English Speaking Guide
Max Group size of 12 people
All accomodations included
Our tours get great reviews!
We have over 15 years experience
Price of tour: $1800*
* (Price can be 10% lower or higher depending on the season. Please tell us your preferred travel month in the booking form)
Set out on a grand adventure along China’s northwest frontier with this 12-day Qinghai and Gansu exploration tour. Start in Xining, visiting the sacred Kumbum Monastery and cycling beside the shimmering blue waters of Qinghai Lake. Marvel at the dazzling reflections of the Chaka Salt Lake, the “mirror of the sky.”
Travel by train to Zhangye to experience the breathtaking colors of the Danxia Rainbow Mountains, explore spiritual gems like Matisi Temple, and hike through the dramatic Pingshan Grand Canyon. Stroll along sections of the ancient Great Wall at Jiayuguan and climb its iconic fortress at the edge of the desert.
Continue to the legendary oasis of Dunhuang. Stand in awe before the ancient Buddhist art of the Mogao Caves and ride camels across the singing dunes of the Gobi Desert. Visit hidden grottoes, explore Silk Road market towns, and meet friendly local ethnic minorities along the way.
Each evening, relax in comfortable local hotels or charming guesthouses. Your tour includes daily breakfasts, all main entrance fees, transfers, a scenic train ride, and the expert leadership of an English-speaking guide. This journey is perfect for travelers who want a full sweep of history, natural wonders, and colorful culture—from highland lakes to desert sands—all seamlessly organized for you.
Picked up at airport, transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is yours to rest, or walk around in the city.
About 70 km from Xining to the South, arrive at Qunjia National Forest Park, the main residents are Tibetans, their traditional life and culture are well reserved here. Hike 5-10km in the virgin forest (downhill slowly), you will see snow mountains, green meadows, wild flowers, streams. Continue driving to Xiaqiong Monastery, it is one of the oldest monasteries in Qinghai, founded in 1394 by the first teacher of tsongkhapa. Drive back to Xining later.
After breakfast, drive to Kumbum Monastery(also known as Taer Temple), it’s ranked in importance as second only to Lhasa. Enjoy the “three wonders” of the monastery: lifelike butter flowers, colorufl murals and Tibetan embroidery. Later drive to Qinghai Lake, summer is the most beautiful season, golden rape flowers are blooming here. Walk by the lake, enjoy the peaceful time. Finally, drive to Chaka town.
In the morning visit Chaka Salt Lake, it’s known as the “mirror of sky” by travelers, walk along the lake, you can see the crystal salt clearly. Ride on the sightseeing train back. Next, Later, drive to Xining train station, take the high speed train to Zhangye.
Drive to Matisi temple, it translates as “Horse Hoof Monastery”. Admire a series of caves miraculously built in sheer sandstone cliffs, filled with carvings, temples and meditations room. Next drive to Pingshan Grand Canyon. After sightseeing, drive to Youqi.
Drive to Badain Jaran this morning, then change to the off-road vehicles to the desert. Explore and enjoy the different scenery and activities.
Today continue the desert journey in Badain Jaran. You can visit the lakes, oases, ancient temple in the isolated desert. After the trip in Badain Jaran desert, drive back to Zhangye, and have a good rest.
Drive to Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, also named as the Rainbow Mountains, it is a geological wonder of the world. The mountains are of unbelievable colours, changing tone as with the height of the sun. After that, drive to Jiayuguan.
This morning visit Jiayuguan Fort outside of the city, it is last portion of Great Wall of China built from Ming Dynasty in 14th century, and an essential part of Silk Road to the west. After that, drive to Dunhuang.
Drive to Mogao Grottoes in the morning, the caves located at a religious and culture crossroads on the Silk Road. Traders and officials donate and create them with colourful murals and delicate buddha statues inside. They were to pray for a safe journey to the west. In the afternoon, drive to Dunhuang Sands Dune, the wind blows the sand in the vast desert land, just as if it were singing. A few kilometers away, we drive to a wild desert, your evening will be spent here. Experiencing dining and camping in the desert.
Drive to Yumenguan, it was built around 111 BC, the important pass of the silk road leading to the western regions. Continue driving to Yadan Geopark, being in the middle of the Gobi Desert’s vast nothingness, you will know why Chinese call it the ghost city. It is extremely beautiful at sunset. Later drive back to Dunhuang.
Drive to airport, tour finishes.
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Our multilingual team’s passion ensures you receive personal, attentive, and friendly guidance—from planning to the last day of your trip.
Jessie | Founder
10 years experience in organizing expat tours in China.
Jessie first worked as travel consultant for many years, her excellent organizing skills and great travel route planning have won the trust of many customers. In 2018 she founded experiencetibet.org, an agency offering tours in Tibet autonomous region and other Tibetan areas in China such as Gansu, Yunnan and Sichuan. In 2020 she started yellowbirdtour.com, with destinations all over China.
Penny | China travel consultant
Penny has rich experience in organizing foreigners tours to many places in China, such as Tibet, Gansu, Yunnan, Xinjiang, Zhangjiajie. She is very responsive, always quick and patient. Customers like her, they always come back for more tours, and also recommend many of their friends to join.
Dawei | Tour guide / operator
Dawei is a Tibetan Buddhist, and comes from the most north edge of the Tibetan plateau in Qinghai province, Western China. He has travelled as a tour leader to many South Asian countries such as India, Bhutan and also nearly the entire country of China. He focuse especially on guiding in Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, Ningxia provinces and Tibetan regions. The activities of these various tour groups have included adopting family, horse racing, hiking, bird watching, cycling, camping, overseas students, cultural and religious sightseeing.
Andrew | Touir guide / operator
Andrew was born and grew up in a small village of Zhangjiajie, Hunan. From 2009-2012 he works for royal Caribbean International cruise as an onboard guest services officer. After that, he dedicates his life/time to guiding and operating tours in Zhangjiajie and around. As a native person, he knows all the corner of the scenic area, such as good restaurants, souvenir shops and cultures. He is very experienced and super flexible, he knows how to avoid the crowds and take advantage of the weather and offer the best travel experience to customers, all you need to do is just relax and enjoy!
