Dates:
All year round, contact us
Highlights
Visit the most charming region in China on this 7 days trip
Holy Tibetan monastery and Buddhism culture in Qinghai and Gansu
UNESCO world heritage Mogao Caves
Jiayuguan Pass and the famous Rainbow Mountains
Visit 3 lakes: Chaka Salt Lake, Qinghai Lake, and Crescent Lake
You'll also have a chance to stay overnight in a yurt-hotel and ride a camel in the desert
West part of China, famous for traditional Chinese cultures and ethnic groups, also has breathtaking views which can not be found in other places on this land. This 7days trip will take you to Xining, Qinghai Lake, Chaka, Zhangye, Jiayuguan and Dunhuang, where you can explore the fascinating landscape of West China and to experience different cultures of Chinese ethnic groups in this region.
Itinerary at glance
Xining - Zhangye - Jiayuguan - Dunhuang
■Day 1: Dunhuang Arrival ✈️
Airport pickup & Hotel check in
■ Day 2: Dunhuang
Visit sites: Mogao Grottoes, Echoing Sand Mountain, Shazhou night market
■ Day 3: Dunhuang 🚗 Danxia National Geological Park
Visit sites: Jiayuguan Pass
■ Day 4: Danxia National Geological Park 🚗 Mati Temple
Visit sites: Mati Temple, Rainbow Mountains
■ Day 5: Mati Temple 🚗 Xining
Visit sites: Ta'er Monastery(Kumbum Monastery)
■ Day 6: Xining 🚗 Qinghai Lake 🚗 Chaka Lake
Visit sites：Qinghai Lake
■ Day 7: Chaka Lake 🚗 Xining Departure ✈️
Visit sites: Chaka Salt Lake
With our itinerary, you will visit the most important places of the ancient silk road.
Visited sites:
Rainbow mountains drone view:
Testimonial
D1
Today your flight will arrive at Dunhuang. We will meet you at the airport exit with a welcome board and then transfer to the hotel to check in. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the city. Have a good rest for tomorrow's journey.
D2
This morning we will visit Mogao Grottoes, also known as the Thousand Buddha Grottoes, UNESCO World Heritage site. We will start with the 4D movie tracing back to the thousands of years Chinese history. The professional guide from the Mogao Grottoes will bring you to 8 grottoes with their special torch for you to have a clear view of the mural sand paintings. （Note: No photos and Video in the caves). The visiting time is around 4 hrs including a movie.
In the afternoon we will head up to Echoing Sand Mountain&Crescent Lake. When there is wild wind, the sands will be blown up and make a loud sound, while the sound sounds like being produced by some ancient musical instrument when blown by a breeze. The Crescent Lake has been in existence for hundreds of years without ever being buried by the sand.
Riding the camel as the Silk Road Caravan in the vast desert is highly recommended (approximately 40mins). Please bring your sunglasses and mask to keep out the dust.
In the evening, we will stroll around the Shazhou night market, where is a distinctive local attraction, you can taste the local cuisine and relax here. In addition to local specialties, there are many handicrafts waiting for you to discover. After visiting, back to hotel and have some rest, tomorrow will be more exciting.
D3
This morning we will visit the Jiayuguan Pass. This Ming Dynasty fort guards the strategic Jiayuguan Pass, at the western end of the Great Wall – this was the last section built by the Ming Dynasty.
In the afternoon we will say goodbye to Jiayuguan, and drive to Danxia National Geological Park for overnight stay. Amazing starry night is waiting for you. We will spend the night at Kaoshan Tent.
D4
Get up early to catch the sunrise in the splendid Danxia National Geological Park, the Rainbow Mountains. Ribbons of reds, oranges, and yellow slice through the rocks create a rainbow vista contained only by the contours of the jagged mountain peaks.
Continue our trip to visit the unique Mati Temple (the 'Hanging temple") built-in Jin Dynasty. A series of horse shoe prints are visible in Grotto 9, which are said to be left by a heaven horse. Hence, the temple was named for the horse shoe prints left by the legendary heaven horse, which become the treasure of the temple.
After the visiting, we will stay overnight under the foot of the mountains. The hotel is basic but full of the local style.
D5
Today we will drive to Xining, and in the afternoon we will bring you to visit Ta'er Monastery (Kumbum Monastery), the most populous monks outside of Tibet. Inside the monastery, apart from magnificent Buddha stupas and wall paintings, prayer wheels are also a must-see spot. The whole monastery is surrounded by wheels, walk along the corridor, rotate the wheels, and pray for chasing away the troubles.
Butter sculpture is one of the "Three Wonders of Art" of Ta'er Monastery. It is a variety of artistic boutiques, such as statues of Buddha, figures, landscapes, pavillions, birds, animals, flowers and trees, which are made of butter.
D6
Another delightful day is coming. We will ride the bikes around the beautiful Qinghai Lake after 2hours driving, or have the light trekking in the cole flower sea. It is no exaggeration to say that Qinghai Lake is a miracle that is endowed by a deity.
Every year from May to October, the nomadic Tibetan family will move to the side of the lake, it is so great to visit their family and learn their lifestyle. After that, drive to Chaka for overnight stay.
D7
After breakfast, we will head to explore Chaka Salt Lake, it is the largest saline in Qinghai Province, Chaka Salt Lake means “the sea of salt” in Mongolian. It lies in the center of QaiDam Basin, which was nominated by the national tourist geography magazine as one of the 55 places to visit. You will find perfect reflection in the lake, it's one of the top places for taking pictures!
After the visiting, our silk road trip is about to end. Then we will drive back to Xining and help you to catch your flight back home, see you next time!
Optional: ATV car riding; camel riding
Price: 6500 rmb/person, single room supplement - 1100 rmb
Included:
-Private transportation with A/C,
-English speaking guide,
-All the entrance fees as per itinerary,
-Hotel accommodations with breakfast (double occupancy),
-2 bottles of water/person everyday,
-Government tax,
-Insurance
Not included:
-Flights to Dunhuang and back to Shanghai,
-Lunches and dinners,
-Personal expenses,
-Optional activities(camel riding, etc.),
-Tips to the guide and driver (suggested 50 RMB/person/day),
-Invoice
PLEASE NOTE: if you sign up for the trip alone, we can try but cannot guarantee to find another participant to share a room with, please be ready to add an extra single supplement for a single room. Thank you for understanding.
Suggested flights (please don't book your flights before you confirm with us):
D1 10:25-16:10 Shanghai-Dunhuang
D7 19:50-22:50 Xining-Shanghai
You can also join us from another city, contact us for suggestions of the flight!
Hotel Reference
Hotel in Xining
Hotel in Chaka
Hotel in Zhangye
Kaoshan Tent
Dunhuang Hotel
Delicious food:
Roasted whole lamb
How to sign up?
1) Pls add our customer service and finish booking
2) Secure YOUR SEAT by transferring 2000 RMB deposit (the balance is due 10 days before the trip)
3) Send us the picture of the transaction and a clear picture of your passport
4) Receive confirmation (within 24 hours on weekdays)
If you have questions about this trip, please scan the QR code below:
Phone number: 173 0172 9741
Follow: wanna_travel
www.wannatravelshanghai.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wannatravel1
CANCELATION
In case of cancellation, the deposit is not refundable and cannot be used for another trip unless the replacement has been provided.
Cancellation 10-3 days before the trip: 50% refund
Cancellation 3-1 days or in case of no show: no refund
Disclaimer:
All forms of outdoor recreation (including hiking, kayaking and cyclying) have a higher level of risk than most ordinary activities.
By participating in WT's ourdoor activities, you acknowledge and accept the responsibility for making your own determinations as to the suitability of the activity and for their own safety, conduct, and well-being and agrees to participate solely at your own risk.
WT, its organizer & trip leaders will not be held responsible for any loss or injury which you may sustain as a result of your participation in any of these activities.
