Northwest China Adventure With Badain Jaran Desert

Arriving in Lanzhou by air or train, be met by your private tour guide and begin your Northwest China tour with a 3.5-hour drive to Wuwei.
On arrival, visit the Leitai Tomb of the Han Dynasty, where numerous relics have been unearthed, including the symbol of China's tourism--bronze galloping horse. Following it is the Wuwei Confucian Temple, the largest one of its kind in northwest China.

For lunch and dinner, you will taste the local specialties and experience the authentic flavors of Wuwei.

About 3 hours of driving takes you to Zhangye, the former vital town on the Silk Road, now become famous again for its rainbow mountains. Have a full exploration of Zhangye Danxia National Geopark and marvel at this unique landscape formed from colored sandstone and minerals after 24 million years of natural erosion. As its Chinese name suggests, the landscape here seems to be rippling waves with various colors, like God knocked over the color palette.

After the breathtaking sightseeing, a local food named "Chaopao" made of flour will refresh your taste buds in the evening.

Today, continue your adventure to the Badain Jaran Desert, China's third-largest desert famous for its sandy peaks, singing dunes, and colorful lakes. Appreciate its vastness and magnificence, meanwhile, smartly dressed to try different desert activities at your own expense. Of course, it's best not to miss the splendid sunset and the perfect chance for photographing there. On dinner, taste local specialties and experience authentic life in northwest China.

Leave the Badain Jaran Desert behind and return to Zhangye. On the way, you will visit the Mati Temple scenic area. Blending grotto art, Buddhist culture, Qilian Mountain landscape and Tibetan culture, the area is well known for its elegant temple setting on the side of a sheer mountain rock wall with over twenty grottoes. Maze at the incredible cultural combination and then enjoy a unique horseback riding in the Linsong Valley, where the Mati Temple is located.

Depart from Zhangye in the morning and, after around three hours, you will arrive at Jiayuguan, a small city named after the Jiayu Pass, the historic fortress at the western end of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall and a vital pass on the way to Dunhuang.

Explore the majestic Jiayuguan Fortress, a complex of towers, city walls, and other military buildings. Ascend the tower to overlook the Qilian Mountain or walk along the ruined walls to gaze at the endless Gobi and desert. Less than 20km from the fortress is the Overhanging Great Wall, looking like a dragon sneaking over the earthy mountains.

Driving west for about five hours, you will arrive at Dunhuang, the most dazzling pearl on the ancient Silk Road. On the way, take a detour to the less-visited Yulin Caves. Carved on the cliffs on both sides of the Yulin River canyon, over 40 caves are still well preserved. Here, you will see large portraits of Buddha and abundant frescoes depicting rare animals, plants, harvests, brewing, banquets, etc. As the sister cave of Mogao Grottoes, it is also an essential part of Dunhuang Grottoes, with great historical and artistic values.

Arrive in the late afternoon, check into your hotel, and have a good rest.

Dunhuang became known to the world because of the Mogao Grottoes. Today, you will explore and discover why this magnificent Buddhist art trove stunned the world. Then, venture to the Singing Sand Dune and Crescent Spring scenic area to appreciate the beautiful natural spring shaped like a crescent moon embedded in the vast desert. Conclude the wonderful day by spending some leisure time at the Shazhou Night Market.

Set off early and drive southward to Golmud, a highland city in Qinghai Province. The journey takes more than seven hours, somewhat tiring but with beautiful scenery along the way. En route, visit the emerald-green Chaerhan Salt Lake, one of the most famous inland salt lakes on the globe, while the well-known Qinghai-Tibet Railway runs through it. Standing on the marvelous 32-kilometers-long Salt Bridge assures you a splendid view of the Lake.

Continue the land journey to Dulan, a small county located in the southeast of the Qaidam Basin. Here, you will see the Reshui Tomb Cluster, a large tomb group of the ancient states Tuyuhun and Tubo in the early Tang Dynasty over one thousand years ago. Discover its great value for studying the exchanges between the East and the West on the Qinghai route of the Silk Road.

Another road transfer today to Chaka, the town named after Chaka Salt Lake. Escape from the crowds and visit the Chaka Sky No.1, which has a breathtaking lake scenery as its sister site, Chaka Salt Lake. In the scenic area, the viewing platforms, submerged boardwalks, and other facilities will ensure you enjoy the beauty of Salt Lake from various perspectives.

Continue your northwest China tour to Xining. On the way, you will visit the picturesque Qinghai Lake, the largest inland lagoon in China. Arrive at the Erlangjian Scenic Area, the essence of the whole lake, and spend a wonderful time appreciating the amazing scenery there. If your tour date is from May to October, you can also take a cruise at your own expense to appreciate it from a different angle.

It is time to say goodbye to the northwest part of China. Before being transferred to the airport or railway station for your departure, be escorted to visit Ta'er Temple, one of the two most sacred Tibetan temples out of Tibet, with a history of over 600 years.

We hope this journey leaves you with a deep impression and want to see you again on any tour to other destinations.