8 Days China Silk Road Group Tour of Qinghai & Gansu

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Xining
   Glimpse the Tibetan Buddhism at Ta'er Monastery

   Welcome to our 8-day China Silk Road small group tour! Make your own way to Xining Caojiabao Airport (please arrive between 9:30 am and 10:30 am to avoid waiting too long for other passengers at the airport).

   Upon arrival at Xining, the local guide and the driver will pick you up from the exit gate, holding a welcome board “China Xian Tour”. After meeting all group members, we will drive you to the hotel in the downtown area!

   IIn the afternoon, your tour guide will take you to visit Ta'er Monastery. Aka Kumbum Monastery, it is one of the "Six Great Monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism Gelug Sect", sharing the same popularity as Qinghai Lake. Ta'er Monastery is the center of Tibetan Buddhism in northwest China. It has a large scale, including palaces, Buddhist temples, scripture halls, and yards where lamas live.

   Some spots worth visiting include the Grand Golden Tiled Hall, which is located in the center of the monastery. Its golden roof is made of 1300 taels of gold and more than 10000 taels of silver, which looks very grand. In addition, the "three arts" - butter sculpture, murals and Barbola (trimming colorful silk) are the essence of the temple.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Xining
2. Day 2: Xining to Qinghai Lake
   Tour China’s Largest Saltwater Lake for Scenic Beauty

   This morning, we drive for about 3 hours to reach Qinghai Lake. Qinghai Lake is the largest saltwater lake in China, where you can feel the fresh air and warm sunshine, just like paradise. There are flocks of sheep and yaks, blue skies and white clouds, etc.

   The main scenic area you are going to visit is the Erlangjian Scenic Area, the most beautiful place in Qinghai Lake. Here you can enjoy the charming lake. There are boat cruises, horse riding, and bike riding available around the lake, and you can pay in cash on your own if you have interests (optional).

   Travel Tips:

   1. The sunlight in Qinghai Lake is very strong, especially in summer (June to August). So you are advised to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, hats, etc. to protect your skin from UV.
   2. Few people experience severe altitude sickness at Qinghai Lake. But you must avoid strenuous exercise if it is your first time to enter the plateau.

   After the relaxing sightseeing, drive to Chaka Town for the night.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Chaka Town
3. Day 3: Xining to Zhangye by High-speed Train
   Take Beautiful Photos at the "Mirror of the Sky"

   After breakfast, you will be guided to visit the Chaka Salt Lake, with the title of "Mirror of the Sky in China" which rose to fame nationwide rapidly in recent years, attracting increasing travelers.

   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 bright-colored dresses.

   Yes, what you must do at Chaka Lake is take beautiful pictures of the sky and people. Do remember to wear clothes of bright colors.

   Travel Tips:

   1. UV rays are strong here. Sunglasses are a necessity. You are advised to cover your face, neck, and arms.
   2. If you want to take some nice portrait photos with lake reflection, you can wear something with bright colors, like red.

   In the afternoon, drive back to Xining to catch the evening high-speed train to Zhangye. The train ride will take around 2.5 hours, and you can have a nap on the train or just enjoy the scenery on the way.

   When you arrive at Zhangye Railway Station, a local driver will pick you up and transfer you to the local hotel.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Zhangye
4. Day 4: Zhangye Culture and Hiking Exploration
   Marvel at China's Largest Indoor Reclining Buddha

   Start your Silk Road tour of Zhangye with a visit to the Grand Buddha Temple, which houses China's largest indoor reclining Buddha, the Nirvana of Shakyamuni Buddha, 24 meter long (79 feet) and 49 meters wide (161 feet). The figure is covered in gold leaf and painted in various colors to make it so vivid. When you walk behind the reclining Buddha, you will see beautiful murals, depicting stories in the Journey to the West - a fictionalized and fantastic novel of the pilgrimage of the Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang.

   

   You will then go to Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon which geological experts from both China and other countries consider to be "comparable to the Colorado Canyon". The canyon has been formed through natural processes that extended over an extensive time period and now displays rock layers that date from the Cambrian period to the Cenozoic era with red rocks forming the majority of its formation. The scenic area consists of two parts: observation decks and the canyon. The observation decks provide you with complete visibility of the entire canyon.

   The area contains unique landforms including General Stone that resembles a general in battle robe who stands watch over the Danxia landform and the Divine Turtle which serves as the most prominent peak in the region and Couple Peak - two people who are in love as they hold each other tightly.

   Special note: You will need to hike for around 2-3 hours. Tourists with knee problems are NOT suggested to go.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Zhangye
5. Day 5: Zhangye Rainbow Mountains
   Appreciate the Colors of Danxia Rainbow Mountain

   Today, continue your Silk Road tour to Matisi Grottoes, one of the "Three Artistic Grottoes of Hexi Corridor". Against the hills where plenty of grottoes were engraved, it offerS you an incredible combination of Buddhist temples and mountain grottoes. Another highlight here is that it unites both Han Buddhist traditions and Tibetan Buddhism.

   

   The exciting Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park contains the Rainbow Mountain Scenic Area which shows a geological wonder with its colorful and otherworldly landscapes is our next destination. The mountainsides boast colors looking like a painter's palette as mineral deposits have built up over millions of years. The site features beautiful multicolored rock formations which can be seen from four observation decks. No.1 Viewing Platform allows you to have the entire Danxia landforms and the No.4 Viewing Platform - the final observation point displays the most vibrant and beautiful mountain views during sunset.

   Tips:

   1. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat to stay safe from the strong sun.
   2. The prettiest pictures can be taken during sunset, which is around 7-8 pm in the summer and 6-7 pm in the winter.

   Tonight, you will experience Mongolian yurt in Kaoshan Tent which is just near the Rainbow Mountains.

   Note: NO private bathroom in the tent, only public baths, and toilets.

   

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   Overnight in Kaoshan Tent
6. Day 6: Jiayuguan to Dunhuang by Van 5hrs diving
   Climb Up the Ancient Fortress and Learn about the Ming Great Wall

   In the morning, drive to Jiayuguan. After driving through the yellow sand of the desert, you will come to Jiayuguan Pass, also known as "First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven". A section of loess-built Great Wall pass which has stood for hundreds of years, the Jiayuguan Pass is full of a sense of vicissitudes of history. It is the westernmost section of the Ming Great Wall and a traffic fortress on the ancient Silk Road.

   

   The next attraction is the Overhanging Great Wall. It is named for its position on the mountain ridge of 45 degrees, resembling hanging upside down in the sky. As the northern extension of Jiayuguan Pass, it is an important part of the ancient military defense system of Jiayuguan.

   After the Jiayuguan exploration, we will drive around 4-5 hours to Dunhuang for the night.

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   4-Star Hotel in Dunhuang
7. Day 7: Dunhuang Highlights
   Enjoy Desert Fun at the Echoing-Sand Mountain

   You will begin your Dunhuang tour after breakfast at the spectacular Mogao Grottoes. The Mogao Caves which have existed for thousands of years functions as a magnificent artistic repository of ancient Chinese culture which also demonstrates how different civilizations interacted through the Silk Road. It contain 735 caves which house over 45000 square meters of wall paintings and more than 2400 colored sculptures. The Mogao Caves possess the largest and most preserved collection of Buddhist art which brings them international recognition as the "pearls of oriental art".

   

   In the afternoon, you will be transferred to Echoing-Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake. They are harmonious mates of miracle created by nature, glittering like a pearl along the Silk Road for thousands of years. The incredible co-existence between spring water and sand mountains always amazes visitors at their first sight here. A lifetime experience provided here as an optional activity is a camel ride at Echo Sand Mountain.

   Friendly tip: There are many entertainment activities available in the desert, like camel ride, sand buggy etc., if you are interested in trying, please pay on you own at the spot.

   

   Last, go to stroll around the Shazhou Night Market. The most bustling place of Dunhuang at night, here you can taste different kinds of local cuisine and buy some souvenirs for your family and friends.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Dunhuang
8. Day 8: Departure from Dunhuang

   The 8- day China Silk Road tour will end by today. We will arrange an airport transfer for you and wish you a pleasant journey home! If you want to visit more places in China, please feel free to contact us. We will be very happy to help!

   Note: No English tour guide service or any tour activity for today.

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