Highlights

  • Experience the breathtaking Tengger Desert with an exhilarating 4x4 ride and discover the stunning Ulan Lake, capturing unforgettable aerial views with private drone footage.  

  • Marvel at the Zhangye Danxia Rainbow Mountains, a natural masterpiece of vibrant mineral-striped hills, especially magical during sunset, offering perfect photo opportunities.  

  • Explore the ancient Mogao Caves, home to 45,000 square meters of exquisite Buddhist art, and witness the surreal beauty of Crescent Lake amidst the Singing Sand Dunes.  

  • Walk in the footsteps of history at Jiayuguan Fort, the western end of the Great Wall, and immerse yourself in the lively Shazhou Night Market, filled with delicious local flavors and vibrant Silk Road culture.

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

ITINERARY Close All

Day 1Yinchuan Arrival

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.  

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Yinchuan
Altitude: 1100m
  • Yinchuan

    Yinchuan

  • Hand-pulled Lamb

    Hand-pulled Lamb

Day 2Hollywood of the East

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.  

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Yinchuan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Altitude: 1100m
  • Western Film Studio

    Western Film Studio

  • Helan Mountain Rock Paintings

    Helan Mountain Rock Paintings

Day 3Heart-Pounding Desert Safari

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.  

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Yinchuan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Altitude: 1100m
  • Tengger Desert

    Tengger Desert

  • Ulan Lake

    Ulan Lake

Day 4A Journey Through Time in Ningxia

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. 

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Zhongwei
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Altitude: 1225m
  • Western Xia Mausoleum

    Western Xia Mausoleum

  • Qingtong Gorge

    Qingtong Gorge

Day 5Temples, Thrills & Desert Magic

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.  

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Zhongwei
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Altitude: 1225m
  • Gao Temple

    Gao Temple

  • Shapotou

    Shapotou

Day 6Rafting Through Millennia

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.  

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Lanzhou
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Altitude: 1520m
  • Yellow River Stone Forest

    Yellow River Stone Forest

  • Yellow River Stone Forest

    Yellow River Stone Forest

Day 7Gansu's Timeless Masterpieces

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.  

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Wuwei
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Altitude: 1350m
  • Tiantishan Grottoes

    Tiantishan Grottoes

  • Leitai Han Tomb

    Leitai Han Tomb

Day 8Nature's Rainbow Canvas

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!  

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Zhangye
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Altitude: 1400m
  • Danxia Rainbow Mountains

    Danxia Rainbow Mountains

  • Danxia Rainbow Mountains

    Danxia Rainbow Mountains

Day 9The Great Wall's Grand Finale

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. 

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Jiuquan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Altitude: 1500m
  • Jiayuguan Fort

    Jiayuguan Fort

  • Jiayuguan Fort

    Jiayuguan Fort

Day 10Dunhuang - Oasis of Wonders

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.  

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Dunhuang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Altitude: 1139m
  • Shazhou Night Market

    Shazhou Night Market

  • Shazhou Night Market

    Shazhou Night Market

Day 11Dunhuang's Desert Wonders Come Alive

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.  

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Dunhuang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Altitude: 1139m
  • Mogao Grottoes

    Mogao Grottoes

  • Crescent Lake

    Crescent Lake

Day 12Dunhuang Departure

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!  

Traffic: Car
Hotel: No Accommodation
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 1139m

INCLUDES

  • Private transportation through out the itinerary. SRT will arrange for all travelers to be met on arrival and seen off on departure based on your flight info.

  • Shared accommodations in well located, tourist to superior class hotels include breakfast, service charge and government tax.

  • All entrance fees(shuttle bus) sightseeing; excursions and activities as per the itinerary.

  • Domestic flights and 2nd class express train listed in the itinerary.

  • Private friendly and professional English-Speaking guides (French, Italy, Russian, German can be arranged per your request)

  • Visa support letter for you to apply Chinese visa easily.

  • Travel and health insurance when travel with us.

  • 8, A 24/7 helpline while you are traveling.

EXCLUDES

  • International and domestic flights not indicated.

  • Food, Lunch or dinner not specified.

  • Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers.

  • Personal expenses and the other tours or activities not mentioned.

TRIP NOTES

  • We will upgrade trains to 1st class where available if book the tour 5 months in advance of departure.

  • There is no problem to travel Silk Road during Ramadan.

  • Complimentary 2 bottles of water each person on daily use.

Transportation

We will use business MPV to luxurious coaches and trains.

Accommodation

All the hotels we selected are 4-5star well-located in the city center with good and proper breakfast for our clients.

Guides

Our guides are very friendly, knowledgeable, helpful. And our group tours will be escorted from SRT.

Climate and Altitude

Generally speaking Mid March—End Oct are the best time to visit Silk Road. And we strongly suggest you come in May, June, October to avoid the heat and crowd. No need to worry about high altitude along the Silk Road. We will prepare Oxygen bags if the package includes Xiahe, Qinghai Lake and Taxkorgan County.

We offer beneficial Cancellation Policy to our customers.

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