Itinerary
- Day 1
Urumqi
You'll start your journey in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This city sits at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains and serves as your gateway to the ancient Silk Road. Since it's known as the world's farthest city from any ocean, you're heading into some truly remote territory. Take time this first day to get oriented with the local layout and prepare for the adventures ahead.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hantang Hotel)
Landmarks Tianshan Mountains - Day 2
Urumqi
After breakfast, you'll head out to Heavenly Lake of Tianshan, an alpine lake sitting at 1,910 meters elevation and ringed by dense spruce forests. The lakeside walk covers 12.5 km and takes about 3 to 5 hours at your own pace, so you can take in the emerald and deep blue waters whenever you like. Later that evening, you'll head back to Urumqi and explore the International Grand Bazaar, where you'll find Islamic architecture, local crafts, and regional food stalls.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hantang Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Heavenly Lake of Tianshan
- Leisurely walk along 12.5 km lakeside trail
- Visit International Grand Bazaar
Optional Activities
- Lake cruise at Heavenly Lake
- Maya Mountain cable car
Landmarks Heavenly Lake of Tianshan Bogda Peak International Grand Bazaar - Day 3
Turpan
You'll travel to Turpan, which sits as a key hub of Silk Road civilization. During the day, you'll visit several important sites: Mazar Village (Tuyugou Mazar) where the tomb of the Seven Saints of Islam is located, Sugong Tower from the Ming Dynasty, and the Ancient City of Jiaohe with its 2,000 years of history. You'll also see the Karez Wells, one of ancient China's three major engineering projects. That's quite a bit of ground to cover in one day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Metropolo Jin Jiang Hotels Turpan administrative The Heart of Pai)
Included Activities
- Visit Mazar Village (Tuyugou)
- Visit Sugong Tower (Emin Tower)
- Visit Ancient City of Jiaohe
- Visit Karez Wells
Landmarks Mazar Village (Tuyugou Mazar) Sugong Tower (Emin Tower) Ancient City of Jiaohe Karez Wells Flaming Mountain Grand Canyon - Day 4
Dunhuang
You'll take a high-speed train from Turpan North Station to Liuyuan South Station, which runs about 3.5 hours. From there, you'll get picked up and transferred to your hotel in Dunhuang. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace. The Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market is worth checking out if you're hungry, where you can try local delicacies like apricot skin drink, donkey meat yellow noodles, and local oil cakes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Grand Sun Hotel Dunhuang)
Optional Activities
- Explore Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market for local delicacies
Landmarks Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market - Day 5
Dunhuang
This full day focuses on Dunhuang's Silk Road heritage. You'll start at the Mogao Caves where you can watch a film at the exhibition center before seeing the Buddhist statues, flying apsaras, and intricate murals. Then you'll head to Mingsha Mountain to see the crescent-shaped Crescent Lake. Plan to climb to the top for desert sunset views and take in the landscape of Northwest China from up there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Grand Sun Hotel Dunhuang)
Included Activities
- Visit Mogao Caves Digital Exhibition Center and cave grottoes
- Explore Buddhist statues, flying apsaras, and murals
- Visit Mingsha Mountain scenic area
- View Crescent Lake from Mingsha Mountain
Landmarks Mogao Caves Mingsha Mountain Crescent Lake Sanwei Mountain - Day 6
Jiayuguan
After breakfast, you'll drive to Jiayuguan, a crucial fortress on the ancient Silk Road. You can explore the Jiayuguan Fort with its inner city, outer city, and moat, plus see the Qilian Mountains from the panoramic views. There are traditional costume photo shoots and calligraphy stalls if you're interested. Later, you'll check out the Great Wall Museum and then climb the Cantilever Great Wall, which was built at a 45-degree angle.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ChenFeng Grand Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Jiayuguan Fort and inner city towers
- Explore Cantilever Great Wall
- Visit Great Wall Museum
Optional Activities
- Traditional costume photo shoots
- Calligraphy and paintings at scenic area stalls
Landmarks Jiayuguan Fort Cantilever Great Wall Qilian Mountains Great Wall Museum - Day 7
Zhangye
You'll depart for Zhangye to experience landscapes that shift from rugged to gentle. The Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park displays vivid colors and layered formations that rank among China's seven most beautiful Danxia landforms. After that, you'll visit the Zhangye Great Buddha Temple, which houses China's largest indoor clay reclining Buddha at 34.5 meters long, along with statues of disciples, arhats, and murals depicting scenes from Journey to the West.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Zhangye Metropolis Holiday Hotel )
Included Activities
- Visit Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park
- Visit Zhangye Great Buddha Temple
- View giant reclining Buddha
Landmarks Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park Zhangye Great Buddha Temple - Day 8
Chaka Town
Early in the morning, you'll take a high-speed train to Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province. Once there, you'll explore Qinghai Lake, China's largest inland lake, and see the plateau's beauty. You'll visit Erlangjian, a popular scenic area with grasslands, beaches, and wildlife. From there, you'll continue west along the lake's shores to Chaka Town, which is known for the Chaka Salt Lake. Plan to overnight in Chaka Town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Jinhengji Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Erlangjian Scenic Area at Qinghai Lake
- Explore Qinghai Lake shores
Landmarks Qinghai Lake Erlangjian Scenic Area Datong Mountain Riyue Mountain - Day 9
Xining
After breakfast, you'll head to the Chaka Salt Lake Scenic Area, referred to locally as the 'Mirror of the Sky.' This natural crystalline salt lake in the Qaidam Basin is quite impressive. You can walk barefoot on the lake surface, see your reflection, and observe salt sculptures. There's also a small train that goes deeper into the lake, and if conditions are right, you might spot mirages on the water. Later, you'll return to Xining.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Holiday Inn Express Xining High Speed Rail Station)
Included Activities
- Visit Chaka Salt Lake Scenic Area
- Walk barefoot on salt lake surface
- View salt sculptures
- Small train exploration of the lake
Landmarks Chaka Salt Lake - Day 10
Xining
You'll visit Ta'er Monastery, one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism and birthplace of Master Tsongkhapa, the second most revered Buddha figure in the world. The monastery features grand architecture, lifelike butter sculptures, colorful murals, and hued thangka embroidery known as the 'Three Treasures of Ta'er Monastery Art.' You can browse Buddhist scriptures and scholarly works. After your visit, you'll arrange transfers to the airport or train station based on your departure time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Ta'er Monastery
- Explore butter sculptures, murals, and thangka embroidery
- View Buddhist scriptures and scholarly works
Landmarks Ta'er Monastery
