Written by Clementine |
The Silk Road played an important role in Chinese history. Anyone who claims to understand Chinese history must know that the Silk Road was also a significant factor behind the flourishing periods of the Han and Tang Dynasties. It covers plenty of historical sites that will give you lots of information about Chinaās history. It also features an excellent collection of natural scenery such as grassland, desert, snow mountain, and Danxia landform. Every moment on the way is worth a click. Here are 9 gorgeous photos taken on the Silk Road which will inspire you to visit this wonderful part of China.
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- Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes
- Echoing-sand Mountain and Crescent Spring
- Jiayuguan Pass
- Zhangye Danxia Landform
- Chaka Salt Lake
- Wear Traditional Clothes of Different Ethnic Groups
- Cycling Around Qinghai Lake
- FAQsĀ about The Silk Road
- Turn Inspiration into Adventure ā Travel the Silk Road with China Xian Tour
Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes
- Location: ~25 km southeast of Dunhuang
- Best Time to Visit: Spring/autumn
- Time Needed: 3ā4 hours
- Things to Do:explore murals and sculpturesĀ in caves
- Photo Tips: Use a wide-angle lens for cave interiors.
Mogao Caves is praised as a treasure house of Buddhist art. It houses over 2,000 stunning colored sculptures and 45,000 square meters of exquisite murals. You will definitely marvel at the superb craftsmanship and be moved to tears after hearing what happened in Dunhuang.
Echoing-sand Mountain and Crescent Spring
- Location: About 5 kmaway fromĀ Dunhuang city.
- Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon or early evening
- Time Needed: 2ā3 hours
- Things to Do: Camel ride. Climb dune Listen to the āsingingāsand.
- Photo Tips: Take picture of the contrast of the crescent-shaped lake against the dunes
Echoing-sand Mountain and Crescent Spring are called ātwin sisters in the Gobi desertā. The beauty of the twin sisters lies in the fact that Crescent Spring is surrounded by Echoing-sand Mountain and hasnāt dried up for thousands of years. What a wonder!
ā Recommended Dunhuang tour: 2 Days Dunhuang Classic Tour
Jiayuguan Pass
- Location: Jiayuguan
- Best Time to Visit: May to October.
- Time Needed: 1ā2 hours
- Things to Do: Explore the fortress.Visit the Great Wall Museum.
- Photo Tips: Climb the ramparts for panoramic shots
With snow-capped Qilian Mountains in the south and rolling Heishan Mountain in the north, Jiayuguan Pass looks like a loyal and brave soldier guarding the ancient Silk Road. May to October is the best time to visit Jiayuguan Pass. Come and feel the solemn and soul-stirring beauty of northwest China.
Zhangye Danxia Landform
- Location: Near Linze County / Sunan County, Zhangye City
- Best Time to Visit: JuneāSeptember
- Time Needed: 2ā3 hours
- Things to Do: Walk the viewing platforms.Ride shuttle between ridges. Hike short trails.
- Photo Tips: Use a wide-angle lens for layered ridges
Zhangye is well known for the unique Danxia landform which was formed from the erosion of red sandstone. Itās hard to believe such a place really exists. Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park sprawls over 536 square kilometers. If you have enough time, you can manage to be there at sunrise and sunset for the best views and have the dreamy scenery all to yourself.
ā Recommended China Silk Road tours to Dunhuang Jiayuguan Zhangye:
- 6 Days Zhangye Jiayuguan Dunhuang Tour
- 10 Days Hexi Corridor Silk Road Tour: Dunhuang-Jiayuguan-Zhangye-Xining-Lanzhou
Chaka Salt Lake
- Location: Ulan County
- Best Time to Visit: Year-round
- Time Needed: 1ā2 hours
- Things to Do: Walk on the salt flats. Ride a small tourist train.
- Photo Tips: Sunrise or late afternoon give the best view ofreflections
- Notes: The lake is at a high altitude (~3,100 m)
Chaka Salt Lake has a very beautiful nickname āMirror of the Sky in Chinaā. The breathtaking lake came into being during the formation of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Salt mining here can date back to more than 3,000 years ago. You can take a small sightseeing train to enjoy the lake from different angles.
The above attractions are only a few examples of many fantastic sites along the Silk Road. Because seeing different scenery is only a part of a trip and you can do lots of things, weād also like to talk about interesting activities you can participate in.
Wear Traditional Clothes of Different Ethnic Groups
You may not know that there are 56 ethnic groups in China. They live all over the country, some living in compact communities while some in areas of mixed habitation. Each has its own customs. And the easiest way to recognize the ethnic groups is to look at what they wear. Here is a challenge for you. Can you try to guess the two ethnic groups the two pictures below represent?
Surely itās difficult for you. The people in the first picture have traditional Tibetan clothes. Touring an area in local traditional clothes really can help you understand the culture and build a special bond with the place. You can try on Tibetan clothes in Tibetan areas and taste homemade dishes like zanba, roasted qingke barley flour. The second picture from a famous Chinese documentaryĀ National TreasureĀ shows traditional Han Chinese clothes. Han Chinese account for more than 90 percent of Chinaās population. Xian, as the starting point of the Silk Road and one of Chinaās ancient capitals, has seen a trend of wearing Han Chinese clothes in recent years. Many young Chinese people can be seen wearing traditional clothes in parks and museums. If you visit Xian in the future, you can put this on your list.
Cycling Around Qinghai Lake
- Location: ~100 km west of Xining.
- Best Time to Visit: MayāOctoberorĀ JulyāAugust
- Time Needed: Half to full day
- Things to Do: Cycling. Birdwatching. Hiking. P
- Photo Tips: Use a tripod for sunrise/sunse
- Notes: The lakeās elevation is ~3,205 m.
Qinghai Lake with an average temperature of 15ā is an ideal summer resort. The huge expanse of rape flowers contrasts pleasantly with the crystal blue water like a beautiful piece of an oil painting. Cycling is a great way to explore Qinghai Lake. If you are cycling lovers, donāt miss this.
So, are you curious about the Silk Road now? If your answer is yes, that means I have convinced you to visit it. We really hope you enjoy reading our content as much as we share them with you!
ā Recommended tour: 4 Days Xining Tour with Qinghai Lake and Chaka Lake
FAQsĀ about The Silk Road
Q: Which of the locations listed above are UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
The Mogao Caves and The Zhangye Danxia area
Q:When can I getĀ the best viewĀ at the Zhangye Danxia LandformĀ in a day?
Sunrise and sunsetĀ usually attract more visitors. With lights dancing on the land, the whole scene will be vibrant and stunning, even shadows would play their magic to add more senses.
Q: Is the Chaka Salt Lake accessible year-round?
Yes,Ā you can visit itĀ year-round. However, you may not always see the best reflections is not as it depends on weather and windĀ on the vary days.
Q: Which of the destinations are typically included in a 6-day Hexi Corridor itinerary?
Usually there would be:Ā Dunhuang, Jiayuguan Pass, and Zhangye Danxia.
Q: What is the altitude of Qinghai Lake, and do I need to worry about altitude sickness?
Qinghai Lakeās altitude is about 3,205 meters (10,515 ft). While you may not get sickness as extreme as some higher parts of the Tibetan PlateauĀ would give you, you may still be affected. So that remember to stay hydrated and ascend the site graduallyĀ or in a slower pace. Avoid strenuous exercise and rest if needed.
Turn Inspiration into Adventure ā Travel the Silk Road with China Xian Tour
The Silk Road has long been an attractive destination for its unchanged and unparalleled beauty. And to fully enjoy this vast region, you can choose to travel with China Xian Tour. Weāve been working to provide the best Silk Road tour for over a decade, and our customized itinerary can take you to all the sites that you may expect to see and take pictures. With us arranging everything for you, youāll definitely get to record all the best moments in both your cameras and your memories.
