8 Days Qinghai, Chaka Lake and Gansu Silk Road

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: $979*

* (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

Day by day schedule:

Day 1: Xining Arrival

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

Day 2: Xining- Kumbum Monastery-Qinghai Lake Cycling- 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, take a bike by the lake, enjoy the peaceful time. Finally, drive to Chaka town.

Day 3: 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. Later, drive to Xining train station, take the high speed train to Zhangye.

Day 4: Zhangye: Matisi Temple, Pingshan Grand Canyon

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, it is the TOP5 grand canyon in the world, hike in the park for about 2 hours.

Day 5: Zhangye- 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 colors, changing tone as with the height of the sun. After that, drive to Jiayuguan.

Day 6: Jiayuguan- Dunhuang 380km

This morning visit Jiayuguan Fort outside of the city, it is the last portion of Great Wall of China built from Ming Dynasty in 14th century, and an essential part of Silk Road to the west. 1hr’s climing up and down on the great wall can be experienced if you want. After that, drive to Dunhuang.

Day 7: Dunhuang: Mogao Grottoes, Singing Sands Dune

Drive to Mogao Grottoes in the morning, it is considered one of the most important collections of Buddhist art in the world. Started in 366 A.D, now it has 735 caves with beautiful murals and colored clay sculptures inside. In 1987, it was listed as world cultural heritage. In the afternoon, drive to Dunhuang Sands Dune, the wind blows the sand in the vast desert land, just as if it were singing. Camel riding can be experienced with extra fee.

Day 8: 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
xining to zhangye train ticket
cycling experience at qinghai lake
water, first-aid box

Excluded from the price

flights or trains to Xining and out of Dunhuang
other meals
tips for guide and driver
single room supplement fee 1200-2000rmb (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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