8 Days China Silk Road Private Tour to Xining, Zhangye, Dunhuang

Day 1: Arrival in Xining & Chaka Salt Lake Tour

• Start: Complimentary pickup service
• Departure Details: Refer to separate notification
• Xining Caojiabao Airport (Stop: 30 mins, Admission Included)

  Upon arriving at Xining Airport, your local English-speaking guide and driver will greet you at the exit with a welcome sign displaying your name.

• Chaka Salt Lake, Haixi (Stop: 6 hrs, Admission Included)

  Embark on a 4-hour drive to the renowned Chaka Salt Lake, hailed as China’s “Mirror of the Sky” and a beloved travel hotspot in recent years. “Chaka” translates to “Salt Lake” in Tibetan—fitting for this natural crystal salt lake that holds enough reserves to supply all of China for 75 years. Its pristine white salt formations turn the lake into a massive mirror, reflecting white clouds, blue skies, soaring birds, and visitors in vibrant attire. Don’t forget to wear bright clothes for stunning photo opportunities—capturing the sky-lake fusion is a must-do! After exploring, transfer to your hotel for a restful night.

• Meals: Not included

Day 2: Chaka Salt Lake → Qinghai Lake → Xining

• Qinghai Lake (Stop: 2 hrs)

  Meet your guide at the hotel lobby at 08:00 for a 2-hour drive to Qinghai Lake, China’s largest saltwater lake. Breathe in the fresh air and soak up the warm sunshine as you take in paradise-like views: flocks of sheep, yaks, and endless blue skies dotted with clouds. Visit Erlangjian Scenic Area, one of Qinghai Lake’s most picturesque spots, to admire the lake’s charming scenery. Optional activities (at your own cost, payable in cash) include boat cruises, horse riding, and cycling around the lake.

• Xining (Stop: 2 hrs)

  After a relaxing sightseeing session, drive back to Xining for your overnight stay.

• Meals: Not included

Day 3: Xining → Zhangye (Ta’er Monastery Visit)

• Ta’er Monastery (Stop: 3 hrs, Admission Included)

  Today’s highlight is Ta’er Monastery, one of the “Six Great Monasteries of the Tibetan Buddhist Gelugpa Sect” and a landmark as famous as Qinghai Lake in Qinghai Province. With a profound history, it is the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa Sect. More than a sacred site for believers, it is also a leading Tibetan Buddhist institution of higher learning. Beyond its visually stunning decorations, the monastery’s rich heritage in history, culture, religion, and art deeply touches visitors—especially when encountering devout pilgrims who have traveled far to worship here.

• Zhangye (Stop: 5 hrs)

  Following the monastery visit, drive to Zhangye for your overnight stay.

• Meals: Not included

Day 4: Zhangye City Tour

• Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple (Stop: 60 mins, Admission Included)

  After breakfast, visit the Giant Buddha Temple, built during the Western Xia Dynasty and standing tall on the ancient Silk Road for over 900 years. It gets its name from Asia’s largest reclining Sakyamuni Buddha statue housed inside. The exquisite wood carvings, paintings, statues, and their underlying cultural and historical significance leave a lasting impression on travelers.

• Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon (Stop: 3 hrs, Admission Included)

  In the afternoon, explore Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon—one of the most magnificent canyons along the Silk Road. It offers a chance to admire unique landforms and spot rare flora and fauna, earning it a reputation as “Zhangye’s Scenic Gem.” Praised by Chinese National Geography and domestic and foreign geologists as “comparable to the Colorado Grand Canyon” and “a new discovery of the Silk Road,” it promises breathtaking views.

• Meals: Not included

Day 5: Zhangye → Rainbow Mountains (Zhangye Danxia Geopark)

• Zhangye (Stop: 2 hrs)

  In the morning, take a 1-hour drive to Matisi Grottoes, renowned as one of the “Three Artistic Grottoes of the Hexi Corridor” alongside Dunhuang’s Mogao Grottoes and Yulin Grottoes. Marvel at the unique blend of Buddhist temples and mountain grottoes: a grand, elegant temple nestles against a hill adorned with numerous carved grottoes.

• Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park (Rainbow Mountain Scenic Area, Stop: 5 hrs, Admission Included)

  Head to the Rainbow Mountain Scenic Area in Linze County, famous for its vivid, colorful landforms—best enjoyed at sunset, a favorite among travelers. From the viewing platforms, witness layers of mountains in varying shades of red bathed in the glow of the setting sun, creating a stunning, picture-perfect landscape. After the tour, drive to Kaoshan Tent near Rainbow Mountain for your overnight stay.

• Important Note: The tent accommodation does not have private bathrooms—only public baths and toilets are available.
• Meals: Not included

Day 6: Rainbow Mountains → Jiayuguan → Dunhuang

• Jiayuguan Fortress (Stop: 90 mins, Admission Included)

  Meet your guide at the hotel lobby at 08:00 and set off. Drive through the desert sands to Jiayuguan Fortress, known as the “First and Greatest Pass Under Heaven” and the “Throat of the Hexi Corridor.” As the western end of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, this centuries-old fortress played a crucial role in military defense and served as a key hub for trade and cultural exchange on the ancient Silk Road. Next, visit the Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum—the first museum dedicated to the Great Wall—featuring 7 exhibition halls that showcase detailed insights into this extraordinary architectural wonder. A highlight is the large-scale oil painting of the Great Wall (approximately 220.5 m²), well worth a longer look.

• Xuanbi (Overhanging) Great Wall (Stop: 2 hrs, Admission Included)

  Located 11 kilometers from downtown Jiayuguan, the Overhanging Great Wall gets its name from its location on a 45-degree mountain ridge, appearing to hang upside down from the sky. As the northern extension of Jiayuguan Fortress, it is an integral part of the ancient military defense system. Finally, embark on a 4-5 hour drive to Dunhuang for your overnight stay.

• Meals: Not included

Day 7: Dunhuang City Tour

• Mogao Grottoes (Stop: 3 hrs, Admission Included)

  After breakfast, visit the world-famous Mogao Grottoes—hailed as the “Pearls of Oriental Art” and the largest and best-preserved collection of Buddhist art globally. The site boasts 735 grottoes, approximately 45,000 square meters of murals, 2,415 painted sculptures, over 4,000 flying apsaras (celestial beings in Buddhism known for their beauty and musical talents), 5 wooden structures from the Tang and Song dynasties, and thousands of stone pillars and flagstones carved with lotus patterns.

• Crescent Moon Spring (Stop: 3 hrs, Admission Included)

  When the temperature cools down, explore Echo Sand Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring—two natural wonders that have coexisted harmoniously like a pearl on the Silk Road for thousands of years. The contrast between the winding, roaring sand mountains (resembling a giant dragon) and the serene Crescent Moon Spring (nestled in the mountains without being buried by sand) never fails to amaze visitors. Friendly Tip: Various activities are available at Echo Sand Mountain (payable in cash at your own cost), and your guide can assist with ticket purchases.

• Shazhou Night Market (Stop: 60 mins)

  Conclude the day with a visit to Shazhou Night Market. Unlike other night markets or food streets, it offers a unique glimpse into the vitality of this remote northwest city. Take a leisurely stroll to soak up the local atmosphere before transferring back to your hotel.

• Meals: Not included

Day 8: Dunhuang Departure

• Your driver will drop you off at Dunhuang Airport for your departure flight (guide service not included).
• Meals: Not included