8-Day Qinghai to Dunhuang Group Tour

Meals: No meals
Accommodation: In Xining

Arrive in Xining and transfer to the hotel for check-in. At an altitude of 2,261 meters, Xining has a generally mild climate but marked temperature differences between day and night, so pack warm clothing. You may explore the city independently and try local cuisine.

Note: Please do not do strong exercises especially soon after landing on the highland. The temperature of Xining drops below zero degree centigrade when in winter and spring. Please drink enough water and take good rest.

Ta'er Monastery

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Chaka

After breakfast, spend about 3.5 hours at Taer Monastery , founded in 1379 during the Ming dynasty. The monastery is the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelugpa tradition, and remains an important center of Tibetan Buddhism in northwest China as well as one of the country's six major Gelugpa monasteries.

After lunch, continue to Qinghai Lake for about two hours; the scenic-area bus and boat are not included. China's largest inland and saltwater lake is traditionally associated with the images of a “green lake” and a natural “fairyland.” Afterwards, check in at the hotel in Chaka.

Qinghai Lake

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Xining

We will drive to Chaka Salt Lake (about 2.5hrs, scenic train, bus and boat are not included) in the morning. It is a natural crystallized saline lake surrounded by mountainous scenery in the Qaidam Basin. The snow-white lakebed and the crystal blue water reflecting the azure sky wins it the reputation of the “Mirror of the Sky.” Afterwards we will head back to Xining.

Chaka Salt Lake

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Kaoshan Mongolian Camp

In the morning we will visit the Qilian Mountain Grassland (about 40mins). It is rated as Top 6 Most Beautiful Grasslands by Chinese National Geography.

Then we will drive to Zhangye Shandan Horse Farm (about 1.5hr), horseback riding experience at Shandan Horse Farm. It has a history of more than 2100 years and is the oldest racecourse in the world as well as the biggest horse farm in the world. Afterwards we will drive to Danxia Town to taste local food and watch the show – Huidao Zhangye (Return to Zhangye). Then head to Zhangye Kaoshan Camp.

Zhangye Kaoshan Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Zhangye

After breakfast we will go to the Mati Temple (about 2hrs including sightseeing and driving). First built in the northern Liang period (397-460), Mati Temple is a famous Buddhist site along the historical Hexi Corridor. With a history of more than 1,600 years, the Mati Temple Grottoes, together with Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang and Yulin Grottoes in Anxi, are called the “three art treasures of Hexi Buddhism.”

Then we will head to Pingshanhu Grand Canyon (about 4hrs). Pingshanhu Grand Canyon is only 56km from the city, is one of the most beautiful geomorphologic landscapes in Zhangye's grand view garden. In the canyon, the mountains wind leaning the walls, peaks tower along the terrain, stone forest interlock with each other, as if a mirage and fairy mountain. Later we will head back to Zhangye.

Mati Temple

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Jiayuguan

After breakfast at the hotel, spend about two hours at the Rainbow Mountains within Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park. Extending along the northern slope of the Qilian Mountains in Gansu, the park presents varied colorful Danxia formations and one of the largest Danxia landscapes in an arid region.

Continue to Jiayuguan Pass for about two hours. Built during the Ming dynasty, the pass marks the western end of the Great Wall and stands between two hills, giving rise to its traditional title, “The First and Greatest Pass under Heaven.”

Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Dunhuang

Today, spend no less than three hours at Singing Sand Dune & Crescent Spring; the shuttle bus is not included. Echoing Sand Mountain forms a series of dunes around Crescent Lake and is named for the sounds created as wind moves across the sand. The lake and gardens along its banks provide a vivid contrast with the surrounding dunes. Afterwards, check in at the hotel in Dunhuang.

Echoing Sand Dune & Crescent Spring

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, spend about 3.5 hours at the Mogao Grottoes. Alongside Yungang and Longmen, Mogao is regarded as one of China's three great grotto complexes. Its 735 caves preserve more than 45,000 square meters of murals, over 2,400 painted sculptures and five surviving wooden cave-front structures from the Tang and Song dynasties. The site records both the development of Chinese grotto art and the history of civilization along the western Hexi Corridor. Afterwards, transfer to the airport.

Service Ends.