12 Days Qinghai and Gansu Exploration

Professional 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)

Short tour summary

Tour highlights: Qunjia Hike | Xiaqiong Monastery | Kunbum Monastery | Qinghai Lake Cycling | Chaka Lake | Zhangye Danxia Park | Matisi Temple | Pingshan Grand Canyon | Badain Jaran Desert | Jiayuguan | Dunhuang Desert | Mogao Grottoes | Yumenguan | Yadan Park

Day by day schedule:

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Day 1: Xining Arrival

Picked up at airport, transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is yours to rest, or walk around in the city.

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Day 2: Xining- Qunjia-Xiaqiong Monastery-Xining 250km

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.

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Day 3: Xining- Kumbum Monastery-Qinghai Lake- Chaka 300km

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.

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Day 4: Chaka Lake-Xining 300km & Xining- Zhangye Fast Train 2hrs

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.

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Day 5: Zhangye-Matisi temple-Pingshan Grand Canyon-Youqi 260km

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.

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Day 6: Youqi-Badian Desert

Drive to Badain Jaran this morning, then change to the off-road vehicles to the desert. Explore and enjoy the different scenery and activities.

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Day 7: Badian Desert

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.

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Day 8: Zhangye-Danxia-Jiayuguan 260km

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.

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Day 9: Jiayuguan- Dunhuang 380km

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.

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Day 10: Mogao Grottoes, Singing Sands Dune, Desert Dining & Camping

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.

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Day 11: Dunhuang-Yumenguan-Yadan Park 330km

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.

Day 12: Dunhuang Departure

Drive to airport, tour finishes.

Included in the price

  • airport and train station pickup and drop service
  • experienced, knowledgable english-speaking guide
  • transportation whilst on tour
  • local 4 star hotels, based on double occupancy(one night economy hotel in Chaka)
  • breakfast
  • entrance fee
  • bottle water
  • lots of fun people
  • cycling experience at qinghai lake
  • water, first-aid box

Excluded from the price

  • flights or trains
  • other meals
  • tips for guide and driver
  • single room supplement fee 2800-3200rmb (If you are alone and willing to share, we shall put another solo taveler with you in same room. We can’t guarantee the roommate.)

Enquiry & Booking

Please fill out this short form and we will send you an itinerary and options to book this tour with us. Thank you for your trust and looking forward to welcome you on this amazing tour! 

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