9-Day Dunhuang Jiayuguan Zhangye Xining Silk Road Tour

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Overview

Tour Type: Private Tour: Flexible Travel Date & Travel Routes

Guide & Driver: Chinese-English-speaking guide & air-conditioned

Experience an in-depth look at some of the greatest natural and cultural treasures of China at the Mogao Grottoes, the Great Wall of China at Jiayuguan Pass, Zhangye Geopark and more;
Enjoy amazing desert views along the ancient Silk Road;
Witness vast grasslands, forests and an everchanging, beautiful landscape while traveling from Zhangye, Gansu to Xining, Qinghai;

Itinerary Day by Day

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Day1 Arrival in Dunhuang

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Welcome to Dunhuang, home of the western end of the Great Wall of China! Upon your arrival at the Dunhuang airport or train station, your local guide and driver will meet you to escort you to your hotel. You will have the rest of the day to rest and relax from your trip to Dunhuang, or you can begin to explore this small city on your own.

Accommodation：Overnight in Dunhuang

Day2 Dunhuang: Yardang National Geopark, Mingsha Shan, Crescent Lake

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We will get an early start this morning as we pick you up from your hotel – so much to see and do today! We will start off by driving to the Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark that features fantastical rock formations created by nature over hundreds of thousands of years. Along the way we will have time to stop at Yumenguan (Jade Gate Pass), a gate that named for the many jade carvans that passed through it on the ancient Silk Road. The gate was originally built during the Han Dynasty (202 B.C. – 220 A.D.) around 121 B.C. as part of the western end of the Great Wall of China and as the final outpost of Chinese territory for caravans traveling on to India, Parthia (now northeastern Iran) and the Roman Empire.

After visiting the geopark and a nice lunch, we will visit the Mingsha Shan (Singing Sand Mountains), with the name coming from the sound that the sand dunes make when the wind blows just right, or when sliding down the sand dunes. From there we can visit the fascinating Crescent Lake – a beautiful oasis in the desert surrounded by sand dunes all around. It is amazing to see this little lake sitting in the middle of a vast sea of sand.

After visiting Crescent Lake, we will drive back to Dunhuang to spend the night.

Accommodation：Overnight in Dunhuang

Day3 Dunhuang – Mogao Grottoes, Jiayuguan

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After breakfast at your hotel, we will take a short drive outside of the city to visit the ancient Mogao Grottoes (aka Thousand Buddha Caves), an incredible repository of ancient Chinese art and Buddhist scriptures created between 366 and 1368 A.D. A visit to the Mogao Grottoes begins with a stop at the Mogao Grottoes Digital Exhibition Center where you will have the opportunity to view two excellent educational documentaries that introduce the history and culture of the manmade caves, providing you with a great foundation for a better understanding of what you are about to see. The first caves were dug out of the side of the cliffs around 366 A.D. as places for Buddhist meditation and worship, and at one point there were more than one thousand of these caves. Some have been lost over the centuries and there are reportedly 735 caves that still exist at Mogao; the best-known ones are the 487 caves located in the southern section of the cliff which are places of pilgrimage and worship. 248 caves have also been found to the north which were living quarters, meditation chambers, and burial sites for the monks. The caves at the southern section are decorated, while those at the northern section are mostly plain. About 40 of the caves are open to the public, and due to the method of handling tourists at Mogao, you will be able to visit 7 or 8 caves with a group, and possibly visit others on your own. There are also 10 “special” caves with extra fees that are available for visiting.After this exhilarating visit to the Mogao Grottoes, we will travel on to Jiayuguan to check into our hotel, passing through stunning Gobi Desert landscapes along the way.Travel tips for visiting the Mogao Grottoes:1) During the peak tourist season from May to October, it can be very crowded so it is recommended that you make a reservation at least 7 days in advance.2) If you want to see the Special Caves that are restricted to a limited number of individuals or small groups with reservations and are not included in the regular visit, please contact our friendly travel consultants who can help arrange this for you.3) Photos are not allowed inside the grottoes to protect the ancient artwork.

Accommodation：Overnight in Jiayuguan

Day4 Jiayuguan Great Wall of China – Zhangye

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This morning we will have the opportunity to visit the western-most pass of the Great Wall of China at Jiayuguan. Jiayuguan was constructed as more of a fort than a simple gate with three lines of defense consisting of an outer city, an inner city, and a moat. Jiayuguan has both an east gate and a west gate with both sides of the pass connected to the Great Wall. Built during the early Ming Dynasty around 1372 A.D., Jiayuguan is the most intact ancient military building among all of the passes on the Great Wall of China. There is also a museum on site where you can learn all about the history of Jiayuguan and the Great Wall of China.

After lunch, we will drive on to Zhangye to visit the Zhangye National Geopark, with its spectacularly-colored landforms and unique topography. Covering an area of 322 square kilometers (124 square miles), these amazing, rainbow colored mountains developed over millions of years as deposits of sandstone and different minerals were deposited. There are four different viewing platforms scattered across the park, and you will get to visit each of them as shuttle buses are arranged for transport between all of them. After plenty of time for viewing the incredible mountains and cliffs, we will check in to our Zhangye hotel to spend the night. Today’s travel tips:
1) As you will be outside all afternoon, be sure to use plenty of sunscreen, sunglasses, protective clothing and hats to protect yourself from the strong sunlight at the higher altitude.
2) Sunset is the best time for taking photos, with the sun setting around 7 – 8 p.m. during the summer and 6 to 7 p.m. during the winter.

Accommodation：Overnight in Zhangye

Day5 Zhangye – Mati Temple – Zhangye

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This morning we will travel about 65 kilometers (40 miles) outside of Zhangye to visit another of the area’s main attractions at the Mati (Horse Hoof) Temple. The Mati Temple is no ordinary temple – it is more of a complex of hanging cliff cave temples, grotto carvings and fantastic mountain landscapes combined with the unique culture of the Yugur minority people. The Yugurs are descendants of nomadic tribes from Mongolia that were under the control of Tibetan kings, and they are known for their unique music, dancing and fantastically colored and embroidered clothing. The temple also houses many ancient and historical relics, including the Standing Buddha from the Jin Dynasty (266 – 420 A.D.), an imperial robe of Qing Dynasty emperor Kangxi, a saddle from Qing Dynasty emperor Qianlong, and much more.

After a full day of exploring the Mati Temple area, we will return to Zhangye to spend the night.

Accommodation：Overnight in Zhangye

Day6 Zhangye - Dafosi - Board the high speed train to Xining

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This morning we will have the opportunity to visit the Dafo (Great Buddha) Temple, the home of the largest indoor reclining Buddha in all of China. This huge Buddha measuring 35 meters (115 feet) long was constructed of of clay over a wooden frame sometime around 1100 A.D. It remains largely unaltered since the days of the Western Xia Dynasty (1038 – 1227 A.D.) and it is amazing that it has survived intact for more than 900 years. The temple also houses around 6,000 ancient Buddhist scriptures and a Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911 A.D.) mural that depicts the story of the famous Buddhist monk Xuanzhuang riding a horse with the monkey king Sun Wukong kneeling on the ground.

After a nice local lunch, we will take you to the Zhangye train station for the high-speed (bullet) train to Xining. The train journey will only take about 2 hours as you speed through the amazing scenery along the way. Your local tour guide will greet you at the Xining train station to escort you in a private car to your downtown Xining hotel. The rest of the day will be free for you to explore the local area around your hotel on your own, or just rest and relax in your hotel room.

Accommodation：Overnight in Xining

Day7 Xining - Qinghai Lake - Xining

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We will get an early start today to take you on the scenic 2 ½-hour, 130-kilometer (80 mile) drive to reach the beautiful and massive Qinghai Lake. This lake is the largest lake in China, and it is classified as an alkaline salwater lake. Sitting at an altitude of 3,205 meters (10,515 feet), Qinghai Lake has a surface area of 4,317 square kilometres (1,667 square miles); an average depth of 21 metres (69 feet), and a maximum depth of 25.5 meters (84 feet). The lake is considered to be a holy Tibetan Buddhist site, so you can often see many pilgrims walking along the lakeshore. We will take you to the Erlangjian Scenic Area, where you can walk out on a long pier over the calm waters to enjoy the beauty of Qinghai Lake. Enroute we will pass through some fascinating landscapes of vast grasslands, wide open blue skies, herds of yaks and sheep, and a view of Riyue (Sun & Moon) Mountain so it is an interesting drive getting there and coming back. If you are interested, we can add in some optional sites such as the Dangaer Ancient City or the Jinyintan Prairie along the way.

Due to Qinghai Lake’s location and massive size, it serves as a popular stopover point for many species of migrant birds, particularly on the aptly named Bird Island. The best time to visit for bird watching would be during May and June. Another great time to visit is from late July to early August to see the amazingly beautiful rape flower fields that surround Qinghai Lake.

After a full day of exploring around Qinghai Lake, we will drive back to Xining to spend the night.

Accommodation：Overnight in Xining

Day8 Xining Full Day Tour – Ta’er Monastery, Qinghai Museum

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This morning we will take you on a pleasant half-hour drive to one of the most important monasteries in Tibetan Buddhism – the Ta’er Monastery. This monastery was founded in 1583 A.D. on the foundations of some earlier temples that were built to mark the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug (“Yellow Hat”) sect of Buddhism, who was born in 1357 A.D. This huge complex contains ancient relics of the Yellow Hat sect including a silver tower covered with precious gems and wrapped in ten layers of silk, and a tower reportedly made of pure gold and containing the ashes of Tsongkhapa. Ta’er Monastery is also known for its barbola embroidery, impressive murals and yak butter sculptures known as “suyouhua”.

After visiting the monastery, we will drive back to Xining and explore the Qinghai Provincial Museum, which traces the 2,100-year history of Xining as well as the more ancient history of the Qinghai area. There are numerous exhibits featuring the art and culture of the regions various cultures that have inhabited the area for thousands of years.

After learning all about Xining and Qinghai at the museum, we will transfer you back to your hotel for the night.

Accommodation：Overnight in Xining

Day9 Morning Tour of Dongguan Great Mosque - Departure from Xining

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This morning after breakfast at your hotel, we will take you to visit the Dongguan Mosque, the largest mosque in Qinghai. Originally built in 1380 during the Ming Dynasty, the Dongguan Mosque is regarded as one of the “Four Great Mosques” in China. Proper dress is required, so no shorts or tank tops are allowed, but it is an interesting place to visit if you have the time. You will then have the rest of the day free until it is time to take you to the airport or train station for your departing flight or train on to your next destination.

Accommodation：None

What's Included

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Private professional English-Speaking local tour guide

Licensed Vehicle with experienced driver

All accommodations listed in the itinerary

Meals specified in the itinerary as "B, L, D".

Entrance tickets listed in the itinerary

Tourists Accident/Casualty Insurance

A container of Oxygen for emergency use in Tibet

All taxes, fees and handling charges

Lodging and meal allowance to the guide & driver

2 bottles of drinking water per person per day

International flight to and from China.

China visa.

Sightseeing not listed in the itinerary.

Meals not listed in the itinerary.

Personal expenses such as laundry, drink, fax, telephone call, optional tour activities, etc.

Tips to guides, drivers, bellboys, etc.

Entrance tickets not listed in the itinerary

Single room supplement.

Additional Info

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Alterations of Itineraries

The travel date, service items, itinerary and number of visitors, visitors’ ID information, etc. can be modified free of charge 30 days or more before the trip. If the visitor needs to make a second modification, an additional service fee of 5% of the deposit will be charged. Every time the content of the travel contract is modified, the company reserves the right to re-quote.

Cancellation Policy

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Once the deposit is paid, your trip is confirmed. If you need to change or cancel your itinerary, please contact your travel consultant by email, phone, instant messenger, etc. There will be a charge for Cancellation or modification. The policy is as follows：

1. Notice of trip cancellation due to personal reasons before the trip starts
Cancellation 30 days or more before the trip starts, 10% penalty of the deposit.
Cancellation 29-15 days before the trip starts, 20% penalty of the deposit.
Cancellation 14-7 days before the trip starts, 30% penalty of the deposit.
Cancellation 6-2 days before the trip starts, 50% penalty of the deposit.
Cancellation within 48 hours prior to the trip starts, no refund of your deposit.

2. Trip cancellation due to irresistible factors before the trip starts

If you have to cancel the itinerary due to irresistible reasons such as traffic, weather, politics, etc., the deposit will be fully refunded by the company (for loss related to air ticket/train ticket, please take reference of the first item).

Traveler Photos

Reviews

 Ann Phan

Travel Date：April 4th 2018

The trip is very satisfied overall, just a few things to watch. There are too many monasteries. I am not quite a fan of religion. The hotel air conditioner didn’t work well and the hot water went wrong some times. Wish the hotel condition could be better in the near future.

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 DaisyPurple

Travel Date：September 18, 2019

We booked the tour with Asia Odyssey after surveying few tour companies as it’s the cheapest among those with excellent reviews. Amy was the agent that contacted us and keep updating of our Tibet visa applications and train tickets arrangement. She is really helpful. She even came to our hotel in Chengdu in order to pass the physical train ticket to us despite we were staying nearby airport, yet she did not ask for any tips or car fare from us. Upon arriving at Lhasa, Amy still cared for us if we have any altitude sickness. She provided all the information we needed to know and get us into contact with the tour guide in Lhasa as well. The tour is superb. We viewed the Mount Everest from far during sunset and sun rise. It’s a lifetime experience never to be missed. Also, the tour guide 大海哥 is very responsible and fun, he make our hectic journey a full of fun, yet with lots of information regarding the history of Lhasa, Monasteries, Potala Palace and many more...The driver is steady, his driving skill is superb The journey to EBC is super winding yet no one had any car sickness Upon leaving Lhasa, Amy still followed up with us and we thank her well.

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 Mark Lim

Travel Date：May 14th 2018

I had to mention our tour guide – Puktso because he is too nice. He is very passionate and thoughtful when he talked with us on the daily tour arrangement. We reschedule a little bit and he gave us great ideas. I like all the stories and insight knowledge on local life he shared with us. We enjoyed a wonderful trip with his company.

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 Sharon C

Travel Date：April 23, 2019

Tibet has been one of my top travel destinations. As a Buddhism, visiting places tapping into sacred goddess and Mother Nature becomes a dream for me to achieve. At the age of 40, I am so happy I have finally made my dream come true.

The trip planning to Tibet has never been easy for Taiwanese. To grant a permit by a trust worthy travel agent is already a hassle, my first trip plan didn’t get though two years ago. I am glad I found odyssey travel agent for my second try. The whole process started off with zero trust, trip advisor and Facebook helped me to validate its credibility, and further more I had even asked for reference check from the agent. Thanks Kay for being a nice and patient coordinator during this planning process.

With all had prepared, our group has been one of the most peaceful and harmony travel company I have been with. With years of experience, I have not been with a group of >20 until this time, apart from school and company team building. To spend 9 days with who I meet the first time and could probably the only time caused me zero worry with the brilliant tour guide Xiao Gao!

If you’ll and would like to have a joyful and unforgettable journey in Tibet, going up to the Everest base camp is definitely the only option. So is odyssey travel.

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 Teoh chin kok

Travel Date：June 15th 2018

With the accompaniment of our experienced driver and guide-Lomsang. I forgot the name of our driver. Terribly sorry. He did a great job. Our guide is fluent in English, we had no problem in communicating. He made us laugh during the long drive and took care of my daughter. We had altitude sickness when we were at the tent of Everest Base Camp, he didn’t sleep well also in order to look after us. He also explained tibetan culture clearly which I find it pretty interesting. We would like to thank him for making our trip in tibet extraordinary. We were lucky to book a tour with Tibet odyssey tours.

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 Stacy

Travel Date：July 15th 2018

Firstly, special thanks to our tour guide we met, Mr. 扎西. He was so helpful, knowledgeable, considerate, experienced and professional. He is fluent in English. We had smooth conversation.
Secondly, thanks to our tour Consultant, Amy, for organizing o

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