12 Days Legendary Tour Through Ningxia & Gansu's Silk Road Treasures

Welcome to Yinchuan, where the golden hues of the desert meet the vibrant pulse of northwest China! Let the warm hospitality of this desert oasis welcome you as you check into your comfortable hotel. Tonight, the city is yours to explore! Wander through vibrant night markets where the aroma of sizzling lamb skewers and freshly baked naan bread fills the air. Don't miss the chance to try Ningxia's famous hand-pulled lamb——tender, flavorful, and utterly unforgettable.  

Lights, camera, action! Channel your inner movie star at the Western Film Studio, where legendary films like Red Sorghum were born. Then, travel back in time as you decipher the mysterious Helan Mountain Rock Paintings, left behind by nomadic tribes centuries ago. The day crescendos at the Western Xia Folk Garden, where thundering hooves and clashing swords bring the dramatic Battle of Hequ to life before your eyes.  

Today, you'll conquer the mighty Tengger Desert in style! Buckle up for a wild 4x4 ride across rolling dunes as you hunt for the desert's best-kept secret—the blood-red Ulan Lake, nature's own masterpiece. Your reward? A bird's-eye view of this "Earth's Heart" from your private drone footage. As the sun sets, toast to your bravery with succulent Peking duck.  

Stand in awe before the pyramid-like Western Xia Mausoleum, where ancient kings sleep beneath the watchful gaze of the Helan Mountains. Then, embark on a serene cruise through Qingtong Gorge, where 108 white pagodas cascade down the cliffs—each one said to erase a worldly sorrow. Let the river's gentle rhythm lull you as you journey to your desert oasis in Zhongwei. 

An amazing day begins at the fantastic Gao Temple, its multiple stories defying gravity. Then—adrenaline alert!—you'll mount camels at Elisendalai for an amazing moment before testing your courage on a sandboarding descent. The grand finale? Shapotou, where you'll walk on air across a glass bridge suspended above the meeting point of desert and river.  

Prepare for jaw-dropping scenery at the Yellow River Stone Forest, where 400-million-year-old sandstone pillars tower like nature's skyscrapers. The adventure continues as you brave the currents on a traditional sheepskin raft—just as locals have done for centuries.  

Ready to meet China's earliest Buddhist cave art at the Tiantishan Grottoes? Including a 15-meter-tall Buddha who's watched over pilgrims for 1,600 years. Then comes every history lover's highlight—the Leitai Han Tomb, where the iconic Flying Horse of Gansu (China's tourism emblem) was discovered mid-gallop.  

Today brings what National Geographic calls "one of Earth's most spectacular landscapes"—the Zhangye Danxia Rainbow Mountains. As sunset paints these mineral-striped hills in fiery hues, you'll understand why photographers pilgrimage here. 

Pro tip: Have your camera ready at the 4th viewing platform for the most dramatic panoramas!  

Walk in the footsteps of Marco Polo at Jiayuguan Fort, where the Great Wall's western gate once guarded the Silk Road. Touch the Ming Dynasty bricks and imagine the countless merchants, soldiers, and explorers who passed beneath these very arches. 

As you arrive in Dunhuang, the desert suddenly gives way to an emerald oasis. Tonight, lose yourself in the sensory feast of Shazhou Night Market—follow your nose to sizzling lamb skewers, then haggle for silk scarves under strings of lantern light.  

The crown jewel of your journey—the Mogao Grottoes—awaits! Marvel at 45,000 square meters of Buddhist art preserved for millennia. Later, climb the Singing Sand Dunes (they really do hum when you slide down!) to witness the miracle of Crescent Lake, a perfect teardrop of blue that has defied the desert for 2,000 years.  

As you board your flight home, the desert wind whispers one last secret—you'll be back. Because once the Silk Road gets under your skin, it never lets go. Until next time, intrepid traveler!