7-Day Tour of Qinghai, Dunhuang, and Chaka Salt Lake

7-Day Tour of Qinghai, Dunhuang, and Chaka Salt Lake

七彩丹霞 (3)
察尔汗盐湖 (2)

1.The itinerary involves small group carpooling trips, with a maximum of 8 people per group
2. The itinerary includes 24-hour online butler service
3. China-specific car pick-up and drop-off services can be arranged; please consult customer service for assistance
4. We can assist with flight ticket bookings and provide customer service guidance
5. Your itinerary can be customized individually; please consult customer service for assistance

FROM US$696

per adult

Best Price Guarantee

refund policyvv · If cancelled 24 hours before the start of the experience (local time), a full refund is available.
book in advance · This option is booked on average 6 days in advance.

DAY 1

Xining – Airport Pick-up & Hotel Transfer
  • Airport pick-up followed by direct transfer to the hotel.

DAY 2

 Xining → Qinghai Lake → Chaka Salt Lake → Chaka Town

07:30 Departure, passing through Huangyuan Gorge to Qinghai Lake.
10:30 Arrive at the south shore of Qinghai Lake.
13:00 Lunch recommendation: Heima River Town.
15:30 Visit Chaka Salt Lake.
19:00 Overnight stay in Chaka Town.

DAY 3

Chaka → Charhan Salt Lake → Golmud

08:00 Depart for Charhan Salt Lake.
12:30 Self-paid light meal at the salt lake scenic area; focus on photographing the “Salt Bridge” and emerald-colored salt ponds.
15:00 Stop by Xiao Chaidan Lake (free entry, rich in natural charm).
18:00 Arrive in Golmud.

DAY 4

Golmud → Dunhuang (550 km in total)

07:00 Depart via Liuge Expressway, enjoying the Gobi scenery along the way. Optional stop: Aksay Old Petroleum Town (¥20, filming location of the movie Mojin: The Worm Valley).
15:00 Arrive in Dunhuang; visit the Dunhuang Museum (free entry, learn about Silk Road history).
Evening: Explore Shazhou Night Market for food and souvenirs.

DAY 5

Mogao Caves → Singing Sand Mountains & Crescent Moon Spring (Overnight in Dunhuang)

08:00 Visit Mogao Caves with Class A ticket (must be reserved 30 days in advance; includes 8 caves + digital center).
12:00 Light meal within the scenic area. Optional add-on: special caves (e.g., Cave 45, ¥150/cave).
17:00 Explore Singing Sand Mountains (avoid midday heat; entrance fee ¥110, camel ride ¥100/person).
20:30 Descend after Crescent Moon Spring lights up.

DAY 6

Dunhuang → Jiayuguan → Rainbow Danxia → Zhangye

07:30 Depart for Jiayuguan (3.5-hour drive).
11:00 Visit Jiayuguan Pass (combo ticket ¥110; highlight: Xuanbi Great Wall).
14:00 Drive to Rainbow Danxia (3-hour drive, enter via North Gate).
18:00 Enjoy the sunset at Danxia (No. 4 viewing platform is optimal).

DAY 7

Zhangye → Qilian Grassland → Xining (Tour Ends)

08:00 Depart via the scenic G227 Highway, stopping at Biangou Pass Rapeseed Flower Fields (blooming in July-August).
12:00 Self-paid horseback riding on Qilian Grassland (¥50/hour, sun protection advised).
15:00 Cross Daban Mountain Viewing Platform.
18:30 Arrive in Xining for tour disbandment.

Vehicle Arrangement:
2-4 passengers: 5-seater vehicle
5-6 passengers: 7-seater vehicle
7-8 passengers: 9-seater vehicle

Accommodation:
Six nights of accommodation throughout the journey:
Xining and Zhangye: 4-star hotels
Other locations: 3-star hotels
1 night in Xining (Upscale Hotel)
1 night in Chaka (Comfortable Hotel)
1 night in Golmud (Comfortable Hotel)
2 nights in Dunhuang (Comfortable Hotel)
1 night in Zhangye (Upscale Hotel)

Reference hotels: Listed hotels or equivalents
(Please note: During peak season, specific hotels cannot be guaranteed due to high demand. Thank you for your understanding.)

Transportation:
Private vehicle charter fees (including fuel and tolls) for travel within Qinghai and Gansu. Specific vehicle type will be arranged based on the number of travelers (5/7/9-seater vehicles). Vehicle models cannot be specified in advance, and each vehicle will be filled to its seating capacity.

Included Tickets:
Chaka Salt Lake
Charhan Salt Lake
Singing Sand Mountains & Crescent Moon Spring
Zhangye Rainbow Danxia
Mogao Caves
Qinghai Lake Heima River sightseeing bus
Charhan Salt Lake scenic area transfer bus
Zhangye Rainbow Danxia sightseeing bus

Tour Leadership:
Experienced driver guiding the tour. (The driver primarily focuses on driving and assists with arranging tickets, accommodation, and basic itinerary information. Please note that professional tour commentary is not provided.)

Meals:
6 breakfasts included during the journey.

Drone Service:
The tour includes drone photography services. One drone is provided for every 3-4 vehicles. The driver will select 1-2 scenic spots for aerial photography sessions.

Airport Drop-off:
Complimentary transfer to Xining Airport, railway station, or downtown hotels upon tour completion.

Some comments from users

It's a good route to take mom and dad! The rhythm is not in time, Tagong grassland is gentle and easy to stroll around, parents took a lot of photos in Honghaizi, Moshi Park has boardwalk is not tired, back to Chengdu to eat Sichuan cuisine parents also love, all the way from plateau scenery to urban fireworks, parents said this trip is worth ~
m6s9gn0yib7jbyp.thumb.1000 0
James Wilson
Designation
The first time I went to West Sichuan, I chose this line too! Tagong Temple is very healing to listen to the sound of turning scriptures. The geological wonders of Moshi Park are informative. The blue of Honghaizi makes people calm down. The light and shadow of Xindu Bridge are all beautiful when photographed casually. When I go back to Chengdu for a hot pot, I feel that I have loaded the beauty of western Sichuan into memory.
zos9jqo7hmvxqmb.thumb.1000 0
Avery Clark
Designation
This route back is even more amazing than the trip! Tagong grassland in the morning can see herdsmen drive yaks, ink stone park walk into like crossing, Honghaizi mirror lake can shoot large reflection, Xinduqiao morning fog has not dispersed when the super fairy, finally back to Chengdu nibble a rabbit head, western Sichuan romance and fireworks are occupied ~
dwsoogpgsdlp2xn.thumb.1000 0
Olivia Martinez
Designation
Focus on praising Moshi Park and Honghaizi! The color of inkstone will become too magical. It will be cold on sunny days and gentle on rainy days. Honghaizi is purer than many online red lakes. Without messy facilities, it will be quiet and beautiful. With Tagong's holy mountain and Chengdu's delicious food, this line will not step on thunder with eyes closed!
xxslg6gouq2zvg2.thumb.1000 0
Lucas Dubois
Designation