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 → Qinghai Lake (Southern and Western Route) → Qilian
All day
After breakfast, we set off from Xining and arrived at the long-awaited Qinghai Lake area before noon. Qinghai Lake is the largest inland saltwater lake in China and a shining pearl on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
We will explore the Qinghai Lake South and West Ring Roads, enjoying the beauty of Qinghai Lake from different perspectives. Along the way, we'll visit numerous viewing platforms, allowing you to admire the lake up close, depending on the day's conditions. In the afternoon, we'll drive to Qilian. The scenery along the way remains captivating, with the vegetation and landforms constantly changing with the altitude. In the evening, we'll arrive in Qilian County, known as the "Little Switzerland of the East."
Day 3 Qilian → Zhuoer Mountain → Alien Valley → Zhangye
All day
After breakfast, we'll depart for the Qilian Mountain Natural Observation Deck [Zhuoer Mountain]. Ascending to the summit, visitors will discover breathtaking scenery and expansive views, a breathtaking wonderland. Zhuoer Mountain lies adjacent to the Babao River, facing Niuxin Mountain, a sacred Tibetan mountain, across the river. Flanked by the Ladong Gorge and Baiyanggou Scenic Areas, the mountain lies in the distance, with the rolling Qilian Mountains in the background.
In the afternoon, we will enter the Hexi Corridor and visit a lesser-known attraction, Alien Valley, which consists of four viewing points, including Mars Valley. As we enter, we will be amazed by the jagged rocks and overlapping rock pillars, which are extremely bizarre and unique.
Day 4 Zhangye → Heicheng Ruoshui Poplar Scenic Area → Ejina Banner
All day
After breakfast, we'll travel west to Ejin Banner, crossing the desert highway. Along the way, we'll admire the natural beauty of the desert, sacred waters, and poplar trees. In the afternoon, we'll enter the Heicheng Ruoshui Poplar Scenic Area. We'll explore the ancient city of Heishui and admire the magnificent natural scenery along the Ruoshui River, including the Ruoshui River itself. Next, we'll journey to the Strange Forest to watch the sunset, exploring wondrous sights such as the Eagle Spreads Wings and the Strange Shadow Forest. Within the Strange Forest, a cluster of dead yet immortal poplar trees, their fangs and claws bared in the sunset, creating a bizarre and heartbreaking scene. After our enjoyable visit, we'll transfer to Dalaihub Town, the capital of Ejin Banner, for overnight stay.
Day 5 Ejin Banner → Juyan Lake → Ejin Banner Populus euphratica forest
All day
We'll rise early this day and drive to Juyan Lake to admire the sunrise and the surrounding endless reed marshes. The sunlight casts a golden hue on the reeds, creating a perfect backdrop for backlit portraits. A must-see for those adventurous tourists. We'll reluctantly bid farewell to Ejina Banner.
Afterwards, enter the Ejina Populus euphratica Forest, journeying from Erdao Bridge to Badao Bridge. Admire the magnificent golden poplars along the way, capturing their myriad forms. The poplars "live for a thousand years, endure for a thousand years, and remain undying for a thousand years after their death." Wander through the Ejina Populus euphratica forest all day, marveling at the miracle of life. At Badao Bridge, enjoy a close encounter with the Badain Jaran Desert.
Day 6: Ejina Banner → Jinta Populus euphratica Forest → Zhangye
All day
After breakfast, we will go to Jinta Populus euphratica Forest. Although the scale of Jinta Populus euphratica Forest is far smaller than that of Ejina Banner, it has the advantage of less crowds, so tourists can enjoy a free and unrestrained space. The Populus euphratica here is very different from that of Ejina Banner. The towering Populus euphratica trees with the reflection of the lake are particularly stunning.
Return to Zhangye city and check into hotel.
Day 7 Zhangye → Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon → Wuwei
All day
After breakfast, we'll depart for another newly discovered geological wonder, the Pingshanhu Grand Canyon, once described by National Geographic as "comparable to the Grand Canyon." We'll journey through this breathtaking natural masterpiece, appreciating its grandeur and capturing breathtaking photos.
After the tour, return to Wuwei and check in.
Day 8 Wuwei → Binggou River → Lanzhou ★ Disbanding Day in Lanzhou
All day
After breakfast, we set out from Wuwei and headed towards the Binggou River Scenic Area. The drive is not long, and the pastoral and mountain scenery along the way are already full of anticipation. We will arrive at the Binggou River Scenic Area in the morning.
This place is like a "natural oxygen bar" hidden in the eastern foothills of Qilian Mountain, with vast grasslands, clear streams, and tall spruce forests scattered among them. In autumn, it looks like a colorful forest in an oil painting.
After having fun, we gathered together and drove back, enjoying the scenery along the way as it gradually turned into dusk, and finally arrived in Lanzhou, bringing this journey to a successful end.
