Day 1 Xining ★Assembly Day
All day
丨 Xiangye Arrangement
Today is a free meeting day. Tourists will gather in Xining on their own. Proceed to the meeting hotel and check in at the front desk with "China - Travel Note + Name." Please be safe during your free time.
Xining is the capital of Qinghai Province. It was called Xiping County and Qingtang City in ancient times, which means "peace in the western frontier". It is the eastern gateway to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and a must-pass place on the southern route of the ancient "Silk Road" and the "Ancient Tang-Tibet Road". It has been an important transportation route and military stronghold in the northwest since ancient times, and is known as the "Key to the Western Sea" and the "Throat of Tibet and Hai".
If you arrive early, you can explore downtown Xining. 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-style stuffed noodles, fried jelly, yogurt, fried cakes, noodles, and mutton skewers.
丨Xiangye Tips
Brief itinerary explanation by the butler: That evening, the RV butler will contact you to give a general explanation of the itinerary and how to play in the RV.
Day 2 Xining → View Gangshika Snow Mountain from a distance → Menyuan Rapeseed Flowers (Blooming Season Only) → Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Area → Danxia Town
All day
Van to Wild highlights today:
Western Flower Sea-Menyuan Rapeseed Flowers
Rainbow on Earth - Zhangye Colorful Danxia
丨 Xiangye Arrangement
It's a pleasure to meet you! Our RV host will be at your hotel at the appointed time to pick you and your friends up and head straight to the Northwest. Along the way, you'll enjoy views of the Gangshika Snow Mountain. In mid-July, you'll also be able to see the Menyuan rapeseed blossoms (seasonal only, blooming from July 5th to 25th, with peak bloom from July 10th to 20th).
In the afternoon, we arrived at Zhangye Danxia, the famous "Rainbow on Earth." Zhangye Danxia Geopark is one of China's most extensive and diverse Danxia landforms, offering both scientific research and tourism value. It has been selected as one of the "Seven Most Beautiful Danxias in China" and has been selected as one of the world's 25 dream travel destinations by several renowned websites nationwide.
Arrive at Danxia Town in the evening and check into the hotel for rest.
Day 3 Danxia Town → Jiayuguan Pass Scenic Area → Dunhuang → Shazhou Night Market
All day
Van to Wild highlights today:
The most majestic pass in the world - Jiayuguan
Dunhuang Evening Fireworks-Shazhou Night Market
丨 Xiangye Arrangement
After breakfast, depart from Danxia Town and head to Jiayuguan. Visit the Jiayuguan Fortress Scenic Area, known as the "Most Impressive Pass in the World," marking the end of the Great Wall. Climb the tower and gaze out over the Great Wall, a dragon-like sight drifting across the vast Gobi Desert, while the snow-capped Qilian Mountains stretch out to the horizon. Following in the footsteps of Lin Zexu and Zuo Zongtang, we step out of the Jiayuguan Tower and gaze back across the vast Gobi Desert, where the majestic atmosphere of the northwest will wash over us.
In the afternoon, we'll continue along the Hexi Corridor to Dunhuang. We recommend visiting the Shazhou Night Market. Dunhuang, a crucial hub along the ancient Silk Road, boasts a rich history and rich culture, as well as breathtaking scenery beyond the Great Wall. Experience the prosperity of the Silk Road. We'll then check into our Dunhuang hotel.
Day 4 Mogao Grottoes → Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake → Desert Tea Break → Dunhuang
All day
Van to Wild highlights today:
Mogao Grottoes, a World Heritage Treasure
Desert Gold Inlaid with Jade - Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake Sunset
RV Wild Fun - Desert Camp Tea Break
丨 Xiangye Arrangement
After breakfast, depart for the Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest and most diverse Buddhist art site. The caves, carved over a millennium, boast a wealth of murals, grottoes, and cultural relics, making them a world-renowned destination for Buddhist art. Tickets for the Mogao Grottoes require advance reservations with real names, and we'll prioritize booking regular tickets.
In the afternoon, we'll travel to Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake to watch the sunset over Mingsha Mountain. Crescent Lake, the Nine-Story Pagoda of Mogao Grottoes, and the artistic landscape of the Mogao Grottoes are integrated into one, forming the "Three Wonders" of Dunhuang, a cohesive destination for tourists in China and around the world.
In the evening, we'll head to the Dunhuang Desert Camp for a unique RV experience, including a special tea break. Enjoy the desert and the pristine starry skies of Northwest China.
Tip: Mogao Grottoes tickets can only be booked online through the official website. Tickets are released one month in advance, and no other reservation methods are available. Real-name registration is required. Therefore, after placing your order, the travel agency will contact you immediately and ask you to provide a verification code from your mobile phone. Please try to purchase a Class A ticket. If Class A tickets are sold out (please be aware that last-minute bookings may result in unavailability), we will purchase a Class B ticket and refund the difference. If Class B tickets are sold out, we will arrange a visit to the Western Thousand Buddha Caves. Therefore, it is best to place your order one month in advance to increase your chances of securing a Class A ticket.
Category A full-price ticket is 238 yuan/person/time: Tour content: Watch the theme digital movie "Millennium Mogao" and the dome movie "Dream Buddha Palace", take the round-trip shuttle bus to Mogao Grottoes, and visit the 8 open caves of Mogao Grottoes in a group of 25 people equipped with full-time tour guides.
Category B full-price ticket: 100 yuan/person/time: Tour content: take a round-trip shuttle bus to Mogao Grottoes, the caves are equipped with tour guides, and visit the four open caves of Mogao Grottoes.
If tickets are in short supply, the order of visiting Mingsha Mountain, Crescent Moon Lake and Mogao Grottoes may be adjusted.
Day 5 Dunhuang → "Nine-story Demon Tower" filming location → Emerald Lake → Daxiadan
All day
Van to Wild highlights today:
Natural Emerald-Emerald Lake
丨 Xiangye Arrangement
After breakfast, depart Dunhuang and travel by bus to the filming location of "Nine-Storied Demon Pagoda." Located in Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, the renowned Xuewei No. 1 Tomb serves as the filming location for the film. The tomb stands approximately 33 meters high, 55 meters long from east to west, and 37 meters wide from north to south. From the front, it resembles a nine-story pyramid, a magnificent sight.
There are few restaurants along the way for lunch, so it is recommended to prepare your own meals (self-heating rice/instant noodles, etc.)
After lunch, we'll travel by car to the Emerald Lake, also known as "God's Tears." This approximately six-square-kilometer lake, originally known as Dachaidan Lake, was formed after years of mining, leaving behind pits that transformed it into the beautiful Emerald Lake we see today. Standing by the lake, the mirror-like surface reflects the blue sky, white clouds, and snow-capped peaks, creating a fairyland-like experience.
After the tour, check in to Daxiadan Hotel.
Day 6 Da Qaidam → Water Yadan → The most beautiful U-shaped highway → Delingha
All day
Van to Wild highlights today:
Water Devil City-Water Yadan
China's version of Route 66 - National Highway G315
丨 Xiangye Arrangement
After breakfast, drive to Nanbaxian, which is located on the northern edge of the Qaidam Basin in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is a landform composed of a series of intermittently extending long strips of earth mounds and interspersed depressions and trenches, which is called Yardang landform by geologists.
There are few restaurants along the way, so it is recommended to prepare your own meals (self-heating rice/instant noodles, etc.)
In the afternoon, we'll continue our journey to the Water Yadan. This area boasts a rare aquatic Yadan landform. The water plants in the lake color the surface azure and clear green, contrasting with the golden reeds and desert on the shore. No amount of description can capture even one-tenth of what you see.
After the tour, we will drive to Delingha, passing through China's "66" Highway. While ensuring safety, we can also take a series of road trip movies on this straight desert highway.
Day 7 Delingha → Chaka Salt Lake → Picnic at Qinghai Lake herders' pasture → RV camp
All day
Van to Wild highlights today:
Sky Mirror Chaka Salt Lake
Yellow and blue palette, the most beautiful Qinghai Lake
Visiting herders' homes and having a sunset picnic by the lake
丨 Xiangye Arrangement
After breakfast, depart for a visit to Chaka Salt Lake, a popular Qinghai attraction. Enjoy more time than on regular tours, and don't leave until you've had your fill. Chaka Salt Lake, nicknamed the "Mirror of the Sky," is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Its pristine blue and white salt lake, interwoven with reflections, resembles a natural mirror.
In the afternoon, we'll travel to Qinghai Lake, China's largest inland saltwater lake, resembling a sapphire embedded in the earth. Standing at 3,196 meters above sea level and boasting a 360-kilometer shoreline, the lake boasts icy cold and high salinity. The average temperature in the lake area during midsummer is only 15°C, making it a natural summer retreat. From July to August, thousands of acres of rapeseed flowers bloom, and cattle and sheep roam among them. The azure waters are punctuated by brilliant golden yellow, creating a breathtaking spectacle unique to plateau lakes.
The rapeseed flowers of Qinghai Lake begin blooming in early June and continue until the end of August. From mid-July to mid-August, the flowers are at their most vibrant and vibrant. The sea of yellow blossoms and the vast expanse of blue water create a breathtaking spectacle. (Please understand that if local regulations prevent you from entering the flower fields for up-close viewing, please allow for more information.)
We specially arranged a picnic at the pastures of a herdsman living in Qinghai Lake. Instead of going to the bustling Qinghai Lake scenic area, we experienced a picnic at the pastures of a local herdsman. If you are lucky, you may even be able to see the sunset over Qinghai Lake.
丨Xiangye Tips
The night temperature near Qinghai Lake will be very low starting in September, making it unsuitable for camping. We will be staying at the nearby Qinghai Lake Pastoral Hotel or a similar hotel.
Day 8: Qinghai Lake Cycling → Qinghai Lake (Rapeseed Flowers/Seasonal) → Airport Transfer
All day
Van to Wild highlights today:
Yellow and blue palette, the most beautiful Qinghai Lake
丨 Xiangye Arrangement
After breakfast, we'll set off for a cycling trip to the Nanshan Mountains of Qinghai Lake, where we'll experience the wild pleasures of riding in the sea breeze. Get up close to Qinghai Lake and feel the rhythm of nature as you circle the lake. Experience the beauty of Qinghai Lake in a uniquely natural and wild way, marvel at the enchanting mountain scenery, and feel a close connection to the sky.
In the afternoon, we'll return to Xining, our departure point, concluding our eight-day exploration of Northwest China. Your RV manager will then transfer you back to your hotel or airport. The journey is long, and we'll see you at our next destination!
It is recommended to book flights after 15:00 or trains after 14:00, as traffic jams are more likely to occur during peak season.
