4 Days Badain Jaran Desert Tour with Mt. Mandela Rock Paintings

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Badain Jaran Town

   When you arrive at the airport or railway station, your private guide and a local driver will pick you up and escort you to the hotel in Badain Jaran Town.

   The nearest railway station to Badain Jaran Town is in Zhangye, which is about 150 kilometers away and takes 2 hours by car. The nearest airports to Badain Jaran Town are in Zhangye and Jinchang, both of which take about 2 to 3 hours by car.

   After arriving in the small town, the remaining time is for you to relax by yourself.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: Badain Jaran Town

2. Day 2: Badain Jaran Desert Adventure
   Jeep Expedition, Colorful Lakes, Desert Temples by Sunset

   After breakfast, we will drive to the third largest desert in China - the Badain Jaran Desert, with a total area of 47000 square kilometers. This desert has colorful lakes and the world's tallest sand dunes. After arrival, the guide will first take you to visit the Badain Jaran Geo-Park Museum. Here, you can gain a deeper understanding of the geology and biodiversity of the Badain Jaran Desert.

   

   Next, an off-road vehicle will take us to Badain Lake, located on the southern edge of the Badain Jaran Desert and a rare freshwater lake. There is a dense forest and reeds to the south of the lake, and a sand mountain over 200 meters high to the north. You can experience the thrill of sliding down from the sandy mountaintop.

   Continue exploring the desert to Genghis Khan Sand Carving, which is several meters high and very spectacular. Your guide will explain to you the great deeds of Genghis Khan. Then head to Dagetu Lake, which has a unique lake color. Yinertitu Spring is a natural spring that forms a small pond on the sand.

   

   Finally, visit the Badain Jaran Temple, a Tibetan Buddhist temple built in the Qing Dynasty, known as the "Forbidden City of the Desert". As the only temple in the desert, it holds significant religious importance for pilgrims. Appreciate the murals and stories behind them in the temple under the guidance of the tour guide.

   Going deep into the desert, we will spend the night in a traditional Mongolian yurt tonight. You will experience the lifestyle of nomadic tribes. Leave the remaining time for yourself to explore the desert and enjoy the sunset. Perhaps you can also attend the bonfire party and enjoy Mongolian music and dance.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Mongolian yurt in Badain Jaran Desert

3. Day 3: Return to Badain Jaran Town
   Capture the Amazing Desert Sunrise, Take Pictures of Ruby Lake

   In the morning, if the weather is good, don't miss the beautiful desert sunrise. The sun slowly rises from the horizon, and the colors of the sand dunes and lakes change accordingly. If you are a photographer, this scenery will definitely not disappoint you.

   

   After breakfast, you will be taken to visit Barun Jaran Lake, located in the heart of the Badain Jaran Desert. It is the largest lake in the Badain Jaran Desert, with a total area of 1.5 square kilometers. Surrounding it are a group of sand mountains with a relative height difference of 460 meters, forming a unique landform where sand peaks coexist with lake water. Here, you can find reeds, aquatic birds, and local wildlife such as camels and goats.

   

   Continue on to Barunyikeri. Here two lakes are separated by a sandy ridge. Heavenly Lake is the last stop, which shows a ruby color under specific lighting conditions. So it is one of the most uniquely colored saltwater lakes among the 144 lakes in the Badain Jaran Desert.

   We will say goodbye to the desert around noon and return to Badain Jaran Town.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Badain Jaran Town

4. Day 4: Mandela Mountain Rock Paintings, Departure
   Appreciate Ancient Rock Paintings Recording Northern Nomadic Peoples

   After breakfast, drive 2.5 hours to reach the Mandela Mountain Rock Painting Scenic Area. It is one of the largest and longest historical rock art groups in northwest China. There are 4234 existing rock paintings here, which record the living scenes of northern nomadic peoples from the Neolithic Age to the Qing Dynasty, including hunting, grazing, competition, dance, sun, moon, and stars.

   These paintings were created by ethnic minorities such as Qiang, Yue, Xiongnu, Xianbei, Dangxiang, and Mongolia, and are considered as "living fossils of the art world".

   

   After the visit, the tour guide will take you to the nearest airport or train station to leave. This is the end of your 4-day Badain Jaran Desert tour. Hope you had a pleasant journey with us. Wish you a happy voyage!

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A