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Welcome to Lanzhou, where your Silk Road journey begins! After checking in, head straight to Nanguan Ethnic Food Street – the perfect introduction to Northwest China’s cuisine. Watch noodle masters stretch Lanzhou beef noodles by hand, savor smoky lamb skewers, and try local desserts like sweet fermented rice. The bustling night market gives you your first taste of Gansu’s vibrant culture. Rest well tonight – tomorrow brings breathtaking landscapes!
D, Stay in Lanzhou
Morning takes you to Qinghai Lake, Asia’s largest saltwater lake. The turquoise waters stretch endlessly, framed by golden rapeseed flowers(油菜花) in summer or snow-capped mountains in winter. Stop to photograph yaks grazing by the shore and local Tibetan prayer flags fluttering in the breeze. Continue to Chaka Town as the sun sets over the high-altitude grasslands (3,100m).
Pro tip: Drink plenty of water to adjust to the elevation!
B, L, D, Stay in Chaka
Today highlights China’s “Mirror of the Sky” – Chaka Salt Lake. Walk on the blinding white salt crust that reflects clouds like glass. Wear bright colors for stunning photos! Try floating in the super-buoyant saltwater before returning to Xining. En route, watch for Tibetan herders with their sheep. In Xining, don’t miss the night market’s yak yogurt(牦牛酸奶) – tart and creamy!
B, L, D, Stay in Xining
Swap roads for rails on a scenic bullet train ride through the Qilian Mountains. Arrive in Dunhuang, where two miracles await: Mingsha Shan – giant dunes that “sing” when wind blows, and Yueyaquan – a crescent-shaped oasis surviving in the desert for 2,000 years. Climb the dunes barefoot for sunset, then explore Shazhou Night Market for camel-shaped souvenirs and donkey meat noodles(驴肉黄面).
B, L, D, Stay in Dunhuang
Meet the “Sistine Chapel of the East” at Mogao Caves, where 1,000 years of Buddhist art hides in desert cliffs. Expert guides reveal stunning murals using special flashlights. Later, drive past the Gobi Desert to Jiayuguan Fort – the dramatic western end of the Great Wall where ancient soldiers guarded China’s frontier. Spend the night in Jiuquan, home of China’s space program – spot rocket models around town!
B, L, D, Stay in Jiuquan
Today’s star is Zhangye Danxia Landform – nature’s paint palette! These rainbow-striped mountains look photoshopped but are 100% real mineral deposits. Time your visit for late afternoon when colors glow brightest. Walk the boardwalks to different viewpoints, then try local hand-pinched fish noodles(搓鱼面) in Zhangye‘s night market.
Fun fact: This landscape inspired the movie “The Wandering Earth”!
B, L, D, Stay in Zhangye
Travel back in time at Leitai Han Tomb, where a famous bronze “Flying Horse” was discovered. Then visit Tiantishan Grottoes, the earliest Buddhist caves in China (1,600 years old!). Watch artisans carve replicas using traditional tools. The long drive(3.5 hours) back to Lanzhou crosses the Yellow River multiple times – spot farmers tending melon fields along the banks.
B, L, D, Stay in Lanzhou
Bid farewell with one last bowl of beef noodles at the airport. You’ve traveled from Tibetan grasslands to desert caves, following the ancient Silk Road’s most spectacular sights – take home memories (and maybe some dried goji berries!) to last a lifetime.
B, Departure from Lanzhou
Ideal: May-October July-August: Warmest (15-28°C), Qinghai Lake rapeseed flowers bloom September: Cooler (10-25°C), fewer crowds, golden autumn colors Winter (Nov-Apr): Very cold (-10 to 5°C), some sites closed
ATMs: Available in Lanzhou/Xining/Dunhuang Cash Needed: ¥500-1,000 for rural areas (markets, small vendors) Cards Accepted: Hotels, some restaurants in cities
Popular Add-ons: +2 days for Zhangye's Rainbow Mountains +3 days for Jiuzhaigou Valley (Sichuan) Luxury upgrades: Desert glamping near Dunhuan
Lanzhou - Hezuo - Diebu County - Tangke County - Aba County - Hezuo - Lanzhou
Lanzhou - Zhangye - Dunhuang - Golmud - Chaka - Xining - Lanzhou
Lanzhou - Xiahe - Langmusi monastery - Diebu County - Tanchang County - Tianshui - Lanzhou
Lanzhou - Wuwei - Zhangye - Jiayuguan - Dunhuang - Lanzhou
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Unforgettable Journey!
Gabriela –
AVENTURA INCRÍVEL! Sang ‘The Lion King’ song at Qinghai Lake ?. Tibetan family homestay—no shower 2 days ? but experience priceless. Obrigada, Gansu!
Good Guide and Drivers
Khamsing –
Silk Road history very interesting. Dunhuang night market bargain heaven.
Good
Yuki Tanaka –
Organized tour but long drive. Mogao Caves art stunning—no photos allowed for preservation of Relics ?. Liked Xining’s night market: cheap scarves, sweet milk tea.
Amazing Tour
Lee Wei Jie –
Efficient tour—saw everything in 8 days. Jiayuguan Fort sunset epic.
Wonderful trips anyway
Aung Htet –
Never see desert before! Climb Mingsha Shan dunes barefoot—sand so hot but view amazing. Camel riding is so fun. Tibetan butter tea taste like salty oil… ? Stick to milk tea!
Missing Gansu already!
Adi Pratama –
BEST PHOTOS EVER! Emerald Lake water like mint gem ?. Guide Alice teach us say ‘ni hao’ and ‘xie xie’. Altitude headache first night, but drink lots water ok.
Charmant!
Léa Dubois –
Labrang Monastery’s butter sculptures = art. Disappointed by French food in Lanzhou—stick to Chinese dishes. Desert stars at night… magnifique! ?