15 Days Northwest China Adventure Tour

Today your flight will touch down in Xining, the capital city of Qinghai. When you arrive at Xining you can meet your driver at the airport, and then your driver will take you to the Ta'er monastery (Kumbum Monastery), which is the centre of Tibetan Buddhism in Northwest China, and enjoys a high reputation in China and Southeast Asia.

Morning after breakfast, we will be going to Chaka and explore Chaka Salt Lake, it is the largest saline in Qinghai Province, Chaka Salt Lake means "the sea of salt"  in Mongolian. It lies in the centre of Qaidam Basin, which was nominated by the national tourist geography magazine as one of the 55 places to go.

Departure from the hotel, and we will drive 3hrs to Qinghai Lake with the stunning view along the way. You will be amazed by the scenery of this highland lake, it is also interesting to see the grazing animals - sheep, goats, duos, horses .You can ride a bike or cruise around the lake to taking in the wonderful landscape here. Back to Xining to take a fast train to Zhangye. Upon ariival, check in the hotel and have a good rest.

After enjoy the nice breakfast at the hotel, today, our tour guide will take you to visit the Grand Buddha Temple, it is one of the important temples along the silk road, where you can experience the ancient religious art. 

Thereafter, our next stop is Matisi Temple ( Horseshoe Temple ), The temple was named by the court as "Puguang Temple" in the 14th year of yongle Period in Ming Dynasty. It houses a saddle and one dragon gown given by some emperor in Qing Dynasty.

Then we will head to visit the Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, which is 64.7 kilometres (One hour) , it is situated in the north of Qilian mountains. The area includes the colour hills in Linze country, ice hills, Danxia GanZhou District and PingShan lake. The scenic Danxia, is a distance of 40 km from east Zhangye city, north from Linze county town by 20 km, this is the most typical arid area of northern China.

Today we will proceed to visit the Binggou Danxia, which is the most significant geological and geomorphic relic of the window lattice palace in China, mainly composed of sandstone geomorphic relic landscape. After visiting, drive you to Jiayuguan. Met and be transferred the hotel for rest

Today we will be driving to Ejinaqi to visit the Strange Forest, 28 kilometers southwest of Dalai Hubu town in Ejin Banner. It is actually formed by the death of a large number of Populus euphratica trees. Then drive to Kara Khoto, located about 25km southeast of Ejinaqi, the allure here is the remoteness of the site and surrounding natural beauty. It is also called Black City—inhabited by demons and spirits. A great time to visit is late September to early October when the poplar trees are changing colours; but be warned that every hotel room in Ejina Qí will be booked out at this time.

Morning depart from the hotel, we will drive to Juyan lake, a former lake in the Gobi desert. It is located in the western part of Inner Mongolia, in Ejin Banner of the Alxa League, near the border with Outer Mongolia. The Juyan Lake basin is a rare wetland located in a desert. It covers an area of about 10,000 square kilometres . The Juyan lake is one of three former terminal lakes located at the outer edges of the Heihe River ('Black River') catchment which formed a large inland delta between the Qilian and the Gobi Altay. Populus Euphratica Forest in Ejin Banner is one of the only three Populus euphratica forests in the world. The desert Populus euphratica forest is the most important component. It has the most spectacular global scenery, the largest number of thousand year old trees and the most dense Populus euphratica forest.

Today we will pay a visit to Jinta Populus forest is located in Chaohu forest farm to the west of Jinta County, Gansu Province. It is a part of the three North Shelterbelt System. Around the Populus euphratica forest, there are a large area of Elaeagnus angustifolia, Populus alba and Salix koraiensis, with a total area of 80000 mu. The Populus euphratica forest is densely distributed, growing well, ranking the first in the province in scale, and has great tourism development value. Afterwards, drive back to Jiayuguan and transfer to the hotel and check in.

Today we begin our journey to the Jiayuguan Fortress. Standing among vast desert and surrounded by rolling mountains,it looks like a dignified general guarding the grand land. Besides functioning as a frontier military fortress, it was also an important traffic hub along the Silk Road, the oldest worldwide trading route. After that, you will explore the Great Wall Museum, which was opened to the public in October 1989 and it is the first one to exhibit the Great Wall culture in a comprehensive and systematic way. Thereafter, sightseeing to the Overhanging Great Wall. It got the named for riding on a mountain ridge that is 45 degrees from vertical and resembling a huge dragon. Then driving to Dunhuang for overnight stay.

Today we are going to appreciate the Holy Center of Buddhism Culture and Art-UNESCO of Mogao Grottoes, enjoying the 40mins 4D movie to learn the development of the grottoes and then we will be escorted by the professional guides from Mogao to enjoy the the 8 caves mainly.

Then continue driving to Dunhuang to visit Echoing Sand Mountain, where you can ride the camels for 40mins to experience the beautiful desert scenery in the sunset. It is also fun to climb up to the top of the sand dune by the ladders to have the bird-view of the park and slide down to the bottom.

Afterwards, say farewell to Dunhuang as we will take high-speed train to Turpan, upon arrival, take you to downtown hotel and check in.

With an early start today our first stop Tuyoq Valley, an ancient oasis-village. We will have lunch in the local Uygur family before exploring this traditional village surrounded by the impressive grape trellis and the stories of the adventurers all of the world. Afterwards, head up to the Karez Well irrigation system that produce the best melons and grapes in China. Following is the visiting to Sugong Minaret, a conduit for cultural exchange between different ethnic and religious groups.

Today's tour end up with the 2hrs's exploration of Jiaohe Ruins, resembles Pompei, but 300 years older，a Chinese archaeological site found in the Yarnaz Valley, 10 km west of the city of Turpan and a natural fortress located atop a steep cliff on a leaf-shaped plateau between two deep river valleys where you can experience the way of life of the Uygur ancestors. After visiting, driving to the capital city of Xinjiang- Urumqi

Morning depart from the hotel, we will drive 1.5 hours to entrance of the Heavenly Lake about 08:30, following is the 40-minutes shuttle bus twisting through the picturesque Tianshan mountains to the edge of the Lake. Either Trek around the lake, enjoy the boating cruise, or even take the cable car to the explore the Maya Mountain for the incredible view of Bogoda Peak. Lunch will be arranged in the Yurt of the local Kazakhs.

Back to Urumqi and head to Xinjiang Regional Museum, where are many archaeological treasures of the Silk Road and Xinjiang's minority cultures. You will learn about the history of Xinjiang and its peculiar ethnic customs.  Visit Grand International Bazaar where you can watch Uygur dance show and taste local delicacies.

Say goodbye to Urumqi, be transferred to the airport to take the flight to Kashgar. Upon arrival, pick up to check in the hotel.

The tour starts with the nice buffet in the hotel, drives to Karakul Lake and we will stop at Opal village for a rest where you may stroll around the local bazaar with the feeling of the traditional local lifestyle.

Continue to enjoy the majestic views of the Sand dunes, mountains, and sandstone valley along the Karakorum Highway, the Hindu Kush Mountains and the Himalayas. It is the world's tallest cross-border roads and most thrilling corridors.Trekking around the Karakul Lake with enjoy the magnificent landscape and the nomadic lifestyle of the local Kirghiz in their yurts. After visiting, drive back to Kashgar in the afternoon.

Today you will enjoy a full-day excursion of Kashgar. Pay a visit to Id Kah Mosque, the largest Mosque in China and the most sacred mosque for the locals to practise their Islamic activities at 09:00. Continue the visiting to Old Town with the open ceremony of Maxilap show. Come and join the exciting movement in this well-preserved Uighur residential area. Our speciality: Relaxing in the Hundred-years Tea house, taste the local rose tea and nang-bread!

Continue to visit Handicraft street, gathered hundreds of handicraft workshops, which has become a boutique exhibition for handicraft in Kashgar and Central Asia. Our next stop is the famous Sunday Bazaar drive to Sunday Bazaar that is combined two sections. The covered bazaar sells the clothing, nuts, household goods and many things out of your imagination. The outdoor Animal Bazaar is the first bazaar we visit, where the farmers and buyers arriving by donkey cart, truck, bicycle, horseback, motorbike or on foot, with their animals. It's loud, lively and cheerful as they arrive. It is quite interesting to witness their typical methods of the bargain.

After breakfast in the hotel you will have freetime to explorer this city by yourself. Thereafter, you will end your enjoyable tour and be transferred to the airport to catch the flight to your destination. See you next trip!