East Tibet Amdo and Silk Road

Itinerary

Itinerary
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DAY
1

Arrival in Lanzhou

Welcome to Lanzhou - the capital of Gansu Province

In the morning arrival at Zhongchuan Airport of Lanzhou, the capital of province Gansu. The city has long been an important city on the Silk Road in history. The Yellow river flows through the whole Gansu province. After check in the hotel, go to visit Gansu Provincial Museum, where you can see the famous Bronze Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow (also called “Galloping Horse of Gansu”). This Eastern Han dynasty bronze statue is a masterpiece of ancient Chinese art, with a strong and elegant horse galloping on one leg, stepping on a flying swallow, symbolizing speed and freedom. The horse’s body is proportioned with vivid musculature, and the swallow under its hoof reflects the harmony of strength and lightness. It is widely recognized as the national treasure of China and a symbol of Chinese tourism.
Afterwards, stroll along the Zhongshan Bridge (Iron Bridge of Yellow River), the first permanent bridge across the Yellow River, known as “the first bridge on the Yellow River”.

Overnight at Hampton by Hilton Lanzhou Shopping Street

Lanzhou Yellow River Iron Bridge

DAY
2

Lanzhou - Bingling Si - Xiahe

Grottos of Bingling Temple - a historical treasure of Buddhism

Drive to Xiahe. On the way make an excursion to grottoes of 1000-Buddha's-temple in Bingling. The grottos of the monastery are firstly built in 420AD. Figures here are older than those in Mogao Grottos of Dunhuang. Late in the afternoon arrive in Xiahe, which is 2,900 meters above the sea level and almost exclusively inhabited by Tibetans.

357 km, 6 hours 40 minutes
Overnight at Labrang Civil Aviation Hotel

Breakfast

Grottos of Bingling Temple

DAY
3

Xiahe - Tongren

Labrang monastery "World Library of Tibet"

In the morning visit Labrang monastery, the most important religious centre on the northeast border of the Tibetan region. The monastery created in 1710, as one of the six grand monasteries in Gelugpa, has served for centuries there to connect the Tibetan and Mongolian Lamaism. In the afternoon visit Longwu monastery of Gelugpa, which was initially constructed in Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) as a monastery of Sakya-sect and Wutun village. It is the center of Tibetan Regong-Art, which is a successful mixture of religion and folk art. Then drive to Tongren.

104 km, 2 hours 9 minutes
Overnight at Shengyu Tianlun Hotel

Breakfast

Labrang Monastery

DAY
4

Tongren - Xining - Zhangye

Kumbum Monastery, Xining - the capital of Qinghai Province

In the morning drive to Kumbum Monastery (Ta'er Si) of Gelugpa, which was built in 1560 in Huangzhong county and also one of the six grand monasteries in Tibetan area. Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Lamaistic "yellow hat sect", was born here. As Kumbum Monastery has always been playing an important role to connect the Mongolian with the Lamaism, today many Mongolian come to this place for worship.
In the afternoon drive to Xining, the capital of Qinghai province. This city is mainly inhabited with Tibetan but also a home of Uygur, Kazak and Hui minorities. Then transfer to railway station, take the high-speed train (D2687 1530/1729, 2nd class) to Zhangye.

217 km, 3 hours 11 minutes
Overnight at Zhangye Metropolis Holiday Hotel

Breakfast

Kumbum Monastery (Ta'er Si)

DAY
5

Zhangye - Jiayuguan

Danxia Landform Geographical Park

Morning visit Dafo Temple (Great Buddha Temple), famous for housing China’s largest reclining clay Buddha from the Western Xia dynasty, 35 meters long. Then go to visit Danxia National Geographical Park. At Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, you’ll understand why this area is called by the Chinese Danxia ("red clouds"). The various metal-containing sediments and layers of the earth have created a mountain range patterned in a variety of shades of red, which shines beautifully especially after a short rainfall. Then drive to Jiayuguan.

252 km, 3 hours 17 minutes
Overnight at Jiayuguan Hotel

Breakfast

Danxia Landform Geographical Park

DAY
6

Jiayuguan - Dunhuang

Jiyuguan Tower, Hanging Great Wall, Dunhuang - an important gateway of “Silk Road”

There is the last grand fortress in Jiayuguan of the Great Wall. In the morning visit the Jiyuguan Tower, Great Wall Museum and Hanging Great Wall. At the western end of the Great Wall, the mighty desert fort of Jiayuguan guarded the Chinese empire. In the afternoon transfer to Dunhuang.

371 km, 3 hours 50 minutes
Overnight at Dunhuang Zhongzhou International Hotel

Breakfast

Jiyuguan Tower

DAY
7

Dunhuang

Mogao Grottos - the treasure of Buddhism and Grotto Art, Singing Sand Dunes, Crescent Spring Pool

In the morning visit Mogao Grottos, which is one of the greatest examples of Buddhist art, and symbol of East-West cultural exchange. The Mogao Caves, more than many other places, show how important the Silk Road was for the spreading of Buddhism to the west. Throughout history, traveling monks digged hundreds of caves in the mountains to build and worship Buddha statues. In the afternoon walk through the Singing Sand Dunes (Ming Sha Shan) to the beautiful Crescent Spring Pool (Yue Ya Quan). Time permitting, climb a 200-meter-high sand hill nearby.

Overnight at Dunhuang Zhongzhou International Hotel

Breakfast

Crescent Spring Pool (Yue Ya Quan)

DAY
8

Dunhuang - Liuyuan - Turfan

Dunhuang Museum

Visit the Dunhuang Museum, a modern institution that preserves and showcases the rich history of the Silk Road and Dunhuang culture. The museum houses thousands of cultural relics excavated from the Dunhuang region, including Han dynasty bamboo slips, ancient manuscripts, coins, pottery, textiles, and statues. Its exhibitions highlight the role of Dunhuang as a crossroads of civilizations where Chinese, Indian, Persian, and Greco-Roman cultures converged. Particularly valuable are the artifacts related to the Mogao Grottoes, including replica murals and sculptures that allow visitors to better understand Buddhist art and daily life along the Silk Road. The museum also introduces the famous “Library Cave” (Cave 17), from which tens of thousands of manuscripts were discovered, shedding light on religion, economy, and cultural exchange between East and West.
Then drive to Liuyuan Town, take the high-speed train D575 (1632/1953, 2nd class) to Turpan. Pick up and transfer to hotel.

131 km, 1 hour 40 minutes
Overnight at Manxi Hotel

Breakfast

Ruins of Jiaohe City

DAY
9

Turpan - Urumqi - Kashgar

Ruins of Jiaohe city, Valley of Vineyards, Karze - underground irrigation system, Emin Minarett

Turfan, the exotic “Land of fruits and melons”, which is situated 500 feet below sea level and separates the Silk Road’s northern and southern route. In the morning after breakfast in hotel visit the ruins of Jiaohe city 10 km to the west of Turfan. The graperies in Turfan has long been benefited from the underground ditch-net. In the afternoon drive to Valley of Vineyards where enjoy the delicious seedless grape and get to know how Karze, the underground irrigation system. The Emin Minarett (Sugong Ta) is also in program. Then transfer to Urumqi airport to take the flight CZ6801 2045/2245 to Kashgar. When you arrive in Kashgar, transfer to the hotel.

Overnight at Qinivake International Hotel

Breakfast

Turfan

DAY
10

Kashgar

Id Gagh Mosque, Akba Khojia Mausoleum

In the afternoon visit the Id Kah Mosque and the Tomb of Abakh Hoja where the "Nice smelling concubine", a Uygur national heroine is buried. Wander the Old Town of Kashgar, with traditional Uyghur mud-brick houses, narrow alleys, and bustling markets.

Overnight at Qinivake International Hotel

Breakfast

Id Gagh Mosque

DAY
11

Kashgar - Kalakuli Lake - Kashgar

Kalakuli Lake at the foot of holy mountain Mustagh-Ata (7546 m)

Drive to Kalakuli Lake at the foot of holy mountain Mustagh-Ata (7546 m) of Kirghiz. Nice walking by the Karakuli Lake (3300 m). Here you can take a camel ride (option).

350 km, 6 hours 11 minutes
Overnight at Qinivake International Hotel

Breakfast

Kalakuli Lake

DAY
12

Kashgar - Urumqi

Sunday-bazaar. Travel to next destination

In the morning visit the Sunday-bazaar where many Uygurs do business. The Sunday bazaar of the Uyghurs living here, is one of the largest and most colorful in Central Asia, is also undoubtedly one of the highlights of the trip. In the afternoon transfer to airport or railway station, journey ends.

Breakfast

Kashgar

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