For centuries Gansu was a vital trade corridor between China and Central Asia.From Lanzhou a 1200-kilometer section of the Silk Road stretches through barren desert in the shadow of the Qilian Mountains to modern day Xinjiang – this is the Hexi Corridor. As proof of all the trade along this route, you will find numerous ancient monuments scattered along the entire Silk Road – temples buried in cliff faces, monasteries, pagodas, towers and ancient palaces. This area also holds the western most part of the Great Wall of China.This valley was once the sole western passage in and out of the Middle Kingdom and even today there is nothing else in all of China like this place. This is China like you have never seen it!
Our program takes participants through the remote regions of Amdo Tibet into the high grasslands and monasteries that are the heartbeat of Tibetan nomadic culture. Eat a cup of tart yak yoghurt, walk under the tall golden spires of monastery halls and giant Buddhas, and trek through rugged mountains to discover how nomads have kept their ways alive for centuries in the midst of an often unforgiving high-altitude environment. With the opportunity to stay with nomads, we’ll have insight into their daily routines and learn to appreciate the richness of their culture.
From the wild grasslands of Amdo Tibet we will then head to Zhangye, Jiayuguan, and Dunhuang. These are desert towns of western Gansu Province and they were important arteries for trade along the Hexi Corridor of the Silk Road. See the rainbow striped mountains of Zhangye Danxia National Park and explore the westernmost section of the Great Wall in Jiayuguan. Much of this section of the Great Wall has been entirely covered by drifting desert sand but there still remains a few exposed sections that still whisper rumors of conquest and empire. Next we will have the opportunity to take a camel ride in the desert and stroll through the lively night market of Dunhuang as you watch the traditional art of Chinese paper cutting and block painting. We will end our tour in Gansu’s best grottoes as we walk into the hidden caves of the mystical Mogao Grottoes to see ancient Buddhist cave paintings in the sandstone cliffs of the desert.
This tour is a must for culture and art buffs! From wooly yaks to regal camels, this tour really hits all the best monasteries and scencic spots in all of Gansu Province and even includes China’s largest salt lake.
Day 1- Arrive in Lanzhou
Day 2- Depart Lanzhou, Drive to Labrang
Day 3- Explore Labrang Monastery
Day 4- Drive to Rebkong, explore Longwu Monastery
Day 5- Qinghai Lake Day Trip
Day 6- Xining to Zhangye, Mati Grottoes
Day 7- Zhangye Danxia Formations, Jiayuguan Great Wall
Day 8- Drive to Dunhuang, Dunhaung Sand Dunes and Night Market
Day 9- Mogao Grottoes
Day 10- Depart Lanzhou
Tour Highlights
Tour highlights include:
A boat ride to Bingling Monastery outside of Lanzhou
Labrang Monastery
Rebkong Longwu Monastery and Wutun Monastery
Qinghai Lake
Mati Temple
Dafo Temple
Zhangye Danxia National Park
Jiayuguan Great Wall
Mogao Cave
Tour Fare
This price includes:
Hotels for 8 nights
All the meals for all 10 days, including everything from Dinner on Day 1 to Breakfast on Day 10
One private van for 5 days from Lanzhou to Xining (on Day 1-5)
Another private van for 4 days from Zhangye to Dunhuang (on Day 5-9)
Private airport pickup in Lanzhou on Day 1 night
Private airport dropoff in Lanzhou on Day 10 morning
Train tickets for Day 1 on train D2741 (or similar) from Xining to Zhangye
Train tickets on Y669 (or similar) on Day 9 night from Dunhuang to Lanzhou
All the entrances tickets (including Bingling Si, Labrang Monastery, Rebkong Longwu Monastery, Qinghai Lake, Mati Temple, Dafo Temple, Zhangye Danxia National Park, Jiayuguan Great Wall, and Mogao Caves)
One boat ride across Liujiaxia Reservoir to Bingling Temple on Day 1.
Experienced English speaking guide for 10 days.
Hotels for the Guide and Driver for 8 nights
Driver and Guide’s meals for 10 days
The price does not include:
Optional camel ride in the deserts of Dunhuang
Travel Insurance
Souvenirs and alcoholic beverages
Roundtrip flights to and from Lanzhou
Other activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Booking/ Enquiry Form
Please fill the form bellow with the details of the trip you are interested in. We are more than to happy to assist you in planning your trip.
