8 Days Lanzhou to Badain Jarhan Desert Group Tour, Lanzhou to Dunhuang Tour, Silk Road Tour in Group

Tour Itinerary Expand All

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1Arrival Lanzhou

Transfer service to hotel

Meals: No meals
Accommodation: In Lanzhou

Today we will arrive in Lanzhou. Check in the reserved hotel. No sightseeing activity will be arranged today so the rest time is for you to explore the city on your own. You can also try some local cuisines if time permits.

Lanzhou Beef Noodle

Day 2Lanzhou – Zhangye

Mati Temple, Zhangye Rainbow Mountain, Kaoshan Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Zhangye Kaoshan Camp

After breakfast, we will head to Mati Temple (about 2hrs including sightseeing and driving). First built in the northern Liang period (397-460), Mati Temple is a famous Buddhist site along the historical Hexi Corridor. With a history of more than 1,600 years, the Mati Temple Grottoes, together with Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang and Yulin Grottoes in Anxi, are called the "three art treasures of Hexi Buddhism."

After lunch we will proceed to Zhangye Rainbow Mountain (about 2hrs, scenic bus not included). Extending along the northern slope of Qilian Mountain in west China, Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park in Gansu is the best representative of China's colorful Danxia landform and the largest Danxia landscape in an arid area, with a wide variety of landforms. Undulating fiery-red ridges together with amazing multicolored mountain folds transform the park into an immense sea of fire with rolling waves, earning it the reputation of China's Rainbow Mountains and also one of the 'Top 10 Geographical Wonders of the World' selected by the National Geographic. Then we will check in the Kaoshan Camp.

Kaoshan Camp

Day 3Zhangye – Badain Jarhan

Pingshanhu Grand Canyon

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Badain Jarhan Scientific Research Station

We will head to Pingshanhu Grand Canyon (about 4hrs), which is only 56km from the city, is one of the most beautiful geomorphologic landscapes in Zhangye’s grand view garden. In the canyon, the mountains wind leaning the walls, peaks tower along the terrain, stone forest interlock with each other, as if a mirage and fairy mountain. Then let’s proceed to Badain Jarhan.

Badain Jarhan Scientific Research Station

Day 4Badain Jarhan

Badain Jarhan Desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Mongolian Camp Deep In Badain Jarhan Desert

Today we will visit the Badain Jarhan Desert after breakfast. The Badain Jarhan desert is the 3rd largest desert in the world roughly 150 kilometers north of the Hexi corridor and covering an area of over 49,000 square kilometers. It is home to the largest dunes on earth, the highest of which tower over 450 meters tall and stretch over 5 km in length. In addition to its megadunes, the Badain Jarhan also boasts roughly 140 spring fed-lakes that reside in the interspaces of its giant mega dunes, creating one of the most captivating desert landscapes in the world. It is not a "Waterless place", from these lakes that the Badain Jaran has derived its name, which means "mysterious lake" in the local Mongolian dialect.

Camp in Badain Jarhan Desert

Day 5Badain Jarhan – Jiayuguan

Jiayuguan Pass

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Jiayuguan

In the morning we will head to Jiayuguan Pass (about 2hrs). It is the first pass at the west end of the Great Wall of China and was built during the Ming Dynasty. It is located at the foot of Jiayuguan Hill, between two hills of which the Pass lies, so earned the name “The First and Greatest Pass under the Heaven”.

Jiayuguan

Day 6Jiayuguan – Dunhuang

Yangguan Pass Scenic Area

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Dunhuang

After breakfast, we’ll visit Yangguan Pass Scenic Area in Dunhuang (at least 3 hours). It’s 70 km southwest of Dunhuang, built during the Han Dynasty. Named for being south of Yumen Pass, it was a key Silk Road gateway back then. You’ll see ancient relics like the old pass, watchtowers, and parts of the Han Great Wall. Stay the night in Dunhuang.

Yangguan Pass

Day 7Dunhuang – Lanzhou

Singing Sand Dune & Crescent Lake, Mogao Grottoes, Take a overnight train to Lanzhou

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight Train

After breakfast, we’ll go to Singing Sand Dune & Crescent Lake in Dunhuang (scenic shuttle bus not included, at least 3 hours). These twin desert wonders are famous for their sand dunes and spring coexisting for thousands of years—like a magical pairing of sand and water! People say the mountain “sings” with its echoes, and the spring “cleanses” the heart.

After lunch, visit Mogao Grottoes (about 3.5 hours total), also called Thousand Buddha Caves. It’s the world’s biggest Buddhist art treasure, packed with amazing murals and statues from ancient times. Walking through these caves feels like stepping into a mix of legends and history. Afterwards, we’ll take you to the railway station for your overnight train to Lanzhou.

Singing Sand Dune & Crescent Lake

Day 8Departure Lanzhou

Yellow Riverside, Transfer service to airport

Meals: Breakfast

When you arrive in Lanzhou, we’ll pick you up and take you for a local breakfast—famous Lanzhou beef noodles! After that, we’ll explore the Yellow River Scenic Road (about 2 hours in total). This is Lanzhou’s main riverside area, stretching along the Yellow River for over 50 kilometers. People call it the "Lanzhou Bund" because it’s got beautiful views and cool spots along the water!

After the tour, we’ll drive you to the airport for your flight.

Yellow River

Service Ends.

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Tour Price (US$ per person)

Price for V3:

Travel Dates: Every Saturday

Adult
on sharing basis

Single

Supplement

Shoulder Season
(Mar - Jun, Sep - Oct)

US$1547/P.P

US$197/P.P

High Season
(Jul - Aug, and National Day)

US$1763/P.P

US$263/P.P

Note:

The tour departs on every Saturday.
The tour departs when at least 2 travelers join the group.
The vehicle used for the tour depends on how many travelers join the group.
Children Policy:

Child traveling must be escorted by the adult.
Children under 1.2 meters (inclusive) or 6 years of age (inclusive):
Included: Vehicle seat, meals, and insurance fees.
Excluded: All additional expenses.
If two adults share a room, a single-room supplement applies for the child.

Price includes:

6 nights 4-star accommodation with breakfast.
Overnight train from Dunhuang to Lanzhou on soft-berth spleeper basis.
Sharing-vehicle with air conditioning.
Excellent English-speaking guide.
Entrance tickets mentioned in the itinerary.
6 breakfasts and 6 lunches at CNY60 per person per meal.
Travel agency liability insurance and personal travel accident insurance.

Price excludes:

Personal expenses
Single room supplement or extra bed fee
Optional activities (e.g., Qinghai Lake cruise: CNY140-180/person; Chaka Salt Lake sightseeing train: CNY50/person one-way, battery car: CNY10/person.)
Additional costs arising from force majeure events

Useful Information

Traveler Reviews Feedbacks & Photos >>Feedbacks

5.0

PunkNelson

5.0

Great Hotel stay Very Nice Tour guides Convenient planned daily trips Average selection of restaurant for food though

Kiwimac53

5.0

We were looking for a tour in SW China while in the area for work and found this one. While we wouldn't normally get a private tour but surprisingly it was actually cheaper than most of the group tours in the area and was great value. While I would usually rather keep one guide for the whole tour, as you get to know each other and they get to know what you are interested in, we changed guides 5 times during this trip (fortunately we had the same guide in Kunming at the start and end of the tour which was a real bonus as Murphy, our Kunming based guide, was excellent.) In this case changing guides had the advantage of local knowledge at each site so compensated for the change. Of the 4 guides we had 3 excellent and 1 very good with each of them working hard to look after us and make sure we enjoyed our trip. Vicky, our Dali based guide was also extremely good making our time there a highlight. The tour gives you 2 days at each base ie travel in the morning, have the afternoon and the next day touring the area then drive to the next base. We chose the driving tour as we feel it gives you a better experience of the area and you get to see the locals in action. All the drivers we had were great - they went out of their way to look after us and were very safe, which is saying something for driving in China. While all of the guides were very fluent in English none of the drivers could speak English which was a slight disadvantage as you didn't have the guides with you when traveling between bases but the friendliness and helpfulness of the drivers more than made up for this. The tour was very well organised and we knew what we were doing from the time we met our guide on arrival at the Kunming railway station to when we walked through security at the airport on our way out. The tour comes with 4,5 and 6 star accommodation choices and we went for the cheapest 4 star option. While the English at the hotels was limited the guides made sure we were checked in and out and took care of any issues (which were minimal). The 4 star option is largely "Chinese style" hotels ie designed for Chinese visitors with breakfast consisting of what many westeners would consider dinner style food but there was always eggs and toast for the less adventurous. The hotels were all clean and comfortable and generally very well located. The Hotel in Kunming (Jin Jang Inn) was a bonus as it seemed higher than 4 star and we stayed there both on our way in and out. As well as breakfast, lunch came with the tour which was enjoyable as the guides choose the restaurants so we got a variety. I got the feeling that most of the restaurants were owned by friends or family or there was some arrangement with the guide, but as you get to formally review each guide and the meals at the end of each stop they work hard to make sure you enjoy the meal and there was always an abundance of food. We tried a range of local cuisine and there was only one meal we didn't think was up to par. You get your own dinner which also suited us as there is invariably a range of restaurants or for the more adventurous there is the street vendors and you can choose what you want. The vehicles we were driven in were all very good- plenty of space and very comfortable. Being a private tour, while there was a set itinerary, which was diverse and very interesting with something for most people, the guides could tweak it to suit individual interests eg more time at one site and less at another. It is easy to get a bit templed out but overall the itinerary was a good mic of nature and culture. I would thoroughly recommend the tour and the company and we will be looking to the company if/when we go back - Guilin is next on the list as the guides were very happy to discus what they thought we would and wouldn't enjoy based on working with us on this tour,

N2265ZIinfo

5.0

Excellent guides, flexible and knowledgeable travel agent. They speak good English. Our trip was very well organized. We are 100% happy and I can recommend Top China Travel to everybody.

Wesley O

5.0

I contacted Top China travel for a 13 day China vacation (Beijing/Xian/Yangtze River cruise/Shanghai) and right from the start Bonnie provided me with great choices and package options. Throughout the entire planning and even during the trip Bonnie was there for us following up and making sure everything was perfect. Thank you Bonnie for making our China vacation unforgettable.

Johnf8958

5.0

From the minute I contacted Vicky at Top China Travel to book our holiday, to the time we were taken to Pudong airport for our flight home, the experience was perfect. My wife and I visited Beijing, Xian and Shanghai and all of our tour guides were fluent in English, very knowledgeable and very friendly. Thank you Vicky and all at TCT and I will definitely be in contact when I return to China.

lakazdi

5.0

I went on a Top China Travel group tour. Everything was so well organised that I never had to worry about anything. I really liked that the group was small and it felt like we were a big group of old-friends all travelling together, not just a passenger on the bus. Every hotel, guide, driver and restaurant was very well picked. I was very happy with how well-informed each guide was, how flexible they were to ensure we all had a great time, and their English was all very good. At every step of the way, guides had us fill in a Top China Travel feedback form which I am certain the company take very seriously since their service was so good. I will be passing on their details to all my friends and family who want to travel in China.

DEBORAH O

5.0

Thanks to Ms Raylene He we had a wonderful and well organised trip to 5 destinations which all went off without a hitch including being met by guides and drivers in each city and looked after very well. This all included several domestic flights a train trip and permits. I have no qualms in recommending this company to other travellers.

EBTraveler

5.0

With forty years of travel to the far corners of our world we have encountered many guides. Like most travelers some have not been very good, some decent and the rare few that are outstanding. During our three weeks in China last month we encountered just such a rare individual. Our guide in Guilin was a young women named Ping (I'll provide her email later). Ping demonstrated knowledge and command of the history, stories and culture all along the way. Beyond that, Ping exuded infectious enthusiasm not only for our touring, but for us personally as well. We had a serious medical issue occur suddenly, in fact one of us went into diabetic shock. It was four in the morning but no matter, after calling Ping she took command and arranged for the hotel to send us, with a car, driver, and assistant to a hospital. Upon our arrival there was Ping who obviously thru on some clothes, got on her motorbike and rushed to meet us. There she not only served as translator but as though a family member, she became invested in our proper care and recovery. Truly remarkable to have such a person supporting you. In small ways she flavored her guiding with a sense of our interests and preferences, like the day we mentioned our love of pomegranates and the next morning there she is smiling and with samples for us as a treat. When we left a jacket behind, once again was on it as Ping arranged for its shipment to out next stop and tracked it until it was in our hands. Beyond that, Ping was in frequent contact to make certain of our full medical recovery and to offer her help where or whenever it might be needed while in China. Amazing! Ping can be contacted at bellakanas@163.com Sheila Hertz, Howard Entin

ourview_11

5.0

From the first email to Top China Travel with Joyce to our wonderful Tour Guide Linda and our driver I can not say more happily what a wonderful trip we have had. Linda was very Kind and very informative with all your tours. The vehicle used was at very high standard and the Driver very safe. We had a private Tour for myself and my Husband we would totally recommend this company.

Geonannie

5.0

Top China Travel is the the tops! I booked an 21 day tour of China for my husband and I and from the very first contact with Lily Lui I was totally impressed. We communicated via e-mail and Lily was very quick and helpful with her responses. Because this was not our first trip to China, I wanted an itinerary that was different from the norm. Lily's recommendations were top notch. The hotels she used were top shelf as we requested. Our guides and drivers were fantastic. What impressed me the most was that when we were in China, Lily called to speak to me and make sure everything was going well. When I ran into some issues due to altitude sickness, I contacted her and she had the itinerary changes done and finalized within an hour. This was a private tour with guide and driver and I honestly can say there was not one thing I wished we had done differently. Thanks to Top China Travel and Lily our trip to China was perfect. I will definitely be contacting Lily when we return to China for yet another visit.

Allessandr0

5.0

I am a tour leader from Italy and this was my first cooperation with Janet and how lucky we met her!! We followed the trip with her to remote areas in China including some ethnic group area in Guizhou province and Sanjiang, Longsheng and Guilin, we enjoyed completely throughout the whole trip and some arrangement even out of our surprise, like we went to Janet’s home to learn how to pack Chinese Ravioli, she invited a Taichi teacher and we had a 1 hour Taichi class inside her home community. Everything was fine and our group members are all like her very much. We strongly recommend Janet Chan (janet@topchinatravel.com) as your China trip consultant! She is so considerate and carefully planned each detail of our trip. Guizhou is a very interesting and primitive place for visiting, you should include in your China trip as well! Thank you Janet! You are very professional!!

Salim A

5.0

When I planning our private trip to china I have read many trip adviser reviews and I have noticed Janet Chan’s name came up a number of times so i sent her an e-mail asked for the best two weeks private tour in China for 6 persons , whiten two days she replied me recommending 5 cities ( Zhangjiajie, hangzhuo , shanghai, Beijing , Guilin ) we went through the program which she sent to us it was excellent so we asked her to go ahead to arrange our journey . it was a great choice we made, The tour guides were knowledgeable and helpful. The hotels which reserved for us by TCT were excellent We can only say thanks for TCT and especially Janet Chan

Karan J

5.0

From the 1st point of contact till the end Joyce was great and helped plan a perfect trip which I was for a short time in Beijing. I was traveling alone and was recommended to join a small group of fellow travelers which was perfect. Great tour guide with a clean bus. Pick up on time and overall a great experience.

Ms Masha B

5.0

My husband and I booked a two week private tour of China with Top China Travel. It was an excellent experience. Vicky, a tour consultant, offered us a very good program visiting Beijing, Xian, Zhangjiajie, Shanghai and Nanjing. We really enjoyed every location. The tour guides were knowledgeable and helpful. In Beijing, Shanghai and Nanjing me made our own hotel reservation and in Xian an Zhangjiajie TCT made the reservations for us. Lunch was included in the tour and the selection of the restaurants was excellent in most locations (except Xian). Overall great tour!

Chris W

5.0

When planning our China trip we read many trip advisor reviews and noticed Janet Chan’s name came up a number of times so we asked for her to arrange our journey across this fascinating land. What a great choice we made, she listened and responded to our questions and arranged all our trip that went off without any problems. We didn’t want shopping nor group travel and she responded brilliantly. Two days hiking on the wall with fabulous guide Miko, in fact all our guides and drivers were just excellent. High speed train meant we saw lots of China’s varied countryside and went to some out of the way places. We can only say great things about TCT and especially Janet Chan if you are planning a trip. Thank you Janet for an exciting and memorable trip! Chris n Jools Winstanley

Raghavan A

5.0

We signed up with TCT after reading reviews of Tibet tour agencies. Our trip included 4 days in Lhasa, two in Shigatse and one at the base camp. TCT made all the arrangements including the Tibet permit, hotels, tour guide, car and the driver for the entire trip. The arrangements were superb. The guide and the driver were very accommodating to our needs and made the entire trip very convenient. At the base camp, the guide even arranged for extra oxygen in case we need it. She was also very helpful in advising us as how to get acclimated to the altitude. The entire trip was smooth and enjoyable and we would highly recommend TCT for travel to Tibet.

karenilena

5.0

wonderful visit and wonderful guide Li. Li showed us all the charms of this great city together with our Li river tour. We fell in love with this place and Yangshou. Great place to visit and it was a favourite city in all the cities we visited. great guide

Natasha J

5.0

I can't recommend this company enough!! I started talking to Yocky via the chat system on their website, as we wanted to do a 2.5 week trip around China. Our itinerary was: Shenzhen-Beijing-Xian-Kunming-Dongchuan-Chengdu-Guilin-Sanya Here's how things went: 1) She was instant in her replies and responded to subsequent emails within the hour (and trust me, I sent A LOT of emails). She was always so thorough and efficient. 2) She made us a tailor made trip that covered everything we wanted, including some slightly more off the beaten track attractions. 3) She helped us keep to our budget and suggested reasonable things we could cut out when things were too expensive (not something many companies would do as they are trying to make a quick buck). 4) She listened to all of our requests for things such as early morning flights, vegetarian food, and readjusting itineraries. 5) All our drivers and guides were EXCELLENT; they were prompt, kind, spoke excellent English and had a wealth of knowledge about all the sites we saw. All the cars on our private tours were nice and comfortable and had water. 6) Despite asking for 3* hotels, all 7 hotels we stayed in seemed like 4* to us and all included breakfast. 7) With such a large and complicated trip there were bound to be a few hiccups (e.g. there was a marathon in Xian one day which meant a lot of roads were closed, so we couldn't access sites). Yocky was in touch with us the entire time and helped us rearrange our plans quickly and ordered complimentary tickets to a show to make up for the inconvenience. We were so nervous about our first trip to China as we speak no mandarin and are strict vegetarian but honestly this was one of the best trips of our life; this company made it so easy for us and I really can't imagine having been able to do it myself any better!

JrnyJunkie

5.0

The views are stunning and the boat that we were on had VIP seating for just our group with a private balcony to view the river.

Candi S

5.0

Raylene did a wonderful job organizing our tour to meet our time constraints. She answered all questions very efficiently. Our tour guide Rocco met us at the airport and the Driver was waiting near by. I have specific dietary restrictions and the guide was extremely helpful communicating that with the restaurants. The trip was so easy and we always felt safe. My husband and I are looking forward to booking a more extended trip in the future. There is so much to see and the food is wonderful!