CONTACT USDiscover Colorful Landforms and Ancient Wonders
This 10-day Northwest China tour, including Xinjiang, Gansu, and Qinghai, is a solution for nature and culture enthusiasts. For travelers who have been to China multiple times and would like to explore remote areas, this route not only boasts breathtaking natural wonders, such as Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake, but also provides a chance to step into the bright cultures of ancient China along the Silk Road.
Although Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu are vast provinces that require a long drive by car or a long train ride, this tour has selected the most efficient way to shorten your travel time and offer more comfortable travel experiences, which has been especially appreciated by senior travelers. Send us an inquiry and let us personalize your dream China tour with your family/spouse.
Suggested Xinjiang, Gansu, and Qinghai Tour
| Day | Highlights |
|---|---|
| 1-3 Xining | Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, Ta’er Lamasery |
| 4-5 Zhangye | Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park |
| 6-7 Dunhuang | Mogao Cave, Echo Sand Mountain |
| 8-9 Turpan | Flaming Mountains, Jiaohe Ruins, Tuyugou Village |
| 9-10 Urumqi | Tianchi Lake, International Bazaar |
Tour ‘Wow’ Points
Encircled by expansive grasslands and flowers
As you ride in a boat on Qinghai Lake, the gentle rocking of the boat contrasts with the immense panorama of the endless blue sky and the distant snowcapped mountains.
Feel touched by the beauty of Chaka Salt Lake.
The tourist train’s elevated position offers stunning panoramic views of the vast white expanse of Chaka Salt Lake.
Be amazed by the vibrant colors that create a breathtaking spectacle.
The colorful layers of rock are the result of sedimentation, uplift, and erosion. This unique geological process has created landforms that are unlike anything you would see elsewhere.
Gaze upon the religious art and culture from over a thousand years ago.
You would see vibrant colors, intricate designs, and life-size statues that portray Buddhist deities, historical figures, and scenes from Buddhist stories.
Imagine what life might have been like in the ancient city.
The ruins are perched on a river island clifftop overlooking a canyon, creating a dramatic and visually stunning landscape.
Cruise on the deep turquoise blue water that reflects the mountains.
The area offers not only boat riding, but also excellent hiking and trekking opportunities, with trails that provide panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
Suggested Itinerary
Here is a suggested itinerary. It includes daily breakfast and lunch. If you would like to let us arrange your dinner, just let your travel adviser knows. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests and needs.
Day 1Xining Arrival | Airport Transfer
Upon your arrival in Xining, your private tour guide and driver will greet you with warm smiles. They will escort you to your hotel, allowing you to rest after your long flight.
Day 2Xining to Qinghai Lake | Ta’er Lamasery
Breakfast & Lunch
Ta’er Lamasery, also known as Kumbum Monastery, is a Tibetan gompa in Qinghai. The central structure of the lamasery has a silver pagoda built around a peepal tree. The murals and butter sculptures are the most famous artistic treasures of the lamasery.
Next, you would be transferred to Qinghai Lake, the largest saltwater lake in China. It is nestled amid mountains and vast grasslands. The scenery is breathtaking, especially during the summer months when the surrounding fields burst into yellow with blooming rape flowers.
You would have an opportunity to ride on a boat on Qinghai Lake to admire its breathtaking beauty. Experiencing it from a boat is particularly magical.
Day 3Qinghai Lake to Xining | Chaka Salt Lake
Breakfast & Lunch
Start with a 2-hour drive from Qinghai Lake to Chaka Salt Lake.
Chaka Salt Lake is known as ‘Mirror of the Sky’ because of its mirror-like surface, which reflects the sky and creates stunning optical illusions. The lake’s bed is covered with crystalline salt that allows visitors to seemingly walk on water.
There is a tourist train at Chaka Salt Lake. This train provides a convenient and scenic way to explore the lake and its surroundings. It stops at various points, providing excellent opportunities for photography.
Day 4Xining to Zhangye | Zhangye National Geopark
Breakfast & Lunch
Take a high-speed train from Xining to Zhangye, which takes under 2 hours. The highlight of today is visiting Zhangye National Geopark.
The landforms at the Qicai (‘Seven-Color’ or ‘Rainbow’) Danxia scenic area are the result of sandstone and other minerals being pressed together in layers and then uplifted and folded by tectonic activity. The layers of red, orange, yellow, and green create a surreal, otherworldly landscape that is unlike any other.
Day 5Zhangye to Dunhuang | The Giant Buddha Temple
Breakfast & Lunch
Visit the largest reclining Buddha in China at the Giant Buddha Temple in Zhangye. It is a massive 34.5 meters (113 feet) long and 7.5 meters (25 feet) wide. Eight people could stand on the earlobe of this reclining Buddha! This temple was built in 1098 during the Western Xia Dynasty and is the largest architectural relic from that period in Gansu province.
The high-speed train heading to Dunhuang departs at 12:44 daily. The 4½-hour journey on the train would provide you with a chance to watch the picturesque scenery unfold along the Silk Road. The towering Qilian Mountains, which stretch for thousands of miles, will roll by before your eyes.
Day 6Dunhuang | The Mogao Caves and Echoing-Sand Mountain
Breakfast & Lunch
The Mogao Caves are a must-visit relic site on the Silk Road. They boast a collection of over 40,000 sq. m (430,560 sq. ft) of murals and over 2,000 sculptures spanning over a thousand years. These vibrant artworks depict Buddhist stories, deities, and everyday life during various Chinese dynasties.
Another landmark in Dunhuang is Echoing-Sand Mountain (Mingsha Shan in Chinese). The dunes of Echoing-Sand Mountain are known to “sing” when disturbed by strong winds. The vast golden dunes rise dramatically next to crescent-shaped Crescent Lake, creating a stunning desert landscape.
There are a variety of activities at Echoing-Sand Mountain, such as camel riding, sandboarding down the dunes, and riding ATVs across the sand. If you are interested in any of them, just let us or your guide know and we’ll book tickets.
Day 7Dunhuang to Turpan | The Great Wall of the Han Dynasty
Breakfast & Lunch
Before you head to Turpan, you would pass through Yumen Pass at the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) on the way from Dunhuang to Liuyuan.
Yumen Pass was a crucial checkpoint along the Silk Road for over 600 years from 121 BC. It played a vital role in trade, cultural exchange, and military defense.
Then, you would visit the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty, which is a much older structure than the more famous Ming Dynasty Great Wall in Beijing. It is mostly in ruins that offer nowhere to climb or walk along the extensive stretches.
You would switch to a high-speed train after driving to Liuyuan Railway Station from Dunhuang. It is the closest station serving high-speed trains to Turpan on the Silk Road. It takes about 3½ hours to reach Turpan, arriving in the evening.
Day 8Turpan | Essence of the Uyghur
Breakfast & Lunch
Turpan served as a vital crossroads, welcoming traders journeying between the East and West. You would embark on a captivating exploration of its rich history and culture.
You would delve into the past at the Jiaohe Ruins, the world’s largest, oldest, and best-preserved earth building city. Perched atop a dramatic cliff on a plateau between two river braids, Jiaohe exudes an air of mystery.
Your next stop is Tuyugou Village, which boasts a rich history stretching back over 1,700 years. There, you would immerse yourself in the culture of the Uyghur people, experiencing their traditions and hospitality firsthand.
The Flaming Mountains are famous for their vividly colored rock formations. The red sandstone appears to burn under the scorching sun, especially during the summer months, giving rise to the name.
Day 9Turpan to Urumqi | Heavenly Lake and Bazaar
Breakfast & Lunch
Today we’ll drive to Urumqi, the political center of Xinjiang. Our first stop will arrive at Heavenly Lake, which is located in the Tianshan Mountains, about 68 km east of Urumqi. It is renowned for its alpine scenery and majestic Bogda Peak in the background.
As the last stop of this trip, you would not miss delving into the bustling atmosphere of International Bazaar in Urumqi. Here you would see architectural beauty, diverse products, culinary delights, and live performances. Enjoy the night and leave a good memory!
Day 10Urumqi Departure
Your guide and driver would accompany you to the airport in Urumqi to begin your journey home or fly onward to your next destination.
We trust this tour (once it’s personalized for you) will meet with your satisfaction and leave you with precious memories. Click Inquire to find out what we can do for you.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
