11 Days China Northwest Adventure Tour: Xi'an, Ningxia, and Gansu

On your first day in Xi'an, the ancient capital of China, you will be greeted by a professional driver who will be waiting to pick you up from the airport. As soon as you step off the plane, you'll be able to spot your driver, ready to escort you to your hotel in a comfortable vehicle.

Today's tour is an immersive tour of Xi 'an.

Your first destination will be the Terracotta Warriors, one of the most remarkable archaeological discoveries in the world. Here, you will be awestruck by the lifelike statues of soldiers, horses, and chariots that have been buried for over 2,000 years. 

After exploring the Terracotta Warriors, you will head to Muslim Street, a vibrant hub of Islamic culture in Xi'an. Here, you will find a bustling marketplace filled with colorful stalls selling traditional Muslim cuisine, spices, and handicrafts. The aroma of savory food and the sounds of vendors bargaining will immerse you in the lively atmosphere of this unique place.

The final stop on your city tour will be the Ancient City Wall, a magnificent structure that has stood guard over Xi'an for centuries. You will have the opportunity to walk along the ramparts, admiring the breathtaking views of the cityscape while learning about the wall's rich history and strategic importance. 

This day's tour will leave you with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the cultural diversity and historical depth of Xi'an, making your stay in this ancient city even more memorable.

Today, you'll take a fast train to Yinchuan, a charming city rich in history and culture. The journey will take approximately 2.5 hours, providing you with the perfect opportunity to admire the scenic countryside as you travel through China's vast landscape.

In the afternoon you'll visit the Ningxia Museum. The Ningxia Museum is the perfect place to learn more about the history of Yinchuan and the surrounding region. It has a large collection of artifacts from the Western Xia Dynasty, as well as exhibits on the history of the Silk Road and the Great Wall.

Today, we will explore the Western Xia Imperial Tombs, fascinating rock paintings, and indulge in a local wine tasting experience in Yinchuan.

The Western Xia Imperial Tombs are located on the eastern side of Helan Mountain, 25 kilometers west of Yinchuan, the capital of Ningxua Hui autonomous region. Since June 1972, nine imperial tombs and 253 small tombs have been excavated. They are as grand as the Ming Tombs in Beijing. Covering more than 50 square kilometers, the site is unique among royal burial grounds with the layout patterned after celestial bodies.

In Yinchuan, you cannot miss the rock paintings of Helan Mountain. In the heart of Helan Mountain, there are about 20 sites preserving rock paintings, but the majority of carvings are concentrated in Helankou (Helan Pass), a magnificent gorge that cuts through the mountains northwestwards. Among these rock painting parks, Helankou Rock Paintings are also the most representative ones. Therefore, the rock paintings of Helan Mountain usually refer to the Helankou Rock Paintings in Helan Pass.

To conclude your tour, you will visit a local winery where you will indulge in a wine tasting experience. The winery, with its vineyards sprawling across the countryside, offers a serene setting to savor the unique flavors of the local wines. Under the guidance of a wine expert, you will learn about the wine-making process and enjoy sampling a variety of wines, each with its own distinct character and flavor.

First, we will embark on a drive to Yongning County, where the serene and historic Najiahu Mosque awaits. This mosque, a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the region. Here, you will have the opportunity to admire its intricate architecture and learn about its historical significance.

After our visit to Najiahu Mosque, we will make our way to a local Muslim restaurant for lunch. 

Following lunch, we will continue our journey to Tongxin County, where the majestic Tongxin Grand Mosque stands. This mosque, renowned for its grandeur and beauty, is a must-visit for anyone interested in Islamic architecture. You will be able to admire its intricate carvings, beautiful tiling, and towering minaret.

Finally, we will drive to Zhongwei, where the serene Gao Temple awaits. Located in northern Zhongwei County, Gao Temple represents a unique amalgamation of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. Construction was completed during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) and was subsequently repaired in the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). The present structure is composed of the Baoan and High Temples.

Embark on a scenic drive that will take you nearly four hours to the captivating city of Lanzhou.  

Upon arrival in Lanzhou, we will make our way straight to the Yellow River Mother Sculpture. The Yellow River Mother Sculpture is located in the middle of Binhe Road on the south bank of the Yellow River in Lanzhou. Created by Gansu sculptor Ms. He E, the sculpture is 6 meters long, 2.2 meters wide and 2.6 meters high. and happy and thriving Chinese descendants. The lower base of the sculpture is engraved with water ripples and fish patterns, which are derived from the original patterns of ancient painted pottery in Gansu.

Today, you'll take a train to Zhangye. 

Begin our tour with the Giant Buddha Temple. Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple is a Buddhist Art Museum with various unique and precious architecture, sculptures, murals, scriptures and cultural relics. It was built in 1098 during the Western Xia Dynasty (1038-1227), with a history of more than 900 years. It is a significant architectural relic on the Silk Road, and also a landmark building of the historic city of Zhangye. 

After admiring the Sleeping Buddha, we will continue our journey to Mati Temple. The whole Buddhist temple complex is composed of Shenguo Temple, Puguang Temple, Qianfo Cave (Thousand Buddha temple), Jinta Temple, Upper Guanyin Cave, Middle Guanyin Cave and Lower Guanyin Cave. All of them are located inside sheer rock cliffs and with wooden pavilions clinging miraculously to the rock.

Today's first stop is Zhangye Danxia Geopark, a natural wonder that showcases the beauty of the earth's geology. As you enter the geopark, you'll be greeted by a stunning array of vibrant colors and unique rock formations. The layers of sedimentary rock, eroded by wind and water over millions of years, have created a landscape that is both mysterious and captivating. 

After your visit to the geopark, we'll continue our journey to Jiayuguan, a city that sits at the westernmost point of the Silk Road. Here, you'll have the opportunity to visit Jiayuguan Pass, a strategic military pass. Jiayuguan Pass used to be the starting point of the ancient Great Wall built during Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644). It was the most important military defensive project guarding the far northwestern area of China because of its strategic location at the narrowest point of the western section of the Hexi Corridor which had been the vital defensive frontier since Han Dynasty (BC 202—220).  At the same time, the Jiayuguan Pass had also played as a key waypoint of the ancient Silk Road. Foreign travelers and traders came from Europe, Middle Asia, and entered the inner land of China.

Drive more than four hours to Dunhuang. 

First, we visit the Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses thousands of Buddhist cave temples and murals dating back over a thousand years. With 735 caves, more than 45,000 square meters of murals, 2,415 colored sculptures of different size, Mogao Grottoes  is one of the greatest repositories of Buddhist art in the world.

Go to the Shazhou Night Market in the evening. The Shazhou Night Market, located on Yangguan East Road, is one of the most interesting night markets in China. With the improvement of basic services, an increasing number of tourists consider it a must-visit destination in the culturally prosperous Dunhuang. As night falls and all the lights come on, tourists from all over gather here, walking into the crowds to explore and satisfy their palates.

In the morning, we'll visit Yadan National Geological Park first.

Yadan National Geological Park occupies an area of about 398 square kilometers and is the largest one of Yardang Landform found so far. It is also called Devil City in that you will hear the sound just like the devil screaming when the strong wind goes through the desert.

After a morning of exploration and discovery, we return to the Dunhuang, refreshed and ready for the next adventure. In the afternoon, we'll visit Crescent Spring. The best times of a day to visit Crescent Spring are sunrise, sunset, and night. At sunrise or sunset, a soft glow falls on the lake surface. The sparkling oasis reflects the surrounding golden sand dunes. In the evening, blue neon lights around Crescent Spring light up, outlining the moon shape on the ground, which is complementary to the starry sky.

Today our journey comes to an end after a good breakfast. You will be transferred to the airport or train station based on your schedule. Wish you a pleasant journey home.