Overview
Travel through historical Hexi Corridor and barren Tsaidam Basin
Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Xining – Zhangye – Jiayuguan – Dunhuang – Delingha – Qinghai Lake - Xining
Travel through historical Hexi Corridor and barren Tsaidam Basin on the margin of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Hexi Corridor, as segment of the ancient Silk Road, was the most important route from north China to Central Asia, passed through several vibrant cultural towns including Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, Zhangye ect. There are many fertile oases along the path, watered by rivers flowing from the backdrop Qilian Mountains. While the contrast against is the hyperarid, wild and sparsely populated Tsaidam Basin, over one third of part is shimmering dunes or dazzling saline lakes and playas. This spectacular intermontane basin mounted on the northeast side of the Tibetan Plateau, surrounded on all sides by mountain ranges, Kunlun ranges in the south, Qilian ranges in the north, and Altyn-Tagh in the northwest. We travel through the breadth of this fabled region from Xining, the capital of Qinghai province, once the chief commercial hub of the Hexi Corridor, journey cross the time and history, the culture and nature, the desert and oasis, the prosperity and wildness. Savor the distinct corners of the northwest China as you paced travel further and further back in time.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01 Arrival Xining & City Sightseeing
Day 02 Xining – Zhangye (B)
Day 04 Zhangye - Jiayuguan (B)
Day 05 Jiayuguan - Dunhuang (B)
Day 06 Dunhuang (B)
Day 07 Dunhuang (B)
Day 08 Dunhuang – Delingha (B)
Day 09 Delingha – Qinghai Lake (B)
Day 10 Qinghai Lake – Kumbum – Xining (B)
Day 11 Xining Departure or Extension (B)
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Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival Xining & City Sightseeing
Upon arrival at Xining airport or train station, you will be met by our local guide and driver and then transfer to the hotel. In Xining, the capital of Qinghai province, visit the Grand Mosque, one of the four largest mosques in China, worshipped by local Muslim.
Day 02: Xining – Zhangye (B)
The road heads out Xining through the watershed pass on Mount Daban, some nomads could be seen herding sheep across the hillside. Then the flat road goes up to north across the beautiful oasis and small hamlets, mighty Qilian ranges renders to the west in distance. Clusters of cultivated fields appear gradually at the roadside, which offers the breathtaking views and great photo opportunity as it mixed canola during summer. In Zhangye, we visit Giant Buddha Temple, the symbolic and royal-style architectures at Zhangye established since Xixia dynasty, contains a China’s largest 35-m long sleeping Buddha inside. Spend a night in Zhangye, an absorbing outpost along the Silk Road.
Day 04: Zhangye - Jiayuguan (B)
Morning we leave for Jiayuguan. En-route, visit a natural wonder in west vicinity of Zhangye, the gorgeous and colorful Danxian formations and rock layers, some of them are very impressive. Visit Weijin Tombs that dates back from Wei and Western Jin periods (AD220-420), contains extraordinarily fresh bricks wall paintings. Jiayuguan, located at the narrowest point of the Hexi Corridor, guards the western entrance to China.
Day 05: Jiayuguan - Dunhuang (B)
We explore Jiayuguan, this ancient Han Chinese frontier post by visiting Jiayuguan Fort, the first fortification of Great Wall in the west. Later visit Overhanging Great Wall, where you can hike up for fine views of the desert and snow-capped peaks in distance. Then we drive to Dunhuang across the vast Gobi with backdrop of the Qiliang ranges. The magical mirages could be seen along the way by chance.
Day 06: Dunhuang (B)
Visit Mogao Caves, the greatest and most consummate gallery of Buddhist art in the world, there are 492 caves and over exquisite 2000 coloured Buddhist statues and murals remains here, and the first one carved out in AD 366. In the afternoon visit the Mingsha Hill and Crescent Moon Spring where you can take a camel ride to the top of the enormous sand dunes for amazing views of the crystal clear spring. In the evening time, free stroll in the interesting night market in Dunhuang.
Day 07: Dunhuang (B)
Heads out northwest of Dunhuang to Yadan National Park. En-route, we pass by the Jade Gate Pass, where is the ending point of Hexi Corridor and was originally the important military post. Visit a nearby museum to learn about more knowledge for the silk road. The weird, eroded desert landscaped of Yadan National Park is located in the heart of Gobi and formed about 12,000 years ago. The bald and strange rock formations give the park another name of ‘ghost city’. Enjoy the spectacular sunset over the red rocks and then we drive back to Dunhuang.
Day 08: Dunhuang – Delingha (B)
The road extends down southward across more sand dunes and wind-eroded Yadan peaks into the arid Tsadam Basin after climb up the Danjin Pass, the Altyn-Tagh ranges is visible in distance to the west. Then the road turns gradually to the east and winds like a black asphalt snake through sandy expanses to the more flat terrain dotting with the sparse vegetations.
Day 09: Delingha – Qinghai Lake (B)
We take the scenic drive across the Tsaidam desert to Qinghai Lake (Kokonor Lake). En-route, we make a short stop by the Tsaka Salty Lake where is encased in salt. Mirages may be offered by chance. Wonder around the Qinghai Lake, the China’s largest salty lake, enjoy amaze beauty of it. Many birds will stop here when they migrate across Asia. Spend a serene night at the lake side.
Day 10: Qinghai Lake – Kumbum – Xining (B)
Wake up early morning to view the possibly sunrise over the Qinghai Lake. Then drive to Xining across Sun & Moon Mountain. En the route, we stop to visit Qinghai’s symbolic site of Kumbum Monastery. It is the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelugpa sect, and is also famous for the artworks of Yak Butter sculptures, frescoes and embossed embroidery made by lhama artists.
Day 11: Xining Departure or Extension (B)
Extend the tour to Tibet or transfer to the airport/train station for other destinations.
Experiences & Activities
- Lose breath for the diverse landscapes of desert, oasis, snow-capped mountains , Danxian and Yadan formations
- Peruse the astonishing Mogao Caves, known as the Thousand Buddha Caves
- Visit cultural heritages of Jiayuguan Fort, Jade Gate Pass, Giant Buddha Temple, Kumbum Monastery ect.
- Camel ride up the Mingsha Hill over the shimmering Crescent Moon Spring
- Shoot the great photos during rape flower blooming seasons in July and August
- Get insight into unspoiled Muslim, Yugur, Tu, Kazak and Tibetan ethnics
