5 Days Lanzhou and Ningxia Tour from Beijing
Tour Overview
This 5 days short Silk Road tour package from takes you through the rich history and landscapes of Lanzhou and Ningxia – the ancient Binglingsi Grottoes, Tibetan Buddhist culture at Labrang Monastery, and a scenic walk along the Yellow River.
Then travel to Zhongwei and Yinchuan to experience the thrill of Shapotou’s desert dunes and explore the mysterious Western Xia Tombs. With visits to museums, temples, and natural wonders, this private Silk Road trip is full of culture, history, and adventure.
Highlights of this tour
- Admire the ancient statues and murals of Binglingsi Grottoes.
- Learn about Tibetan Buddhist culture at Labrang Monastery.
- Visit Gansu Provincial Museum to learn about the local history.
- Stroll through Yellow River Park in Lanzhou and learn about Gansu’s rich history.
- Experience the thrilling sand dunes of Shapotou.
- Observe the majestic ancient architecture at Gao Temple.
- Explore the ancient Western Xia Tombs, the final resting place of emperors and royal families from the 11th century.
Basic Trip Information
Travel Route: Lanzhou-Xiahe-Zhongwei-Yinchuan-Beijing
Travel Length: 5 Days and 4 Nights
Tour Code:
Group Size: Only your family or group
Suitable for: Senior travelers, culture & history lovers
Departure: Any day you want
Day-to-day Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Lanzhou, Travel to Xiahe
Appreciate Statues and Murals of Binglingsi Grottoes
In the morning, a local driver in Beijing will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport to catch a flight to Lanzhou.
After landing, the tour guide in Lanzhou will wait for you at the exit of the arrival hall and then transfer you to visit Binglingsi Grottoes, with a history of more than 1,600 years. As the first Yellow River grotto on the Silk Road, the grottoes have undergone multiple dynasties of renovation. Nowadays, there are 216 existing niches, over 800 statues of various types, and a mural area of nearly 1,000 square meters. It is known as the “encyclopedia of Chinese grottoes”.
After the visit, continue driving for 280 km to Xiahe for an overnight stay.
Meal: Lunch
Accommodation: in Xiahe
Day 2 Xiahe to Lanzhou Tour
Learn about Tibetan Buddhist Culture and Art
After breakfast, your Silk Road tour in Xiahe begins at Labrang Monastery, one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism, known as the “World Tibetan Academy”. The temple covers a total area of 866,000 square meters and has 6 scripture halls and 48 large and small Buddhist halls. It is the political and religious center of Gannan region. You will learn about the rich Tibetan Buddhist culture and art.
After lunch, we drive for about 3.5 hours back to Lanzhou. Stay at your hotel in Lanzhou tonight.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Lanzhou
Day 3 Lanzhou to Zhongwei Tour by Bullet Train
Stroll around the Yellow River and Glimpse Gansu’s History
After breakfast, your Lanzhou tour takes you to visit the Gansu Provincial Museum. The local comprehensive museum has five exhibition halls, which boast 75,000 cultural relics ranging from natural specimens to historical, revolutionary, and national heritages. Then, have a walk along the Yellow River park.
After lunch, be transferred to Lanzhou Train Station and take a high-speed train (D8935/16:04-17:44). Arrived at Zhongwei, met by our representative from Zhongwei, and escorted to your hotel in Zhongwei.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Zhongwei
Day 4 Zhongwei Tour, To Yinchuan by High-speed Train
Have Fun at Shapotou of the Tengger Desert
Today you will enjoy a Ningxia tour at Shapotou. Situated 20 kilometers west of Zhongwei city, Shapotou is a 2,000-meter long and 100-meter high sand dune on the northern bank of the Yellow River, at the southern rim of the Tengger Desert. It is also a singing sand hill, singing as people slide down the slope.
Then, drive back to the city center of Zhongwei. After lunch, move on to Gao Temple, a temple complex originally built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD). Later, it was renovated many times. The present temple is a grand jumble of buildings and styles covering an area of about 4,000 square meters.
After dinner, take a high-speed train (C8214/20:43-21:54) to Yinchuan. Upon arrival, the local driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Yinchuan
Day 5 Yinchuan to Beijing Tour by Flight, Departure
Explore the Highlights of Yinchuan from Museum to Tombs
Today you will have a full-day highlight tour of Yinchuan:
Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Museum – Located in the old district of Yinchuan City, the museum is located in the Chengtian Temple and the main building of the temple is used as its central hall. It is a comprehensive-level museum that displays Ningxia’s historical artifacts, local customs, art collections, and many more.
Western Xia Tombs – The Western Xia tombs is located at the foot of the Helan Mountains in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The tomb area covers 9 imperial mausoleums and 250 tombs of imperial relatives and officials. The Western Xia state existed between 1038 and 1227 when it was finally taken over by the Mongols under Chingis Khan.
Ningxia Sand Lake Scenic Resort (Shahu) – The Sand Lake Scenic Resort is a nice site for holidaymakers. The resort has a lake, sand dunes, and fishing and is a great place to do some bird watching.
After all visits in Yinchuan, take the evening flight back to Beijing. Meet our driver in Beijing and be transferred to your hotel in Beijing.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
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