8 Days Qinghai Zhangye Badain Jaran Desert Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrive in Xining
   Glimpse the Tibetan Buddhism and Islamic Culture

   Welcome to Xining for an amazing 8-day Silk Road tour. Upon your arrival at Xining Airport, your private driver and tour guide will be waiting for you at the exit of the Arrival Hall with a welcome sign. You will then start your Qinghai tour at Ta'er Temple. Aka Kumbum Monastery, it is one of the six greatest Gelug Sect monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism in China. You can learn more about Tibetan cultural heritage..

   

   Afterwards, drive to Xining downtown to visit Dongguan Mosque, a famous place in Xining, integrating religious activities and Islamic studies. It has been destroyed for many times, and the existing buildings were rebuilt in 1913. The mosque is built in a magnificent manner, facing west and east, with characteristics of classical architecture and ethnic style.

   After the visit, you will be transferred to your hotel in downtown Xining for the night.

   Meal: N/A

2. Day 2: Xining to Chaka Town Tour
   Visit China's Largest Saltwater Lake for Scenic Beauty

   This morning, we drive for about 3 hours to reach Qinghai Lake. Qinghai Lake is the largest saltwater lake in China, where you can feel the fresh air and warm sunshine, just like paradise. There are flocks of sheep and yaks, blue skies and white clouds, etc.

   The main scenic area you are going to visit is the Erlangjian Scenic Area, the most beautiful place in Qinghai Lake. Here you can enjoy the charming lake. There are boat cruises, horse riding, and bike riding available around the lake, and you can pay in cash on your own if you have interests (optional).

   

   Travel Tips:

   • The sunlight in Qinghai Lake is very strong, especially in summer (June to August). So you are advised to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, hats, etc. to protect your skin from UV.
   • Few people experience severe altitude sickness at Qinghai Lake. But you must avoid strenuous exercise if it is your first time to enter the plateau.

   After the relaxing sightseeing, drive to Chaka Town for the night.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

3. Day 3: Chaka to Xining Tour
   Take Beautiful Photos at the "Mirror of the Sky"

   After breakfast, you will be guided to visit the Chaka Salt Lake, with the title of "Mirror of the Sky in China" which rose to fame nationwide rapidly in recent years, attracting increasing travelers.

   The pure white congealing in the water makes the lake a huge mirror to reflect the shadows of white clouds, blue sky, hovering birds, and beautiful girls in bright-colored dresses.

   

   Yes, what you must do at Chaka Lake is to take beautiful pictures of the sky and people. Do remember to wear clothes of bright colors.

   Travel Tips:

   • UV rays are strong here. Sunglasses are a necessity. You are advised to cover your face, neck, and arms.
   • If you want to take some nice portrait photos with lake reflection, you can wear something with bright colors, like red.

   In the afternoon, drive back to Xining hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

4. Day 4: Xining to Zhangye Tour by Van

   Today, you will take a scenic 6-hour drive to Zhangye. Upon arrival, you will have the remainder of the day free to relax and explore the city at your leisure.

   Meal: Breakfast

5. Day 5: Zhangye Danxia Tour
   Experience the Amazing Rainbow Mountains at Zhangye Danxia Geological Park

   Today, your tour in Zhangye allows you to fully enjoy the highlight of Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park. The Danxia landform earns the most spotlight for Zhangye City. Rated as one of the "10 Wonders of Nature in the World" in 2011 by National Geographic News, it does deserve the reputation. There are two main scenic areas of the Zhangye Danxia with different features.

   Firstly, come to visit The Ice Valley Mountain Scenic Area, and read Binggou Mountain in Chinese, which earns its fame mainly with its graceful shapes. Usually, people come here for sunrise scenery. Although the color of the hills here is not as bright as Rainbow Mountain, the unique form here easily excites people's imagination to enjoy the natural masterpiece in another way.

   Later, move on to The Rainbow Mountain Scenic Area which is located in Linze County, features bright colors, and is better for enjoying the sunset which is chosen by most travelers. Seen from the high platform, the rising layers of mountains in beautiful red with different saturation are bathed in rosy sunlight, depicting a gorgeous picture for the visitors who trudged a lot to here.

   Photography Tips: In summer, the best time to photograph the sunset is from 19:00 to 20:00. In winter, the best time is around 18:00~19:00.

   Meal: Breakfast

   

6. Day 6: Zhangye to Badain Jaran Town Tour by Van
   Witness the Largest Indoor Reclining Buddha in China

   After breakfast, start your last day of the Silk Road tour in Zhangye with a visit to the Giant Buddha Temple, which houses China's largest indoor reclining Buddha, the Nirvana of Shakyamuni Buddha. The figure is covered in gold leaf and painted in various colors to make it so vivid. When you walk behind the reclining Buddha, you will see beautiful murals.

   

   Later, head to the impressive Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon. As one of the magnificent grand canyons along the Silk Road, it is the best place where you can not only enjoy the special landform but also visit some precious animals and plants.

   Special note: You will need to hike for around 2-3 hours. Tourists with knee problems are NOT suggested to go.

   Afterward, drive for 4 hours to Badain Jaran Town.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

7. Day 7: Badain Jaran Desert Tour
   Hop on a Jeep Safari for Badain Jaran's Landscapes, Lakes, Temples

   After breakfast, your guide will pick you up and lead you to visit the Badain Jaran Geopark Museum. It mainly introduces the natural geography and evolution history of the Badain Jaran Desert. It collects 298 specimens here, including metal and non-metal mineral specimens, paleontological fossil specimens, Gobi rocks, animal and plant specimens, ethnic costumes, etc. This is an important window for understanding the formation and evolution of the Ala Shan Desert.

   Next, hop on a jeep and head into the heart of the Badain Jaran Desert. Traveling through the vast sand dunes, along the way we will visit some of the famous attractions such as Badain Lake and Genghis Khan Sand Carving. Badain Lake is the gateway to the Badain Jaran Desert and consists of a total of 13 lakes, one of which is a rare freshwater lake in the Badain Jaran Desert. The lake is like a shining pearl inlaid in the desert, so the Badain Jaran Lake is also called "Jewel Lake" by the locals.

   

   Continue your desert jeep tour to Yinderitu Spring, surrounded by towering sand dunes. It is a natural oasis dotted with grasses, trees, reeds and water birds. The most amazing thing about the lake is that there is a 3-square meter sized rock with 108 holes of spring that gush out sweet water. You will also enjoy a panoramic view of the desert from the viewpoint of Bilutu.

   In the evening, you will reach the depths of the desert to visit the mysterious Badain Jaran Temple. This is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery that was built in 1755. You will spend the night in a Mongol yurt camp near here, a unique and unforgettable experience. Basic shower facilities are available at the yurt camp.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

8. Day 8: Badain Jaran Desert Departure
   Catch Sunrise View and Desert's Changing Landscapes in Lakes

   Today, you need to wake up early to catch the spectacular sunrise view over the vast Badain Jaran Desert. Later, return to the camp for breakfast.

   After breakfast, continue your jeep safari. We will stop at Sumu Barun Jaran Lake. Take some time to admire the perfect blend of water and desert.

   

   Next, go to visit Barunyikeri and Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), two other natural wonders of the Badain Jaran Desert. Barunyikeri is a seasonal freshwater lake. During the season of abundance, it is one of the most extensive lakes in the desert. In the spring and summer, a lot of water evaporates, and the freshwater lake splits in two, becoming two saltwater lakes that run east-west. In the autumn and winter, as the underground spring gradually gusher out, the two saltwater lakes will join together again and become a large freshwater lake. How amazing it is!

   After the tour, you will be escorted to Jinchang Airport for your flight to your next destination. Your 8 days China tour package of Qinghai Zhangye Badain Jaran Desert ends here.

   Meal: Breakfast