Silk Road Grandeur Tour

Upon your arrival, you’ll be picked up and transferred to the downtown hotel. At night you may as well stroll around the hotel and taste some famous local snack and savor the Dunhuang city views.

After breakfast, drive to Yadan Landform Park to feast your eyes on amazing views of the Yadan Landforms,  More widely known as the Yadan Ghost Castle, it looks like a large medieval castle with rock castles everywhere in various shapes those look like animals or other world famous attractions.

Admist the way you'll take a brief visit to Yumenguan Pass. Once as one of the west gates out of the country of the Han Dynasty (206 B. C. -220 A. D.), it is quite ruined by the shifting sands but still shows the ever splendor.

Go on to explore Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring, where you can take in an incredible view of the green oasis surrounded by an endless desert landscape. It's great fun to look at your reflection at the crystal clear crescent-shape spring and listen to the roaring sound of wind, which is echoed by the interesting mountain. Drive back to the downtown Dunhuang and spend a Dunhuang night at your hotel.

Drive to visit the spectacular Mogao Grottos, the home to some of the most amazing ancient Buddhist cave art in existence and the glorious World Heritage. The millions of flying Apsaras all over the interior grottos will tell you how far the imagination of the ancient painters can go.

Transfer to Jiayuguan City in the late afternoon. Enjoy your free time for the rest of the day after hotel check-in.

Drive to the most famous Jiayuguan Pass after breakfast. It is the most western end of the Great Wall and well preserved with majestic buildings. Its architectural complex is magnificently exquisite. The towers and pavilions enjoys a classic beauty and grandeur with their roofs upturned at the end of the ridges. If lucky, you can marvel at the grand sunrise view of the pass.

Later steer to the Jinta poplars forest, the most awesome view that you can see in desert area. The Jinta Poplars forest is times more beautiful as the lakes and streams around are abundant. The reflection in water is a big highlight.

In the late afternoon arrive in Zhangye City and check in at downtown hotel.

Today you'll feast on a constant sightseeing tour all on the road from Zhangye to Xining. First is Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park, the largest among its type in China. The towering peaks, cave holes and stone hall here sappear like a perfect painting on canvas.

Next is the vast Grassland of Qilian Mountain, one of the most beautiful in China. Before your eyes are the endless stretch of virgin forest. The plants include spruce, cypress, poplar and willow, and various shrubberies. For sure their beauty come to the utmost in autumn. In the dense trees and snow peaks even herds of deer can be seen. Then continue the autumn color discovery in Xianmi Forest Park and Beishan Mountain (North Mountain)

You'll reach Xining at night. Check in and relax yourself at the downtown hotel.

Visit Kumbum Monastery ( Ta'er Monastery), which is originated in 1379 from a pagoda that marked the birthplace of Tsong Kha-pa, founder of the Gelugpa Sect of the Tibetan people. It is one of the two most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries outside Tibet. The most famous items in this monastery are the "Three Treasures", namely  the yak butter made sculpture called "Suyouhua", fresco and embroidery.

Go touring Qinghai Lake, the largest salt lake in China. It's popular for biking and bird watching, the spectacular high-mountain scenery. on the western shore of Qinghai Lake there is the famous Bird Island. Flocks of birds shelter the whole island and bird eggs can be found everywhere. When the sun sets, it's your best opportunity to shoot. Drive back to downtown Xining and stay overnight.

Get up early for the pretty sunrise view at Qinghai Lake. Enjoy your free photo taking till the lunch time. You'll be transferred to the airport and we wish you a good journey back.