8 Days Silk Road Adventure Tour from Xining to Dunhuang

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Xining
   Visit a Significant Tibetan Buddhism Site with Tibetan and Han Chinese Architecture

   Welcome to our 8-day private Silk Road tour! Upon your arrival at Xining airport, the English-speaking tour guide and local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name. Then, you will be escorted to your hotel in the downtown area.

   After a short rest, your Silk Road tour in Xining will start with a visit to Ta'er Monastery. As one of the "Six Great Monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism Gelug Sect", Ta'er Monastery shares the same popularity as Qinghai Lake. It is the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Tibetan Buddhism Gelug Sect. Dating from the Ming Dynasty, the monastery is composed of Buddha halls, pagodas, Lama residences, a scripture repository, and the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. It is the place to see a mix of Tibetan and Han Chinese architectural styles.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Xining

   

2. Day 2: Xining to Chaka Town Tour
   Visit Qinghai Lake for Scenic Beauty and Optional Activities

   We will depart at 08:30 in the morning and reach Qinghai Lake via Sun-moon Mountain in about 2.5 hours. Qinghai Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in China with tremendous wildlife species and diverse landscapes packed around its huge water body. If you want to seek tranquil natural scenery, sparse tourists, Tibetan culture, and adventurous activities, it should be a wonderful destination.

   You will mainly visit the Erlangjian Scenic Area, the pearl in Qinghai Lake scenic area with a laid-back sandy beach, lush green grassland, and a great abundance of water activities. Boat cruises, horse riding, and bike riding are available around the lake, and you can pay on your own if you want to experience it (optional).

   After that, we will head to Chaka town which takes around 2.5 hours on the road. Have a good rest in the van.

   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.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Chaka Town

   

3. Day 3: Xining to Zhangye Tour by High-speed Train
   Take Nice Photos at the "Mirror of the Sky"

   Today's Silk Road tour allows you to relax in the amazing Chaka Salt Lake! Covering an area of 105 square kilometers, Chaka Salt Lake is one of the most popular destinations as well as an important salt mine in Qinghai. The lake is famous for its crystal-blue water, and serene water reflections, hence its name "Mirror of the Sky". For those shutterbugs, it is a can't-miss for some stunning pictures.

   We will arrange for you to take a scenic train ride directly to the hinterland of the lake. You can take a walk on the crystalline salt lake. Of course, you can also choose from other optional activities including a boat trip along the canal that transports the salt or a panoramic view of the salt lake from the Observation Tower.

   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.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Zhangye

   

4. Day 4: Zhangye Tour
   Hike the magnificent Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon for Stunning Views

   After breakfast, you will be guided to visit the Giant Buddhist Temple. Built in the Western Xia Dynasty (1308-1227), the Giant Buddhist Temple survived from the vicissitudes and stood on the Silk Road for 900 years. There is a gigantic sleeping Buddha statue of Sakyamuni, the largest scale in Asia inside the temple, hence the name. The beautiful woodcarving, paintings, and statues as well as the underlying culture and history impress travelers a lot.

   

   In the afternoon, you will go to Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon. A magnificent grand canyon that is comparable to the famous Grand Canyon in the United States, Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon is the place not only for beautiful scenic views but also for witnessing a wide species of wild animals and birds. The basic geomorphic features of the canyon are water flowing gully, and colorful mountains being engraved into breathtaking landscapes.

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

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Zhangye

   

5. Day 5: Zhangye Rainbow Mountain Tour
   Admire the Colors of Rainbow Mountain in Zhangye Danxia Geological Park

   In the morning, you will visit Matisi Grottoes. It is one of the "Three Artistic Grottoes of Hexi Corridor". Standing against the hills where plenty of grottoes were engraved, it will offer you an incredible combination of Buddhist temples and mountain grottoes. Another highlight of the Mati Temple is that it combines both Han Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism.

   

   After that, follow your guide to explore the Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park. Known for its colorful and magnificent rock formations, Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park is listed as one of the 'Top 10 Geographical Wonders of the World' by National Geographic. We will visit the Rainbow Mountain Scenic Area, the highlight of the geological park which are masterpieces of nature with layered undulating ridges and colorful mountain folds. The sightseeing of sunrise or sunset from the viewing platform is so breathtaking to inspire photographers around the world.

   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.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Kaoshan Tent

   

6. Day 6: Jiayuguan to Dunhuang Tour
   Explore Ancient Fortresses and Significant Segments of the Great Wall

   After driving through the yellow sand of the desert, you will come to Jiayuguan Pass, also known as the "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 site 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.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Dunhuang

   

7. Day 7: Dunhuang Tour
   Have Fun at Echoing-Sand Mountain and Experience the Vibrant Night Market

   In the morning, head to the amazing Mogao Grottoes to start your Dunhuang tour. As the existing anthology of Buddhist art with the biggest scale and the best preservation in the world, Mogao Caves wins fame as "the pearls of oriental art". There are more than 2,000 ancient colored sculptures in the caves, 90 percent of which were restored during the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912). However, Cave No.45 still preserves the originally painted sculptures of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the most breathtaking masterpieces among the painted sculptures.

   

   In the afternoon, transfer you to visit Echoing-Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake, an incredible view where the golden dunes and green oases coexist in harmony. Echo Sand Mountain (Mingsha Mountain) is a lonely sand mountain in the open desert formed by the action of wind. The sand will echo when there is a strong wind, hence its name. Next to the sand dunes, the Crescent Spring is the only oasis that adds much vitality and energy to the barren desert.

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

   After that, transfer you to 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.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Dunhuang

   

8. Day 8: Dunhuang Departure

   Enjoy your leisurely morning until your driver escorts you to the airport for your flight to your next destination or home. Your 8-day Silk Road tour ends here. Hope you had a good time with China Xian Tour and wish you all the best in the future.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A