China Part 1 Golden Xinjiang Journey: 4 Provinces – Silk Road, Xinjiang, Gansu, Qinghai, Tibet & Tibet Railway (18 Days)

Free airport transfer is provided for flights arriving between 12:00 noon and 3:00 pm. Urumqi Airport code (URC) must be provided in advance.

【Tianshan Heavenly Lake National Geopark】 Take a boat ride to enjoy the scenery. The lake surface is crescent-shaped, with crystal-clear water, shining like jade. It is renowned as the “Pearl of Tianshan.”

【Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar】 The largest bazaar in the world, featuring strong Islamic architectural style. It recreates the commercial prosperity of the ancient Silk Road.

【Xinjiang Museum – Ancient Mummies Exhibition】 Displays include the 3,800-year-old Loulan Beauty, the 3,200-year-old Hami Mummy, and the 3,000-year-old Qiemu Mummy.

【Wind Power Station】 Hundreds of towering wind turbines spinning in the breeze, forming the largest wind farm in Asia, stretching for dozens of miles. (Passing by only, no stopping permitted.)

【Karez Well System】 Known as one of the three greatest ancient projects of China along with the Great Wall and the Grand Canal. An underground irrigation system ingeniously created by the ancient people of Xinjiang.

【Flaming Mountains】【Grape Valley】【Turpan】 The Flaming Mountains are composed of red sandstone, gravel, and mudstone, made famous by the classic novel Journey to the West. Visit the Flaming Mountains Scenic Area. Located at the western end of the mountains, Grape Valley is the most famous grape-producing area. Special arrangement for cultural dance performance and hands-on grape picking. Guests can also enjoy complimentary tastings of various seasonal melons and fruits.

【Mingsha Sand Dunes & Crescent Lake】 Ride a camel (included in tour cost) to stroll across the Mingsha Sand Dunes and climb the vast sand hills to view the stunning Crescent Lake. Located southwest of Dunhuang, this desert is famous for the sound of shifting sands. Crescent Lake, embraced by the dunes, is named for its crescent-moon shape.

【Yadan National Geopark】 A stunning landscape of wind-eroded formations with countless unique shapes, resembling lifelike sculptures. It looks like an ancient medieval city rising from the desert.

【Yumen Pass】 Once the essential gateway on the ancient Silk Road to enter the Northern and Central Routes of the Western Regions. Climb up the ancient pass for a panoramic view of the Great Wall stretching like a ribbon across the horizon.

【Shazhou Night Market】 A lively night market offering delicious local snacks to whet your appetite, as well as farm produce and regional specialties that are sure to delight.

【Mogao Caves】 Preserving 492 grottoes, 1,045 murals, and 2,500 sculptures. A dazzling treasure trove of Eastern art, with vivid colors and lifelike images that bring history to life.

【Jiayuguan Great Wall】 The western starting point of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, it is the most grand and best-preserved ancient military fortress. Known as the “First Pass Under Heaven in Hexi.”

【Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park】 Rated by China National Geographic magazine as one of the seven most beautiful Danxia landforms in China. Its colorful hills are unmatched nationwide in scale, vibrancy, and variety. Known for its striking layers, steep cliffs, majestic presence, unique formations, and dazzling colors.

【Ta’er Monastery】 One of the six great monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism in China, renowned worldwide for its “Three Artistic Wonders”: murals, barbola (embroidery with silk appliqué), and butter sculptures.

【Guide – Geological Park】 Featuring colorful peak formations that are both graceful and magnificent, wind-eroded landscapes shaped as if by divine hands, endlessly changing, steep and imposing, with awe-inspiring grandeur.

【Chaka Salt Lake】 A famous natural crystallized salt lake in the Qaidam Basin, known as the “Mirror of the Sky” in China. Walking on the lake feels like entering a world made entirely of salt.

【Qinghai Lake】 A national nature reserve. Its sapphire-like waters reflect clouds that seem close enough to touch. The scene resembles a natural oil painting, with vibrant Tibetan-style farmhouses, herders on horseback, and yaks grazing on the fields. All of these dot the dazzling golden landscape, making it feel like a paradise beyond the mortal world.

【Dongguan Mosque】 One of the four largest mosques in Northwest China. Its grand structure faces east while sitting west, rich with distinctive Islamic architectural features.

【Qinghai-Tibet Railway】 Depart from Xining toward Lhasa, Tibet. A project of incredible engineering difficulty, it is renowned as the “Sky Road.” The world’s highest plateau railway, it crosses the Roof of the World, passing through vast deserts, the Kunlun Snow Mountains, the uninhabited Hoh Xil, Tanggula Mountain, Qinghai Lake, and more spectacular scenery.

Spend the entire day enjoying the spectacular scenery of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The railway from Golmud to Lhasa stretches 1,142 km, crossing the Kunlun Mountains and Tanggula Mountains. A total of 960 km runs at altitudes above 4,000 meters, with the highest point reaching 5,072 meters. It traverses wetlands, permafrost regions, and high-altitude glaciers—some of the harshest terrains in the world. Recognized as one of China’s most remarkable century engineering projects, it has attracted global attention. Passengers can choose between soft sleeper or hard sleeper for convenience and comfort. The train is equipped with oxygen supply, hot water, and other facilities.

Upon arrival in Lhasa, enjoy lunch, then proceed to the city center before checking in to the hotel for rest.

Potala Palace – The largest and most complete palace-fortress complex in existence, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside, it houses a wealth of cultural relics and treasures, dazzling with its golden brilliance.

Jokhang Temple – A sacred site of Tibetan Buddhism and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the most magnificent surviving structure from the Tubo Dynasty in Tibet.

Barkhor Street – A bustling handicraft market located in the center of Lhasa’s old town, where you can find a wide variety of handmade products rich in ethnic characteristics.

【Yamdrok Lake】 One of the three sacred lakes of Tibet, renowned for its stunning scenery of water and mountains, considered the most beautiful in Southern Tibet. The surrounding area is dotted with perennial snow-capped peaks, some reaching over 7,000 meters in altitude.

【Karola Glacier】 A massive glacier shimmering in crystal blue. Its layers of black and white ice form striking contrasts, and under the sunlight, the glacier resembles a giant thangka painting draped across the mountain wall.

Tashilhunpo Monastery – One of the six great monasteries of the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect and the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas. For over 500 years, it has been a sacred pilgrimage site attracting Buddhist devotees from across the world. The monastery houses the world’s largest indoor bronze statue of the Maitreya Buddha, standing 26 meters tall.

【Basum Lake】Surrounded by mountains with a mild climate, at an average altitude of 4,000 meters. Snow-capped peaks tower above while lush forests flourish below. The crystal-clear lake reflects the surrounding snow mountains. In the center lies a small island with an ancient temple, Cuo Zong Temple. Snow peaks, glaciers, primeval forests, and historic relics encircle Basum Lake, making it resemble a paradise on earth.

【Lulang Forest】A vast expanse of pristine forest, lush and evergreen all year round. The scenery is stunning, with distant snow-capped mountains and glaciers contrasting beautifully with the nearby forests and rivers.

【Lulang Tibetan Folk Town】Traditional Tibetan-style architecture nestled against green mountains and rivers, offering a rich and authentic Tibetan cultural atmosphere.

After breakfast, free airport transfers are provided twice (7:00 am and 8:30 am). Gather in the hotel lobby for transfer to Nyingchi Airport (airport code: LZY). Conclude the unforgettable 18-day journey.