Details
Arrival in Xining · Pick-up & Hotel check-in
Arrive at Xining airport or train station. Our pickup team (Xining Kaibin International Hotel or similar) will meet you and transfer you to the hotel. You will receive an SMS one day before arrival – please check messages. If you do not receive an SMS (train signals can be unreliable), contact the emergency leader shown on your tour confirmation. If you seldom use SMS, tell us when booking and we will call you.
Tonight (suggestions): explore Xining’s evening food streets: Mojia Street , Limeng Pedestrian Street, or Xinqian Night Market for local specialties (hand-pulled lamb, yak yogurt, qingke snacks).
Meals: /
Accommodation: Xining Kaibin International Hotel (or similar)
Xining Railway Station
Xining Caojiabao International Airport
Xining → Laji Mountain Viewpoint → Qinghai Lake → Chaka Salt Lake · Chaka Overnight
Morning departure for Laji Mountain Viewpoint – short stop (~40 minutes) to admire the ridge that marks the Loess Plateau/Tibetan Plateau divide.
Drive to Qinghai Lake – Heimahe (visit ~1.5 hours). Scenic highlights: blue waters, rapeseed & lavender fields (seasonal), lakeshore pebble beaches and seabirds.
Continue to Chaka Salt Lake. Walk on the salt flats, enjoy the “mirror sky” reflections and photo opportunities. Chaka means “salt pool” in Tibetan and is famed for clear skies and surreal reflections.
Practical tips for Chaka:
- Bring wet wipes (salt crystals stick to feet).
- Strong UV – apply sunscreen, bring sunglasses & a hat.
- Rent shoe covers on site if needed; avoid dark sinkholes in the shallow lake.
Dining (Chaka): local baked-pot dishes, yak/ram specialties, handmade yogurt.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Vienna Hotel (Chaka Salt Lake Scenic Area)
Qinghai Lake – Heimahe
Laji Mountain Viewpoint
Chaka Salt Lake
Chaka → Qarhan Salt Lake → Golmud / Da Qaidam
Cross the Qaidam Basin – vast, desolate landscapes typical of northwest China.
Visit Qarhan Salt Lake (optional drone photography). Qarhan is China’s largest salt lake and the world’s second largest salt lake: glittering salt flats, glass-like “crystal salt” deposits and unique photo spots (straw umbrellas, dead trees, white roads).
Tips for Qarhan: wet wipes, sun protection, sunglasses/hat; free wash stations at the park entrance.
Golmud dining suggestions: local hand-grasp lamb, roasted buns, firewood chicken.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Elong Hotel
Golmud
Chaka Salt Lake
Golmud / Da Qaidam → Dongtai Ji Nai’er Lake → Qinghai Water Yadan → U-shaped Highway → Return to Da Qaidam
Morning drive past Dongtai Ji Nai’er Lake – a vivid “Tiffany blue” lake amid the Gobi.
Explore Qinghai Water Yadan – spectacular Yadan landforms reflected on water in a remote desert setting.
Drive along the dramatic U-shaped section of National Highway 315 that crosses the Qaidam Basin (scenic photo opportunities; exercise caution – some sections are remote and can be hazardous).
Notes: food options limited today – carry snacks and water; obey safety instructions on U-shaped highway; Dongtai Jina’er currently a roadside viewpoint without admission fee (access may change).
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mehood Hotel
Dongtai Ji Nai’er Lake
Qinghai Water Yadan
Da Qaidam→ Emerald Lake → Heidu Mountain → Lenghu Oil Town → Dunhuang· Hotel or Desert Camp Option
Visit Emerald Lake – an undeveloped, gem-colored salt lake formed by brine pits (approx. 6 km²). Optional drone photography available.
Continue to Heidu Mountain – a black Gobi landscape, lunar-like rocks and a favorite for photographers.
Drive toward Dunhuang, with stops at the abandoned Lenghu Oil Town and filming sets. Arrive in Dunhuang and check into your hotel, or proceed to the desert camp if you chose camping.
Desert camp activities (optional): sandboarding, dune driving, dune motorbikes, desert KTV, BBQ, bonfire & fireworks; overnight in desert tent.
Reminders for the day: long stretches without services – bring water & snacks; strong sun – hat, scarf, sunglasses, sunscreen; follow safety and environmental rules.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Zhongwei Jinye Hotel Dunhuang
Emerald Lake
Lenghu Oil Town
Dunhuang: Mogao Caves → Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake → Shazhou Night Market
Visit Mogao Caves according to your reserved time. Mogao is a national AAAAA site and world-class Buddhist art complex – guided visits to selected caves and murals.
In the afternoon/evening explore Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake. Options: camel riding, dune hiking, sunset viewing (seasonal). Crescent Lake is a perennial spring surrounded by singing sands – beautiful at dusk and night.
Complimentary: transfer to Shazhou Night Market for local snacks and nightlife.
Practical tips for Mingsha Mountain / Crescent Lake:
- Long sunlight and strong wind/sand – bring hat, sunglasses, scarf, mask. Wear comfortable flat shoes (sneakers or sandals) for climbing or camel rides.
- Typical optional activities (personal expense): camel ride ~CNY100, shoe cover rental ~CNY15/pair, sandboarding ~CNY25–30 per run, desert buggy ~CNY300 per vehicle, plus other motorized activities (choose carefully).
- Sunset viewing: stay in the park to watch the sunset (around 20:00 in summer), then take a taxi back to the hotel if you do not return with the group.
- Mogao cave tickets: standard ticket CNY238 (limited to 6,000 per day; allows entry to 8 caves). Emergency tickets CNY100 (limited to 12,000 per day; entry to 4 caves). Tickets are hard to secure in peak season – we will attempt to buy tickets for the group as soon as possible (within one month before trip). If we can only obtain emergency tickets, we will refund the difference.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Zhongwei Jinye Hotel Dunhuang
Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake
Mogao Caves
Dunhuang → Son of the Earth Sculpture & Mirage → Jiayuguan → Zhangye Danxia → Zhangye
Morning visit to desert art installations such as “Son of the Earth” and the “No Boundary / Mirage” works. Continue to view the Han Wudi statue and regional sculptures.
Stop in Guazhou for a break and local Hami melon (in season). Visit Jiayuguan – the western end of the Ming Great Wall and a historic strategic pass.
Afternoon drive to Zhangye Danxia National Geopark (Rainbow Mountains) – internal shuttle takes you to several viewing platforms to admire colorful layered cliffs and spectacular sunset light.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: ChenFeng Grand Hotel
Zhangye Danxia National Geopark
Son of the Earth Sculpture
Jiayuguan
Zhangye → Biandukou → Qilian Mountain Grassland → Daban Mountain Observation Deck → Return to Xining
Pass through Biandukou Pass), a historic and dramatic gap in the Qilian range (elevation ~3,500 m).
Visit the Qilian Mountain Grassland region and the Qilian Ancient City station area – experience grassland scenery and local equestrian culture (horse riding subject to availability).
Drive to Daban Mountain Observation Deck to overlook Menyuan Rape Flower Field – golden fields in bloom approximately early July to early August (seasonal; free viewing). Return to Xining in the evening.
Special note: Menyuan rapeseed bloom is seasonal; if bloom conditions or traffic prevent viewing there is no refund.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Kaibin International Hotel
Biandukou
Qilian Mountain Grassland1
Xining → Transfer to Airport or Train
We arrange your transfer to Xining airport or train station based on your flight/train time. Thank you for traveling with us – Northwest China welcomes you back!
Dates & Prices
| Month | Date | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2026-1 | $ 560 | Book now |
| Feb | 2026-2 | $ 560 | Book now |
| Mar | 2026-3 | $ 560 | Book now |
| Apr | 2026-4 | $ 560 | Book now |
| May | 2026-5 | $ 685 | Book now |
| Jun | 2026-6 | $ 797 | Book now |
| Jul | 2026-7 | $ 840 | Book now |
| Aug | 2026-8 | $ 840 | Book now |
| Sep | 2026-9 | $ 797 | Book now |
| Oct | 2026-10 | $ 783 | Book now |
| Nov | 2026-11 | $ 560 | Book now |
| Dec | 2026-12 | $ 560 | Book now |
You are consulting 2025-04-12 9-Day Northwest China Adventure – Qinghai Lakes, Deserts & Rainbow Mountains
Fee Description
Services Included:
Transportation: 9-seat tourist vehicle with airline-style 1+1 seating for the entire trip.
Driver: Full-time local driver knowledgeable about local customs and insider experiences; pure sightseeing tour with no shopping stops.
Accommodation: Local high-standard 4-star hotels, including daily breakfast.
Entrance Fees: All listed scenic-spot entrance fees and required sightseeing shuttle buses are included for: Qinghai Lake (Heimahe) + Chaka Salt Lake (mini-train excluded) + Water Yadan (with sightseeing bus) + Chaerhan Salt Lake (with sightseeing bus) + Emerald Lake (with sightseeing bus) + Heidushan/Black Gobi (with sightseeing bus) + Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake + Mogao Caves + Zhangye Danxia (with sightseeing bus).
Insurance: Travel agency liability insurance, vehicle seat insurance, and travel accident insurance.
Complimentary Services: Costume photography session (Feitian / Silk-Road style); drone available on the vehicle / fixed-point aerial photography at scenic areas (choose one: Emerald Lake or Chaerhan Salt Lake).
Services Excluded:
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International and domestic airfare and train tickets to/from the tour start/end points.
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All lunches and dinners throughout the tour.
- Single-room supplement: if there are queries for not sharing a room with others, or no one to share a room with, then the supplement needs to be paid. November-April: 1000 RMB/person; May: 1200 RMB/person; June and September: 1800 RMB/person; July-August: 2200 RMB/person; October: 1600 RMB/person.
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Optional entertainment and activity fees (self-pay).
Suggested optional activities (for reference):
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Chaka Salt Lake mini-train: CNY100 per person (round trip).
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Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake: camel riding ~CNY100 per person; shoe cover rental CNY15/pair; sandboarding ~CNY25–30 per person; desert off-road vehicle from CNY300/vehicle; other optional items such as dune motorcycles and gliding are also available.
High-altitude & general safety precautions (important)
- Mental state: stay calm and positive – anxiety increases discomfort.
- Hydration: carry a water bottle; drink frequently in small amounts.
- Clothing: layer up – temperature drops ~5–6°C per 1,000 m; bring warm layers for mornings/evenings.
- Diet: increase carbohydrates (target ≈60% of intake), eat vitamin-rich foods; avoid alcohol and reduce smoking. Yak butter tea can help some travelers adapt.
- Activity: moderate exercise; practice diaphragmatic breathing. Avoid heavy exertion on first arrival.
- Sleep & ventilation: ensure adequate sleep and room ventilation while keeping warm. Consider slightly later bedtime for better adaptation.
- UV protection: high UV – use wide-brim hat, sunglasses, sunscreen. Snow increases reflection risk.
- Medication & health: continue prescribed medicines; do not randomly self-medicate. Treat even mild respiratory infections promptly. Avoid over-reliance on oxygen unless medically advised.
- Communication: report any unusual symptoms to your guide or driver immediately. If severe symptoms appear (confusion, severe breathlessness), seek emergency medical help at once.
