Qinghai-Gansu Tour
8 Days 7 Nights | Discover Northwest China's Panoramic Wonders
Journey through Qinghai and Gansu provinces, exploring Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, Emerald Lakes, U-shaped Highway, Mars Road No.1, Mogao Caves, and the colorful Danxia landforms
Book This TourTour Overview
Embark on an extraordinary 8-day panoramic journey through China's northwestern provinces of Qinghai and Gansu.
This carefully designed tour takes you through the magnificent landscapes of Qinghai and Gansu provinces. Experience breathtaking natural wonders including the vast Qinghai Lake, the stunning Chaka Salt Lake, the emerald lakes of Dachaidan, the famous U-shaped Highway, Mars Road No.1, and the mysterious Devil's Eye Aiken Spring. Explore cultural treasures along the ancient Silk Road, including the historic Mogao Caves, Crescent Moon Spring, Jiayuguan Pass, and the colorful Zhangye Danxia landforms.
Tour Highlights
- Visit Qinghai Lake, China's largest saltwater lake
- Experience the surreal beauty of Chaka Salt Lake, known as the "Mirror of the Sky"
- Explore the emerald lakes of Dachaidan and the mysterious Devil's Eye Aiken Spring
- Drive along the famous U-shaped Highway and Mars Road No.1
- Marvel at the mysterious Black Mountain (Hei Du Shan)
- Discover the ancient Buddhist art in Mogao Caves and visit Crescent Moon Spring
- Explore the historic Jiayuguan Pass, the western end of the Great Wall
- Witness the spectacular rainbow-colored Zhangye Danxia landforms
- Experience the beautiful Qilian Mountain grasslands
Tour Details
- Duration: 8 Days 7 Nights
- Destinations: Xining, Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, Delingha, Dachaidan, Yadan Water Park, East/West Taiji Lake, Mars Road No.1, Aiken Spring, Huatugou, Black Mountain, Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, Zhangye, Qilian Mountains
- Group Size: 2-12 people
- Accommodation: 3-4 star hotels
- Meals: Breakfast included
- Languages: English-speaking guide available
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Xining
Arrival: Arrive in Xining. Meet your guide and transfer to your hotel.
Activities: Check-in and rest at your hotel. Free time to explore the city or optional visit to Dongguan Mosque.
Evening: Welcome dinner featuring local Hui Muslim cuisine. Brief orientation about the tour.
Accommodation: 3-4 star hotel in Xining
Day 2: Xining - Qinghai Lake - Chaka Salt Lake - Delingha
Morning: Early departure to Qinghai Lake, China's largest saltwater lake. Enjoy the stunning views and take photos at the lake shore.
Afternoon: Continue to Chaka Salt Lake, known as the "Mirror of the Sky". Experience the unique landscape where the sky and ground merge into one.
Evening: Drive to Delingha city and check into your hotel. Enjoy dinner with local specialties.
Accommodation: 3-4 star hotel in Delingha
Day 3: Delingha - Dachaidan Emerald Lake - U-shaped Highway - East/West Taiji Lake
Morning: Drive to Dachaidan and visit the stunning Emerald Lake, known for its vibrant turquoise colors contrasting with the desert landscape.
Afternoon: Travel along the famous U-shaped Highway, a popular scenic route with spectacular views. Pass by East Taiji Lake and visit the unique Water Yadan Landform Park.
Evening: Arrive at East/West Taiji Lake area and check into your hotel. Enjoy the beautiful sunset views.
Accommodation: 3-4 star hotel in East/West Taiji Lake area
Day 4: West Taiji Jina'er Lake - Mars Road No.1 - Mangya Emerald Lake - Devil's Eye Aiken Spring - Huatugou
Morning: Visit West Taiji Jina'er Lake, known for its pristine beauty and unique geological features.
Afternoon: Drive along the famous Mars Road No.1, known for its otherworldly landscapes. Continue to Mangya Emerald Lake and the mysterious Devil's Eye Aiken Spring, a natural wonder with crystal clear waters.
Evening: Arrive in Huatugou and check into your hotel. Enjoy dinner and rest after the day's adventures.
Accommodation: 3-4 star hotel in Huatugou
Day 5: Huatugou - Black Mountain - Lenghu Oil Site - Dunhuang
Morning: Visit the mysterious Black Mountain (Hei Du Shan), a unique geological formation with dark-colored rocks.
Afternoon: Explore the historic Lenghu Oil Site, an abandoned petroleum industrial area with a fascinating history. Then drive to Dunhuang, traveling through spectacular desert landscapes along the ancient Silk Road.
Evening: Arrive in Dunhuang and check into your hotel. Enjoy a traditional Silk Road dinner.
Accommodation: 3-4 star hotel in Dunhuang
Day 6: Dunhuang - Mogao Caves - Mingsha Shan and Crescent Moon Spring
Morning: Visit the Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring thousands of Buddhist paintings and sculptures dating back over 1,000 years.
Afternoon: Explore the Mingsha Shan (Echoing Sand Mountains) and Crescent Moon Spring, a natural oasis surrounded by towering sand dunes.
Evening: Free time to explore Dunhuang night market and sample local cuisine.
Accommodation: 3-4 star hotel in Dunhuang
Day 7: Dunhuang - Jiayuguan Pass - Zhangye Danxia Landform
Morning: Drive to Jiayuguan and visit the Jiayuguan Pass, the western end of the Great Wall of China.
Afternoon: Continue to Zhangye and visit the spectacular Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, known for its colorful rainbow mountains and unique rock formations.
Evening: Watch the sunset at the Danxia landform viewing platform, when the colors are most vibrant.
Accommodation: 3-4 star hotel in Zhangye
Day 8: Zhangye - Qilian Mountain Grasslands - Menyuan - Return to Xining
Morning: Drive to the beautiful Qilian Mountain Grasslands, enjoying the vast green meadows and snow-capped mountains in the distance.
Afternoon: Pass through Menyuan County, known for its beautiful rapeseed flower fields (seasonal). Return to Xining where the tour concludes.
Note: Tour includes accommodation, daily breakfast, and transportation between cities. Other meals, entrance fees, and optional activities are not included in the base price.