10 Days Xingjiang-Gansu-Qinghai Classic Silk Road Tour

Meals: No meal
Accommodation: In Urumqi

Welcome to Urumqi, the vibrant capital of Xijiang, an area of the unparalleled scenery and cultural diversity, you will be greeted by your tour guide and transferred to hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.

Urumqi Grand Bazaar

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In Urumqi

After breakfast, you will enjoy excursion to Heavenly Lake of Tianshan(天山天池), a UNESCO World Heritage Site , which is about 100 km away from Urumqi. The beautiful lake is flanked by rugged pines and cypresses, with clear melting waters reflecting the surrounding of snowcapped mountain. Upon arrival, you'll first take 40-minute sightseeing bus ride through the dramatic mountains. Then, enjoy 10-minute walk to the picturesque lake. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around Heavenly Lake, taking in the fresh mountain air and diverse flora and fauna.

Optional Activities (additional fee required):
Boat Ride: Cruise across the peaceful waters of the lake, immersing yourself in its beauty and the reflections of the snow-capped mountains.
Cableway Ride: Take a cableway up to Mayashan for even more stunning views of Bogda Mountain.

In the afternoon, drive back to Urumqi and visit Urumqi Grand Bazaar, also known as the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, which is believed to be the largest outdoor market in town. It is a vibrant marketplace and a perfect way to spend your free time.

After the tour, be escorted back to your hotel in Urumqi.

Heavenly Lake

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In Turpan

After breakfast, embark on a scenic 3-hour drive (180 km) from Urumqi to Turpan. Along the way, you’ll pass the striking Salt Lake and the impressive wind power station, the largest in Asia, at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains.

Upon arrival in Turpan, you will drive to Tuyoq Valley(吐峪沟) along the Flaming Mountain Grand Canyon. The Flaming Mountains (Huoyan Shan), named for their intense heat and reddish-brown sandstone that appears to glow like fire under the desert sun, are one of Turpan’s most iconic landscapes. Stretching over 100 kilometers from east to west, these eroded hills create a striking, otherworldly view. Along the way, we can stop for photos.

Next, visit to Jiaohe Ancient City(交河故城), one of the best-preserved ruins of ancient cities along the Silk Road and inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the joint application "Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor." Jiaohe Ruins offers a profound glimpse into ancient city planning and the historical complexity of the civilizations on the Silk Road.

Afterwards, head to the Karez System (坎儿井) to learn about the ancient underground irrigation system a few thousand years ago and how this system has benefitted the people along the desert's edge, transforming barren land into a lush oasis. This traditional engineering marvel is considered one of China’s three great ancient engineering projects, alongside the Great Wall and the Grand Canal. It has been recognized in the 2024 World Irrigation Project Heritage list.

Next, continue your exploration at the Emin Minaret (Sugong Pagoda) which is the biggest ancient pagoda existing in Xinjiang and the only Islamic ancient pagoda in the country. After the tour, be escorted to your hotel in Turpan.

Emin Minaret

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In Dunhuang

Today, you'll be transferred to Turpan North Station to board the high-speed train to Liuyuan South Station. Upon arrival, your tour guide and driver will greet you at the exit and escort you to your hotel in Dunhuang (Distance 120km, about 2-hour drive).

Welcome to Dunhuang, a must-visit city located in the Gansu province of China! After check-into hotel, you can explore on your own based on your arrival time. Feel free to seek travel ideas from your tour guide.
 

Free Time Ideas:
Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market(敦煌沙洲夜市) for Dunhuang food. There are many distinctive snacks that you must try, such as Apricot Skin Water (杏皮水), Donkey Meat Noodles (驴肉黄面), and Bubble Oil Cakes (泡儿油糕). The locals in Dunhuang enjoy eating lamb, chicken, and beef, and they are good at noodle making.

Mogao Grottoes

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In Dunhuang

Today, you enjoy a wonderful cultural tour by visiting to Mogao Grottoes(about 4hrs)-- one of three noted grottoes in China for its fabulous frescos and statues, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The site is considered the great treasure house of Buddhist arts in existence.

Then, continue your trip to Crescent Spring and Singing Sand Dune. Singing Sand Dune (Mingsha Hill) is piled up with sand in five colors of red, yellow, green, black and white. The so-called singing sand does not sing by itself, but creates singing sound when people tread or slide on the surface of the sand, which is a kind of miracle of the nature. Crescent Spring is at the northern foot of the Mingsha Hill and is 118 meters from east to west and 25 meters from south to north. The water is fove meters deep. The crescent-like lake is surrounded by the sand but never buried by it. The water in the lake is very clear all year around.

Don't miss the delicious food at the Shazhou Night Market.

Echoing Sand Dune & Crescent Spring

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In Jiayuguan City

Today, you will head to Jiayuguan (400km, 5hrs) to explore Jiayuguan City for the Great Wall on the Cliff (Overhanging Great Wall) & the Jiayuguan Pass (Jiayuguan Fortress).

You will climb theGreat Wall on the Cliff(Overhanging Great Wall悬壁长城) which was acclaimed as the "end of the Great Wall". It was constructed in 1539 (Ming Dynasty) and only 750 meters remain. As the northern extension of the Jiayuguan Pass, it was built following the natural terrain, using local gravel and loess, the steepest section reaches about 45 degrees (over 200 meters), earning its name for its appearance of hanging upside down in the air

After that, visit Jiayuguan Pass(嘉峪关关城). Built in 1372, Jiayuguan is known as one of the "Three Great Passes of the Great Wall of China”(Shanhaiguan Pass in the east, Zhenbeitai Terrace in the middle, and Jiayuguan Pass in the west). Standing atop the Jiayuguan Pass, a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "The Great Wall of China", you can feel the magnificence and grandeur of this ancient military defense structure. Jiayuguan is the Westernmost Pass of the Ming Great Wall, in the middle of the Hexi Corridor. "Jiayu" means "beautiful valley." Nestled against mountains and water, with its strategic location and majestic architecture, it is renowned as the "The Impregnable Pass under Heaven

Overnight stay in Jiayuguan city.

Jiayuguan Pass

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In Zhangye

Today, you will head to explore Zhangye (225 km, about 3.5 hours) for Grand Buddha Temple. Along the way, you'll stop to explore Zhangye Danxia Landform Park.

Zhangye Danxia Landform Park (Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot七彩丹霞景区) is renowned for its strikingly colorful rock formations, often referred to as Rainbow Mountains. Zhangye is famous worldwide for its colorful Danxia landforms, a must-visit attraction for people traveling to Zhangye. This is a paradise for geologist & photography enthusiasts, and a great place to experience the marvelous work of nature.

Continue your drive to Zhangye city to visit Grand Buddha Temple (大佛寺; Dafo Temple). This is a must-visit place in Zhangye if you're particularly interested in Buddhist culture and ancient architecture. The Big Buddha Temple is the iconic building of Zhangye, known for housing a 34.5-meter-long statue of the reclining Buddha, commonly called the "Reclining Buddha Temple卧佛寺" by locals.

Stay overnight in Zhangye city. 

Zhangye Danxia Landform Park

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In Chaka Town

After breakfast at your hotel, proceed to the Zhangye railway station and board the high-speed train bound for Xining.

Upon arrival at the train station in Xining, your guide and driver will meet you at the exit and then you'll be escorted from downtown Xining to Qinghai Lake (about 145 km, 2.5-3 hours).

As you drive, you'll pass through vibrant rapeseed fields around the lake, a sea of yellow flowers stretching across the horizon - an unforgettable display of earthly beauty. (Best Time to Visit: July to August, In full bloom)

Upon arrival, you will explore the Erlangjian Scenic Area (二郎剑景区), Qinghai Lake's crown jewel. Be captivated by the panoramic views of the vast, turquoise lake. On clear days, enjoy views of distant snow-capped mountains.

After exploring Erlangjian Scenic Area, continue your trip westward along the picturesque shores of Qinghai Lake. The drive to Chaka Town, about 150 km driving about 2.5 hours. This charming town is renowned for the stunning Chaka Salt Lake it boasts.

Spend the night in Chaka Town.

Qinghai Lake

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In Xining

In this morning, you will be transferred to Chaka Salt Lake (scenic train, bus and boat are not included) in the morning. It is a natural crystallized saline lake surrounded by mountainous scenery in the Qaidam Basin. The snow-white lakebed and the crystal blue water reflecting the azure sky wins it the reputation of the "Mirror of the Sky." Afterwards we will head back to Xining, covering about 300 km over 3.5 to 4 hours.

Chaka Salt Lake

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, you will proceed to Ta'er Monastery (塔尔, about 40 minutes' drive ), founded in 1379 (the 12th year of the Hongwu Era, Ming Dynasty). Ta’er Monastery is famous lama temple in China, it is the birthplace of Yellow Hat Sect (Gelugpa) founder Tsongkhapa, is also the center of northwest Buddhism activity. It’s grand and imposing, one of the famous six big lama temples in China.

After the tour, it is time to end your unforgettable 10 Days Silk Road tour. Your guide and driver will ensure a smooth transfer to the airport or train station for your departure.

Thank you for choosing us for your China tour. We are dedicated to enhancing your travel experiences and look forward to welcoming you on your next adventure in China and other destinations in Asia. Have a safe journey home!
 

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