Qing-Gansu Grand Loop 9 Days · From Qinghai Lake to Dunhuang
Xining / Qinghai Lake / Dachaidan / Dunhuang · 8 days · Moderate
Reference Price
$1,000Rise / Person
- Purely for fun, no shopping
- The itinerary can be slightly adjusted
- Includes ticket reservation service
Prices vary between peak and off-peak seasons; the following order confirmation shall prevail · Tickets for highlands and peak seasons need to be booked in advance
Itinerary Details
All routes are for reference only, the actual route is subject to the explanation of customer service
One of China's most popular self-driving routes: Qinghai Lake, Emerald Lake, Water Yadan, the most beautiful Highway 315, ending with the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang.
Day-by-day itinerary8 days in total · daily destination, meals, accommodation and transport
Expand day by day; click a title to collapse. Itinerary for reference and may be adjusted for weather and traffic.
- D1Arrived at Xining · Ta'er Monastery
DestinationEverywhere→ Xining
- Meals
- Meals are self-managed
- Accommodation
- Xining Hotel
- Transport
- Airport/Station Pickup and Drop-off
- Distance
- Within the city
StopsDaily detailArrive in Xining from various locations, with a private transfer at the airport/station to your hotel. Afternoon free time.
Ta'er Monastery
In the evening, take the high-speed rail or tour bus to Qinghai Lake and stay overnight. - D2Qinghai Lake · Erlang Sword, Sunrise over the Heima River
DestinationQinghai Lake urban area
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
- Accommodation
- Qinghai Lake Hotel
- Transport
- City bus Walking
- Distance
- Walking about 4-6 km within the city
Daily detailErlangjian
, Heimahe, Sunrise,
Chaka Salt Lake - D3Qinghai Lake · Bird Island, Jinyin Beach
DestinationQinghai Lake → Da Chai Dan
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
- Accommodation
- Qinghai Lake Hotel
- Transport
- High-speed rail / tour bus → Dachai Dan
- Distance
- Intercity Transfer
Daily detailIn the evening, take the
high-speed rail or tour bus to Dachaidan on Bird Island Jinyin Beach and stay overnight at Dachaidan. - D4Dachaidan · Feicui Lake, National Highway 315 U-shaped Highway
DestinationDachaidan, urban area
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
- Accommodation
- Dachaidan Hotel
- Transport
- City bus Walking
- Distance
- Walking about 4-6 km within the city
Daily detailJade Lake
315 National Highway U-shaped Highway - D5Dachaidan · Nanba Xian Yadan, Shuishang Yadan
DestinationDachaidan → Dunhuang
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
- Accommodation
- Dachaidan Hotel
- Transport
- High-speed train / tour bus → Dunhuang
- Distance
- Intercity Transfer
Daily detailNanba Xian Yadang
Water Yadang
takes the high-speed rail or tour bus to Dunhuang in the evening and stays overnight there. - D6Dunhuang · Mogao Caves, Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring
DestinationDunhuang city area
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
- Accommodation
- Dunhuang hotel
- Transport
- City bus Walking
- Distance
- Walking about 4-6 km within the city
Daily detailThe Mogao Cave
resounds like sand on the mountain and crescent moon spring - D7Dunhuang · Yumen Pass, Yardang Devil City
DestinationDunhuang city area
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
- Accommodation
- Dunhuang hotel
- Transport
- City bus Walking
- Distance
- Walking about 4-6 km within the city
Daily detailYumen Pass
Yadan Devil City - D8Dunhuang · Yangguan and the return journey
DestinationDunhuang → Airport/Station transfer
- Meals
- Breakfast: Hotel · Lunch: Local (included) · Dinner: Self-arranged
- Accommodation
- Not included
- Transport
- Private vehicle for transfer to airport/station
- Distance
- Walking about 4-6 km within the city
Daily detailYangguan
will be shuttled off at the airport/station according to flight or train schedule, and the itinerary will conclude.
Route Overview
The entire journey is 8 days, advancing along "Xining / Qinghai Lake / Dachaidan / Dunhuang." The pace is arranged as "one city, one segment," with intercity travel primarily by high-speed rail, and flights assigned for segments where travel exceeds 5 hours.
Cities and Highlights on This Route
- Xining: Ta'er Monastery · Dongguan Mosque · Qinghai Provincial Museum
- Qinghai Lake: Erlangjian · Sunrise at Heimahe · Chaka Salt Lake · Bird Island · Jinyin Beach
- Dachaidan: Emerald Lake · Highway 315 U-Shaped Road · Nanbaxian Yardang · Water Yardang
- Dunhuang: Mogao Caves · Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring · Yumen Pass · Yardang Devil City · Yangguan
Province
This route belongs to the Qinghai line. Other itineraries of different durations are available for comparison within the same province; you can also customize your own pace.
Costs include
- Hotels listed in the itinerary (double occupancy, including breakfast)
- First entrance tickets and shuttle between attractions listed in the itinerary
- Intercity high-speed train / second-class seat on bullet train or tour bus
- Full Chinese-speaking tour guide and driver service
- One bottle of mineral water per person per day, travel accident insurance
Cost not included
- International/domestic major transportation to and from the departure city
- Meals not listed in the itinerary (approximately 80–150 yuan per person per day)
- Single room supplement, personal expenses, and optional items
- Driver and guide tips (voluntary, recommended 30–50 yuan per person per day)