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 - 8th August, 2026 immerse in Rebgong's rare Sixth Moon Sacred Dance Festival with its hypnotic rituals and living Thangka artistry.
Then from 10th -16th 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 includes locations subject to local access restrictions and only be available to travelers who meet the relevant nationality, visa, or permit requirements.
Tour Dates
10th - 16th August, 2026 (7 Days, 6 Nights)
Meeting Point
Xining Caojiapu International Airport
Location: Qinghai and Gansu Province
Xining - Kumbum Monastery (Night: 1) - Sun & Moon Mountain - Qinghai Lake - Chaka Salt Lake (Night: 2) - Emerald Lake (Night: 3) - Dunhuang (Night: 4,5) - Mingsha Mountain - Mogao Caves - Eron Magic Mountain National Geopark - Jiayuguan Pass - Jiuquan (Night: 6) - Qilian Grassland - Menyuan - Xining
Tour Theme:
The route showcases a remarkable variety of landscapes, bringing together highland lakes, snow-capped mountains, grasslands, Gobi desert, yardang formations, ancient grottoes, and frontier fortress towns in one unforgettable journey.
Visiting Mogao Caves - A world famous treasure house of murals and statues that reveals the brilliance of ancient Buddhist, Taoist and Folk Religion culture.
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 journey west across Qinghai’s highland lakes, salt flats, and sculpted desert landscapes before arriving in Dunhuang, the historic heart of the Silk Road, where Chinese, Indian, Greek, and Islamic civilizations left intertwined cultural traces over centuries. At the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mogao Caves, step into an extraordinary world of mural painting and painted sculpture, where flowing lines, celestial figures, layered compositions, and evolving styles reveal the richness and refinement of Buddhist art across different dynasties. More than a scenic expedition, this is a journey into art, memory, and civilizational exchange—designed for culturally curious travelers who seek beauty with depth and history with lasting emotional resonance.
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.
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 → Ta'er Monastery
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.
Ta'Er Monastery:
Founded in 1379, this major Tibetan Buddhist center showcases exquisite plateau art, including intricate butter sculptures and murals.
Xining → Sun and Moon Mountain → Qinghai Lake → Chaka
Chaka Salt Lake → Emerald Lake → Dachaidan
Dachaidan → Dunhuang → Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Spring → Shazhou Night Market
Dunhuang Museum → Dunhuang Bookstore → Mogao Caves
Jiuquan → Qilian Grassland → Menyuan → Transfer to Xining Airport
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Sun and Moon Mountain:
Rising to 3,520m, this historic pass marks the cultural divide between inland farming and plateau nomadic traditions, famously crossed by Princess Wencheng en route to Tibet.
Qinghai Lake:
China’s largest saltwater lake offers a stunning highland ecosystem.
Chaka Salt Lake:
Known as China’s “Mirror of the Sky,” this crystalline salt lake has a 3,000-year extraction history. Walk along the century-old narrow-gauge railway and photograph its surreal, highly reflective surface.
Emerald Lake:
Once a chemical salt mine, this site now dazzles with vivid blue and green mineral-rich waters. The striking contrast between pristine white salt crystals and vibrant pools creates an otherworldly landscape.
Traverse striking Gobi Desert scenery en route to Dunhuang.
Dunhuang Museum & Bookstore:
Gain crucial historical context on Dunhuang’s evolution from a Han dynasty frontier to a prosperous Tang Silk Road hub, perfectly setting the stage for the caves.
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.
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
Singing Sand Dunes & Crescent Spring:
Experience a miraculous desert oasis where echoing dunes encircle a pristine spring that has never been buried. Ride camels and retrace the steps of ancient Silk Road caravans.
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
Dunhuang → Yumen Moshan National Geopark → Pass by Jiayuguan → Jiuquan
Yumen Moshan National Geopark:
Marvel at dramatic red-bed formations and wind-sculpted yardangs, offering a stunning visual record of tectonic shifts and extreme arid weathering at the Qilian Mountains' foothills.
Jiayuguan Fortress:
Visit the majestic westernmost stronghold of the Ming Great Wall. Guarding the Hexi Corridor, this impeccably preserved fortress offers an immersive look into ancient frontier defense and Silk Road trade.
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
Bilingual Tour. Local guides fluent in Putonghua, dedicated English and Mandarin translators available.
All activites (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 Journey
Prefer a personalized experience?
Contact us to arrange a custom tour tailored to your exact dates and preferred destinations.
