Itinerary
- Day 1
Xining
You'll arrive at Xining Caojiabao Airport where your local guide and driver will be waiting. Once everyone's gathered, you'll head to your downtown hotel to settle in. This afternoon, you'll visit Ta'er Monastery, one of the Six Great Monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism and a significant cultural site in the region.
- Start point
- Xining Shi, Qinghai, China (Xining Train Station)
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Xining downtown hotel )
Included Activities
- Visit Ta'er Monastery
Landmarks Ta'er Monastery 
- Day 2
Xining to Chaka
It's about a 3-hour drive to Qinghai Lake, China's largest inland saltwater lake. You'll spend time at Erlangjian Scenic Area, which is the most scenic spot along the lake with great views of the water, mountains, and wildlife. There are optional boat rides, horse riding, or cycling if you're interested. Later you'll drive to Chaka Town for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Chaka downtown hotel )
Included Activities
- Visit Erlangjian Scenic Area at Qinghai Lake
Optional Activities
- Lake-circling boat ride (pay in cash)
- Horse riding (pay in cash)
- Cycling (pay in cash)
Landmarks Qinghai Lake Erlangjian Scenic Area - Day 3
Chaka to Zhangye
After breakfast, you'll check out Chaka Salt Lake, called the 'Mirror of the Sky in China'. The white salt crystals reflect the sky and clouds, so bring bright-colored clothing for photos. In the afternoon, you'll drive back to Xining and catch an evening high-speed train to Zhangye, which takes about 2.5 hours. Your driver will transfer you to your hotel when you arrive.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Zhangye Downtown Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Chaka Salt Lake
Landmarks Chaka Salt Lake 
- Day 4
Zhangye
Start the day at Grand Buddha Temple, where you'll see China's largest indoor reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf and colorful paintings. The murals behind the statue are really intricate. After that, you'll head to Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon, a representative canyon landscape along the Silk Road with unique rock formations and rare wildlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Zhangye Downtown Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Grand Buddha Temple
- Explore Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon
Landmarks Grand Buddha Temple Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon 
- Day 5
Zhangye
You'll continue along the Silk Road to Matisi Grottoes, one of the Three Major Artistic Grottoes of the Hexi Corridor. Here you can see Buddhist temples carved into the mountainsides that blend Han Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism together. Later, you'll see Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park and The Rainbow Mountain Scenic Area with its colorful rock formations. Tonight you'll stay in a Mongolian yurt at Kaoshan Tent Camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Yurt (Kaoshan Tent)
Included Activities
- Visit Matisi Grottoes
- Visit The Rainbow Mountain Scenic Area at Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park
Landmarks Matisi Grottoes The Rainbow Mountain Scenic Area Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park - Day 6
Zhangye to Dunhuang
You'll drive to Jiayuguan through vast desert landscape. There you'll visit Jiayuguan Pass, the westernmost part of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall and an important fortress on the ancient Silk Road. You'll also explore the Overhanging Great Wall, built on a 45-degree mountain ridge. From there it's a 4-5 hour drive to Dunhuang for overnight accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dunhuang Downtown Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Jiayuguan Pass
- Visit Overhanging Great Wall
Landmarks Jiayuguan Pass Overhanging Great Wall 
- Day 7
Dunhuang
You'll start at Mogao Grottoes, a thousand-year-old treasure with 735 existing caves containing over 45,000 square meters of murals and 2,400 colored sculptures. It holds the world's largest collection of Buddhist art. In the afternoon, you'll visit Mingsha Mountain and Yueya Spring, where clear spring water and sand mountains exist together. Optional camel rides are available. End your evening at Shazhou Night Market, where you can try local food and pick up souvenirs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dunhuang Downtown Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Mogao Grottoes
- Visit Mingsha Mountain (Echoing-Sand Mountain)
- Visit Yueya Spring (Crescent Lake)
- Stroll at Shazhou Night Market
Optional Activities
- Camel ride at Mingsha Mountain (pay on-site)
- Sand buggy ride (pay on-site)
Landmarks Mogao Grottoes Mingsha Mountain Yueya Spring Shazhou Night Market 
- Day 8
Dunhuang
Your 8-day China Silk Road tour comes to an end today. Your driver will arrange your airport transfer for departure. Safe travels home.
- End point
- Dunhuang Shi, Jiuquan Shi, Gansu, China (Dunhuang Airport)
