Itinerary
DAY 1 Departure - Xining - Ta'er Monastery
Itinerary:
Travel by plane to Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province. Upon arrival, take a vehicle to visit Ta'er Monastery, which will take about 3 hours for sightseeing.
Ta'er Monastery is one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism and the birthplace of the founder of the Gelug Sect (commonly known as the Yellow Sect),
Tsongkhapa. Here, you can explore the mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism and admire exquisite murals, applique, and butter sculptures.
After the visit, check into the hotel for rest.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Xining
DAY 2 Xining - Qinghai Lake - Chaka Salt Lake
Itinerary:
After breakfast, take a 2.5-hour drive to Qinghai Lake, the largest inland saltwater lake in China, for a 2.5-hour visit.
Here, you can experience the magic of nature and enjoy the beautiful scenery where sky, mountains, sea, and flowers blend together.
Then, drive for another 2.5 hours to Chaka Salt Lake for a 2-hour visit. Chaka Salt Lake, meaning "salt pool" in Tibetan, is known as "China's Mirror of the Sky"
and is listed as one of the "55 Places You Must Visit in Your Lifetime" by National Geographic.
Visitors can admire the splendid sunset over the salt lake, observe the unique salt formations through the clear water, and explore the mysteries beneath the lake.
After dinner, check into the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:Chaka
DAY 3 Chaka - Jade Lake
Itinerary:
After breakfast, drive for about 5 hours to Jade Lake in Dachaidan (including shuttle service).
When the lake is calm, its surface acts like a mirror, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, and the snow-capped mountains of the Qaidam Range.
Visitors can see their own reflections on the ground, enjoying the unique scenery.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:Dachaidan
DAY 4 Dachaidan - Wusut Water-Eroded Danxia - Internet-Famous U-Shaped Road - Dunhuang
Itinerary:
After breakfast, drive for about 3 hours to Wusut Water-Eroded Danxia (including shuttle service, visit for about 2 hours).
Due to the rising lake level, the northern part of the Danxia landforms has been submerged, creating this unique landscape that looks like an ocean in the middle of the vast desert.
Along the way, you will pass by the Internet-Famous U-Shaped Road, which has become a popular spot for photos due to its unique U-shaped bend.
After the visit, drive for 6.5 hours to Dunhuang and check into the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:Dunhuang
DAY 5 Dunhuang - Mogao Caves - Mingsha Mountain/Moon Spring - Shazhou Night Market
Itinerary:
After breakfast, visit the Mogao Caves, known as the "Louvre of the East," for about 3 hours. Commonly known as the "Thousand Buddha Grottoes,"
the Mogao Caves are a great treasure of Buddhist art and one of the richest Buddhist galleries in the world. The caves are filled with exquisite murals and sculptures, showcasing the splendor of ancient Buddhist art.
Then, visit Mingsha Mountain/Moon Spring for about 2 hours. This desert wonder is famous for its unique landscape where mountains and springs coexist, earning it the reputation of "Moon Spring at Dawn"
and "A Unique Sight in the Frontier." Visitors can enjoy the fun of sand sliding on Mingsha Mountain and admire the magical scenery of Moon Spring.
In the evening, visit the famous Shazhou Night Market in Dunhuang, which is a paradise for food lovers.
Here, you can taste local specialties and experience the rich northwestern culture.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:Dunhuang
DAY 6 Dunhuang - Jiayuguan Pass - Zhangye
Itinerary:
After breakfast, drive for about 4.5 hours to Jiayuguan to visit the Jiayuguan Pass, the westernmost gate of the Great Wall, for about 2 hours.
Historically known as the "Throat of Hexi," standing on the pass, you can see the snow-capped Qilian Mountains to the southwest and the vast Gobi Desert around, experiencing its majestic and solemn scenery.
After the visit, drive for 3 hours to Zhangye and check into the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:Zhangye
DAY 7 Zhangye - Zhangye Danxia Landform - Qilian Prairie - Xining
Itinerary:
After breakfast, drive for about 1.5 hours to Zhangye Danxia Landform (including admission and shuttle service, visit for about 2 hours).
The Zhangye Danxia landform is a compound area of Danxia landform and colorful hills, rated as one of the seven Danxia landforms in China by China National Geography.
The rocks here are colorful and take various shapes, shining brightly under the sunlight.
After the visit, drive back to Xining, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Qilian Prairie along the way.
The Qilian Prairie is lush with water and grass, with herds of cattle and sheep, and the distant snow-capped mountains form a beautiful pastoral landscape.
Have dinner and check into the hotel after arrival.
Reminder: Please follow the rules during the visit and do not step on or damage the colorful Danxia rock formations.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:Xining
DAY 8 Xining - Departure
Departure:
Transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule and end the pleasant journey of the Gansu-Qinghai Grand Loop.
Service Include:
Transportation: Domestic flight including taxes.
Vehicle: 7-seat Buick GL8 business van or Coach
Accommodation: Double standard rooms in five-star /four-star hotels (two people per room, with breakfast included).
Meals: Breakfast included in the hotel, as well as the meals listed in the itinerary, featuring local specialties.
Guide: Local professional tour guide service.
Tickets: First entrance tickets to the attractions listed in the itinerary.