Qinghai • Dunhuang
Experience Qinghai’s lakes, salt flats, and desert wonders on a scenic Silk Road journey.
Qinghai Summer Odyssey
Embark on the Qinghai Summer Odyssey, a pair of extraordinary August journeys through China's remote Tibetan plateau.
From 2nd - 7th August, 2026 immerse in Rebgong's rare Sixth Moon Sacred Dance Festival with its hypnotic rituals and living Thangka artistry.
Then from 10th - 17th August, 2026 - traverse the ancient Silk Road and vast Qinghai highlands on an epic overland adventure.
Book separately for focused discovery or combine both for a seamless 13-day cultural odyssey—perfect for travelers seeking authentic Tibetan experiences beyond the tourist trail.
Upcoming Tour
Qinghai Summer Odyssey:
Scenic Silk Road Journey
(7 Days 6 Nights)
Tour Dates
10th - 16th August, 2026 (7 Days, 6 Nights)
Meeting Point
Xining Caojiapu International Airport
Location: Qinghai and Gansu Province
Xining - Kumbum Monastery - Qinghai Lake - Chaka Town (Night: 1) - Qarhan Salt Lake - Golmud (Night: 2) - Yangguan Pass - Dunhuang (Night: 3, 4) - Mogao Caves - Dunhuang Academy of Arts - Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Spring - Shazhou Night Market - Son of the Earth - Pass by Jiayuguan - Zhangye Danxia National Geopark - Zhangye (Night: 6,7) - Pingshanhu Grand Canyon - Mati Temple - Qilian Grassland - Menyuan Flower Fields - Xining
Tour Theme:
The route showcases Qinghai’s highland lakes and grasslands, the Gobi and desert landscapes of the Hexi Corridor, the Salt Lake area, Danxia landforms, the Mogao Caves, and historic Silk Road frontier towns in one journey.
Visiting Mogao Caves - UNESCO World Heritage site treasure house of murals and statues that brought Chinese, Indian, Greek, and Islamic civilizations together.
Visiting the Silk Road reveals a timeless journey of trade, culture, and exchange across ancient lands.
Dunhuangology
Dunhuang is a destination that must be experienced at least once in a lifetime, not merely because it is a World Heritage site, but because it stands as a living museum of human history.
Within this desert oasis, the four great civilizations of China, India, Greece, and Islam met and intertwined over centuries, leaving behind philosophical, religious, and aesthetic imprints that span over a thousand years.
This extraordinary legacy has given rise to Dunhuangology, an internationally influential academic field that weaves together literature, history, religion, and art, continually unveiling the deep networks of exchange between medieval China and Eurasia.
The vast murals and painted sculptures of the Mogao Caves elevate this legacy into a soul-stirring visual epic, fluid lines, layered compositions, celestial figures, and narrative depth, transforming the caves into an immersive artistic experience rather than a conventional historic site.
To stand inside Mogao is to witness how color, form, and devotion were brought together to create one of the most extraordinary painting traditions in the world.
Tour Background
Set out from Xining and travel west through Qinghai’s highland lakes, salt lakes, the Gobi, and the Danxia landscapes of the Hexi Corridor before reaching Dunhuang, the historic heart of the Silk Road, where Chinese, Indian, Greek, and Islamic civilizations left intertwined cultural traces over centuries.
Along the way, the route also passes historic frontier sites such as Jiayuguan and the surrounding desert corridors, adding depth to the journey’s landscape and history. At the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mogao Caves, step into a remarkable world of mural painting and painted sculpture, where changing styles across dynasties reflect the long development of Buddhist art and Silk Road exchange. More than a scenic trip, this is a journey through landscape, history, and cultural memory, designed for travelers who value both visual beauty and meaningful context.
Experience the dramatic contrasts of Northwest China, from mirror-like salt lakes and emerald basins to rainbow-colored Danxia landforms, desert dunes, and the oasis beauty of Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring.
Access the historic Library Cave, a thousand-year time capsule whose discovery of ancient texts and lost manuscripts changed the study of world history forever.
Surround yourself with beautiful scenery from the Danxia landforms, dense forest vegetation, gorgeous canyon reservoir areas and unique Tibetan customs together.
Small group travel across different regions from Xining across Qinghai’s most spectacular landscapes. Guided tour with
pre-arranged transport and hotels.
Indepth mural art tour with extended private access to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mogao Caves, exploring 10+ meticulously selected caves that reveal centuries of evolving mural painting and sculptural mastery.
Bilingual Tour. Local guides fluent in Putonghua, dedicated English and Mandarin translators available.
Itinerary
Our 7 Days journey
Xining → Kumbum Monastery → Qinghai Lake → Chaka Town
Xining:
The vibrant capital of Qinghai and northeastern gateway to the Tibetan Plateau (2,260m). It is the perfect starting point to acclimatize and discover a rich blend of Han, Tibetan, and Hui cultures.
Kumbum Monastery:
Founded in 1379, this major Tibetan Buddhist center showcases exquisite plateau art, including intricate butter sculptures and murals.
Qinghai Lake:
China’s largest saltwater lake offers a stunning highland ecosystem.
Golmud → Yangguan Pass → Dunhuang
Mogao Caves → Dunhuang Academy of Fine Arts → Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Spring → Shazhou Night Market
Dunhuang → Son of the Earth →
Pass by Jiayuguan → Zhangye Danxia National Geopark
Zhangye → Qilian Grassland → Menyuan Flower Fields →
Xining Airport
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Qarhan Salt Lake:
the largest salt lake in China, located in the Qaidam Basin of Qinghai Province. It is known for its vast salt flats, mineral-rich waters, and striking salt formations.
Yangguan Pass:
An ancient Silk Road frontier pass southwest of Dunhuang, once a key western gateway of the Han Dynasty. It is known for its desert setting and historical importance as a border defense site.
Son of the Earth:
A giant red sandstone sculpture of a sleeping baby in the Gobi Desert, created as a landmark that reflects the connection between people and nature.
Jiayuguan:
The western end of the Ming Great Wall, Jiayuguan was an important frontier pass and Silk Road gateway.
Zhangye Danxia National Geopark:
A UNESCO Global Geopark known for its colorful sandstone hills and layered rock formations. It is one of the best places in Northwest China to see Danxia landforms.
Qilian Grassland:
At 3,000m, these lush, glacier-fed alpine pastures sustain Tibetan and Mongolian nomadic traditions. Observe herds of yaks and sheep while learning about high-altitude pastoral life.
Menyuan:
Transition back to agricultural civilization in this sweeping basin. In summer, boundless fields of golden rapeseed flowers contrast dramatically against distant snow-capped peaks, beautifully concluding your Silk Road journey
Mogao Caves:
Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site (est. 366 AD), featuring 45,000 sqm of breathtaking murals. Beyond Buddhist art, these caves are a visual history book recording centuries of cross-cultural exchange.
Singing Sand Dunes & Crescent Spring:
Experience a miraculous desert oasis where echoing dunes encircle a pristine spring that has never been buried.
Shazhou Night Market:
Dive into Dunhuang’s bustling commercial heart. Sample Northwest specialties like grilled lamb and experience the lively pulse of this ancient trading hub.
Day 7
Zhangye → Pingshanhu Grand Canyon → Mati Temple
Pingshanhu Grand Canyon:
A large canyon known for its red sandstone cliffs, deep valleys, and dramatic rock layers shaped by erosion over time.
Mati Temple:
A Buddhist grotto complex with a history of around 1,600 years. It is known for its cliffside caves and its place in the religious and cultural history of the Silk Road region.
Chaka Town → Qarhan Salt Lake → Golmud
Price Includes:
Price Not Included:
Transfer by private car throughout the tour (arrival and departure Xining Caojiapu International Airport)
Accommodation in hotels of the same grade as listed in the itinerary, subject to availability. (based on double-occupancy; please contact us for the add-on fee if a private room is required);
Daily breakfast throughout the tour
Trilingual Tour. Local guides fluent in Mandarin with dedicated English and Cantonese translators available.
All activities (workshops, cultural experiences etc.) listed in the itinerary
All entry fees to museums and attractions visited along the itinerary.
International flights
Meals not listed in the summary itinerary
Personal expenses
Important Travel Awareness:
Cultural Ceremonies:
The Festival features authentic shamanic rituals that may include body-piercing, bloodletting, and intense spiritual practices. These are sacred local traditions - viewer discretion is advised for sensitive travelers.
High Altitude Precautions:
This tour reaches elevations above 3,000 meters (10,000 feet). Altitude sickness is a real risk. Consult your doctor, prepare personal medications, and monitor your health. We provide guidance but no medical support.
Monastery Policy:
No video/camera shooting permitted inside Monastery.
No shorts or tank tops allowed—cover shoulders and knees to respect local customs.
Please ensure that your nationality and travel documents allow you to enter China, including any required visa or entry permits.
Book Your Tour
Prefer a personalized experience?
Contact us to arrange a custom tour tailored to your exact dates and preferred destinations.
