Highlight:
​The Hexi (west of the river), Corridor is a long, narrow passage stretching for more than 1,000 kilometers from the steep Wushaolin hillside near the modern city of Lanzhou to the Jade Gate at the border of Gansu and Xinjiang. It is an open plain, flat and fertile, flanked between the much more elevated and inhospitable terrains of the Mongolian and Tibetan Plateaus. One of the most important trade routes on the silk road,  linking China proper to the historic Western Regions for traders and military incursions into Central Asia. Therefore not surprisingly had been taken in rotation by the Xiongnu, Yuezhi, Huangs, Tibetans, Chinese, and Mongolians in history.

Trip Summery

This 8 days trip will take you to see the hight lands of Tibetan in Qinghai, visiting Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, hiking on the rolling grasslands, Finally enter into an extraordinarily dynamic land on the silk road, multifaceted relationship between the people of central Asia and the states of sedentary cultures at the peripheries, such as those of China, North India and Iran, and the Roman and Byzantine empires.  These contacts involved both active trading and political and military conflicts, the migration of peoples, and the diffusion of religions and artistic styles.
 

 

Detailed Itinerary
 

Duration: 8 Days

Route: From Xining, Qinghai to Dunhuang, Gansu

Accommodation: 4–5 star standard hotels

Guide: Experienced cultural specialist
Transportation: Tourist minivan or 4WD vehicles, depending on group size

 

Day 1: Arrival in Xining (Qinghai Province)

Upon arrival in Xining (2,200m), the capital of Qinghai, our team will greet and escort you to your hotel. After settling in, enjoy a brief guided city tour. Key highlights may include: Dongguan Grand Mosque  (optional): One of the largest mosques in Northwest China, reflecting Xining’s multi-ethnic heritage. In the evening, savor a welcome dinner at Makyi Amey, a well-known Tibetan restaurant known for its atmosphere and local flavors.
Accommodation: Xining Sofitel Hotel

Drive Time: ~1 hour
 

Day 2: Xining – Qinghai Lake Excursion

After breakfast, we drive to Qinghai Lake, China’s largest inland saltwater lake (3,300m), sacred to both Tibetan Buddhists and Mongols. Along the southern edge: Take a 2–3 hour leisurely hike along meadows and pastures overlooking the lake. You’ll overnight at a hotel close to the lake’s shore, offering scenic views and a peaceful environment.

Accommodation: Qinghai Lake View Hotel

Drive Time:  2–3 hours
 

Day 3: Qinghai Lake – Dolha Pass (Qilian Shan)– Zhangye (Gansu Province) Depart early and drive across the Qilian Mountain range, entering Gansu via the Dolha Pass —a high-altitude grassland offering sweeping views of yak pastures and alpine meadows. Enjoy a picnic lunchon the Dolha grassland plateau (weather permitting).

Continue to Matisi Grottoes (Horse Hoof Temple) near Zhangye, an ancient Buddhist cave temple carved into a cliff, dating back to the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Legend says a divine horse left its hoof print on the rocks here. Explore this lesser-known spiritual site, including colorful murals, cliff-carved halls, and meditation caves.

Accommodation: Zhangye Huachen Hotel

Drive Time: 5–6 hours

Elevation:  Drops to 1,500m

Day 4: Zhangye – Giant Buddha Temple – Pingshanhu Canyons

Morning visit to the Giant Buddha Temple (Dafo Si): Home to China’s largest reclining Buddha (34.5m long), built during the Mi-Nyak (Chine: XiXia) period. Explore the ancient architecture, including the Buddhist Classics Hall and Clay Pagoda, and admire murals depicting Buddhist cosmology. Afternoon: Drive to Pingshanhu Canyon, where you will enjoy:  A 1–2 hour scenic hike through labyrinthine red sandstone canyons with striking formations and desert vegetation. Return to Zhangye for the night.

Accommodation:  Zhangye Huachen Hotel

Drive Time: 3–4 hours

Day 5: Zhangye – Rainbow Mountains – Jiayuguan

Morning excursion to the  Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park: This UNESCO-listed site features colorful sandstone mountains, often called the “Rainbow Mountains.” Easy walking paths and viewing platforms allow for spectacular photo opportunities during a 2-hour visit. After lunch in nearby Danxia town, drive onward to Jiayuguan, the westernmost terminus of the Great Wall during the Ming Dynasty.

Accommodation: Jiayuguan International Hotel

Drive Time: 3–4 hours

Elevation: 1,000m
 

Day 6: Jiayuguan Wall – Yulin Grottoes – Dunhuang
Morning visit to the Jiayuguan Fortress, also known as the “First Pass Under Heaven”: A formidable structure guarding the western gate of the Great Wall, this site features watchtowers, gates, and legends such as the  Wall-Stabilizing Brick story. Afterward, drive to the Yulin Caves, a Buddhist site similar in style and era to the Mogao Caves: Over 43 caves with intricate murals and sculptures from the Tang through Qing dynasties. Managed by the Dunhuang Academy, these are a hidden gem of Silk Road Buddhist art. Evening arrival in Dunhuang, once a key oasis and trading post.

Accommodation: Dunhuang International Hotel

Drive Time: 5–6 hours

 

Day 7: Dunhuang – Mogao Caves – Echoing-Sand Mountain & Crescent Lake

Morning visit to the Mogao Caves, also known as the “Caves of the Thousand Buddhas”:  A UNESCO World Heritage site with over 750 caves, showcasing exquisite Buddhist art from 10 dynasties. See towering clay Buddhas, vibrant murals, and learn about ancient art patronage and preservation. Afternoon visit to Echoing-Sand Mountain & Crescent Lake: Ride camels (optional) or walk along sand dunes that “sing” in the wind. Visit Crescent Lake, a miraculous desert spring that has never dried up.

Accommodation: Dunhuang International Hotel

Drive Time:~2 hours
 

Day 8: Yadan National Geological Park – Departure

A fitting finale: Visit Yadan National Geological Park, nicknamed “Ghost City”:Drive through surreal desert landforms shaped by millennia of wind erosion. Structures resemble castles, temples, pyramids, and otherworldly silhouettes. Return to Dunhuang for dinner and transfer to the airport for your departure.

Drive Time: 4–5 hours