13 Days Qinghai, Gansu and Xinjiang Tour
Tour Overview
Through Qinghai, Gansu, and Xinjiang, you will discover the rich history and natural beauty of China Silk Road on this 13-day private journey. Explore ancient Buddhist temples, mysterious grottoes, and the colorful Danxia landforms.
Visit a local Tibetan family, marvel at the Great Wall’s western point in Jiayuguan, and experience the desert wonders of Dunhuang. Last, travel to South Xinjiang to ancient Silk Road towns, including the ruins of Jiaohe and Gaochang, and admire unique irrigation systems and vibrant Islamic architecture.
Highlights of this tour
- Glimpse Chinese Tibetan Buddhist temple – Ta’er Monastery.
- Marvel at the colorful rock formations of Zhangye Rainbow Mountain.
- Explore the western gateway of the Great Wall – Jiayuguan Pass.
- Enjoy the unique coexistence of sand dunes and the Crescent Lake in Dunhuang.
- Immerse in 1,000 years of Buddhist art, murals, and statues at Mogao Caves.
- Wander through the largest, oldest, and best-preserved earthen city ruins in the world.
- At Gaochang Ruins, visit the palace architectural sites and learn about its past stories.
Basic Trip Information
Travel Route: Xining-Lanzhou-Xiahe-Wuwei-Zhangye-Jiayuguan-Dunhuang-Turpan-Urumqi
Travel Length: 13 Days and 12 Nights
Tour Code:
Group Size: Only your family or group
Suitable for: Culture & history lovers
Departure: Any day you want
Your tour – quick look
Day 1-3 Xining Arrival, High-speed Train to Lanzhou
Upon arrival in Xining, visit one of the famous Tibetan Buddhist temples in Qinghai Province, Ta’er Monastery. Then take a high-speed train to Lanzhou to visit Gansu Provincial Museum and enjoy a Lanzhou side tour of Binglingsi Grottoes.
Day 4-5 Xiahe Tour
Two days exploration of the highlights of Xiahe County, including Sangke Prairie and Labrang Monastery. Also, have a chance to visit a local Tibetan family to learn about the nomadic life of local people. After that, drive back to Lanzhou.
Day 6-7 Wuwei and Zhangye Tour
Travel to Wuwei to Leitai Han Tomb of the Han Dynasty and the Confucius Temple. Then transfer to Zhangye for the gorgeous Danxia Rainbow Mountains, Giant Buddha Temple, and Wooden Pagoda Temple.
Day 8-10 Jiayuguan & Dunhuang Tour, High-speed Train to Turpan
In Jiayuguan, ascend the Jiayuguan Pass and appreciate Wei-Jin Art Gallery. Then drive to Dunhuang to experience desert fun in Echoing-Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake, and explore the Mogao Grottoes, a famous site along the Silk Road. Take a high-speed train to Turpan.
Day 11-13 Turpan Tour, Urumqi Departure
Enjoy 2 full days exploring Turpan’s best attractions: Jiaohe Ruins, Karez Well, Sugong Pagoda, Gaochang Ruins, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, and Flaming Mountain. After the visits, travel to Urumqi for departure.
Day-to-day Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Xining
After your arrival, a local private driver in Xining will greet you at the airport or train station by holding a board with your name. Then, transfer you to check into the hotel and enjoy your free time.
Meal: N/A
Accommodation: in Xining
Day 2 Xining to Lanzhou Tour by High-speed Train
Visit a Famous Tibetan Buddhist Temple
After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to visit the Ta’er Monastery, one of the famous Tibetan Buddhist temples in Qinghai Province. If you happen to travel to the temple in the first, fourth, sixth, or ninth month of the Chinese calendar, you will have the chance to experience the royal temple fair in the temple.
In the afternoon, take a bullet train to Lanzhou. You will be met and greeted by a local guide at the train station and taken to visit the Gansu Provincial Museum. Learn about the history of this city through some precious cultural relics. After the visit, transfer you to the local hotel for check-in.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Lanzhou
Day 3 Lanzhou to Binglinsi Temple Tour, To Xiahe
Take a Speedboat to the Buddhist Grottoes
Today, depart Lanzhou for a tour of Binglingsi Grottoes by boat to visit the completely preserved grottoes. There are 776 Buddha statues, over 1,076 square yards of murals, and 6 stone sculptures from 1,600 years ago waiting for your exploration. After the visit, continue driving to Xiahe.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Xiahe
Day 4 Xiahe Tour
Enjoy Plateau Grassland Before Visiting a Local Family
Begin your Xiahe Silk Road tour after breakfast. Then we travel to Sangke Prairie to witness the typical plateau grassland. After that, you will be guided to pay a visit to a local Tibetan family to learn about the nomadic life of local people.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Xiahe
Day 5 Xiahe Back to Lanzhou Tour
See the Largest Buddhist Institute of Tibetan Buddhism
In the morning, pick you up from your hotel and transfer to Labrang Monastery, the largest Buddhist Institute of Tibetan Buddhism. You will appreciate thousands of statues of Buddha made of various materials. Also, have the chance to watch the morning devotion here. After the visit, we will drive back to Lanzhou.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Lanzhou
Day 6 Wuwei Tour from Lanzhou to Zhangye
Marvel at the Colorful Danxia Landform
After breakfast, we will drive to Wuwei to visit the Leitai Han Tomb of the Han Dynasty from where the Galloping Bronze Horse was unearthed, and the Confucius Temple. Then transfer you to Zhangye.
Upon arrival, a local private Zhangye tour guide will lead you to visit the gorgeous Danxia landform, where you can see a truly picturesque world made up of red, white, yellow, and other colors of rock. There are multiple observation decks in the scenic area, among which visitors can overlook the magnificent scenery from the Cloud Sea Terrace. The Rainbow Terrace is the best place to enjoy the sunset. The rainbow glow falls on the hills, and its colors are particularly brilliant against the afterglow of the setting sun.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Zhangye
Day 7 Zhangye Tour
Explore the Landmarks of Zhangye from Temple to Pagoda
Today’s Silk Road trip continues in Zhangye. The first stop will be the Giant Buddha Temple, the largest architectural relics in Gansu Province from the West Xia Dynasty (1038-1227).
Then move on to visit the Wooden Pagoda Temple, located in the central square of Zhangye City, which is an iconic historical building with a history of nearly 1,500 years. The tower is 32.8 meters high and has a delicate structure. The temple houses a folk museum, which is a great place to learn about local culture and history.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Zhangye
Day 8 Zhangye to Jiayuguan Tour
Appreciate the Exquisite Brick Paintings
Check out the hotel in Zhangye and continue to travel westward to Jiayuguan City. Upon arrival, your guide will lead you to visit the famous Jiayuguan Pass, the very west starting point of the Chinese Great Wall. Then transfer to visit the Wei-Jin Art Gallery, a shared burial area of local people in ancient times. The highlight of the gallery is the brick paintings. After the visit, escort you to the hotel for rest.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: Jiayuguan
Day 9 Jiayuguan to Dunhuang Tour
Experience Various Desert Activities
In the early morning, pick you up from hotel and transfer you to Dunhuang, one of the most important cities along the ancient Silk Road. Upon arrival, enjoy the first attraction of your Dunhuang Silk Road tour – Echoing-Sand Mountain, which is named after the sound of sand movement.
It stretches for more than 40 kilometers from east to west and is about 20 kilometers wide from north to south. The main peak is 1,715 meters above sea level. Crescent Spring, surrounded by sand mountains, resembles a crescent moon with clear and transparent water, known as the “No.1 Spring in the Desert”. You can experience various activities here at your own expense, such as sand slide, camel riding, etc.
After the fun, go to your Dunhuang hotel for check-in.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Dunhuang
Day 10 Dunhuang to Turpan Tour by High-speed Train
Learn about the Buddhist Art at Mogao Caves
After breakfast, take a guided tour of Mogao Grottoes, an important cultural site on the Silk Road, founded in 366 AD. There are 735 existing caves, 45,000 square meters of murals, and over 2,400 colored sculptures. It is not only a treasure trove of Buddhist art, but also a precious resource for studying ancient Chinese religions.
In the afternoon, take a high-speed train to Turpan. The local driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Turpan.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Turpan
Day 11 Turpan Highlights Tour
Tour Ancient Ruins, Marvel at Underground Irrigation Systems
The private Silk Road trip in Turpan of Xinjiang first takes you to visit the Jiaohe Ruins, one of the most important towns along the ancient Silk Road and the largest, the oldest and best-preserved earth construction in the world. Next, go to visit the Karez Well – an amazing irrigation system that made Turpan a rich oasis. Then, come to the largest existed ancient Islamic pagoda in Xinjiang, Sugong Pagoda. After the visit, transfer to the local hotel for check-in.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Turpan
Day 12 Turpan to Urumqi Tour
Admire Religious and Palace Architectural Sites
After breakfast, continue your Turpan trip to the Gaochang Ruins, located about 40 kilometers east of the city, which is a site of ancient cities from the Western Han Dynasty to the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. Its layout and architectural form are similar to Xi’an (the ancient city of Chang’an) in the Tang Dynasty. You will see a large number of religious and palace architectural sites here.
Next, we will go to Baizikeli Thousand Buddha Caves. There are currently 83 caves, 57 of which are well preserved, with a total mural area of 1,200 square meters and rich content. It witnessed cultural exchanges along the Silk Road.
The last stop is Flame Mountain, named after its red sandstone terrain that burns like flames in the sunlight. This is one of the hottest places in China, with the highest summer temperature reaching 47.8 ℃. After the visit, we will drive to Urumqi for the night.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Urumqi
Day 13 Departure from Urumqi
The private driver will escort you to the airport to catch the flight home. Hope the 13-day in-depth Silk Road tour of Qinghai Gansu Xinjiang leaves you an impressive and pleasant memory.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
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