8 Days China Silk Road Tour of Xining Zhangye Jiayuguan Dunhuang

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Xining Arrival

   Upon your arrival at Xining airport/train station, the local English-speaking tour guide and driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board "China Xian Tour".

   Your guide will help you check in at the hotel and then take you to explore the most important religious sites in Xining - Ta'er Monastery. As one of the “Six Great Monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism Gelug Sect”, Ta’er Monastery shares the same popularity as Qinghai Lake. The monastery has a profound historical origin, as it’s the birthplace of the founder of the Tibetan Buddhism Gelug Sect. Not only bearing the divine position in religious followers, but the monastery is also a Tibetan Buddhist institution of higher education. Beneath the glorious decorations on the surface fascinating your eyes, the rich accumulations in history, culture, religion, and arts of Ta’er Monastery excite your souls deeply especially when meeting those devout followers trudged for pilgrimage here. Take more time to appreciate the three arts of this temple: butter sculpture, murals, barbola.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Xining
2. Day 2: Xining to Chaka Town
   Chaka Salt Lake

   Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then get ready for the ride to the fascinating Chaka Salt Lake (it takes about 4 hours to reach the destination).

   Chaka Salt Lake, titled “Mirror of the Sky in China,” rose to nationwide fame in recent years, attracting increasing numbers of travelers. “Chaka” means “Salt Lake” in Tibetan. As the name suggests, Chaka Salt Lake is a famous natural crystal salt lake in Qaidam Basin, able to meet all Chinese’s need to salt for 75 years. The pure white congealing in the water makes the lake a huge mirror to reflect the shadows of white clouds, blue sky, hovering birds, and beautiful girls in the bright- colored dress. Yes, a must thing to do at Chaka Lake is taking beautiful pictures for the sky and people. Do remember to wear clothes in bright colors.

   Travel Tips:

   Ultraviolet radiation is strong at Chaka Salt Lake. Sunglasses are essential, and covering your face, neck, and arms is strongly recommended for sun protection.

   After the wonderful time in Chaka Lake, check into the local hotel for rest.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Chaka Town
3. Day 3: Qinghai to Zhangye by High-speed Train
   Erlangjian Scenic Area of Qinghai Lake

   After breakfast, please board the car to Qinghai Lake, another highlight of this 8-day China Silk Road tour. It is indeed hot for a tour to Qinghai and the whole Silk Road. Why? The co-existence of different views collected in the meantime at Qinghai Lake pushes its fame higher and higher: a massive sea-like lake, vast desert, lush meadow-grass, and a yellow sea of rape flower. A single one of the four elements would attract people as a “wonderful place”; however, the mix of the four at Qinghai Lake makes it a “must-go” place. Each summer (June and July), it ushers in the annual peak when the blossom of rape flowers and round-the-lake cycle track here.

   Today, the main scenic area you will be visiting is the Erlangjian Scenic Area, which is reputed as the most beautiful place in Qinghai Lake. There are boat cruises, horse rides, and bike rides available around the lake, you can optionally try them according to your interests (optional).

   Tips:

   1. Sunlight around Qinghai Lake is particularly strong, especially from June to August, so sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat are highly recommended.
   2. Although altitude sickness is uncommon, if you are a first-timer to plateau, you should avoid strenuous activity and move at a relaxed pace.

   Finishing the pleasant Qinghai Lake time, we will return to Xining city and catch the high-speed train to Zhangye (2-hour ride). After a short break on the train seat, your second stop, Zhangye, will be unfolded by a warm greeting by the local driver at the train station. Check in at the local comfortable hotel.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Zhangye
4. Day 4: Zhangye Classic Exploration
   Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon, Rainbow Mountains

   It's a big day today during the whole trip as we are going to experience 2 different geological wonders.

   The first one is the thrilling hiking at the Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon which is a lesser-known site with 25km away from Zhangye downtown, suffering a bad underestimation on its incredible travel value. It’s a composite attraction enjoying five functions in one: natural miracle, canyon adventure, geological scientific research, ethnic customs, and self-driving. It’s a real paradise for outdoor hiking and photography lovers with its complex landforms. 

   Note: If you have knee issues, please skip this scenic spot. Your travel consultant will adjust a scenic spot that suits you.

   

   In the afternoon, come to the awe-inspiring Rainbow Mountains (the Danxia landform) which earns the most spotlight for Zhangye City. Rated as one of “10 Wonders of Nature in the World” by National Geographic News, it does deserve the reputation. The Zhangye Danxia landform has two main scenic areas, each with its own unique features. Today, you will visit the "Rainbow Mountain Scenic Area". This spot is located in Linze County and is renowned for its bright colors. It also features its sunset views, which is why it is the choice of most tourists. Seen from the high platforms, the rising layers of mountains in beautiful red with different saturation are bathed in rosy sunlight, depicting a gorgeous picture for the visitors who trudged a lot to get here. Return to the local hotel after a full day.

   Tips:

   1. Sunset is the best time for photos — around 7–8 pm from June to August and 6–7 pm in December to January.
   2. The sun can be strong, so bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Zhangye
5. Day 5: Zhangye to Jiayuguan
   Jinta Populus Eurhratica Forest

   After the hotel breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to Zhangye and open the next trip to the beautiful Jinta Populus Euphratica Forest in Jiuquan. 

   Jinta Populus Eurhratica Forest in Autumn is a bright scenery line in Jiuquan, along the ancient Silk Road, almost dominating people's impression of Northwestern China’s beauty. The attraction is very large with about 80,000 acres, consisting of four major tourist areas: Jinbo Lake-Populus Euphratica Forest core area, Elaeagnus Angustifolia sightseeing area, Hanhai red willow forest area, Desert entertainment area, and desert reed maze area. Do not only “wow” at the beautiful views here, remember to take nice pictures here, especially at Jinbo Lake. Strolling along the lakeside path, admire the reflection of the Populus euphratica forest in the water.

   Travel Tips:

   • The period from mid-October to the end of October is the golden time to visit this scenic area.
   • Dressing: It is recommended to wear red or white clothing to create a sharp contrast with the golden poplar.
   • Be sure to prepare sunscreen and sunglasses, as the golden leaves reflect sunlight more strongly.

   Don't hurry to pick out your favorite photos to post on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, come back to your private car as we are going to stay overnight in Jiayuguan today. You will have enough time for social media in the car.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Jiayuguan
6. Day 6: Jiayuguan Highlights
   Jiayuguan Pass, Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum, Weijin Tombs

   Today you will explore the best relics in Jiayuguan first at Jiayuguan Pass, also known as the “First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven”, “the Throat of Hexi Corridor”. As the western end of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty, Jiayuguan Fort, being constructed for hundreds of years, not only occupied a vital position in military defense but also exerted important influence in trade & culture exchange as a key waypoint of the ancient Silk Road. You can climb up the tower to admire the entire view.

   

   Next, continue your visit to Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum. Inside the Jiayuguan Pass Scenic Area, there is the first Great Wall themed museum with 7 major exhibition halls to show you more detailed knowledge about this great constructional engineering in Chinese history. The oil painting of the Great Wall exhibited here with a large scale, about 220.5 ㎡ is a highlight deserving a longer stop.

   Afterward, move on to Weijin Tombs. Driving through the wilder Gobi about 20km from Jiayuguan City, you will come to the famous “underground gallery”, Weijin Tombs. In accordance with the title, wall paints dominate the theme of the visit to this site. Underneath the yellow sand, were about 1,400 ancient tombs buried in the obscure desert and only 6 tombs are open to the public today. It’s definitely a surprise discovery process when beholding the paints with bright colors vividly depicting the scholars and officials’ life in Weijin Time. The background knowledge about history, culture, politics, and economy reflected by the paintings and explained by the tour guide helps you better understand this site, please follow up your guide closely!

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Jiayuguan
7. Day 7: Jiayuguan to Dunhuang
   Crescent Spring and Echo Sand Mountain, Shazhou Night Market

   After breakfast, take the high-speed train to Dunhuang (2.5-hour train ride). You are suggested to wear comfortable shoes and take some snacks considering this will be a long-time journey.

   After lunch in Dunhuang, take a short break when the heat subsides, then visit Crescent Spring and Echo Sand Mountain. For thousands of years, these two natural wonders have been harmonious mates of a miracle created by nature, standing side by side along the Silk Road — golden dunes rising like a dragon's back, whispering as the wind passes, while the spring, like a gentle maiden, is embraced in the arms of mountains without being smudged. A lifetime experience provided here as an optional activity is the camel ride at Echo Sand Mountain (you need to pay on site and your guide will help you with that).

   Friendly tip: In addition to riding camels, you can also experience the fun of sand sliding for free, or more exciting desert motorcycles (which require additional payment).

   Last, come to the Shazhou Night Market for further exploration. It immerses visitors in local life through scent, sound, and flavor. Try signature dishes like donkey meat yellow noodles, apricot juice, and rare camel meat skewers. The market is alive from 6:30 PM to midnight.

   

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8. Day 8: Dunhuang Departure
   Mogao Grottoes

   It's the last day of this amazing adventure in Northwestern China and Mogao Caves will end the journey as the last highlight.

   Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then let's go to the Mogao Caves. As the existing anthology of Buddhist art with the biggest scale and the best preservation in the world, the Mogao Caves wins the fame of “the pearls of oriental art”. It keeps 735verns, about45,000 square kilometers frescoes, 2,415 painted sculptures, and more than 4,000 flying Apsaras (the beautiful Bodhisattva in Buddhism who has a fair scent and does well in dancing and music). The painted sculptures of Cave 45 display perfect craftsmanship; they show detailed facial expressions and their clothing designs move in natural patterns. The cave contains a Bodhisattva statue known as the "Oriental Venus".

   In the afternoon, you will be dropped off at Dunhuang airport / train station for departure. This is the end service of this 8-day China Silk Road trip with China Xian Tour. Hope you gain a lot.

   Note: Please book a flight that departs Dunhuang after 3 pm to ensure no rush.

   

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