrs to Chaka for overnight stay.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: In Chaka
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 3100m
  • Qinghai Lake

    Qinghai Lake

  • Qinghai Lake Biking

    Qinghai Lake Biking

Day 7Chaka - Xining Departure

Today is the last day of our journey, we are going to enjoy the beautiful Chaka Salt Lake, it's the largest saline in Qinghai Province,  “Chaka”  means "the sea of salt" in Mongolian. It lies in the centre of Qaidam Basin, which was nominated by the national tourist geography magazine as one of the 55 places to go.

*Special Arrangement: 

one-way train ride to Chaka Salt Lake


After that, your enjoyable Silk Road trip is about to end, we will drive 4hrs back to Xining to catch your flight. Wish you have a pleasant journey home!

Traffic: Car
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 343m
  • Chaka Salt Lake.jpg

    Chaka Salt Lake

  • Chaka Salt Lake.png

    Chaka Salt Lake

Dates & availability

Prices may change, so secure your trip today!

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Dates & Pirce

No Detour, No Hidden Cost, No Shopping

* We can also customize your trips, PM for more detals

INCLUDES

  • Private transportation with good AC

  • Excellent English speaking guide

  • 4star Hotel with breakfast (2persons shared one room)

  • Entrance fee listed in the itinerary 

  • 2nd class train from Dunhuang to Jiayuguan, Zhangye to Xining

  • Allowance for the guide and driver

  • 2bottles of water each person on daily use

  • Government tax

  • Travel insurance

EXCLUDES

  • Personal expenses and tips to the guide and driver

  • Full Board Meals

  • Some activities such as boating, camel riding, culture show etc.

  • Flight arrive in Dunhuang and leave from Xining

TRIP NOTES

Payment and Deposit 

1. 4 to 15 pax in a group (4 pax min, 15 pax max)

2. Typically we will take 2000 RMB per person as deposit when you book the trip (You can pay the deposit through WeChat/Alipay/bank transfer.)

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3. Then the balance will be paid when you arrive. (Note: The balance needs to be paid 7 days before departure if your trip is just in the official Chinese holiday. E.g. Chinese New Year, Labor's Day, National Day)

  • Our cancellation policies are very friendly.

  • If you have to cancel your trip for some unexpected reasons, we have the following policies:
    1. FULL REFUND at least 15 days before departure date. (Note: except the cost of service fees paid for the third party, such as trains, hotels,transportation etc)2. FULL REFUND if there is no flight and train to arrive resulted from extreme weather or government restrictions.

  • If the trip is cancelled due to severe weather conditions or any government restriction, full refund will be offered.

Client's Reviews Write Review

  • Reviewed on Oct 26, 2023

    Joseph

    from Malaysia

    Hi Lesley,

     Good day. All of us arrived home safely in the early morning yesterday. We would like to take this opportunity to say 谢谢for all the arrangements and help for our recent trip. On  the whole we have enjoyed our trip very much although occasionally and  for a short time some of us, including me, did feel unwell mainly due to  the weather. I think because we have not been  travelling for the past 3-4 years we were still not accustomed to the  cold and dry weather overseas. Anyway, you and your staffs have helped  us very much and made our stay as comfortable as possible.

    The  itinerary was well arranged and executed. We were shown so many  historical, cultural and scenic sites in the Silk Road which is amazing  for a 11-day tour. Of special mention are the Crescent  Lake, Mogao Grottoes, Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, Qinghai  Lake and Binglingsi Thousand Buddha Caves.

    All  your staffs were very courteous and helpful. Mr William met and greeted  as at the Lanzhou International Airport on our arrival although our  flight was delayed. Ms Amanda, Mr Wan Ma and Eric  are knowledgeable and eloquent in English. Your drivers are also  careful and patient. All have discharged their duties professionally.

    The  hotels are reasonably good and clean. Regarding food, there was a good  varieties of spicy and non-spicy cuisines. The portions were rather too  big for our small group of 10 persons. We speak  for ourselves because we are all seniors!

    Just a  point to mention. We did our Health Declaration (for entry into China)  24-hours prior to arrival. We did not expect that we had to do again  prior to departure i.e. exit Health Declaration.  So, it took us sometime to prepare for one at Xiamen International  Airport. Fortunately, we had sufficient time before our flight.

    So, 谢谢 again. We wish you and your company success and prosperity.

    Best regards

    Joseph


    Destination(s): Dunhuang-Jiayuguan-Zhangye-Xining-Lanzhou

    Date of Experience: 2023-10-13 to 2023-10-23

    Be related Tour: 7 Days Silk Road Group Tour to Gansu & Qinghai

  • Reviewed on Oct 08, 2023

    Murat

    from Turkey

    We are on the plane to Shanghai and we are so happy enjoying this beautiful road trip. Congratulations to all of the Silk Road Adventurers team. Murat and Canan

    Hello! I am also about to board. I really appreciate you all for making this trip a memorable one🤗. All the best🌹

    Destination(s): Xining-Zhangye-Jiayuguan-Dunhuang

    Date of Experience: 2023-09-30 to 2023-10-07

    Be related Tour: 7 Days Silk Road Group Tour to Gansu & Qinghai

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