Northwest China Highlights tour: Xinjiang, Gansu, and Qinghai





This 10-day Northwest China tour, including Xinjiang, Gansu, and Qinghai, is a solution for nature and culture enthusiasts. For travelers who have been to China multiple times and would like to explore remote areas, this route not only boasts breathtaking natural wonders, such as Qinghai Lake and Chaka Sal...
Member Savings
Sign in to see which companies give additional
savings to Travelstride Members (it’s free)
Overview
Highlights
- Marvel at Qinghai Lake, encircled by expansive grasslands and flowers
- Feel touched by the scale and beauty of Chaka Salt Lake while taking a ride on a tourist train
- Be amazed by the vibrant colors of Zhangye National Geopark that create a truly breathtaking spectacle
- Gaze upon the religious art and culture of China from over a thousand years ago at the Mogao Caves
- Wander through the Jiaohe Ruins and imagine what life might have been like in this ancient city
- Explore Heavenly Lake, which showcases deep turquoise-blue water that reflects the mountains.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Trip includes
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling
Itinerary
Upon your arrival in Xining, your private tour guide and driver will greet you with warm smiles. They will escort you to your hotel, allowing you to rest after your long flight.
Breakfast & Lunch Ta'er Lamasery, also known as Kumbum Monastery, is a Tibetan gompa in Qinghai. The central structure of the lamasery has a silver pagoda built around a peepal tree. The murals and butter sculptures are the most famous artistic treasures of the la...
Breakfast & Lunch Start with a 2-hour drive from Qinghai Lake to Chaka Salt Lake.
Chaka Salt Lake is known as 'Mirror of the Sky' because of its mirror-like surface, which reflects the sky and creates stunning optical illusions. The lake's bed is covered wi...
Breakfast & Lunch Take a high-speed train from Xining to Zhangye, which takes under 2 hours. The highlight of today is visiting Zhangye National Geopark.
The landforms at the Qicai ('Seven-Color' or 'Rainbow') Danxia scenic area are the result of sandstone ...
Breakfast & Lunch Visit the largest reclining Buddha in China at the Giant Buddha Temple in Zhangye. It is a massive 34.5 meters (113 feet) long and 7.5 meters (25 feet) wide. Eight people could stand on the earlobe of this reclining Buddha! This temple was built ...
Breakfast & Lunch The Mogao Caves are a must-visit relic site on the Silk Road. They boast a collection of over 40,000 sq. m (430,560 sq. ft) of murals and over 2,000 sculptures spanning over a thousand years. These vibrant artworks depict Buddhist stories, deitie...
Breakfast & Lunch Before you head to Turpan, you would pass through Yumen Pass at the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) on the way from Dunhuang to Liuyuan.
Yumen Pass was a crucial checkpoint along the Silk Road for over 600 years from 121 BC...
Breakfast & Lunch Turpan served as a vital crossroads, welcoming traders journeying between the East and West. You would embark on a captivating exploration of its rich history and culture.
You would delve into the past at the Jiaohe Ruins, the world's larg...
Breakfast & Lunch Today we'll drive to Urumqi, the political center of Xinjiang. Our first stop will arrive at Heavenly Lake, which is located in the Tianshan Mountains, about 68 km east of Urumqi. It is renowned for its alpine scenery and majestic Bogda Peak in t...
Your guide and driver will accompany you to the airport in Urumqi to begin your journey home or fly onward to your next destination.
We trust this tour (once it's personalized for you) will meet with your satisfaction and leave you with precious memories. Click Inquire to find out what we can do for you.
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with China Highlights.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

China Highlights Reviews & Ratings
Other China Highlights Reviews
Pre-trip Planning to Guilin
This is our first time experience with China Highlights to organise a trip to Guilin. Our travel planner, Coco, has been very helpful and responsive. Information w...
Tom from China Highlights was brilliant…
Tom from China Highlights was brilliant
China Highlights followed me carefully…
China Highlights followed me carefully in planning my trip to...
Tour Operator
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
What's excluded
- International travel expenses to enter or leave Asia.
- Visa Fees
- Excess Baggage Charges.
- Personal Expenses
- Meals: Any meals that are not specified in the tour itinerary.
- Insurance
- Single Room Supplement
- Gratuities, Tips to Guides or Drivers
Accommodation
- Cancellation received prior to 22 days before departure: 100 % refund of all monies paid.
- Cancellation received from 15 to 21 days before departure: 70% refund of all monies paid.
- Cancellation received from 8 to 14 days before departure: 50% refund of all monies paid.
- Cancellation received from 0 to 7 days before departure: no refund.
- No-show travelers will be charged 100% of the payment.
- After the trip has commenced, no refund for unused services due to your unwillingness/inability to participate, early departure, late arrival, or missed days on tours.
- The terms for cancellation for tours of more than 10 people may vary from case to case. Please ask you travel advisor regarding the cancellation policy for a group of over 10 people.
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations