Day 1: Anywhere → or → Xining ★Gathering day
All day
Today is the gathering day, and tourists from all over the country have arrived in Xining, known as the "Eastern Gateway to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau." If you arrive early, you can explore Xining city. Recommended attractions include the Xining Dongguan Mosque and the Xining Museum. In the evening, you can visit Mojia Street, Xining's Old Street, with its 600-year history and culture, to sample local delicacies such as Qinghai's stuffed skin, fried jelly, yogurt, fried cakes, noodles, gua shui (grab noodles), and mutton skewers.
Kind tips
Flights to and from Lanzhou are about 30% cheaper than those to Xining. Lanzhou Airport is 230 kilometers away from Xining.
Lanzhou Airport - Xining:
The journey from Lanzhou Airport to Xining takes about 3.5 hours by airport bus. During the peak tourist season, the bus runs every 30 minutes. The bus fare is 100 yuan per person and is available at the airport ticket office.
From Lanzhou Airport, take the airport intercity train/airport bus to Lanzhou West Railway Station/Lanzhou Station, and then transfer to the corresponding high-speed rail/train to Xining.
If you arrive in Xining earlier than the meeting date and need to book a hotel for the meeting date, please click the link below.
Day 2 Xining → Qilian Grassland/Yuanshan Flower Viewing Platform → Arou Temple → Qilian
·morning
After breakfast, we'll depart for our thrilling journey through the legendary Western Regions. Crossing the Qilian Mountains, where the peaks rise steeply and reach the clouds, we'll admire the breathtaking scenery of the Qilian grasslands, stretching endlessly, where sheep, horses, and yaks graze peacefully. Every village at the foot of the mountains offers breathtaking views.
We will go to the secret grasslands of Qilian Mountain or [Menyuan Yuanshan Flower Viewing Platform] (from July 1st to July 31st, we will go to Yuanshan Flower Viewing Platform, and the rest of the time, we will go to the secret grasslands of Qilian Mountain)
Qilian Mountain Grassland Secret Land Everyone can play and take photos on the Qilian Grassland!!!
The Menyuan rapeseed flower fields are in full bloom from July to early August each year (the viewing period may vary depending on the climate). During the rapeseed flower season, visitors can enjoy China's spectacular rapeseed flower fields from the Menyuan Yuanshan Flower Viewing Platform. Even if the clouds are not thick, they can still see the Gangshika Snow Mountain.
·afternoon
In the afternoon, we passed by the beautiful Arou grassland and visited the magnificent Arou Temple. There were very few tourists here, only a few believers and monks.
Afterwards, we'll travel to the Qilian Mountain natural viewing platform, Zhuoer Mountain. Tourists ascend to the summit, where breathtaking views abound, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene. Zhuoer Mountain lies adjacent to the Babao River, facing Niuxin Mountain, a sacred mountain in Tibet, across the river. Flanked by the Ladong Gorge and Baiyanggou Scenic Areas, the mountain lies in the distance, while the rolling Qilian Mountains stretch beyond. In the evening, we'll check into Qilian County, known as the "Little Switzerland of the East."
Day 3 Qilian → Alien Valley → Zhangye Colorful Danxia
·morning
After breakfast, we'll cross the Biandukou Pass and enter the Hexi Corridor. This morning, we'll explore the lesser-known Alien Valley, a scenic spot comprised of four viewing areas, including Mars Valley. As we make our way inside, we'll be struck by the bizarre and peculiar nature of the rock pillars, which are stacked one on top of the other.
Here we can put on "alien" costumes and take a set of our own "Mars" photos;
·afternoon
In the afternoon, we'll visit Zhangye Colorful Danxia. Formed six million years ago, the spectacular Zhangye Danxia landform, located in Linze and Sunan counties of Zhangye City, covers an area of approximately 510 square kilometers. Named one of China's seven most beautiful Danxia landforms by National Geographic magazine, the scenic area offers numerous viewing platforms for photo opportunities. After capturing the breathtaking sunset views of the Danxia, we'll return to Zhangye city and check into our hotel.
Day 4 Zhangye → Jiayuguan → Dunhuang
·morning
After breakfast, we went to visit the Jiayuguan Tower, located at the western end of the Great Wall at the foot of the Qilian Mountains. Due to its dangerous terrain, magnificent buildings and strategic location, it is known as the "World's Great Pass" and the "Key to the Border".
This ancient fortress is the western starting point of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall and an important transportation fortress on the Silk Road. Here, we can feel the vicissitudes of history and the grandeur of the frontier.
After listening to the explanation, walk out of the pass and you will have a panoramic view of the entire pass, with the Qilian Snow Mountain faintly visible in the distance. This is the grandeur of the Northwest.
·afternoon
In the afternoon, we traveled along the Hexi Corridor to Dunhuang, a dazzling city in the northwest, where we checked in and rested. In the evening, we visited the Shazhou Night Market, a snack street in the city with a wide variety of goods and snacks.
Day 5 Dunhuang → Mogao Grottoes → Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Lake
·morning
After breakfast, the tourists depart for the Mogao Grottoes, one of China's four great grottoes. This site boasts a rich tapestry of Buddhist art. Before reaching the core cave complex, we'll visit the Mogao Grottoes Digital Exhibition Center to gain a general understanding of the site before immersing ourselves in the wonders of the grottoes and exploring all eight of their physical caves.
[Warm Reminder] Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes Scenic Area implements a limited number of visitors
Mogao Grottoes reservations can be made 30 days in advance with real-name registration. For tourists who have successfully registered (and paid) more than 26 days in advance, we will reserve regular tickets for you. Tourists who registered within 26 days must make their own reservations through the "Mogao Grottoes Tour Reservation Network" mini-program or WeChat official account. Please reserve your Mogao Grottoes tickets for the fifth day, preferably around 9:00 AM. (If tickets are unavailable for 9:00 AM, please reserve for 12:00 PM. After your reservation is successful, please inform customer service of your reservation time and session.) You can contact online customer service to confirm and receive the ticket purchase instructions.
Regular Ticket: (6,000 tickets/day) Movie viewing at the Digital Exhibition Center + visit to the 8 physical caves of Mogao Grottoes
Emergency Ticket: (12,000 tickets/day) for visiting the four physical caves of Mogao Grottoes
·afternoon
In the afternoon, we will gather at an appropriate time to depart for [Singing Sand Mountain and Crescent Moon Lake]. Tourists can ride camels and go sandboarding here, or experience the "one step forward, half step back" climbing of Mingsha Mountain (disposable sand-proof shoe covers are provided). We will also visit Crescent Moon Lake, the world's first desert spring, which is known as "a silver mountain surrounded by sand on all sides, a pool of clear water with green ripples". After having a good time, we will leave.
During the peak summer season, Mingsha Mountain hosts a "Ten Thousand People Concert" at night. Everyone sits cross-legged on the sand dune, waving flashlights and singing songs of nostalgia accompanied by the musicians. (The concert will be held daily from July 28 to August 22, 2025; it will be suspended on August 23 and 24 due to major events at the scenic spot; it will resume every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from August 25 to mid-October. The specific event schedule is subject to the scenic spot.)
You can also choose to attend the grand evening performance "See Dunhuang Again" (at your own expense) to represent Dunhuang. Please pay attention to the safety of your personal belongings during your own activities.
Day 6 Dunhuang → Emerald Lake → Daxiadan
All day
Today we are going to go deep into the uninhabited area of the Qaidam Basin to experience another kind of secret land in the northwest.
Along the way, we'll cross the desert and climb over the spurs of the Qilian Mountains until we reach our destination: Emerald Lake, a lush green salt lake. This former mining area of the Da Qaidam Chemical Plant's salt lake mining team, the vibrant colors are the result of varying mineral concentrations. On clear days, the mirror-like surface of the lake reflects the blue sky, white clouds, and snow-capped peaks, creating a fairyland-like experience.
In the evening, after enjoying the wonders of the salt lake, we returned to Daxiadan Town to check in.
Day 7 Da Qaidam → Nanbaxian Devil City → Water Yadan → Delingha
All day
After breakfast, we'll head west to the Nanbaxian Yadan Landform Reserve. The boundless desert is truly captivating. This pristine group of Yadans has stood silently for millennia. We'll then reach the Water Yadans, a rarely visited area. Here, you'll marvel at the wonders of nature. The combination of the Yadans and the lake creates a desolate yet vibrant scene.
In the afternoon, we will overlook Xiaochaidan Lake from afar. Unlike the lush grasslands around Qinghai Lake, the grasslands here are bare, giving people a desolate and mysterious beauty. In the evening, we will check into Delingha City.
Day 8 Delingha → Chaka Salt Lake → Qinghai Lake (with free Qinghai Lake cycling)
·morning
After breakfast, depart for Chaka Salt Lake, known as China's "Sky Mirror." Amidst the blue skies and white clouds, heaven and earth merge into one, creating a scene that feels as if you're standing in mid-air. Here, you'll admire the stunning salt crystal patterns formed on the lake's surface, creating a fairytale-like experience.
At Chaka Salt Lake, we will take the Chaka Salt Lake train to the depths of the salt lake, go down into the salt lake and pose wildly, take various photos, and let everyone feel the magical feeling of stepping on the sky.
·afternoon
We continued our journey and before we knew it, we were approaching Qinghai Lake, a plateau lake. China-TravelNote offers a special cycling experience on the best section of the southern section of Qinghai Lake (now upgraded to electric-assisted bicycles). There are dedicated cycling greenways here, which are safe and comfortable. In the summer, rapeseed flowers are everywhere, and the blue sky, white clouds and clear lake are added. This is an unprecedented cycling experience, allowing us to ride a bicycle and feel Qinghai Lake.
At the same time, we will go to the Qinghai Lake Erlangjian Scenic Area, so that you can experience the magnificence of Qinghai Lake up close.
Stay at a hotel near Qinghai Lake that night.
Day 9 Qinghai Lake → Jinsha Bay/Ta'er Temple → Xining ★ Dismissal Day
All day
After breakfast, we'll depart for Jinsha Bay, a small desert on the north shore of Qinghai Lake. This area is rarely visited by groups, but rather by those who enjoy in-depth self-drive tours. You can choose from activities like sandboarding and beach motels (at your own expense). (Note: Because Jinsha Bay is only accessible by car, groups of six or more will instead visit Ta'er Monastery. Ta'er Monastery is one of the six renowned Gelugpa monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism and serves as the seat of the Qinghai Buddhist Academy. Here, you'll experience a rich religious atmosphere, with its vibrant butter sculptures, vibrant murals, and vibrant embroidery, known as the "Three Wonders of Ta'er Monastery.")
We left in due time and returned to Xining. The wonderful Northwest Legend journey came to an end, and everyone said goodbye with a tearful kiss!
We will first send you to the airport, then return to the city and send you to the vicinity of Xining Railway Station. It is recommended to book train and air tickets after 17:00 in the afternoon.
