Explore The Beauty of West China
Explore The Beauty of West China
Destinations: Xining / Laznhou / Xiahe / Yinchuan
This eight-day trip will offer you a unique opportunity to experience life in a relatively isolated, culturally rich though economically poor area of China, appreciate China’s ethnic cultural diversity, and understand economic changes in northwest China and how such changes affect the survival of traditional cultures. For centuries Xining has been the major commercial hub on the caravan route to Tibet, trading in wool, hides, salt and timber. More recently it has developed as a processing and distribution center and Qinghai agricultural basin. Xiahe is a tiny, bustling town centered in a valley of the Ganan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest Gansu. At three thousand meters above sea level, and surrounded by hilly mountains, this rural haven hugs its neighboring Tibet. Phoenix City is the byname of Yinchuan. It is a famous historical and cultural city as well, and capital of the Western Xia. It makes trips an interesting and hard experience.
Day 1 Xining-Arrival
Arrive Xining, meet your local guide in Xining airport and have lunch in local restaurant. Then proceed to visit Ta’er Lamasery, which located 26km south of the city proper, the sacred Ta'er Lamasery, is the best of the sights in the Xining area. This attraction is generally acknowledged to be one of the six most important monasteries. Stay 2 nights in Xining
Day 2 Xining-320km-Birds Island-Xining
After breakfast, drive 4 hours to Birds Island (Qinghai Lake). Local people like to say that if Qinghai Lake were a crown on the head of the plateau, then the Bird Island (Niao dao) would be the largest pearl on it. In fact this island is a large rocky peninsular that juts from the lake, is located in the northwest corner of the lake. After visiting transfer back to Xining.
Day 3 Xining-220km-Lanzhou
After breakfast, half day city tour of the Great Mosque, which is not only the most ancient religious complex in town, but also is one of the most important mosques in northwest China. It is good for its atmosphere, since it encloses a large public square that is frequently packed out with bustling, nattering worshippers. After lunch, take train (T654 12:12 15:00) to Lanzhou, short visit to the bank of Yellow River. Stay 1 night in Lanzhou
Day 4 Lanzhou-130km-Linxia150km-Xiahe
After breakfast, transfer to the Liujiaxia Hydropower Station in Yongjing County, Linxia Prefecture, known as ‘China’s Small Mecca’, and then enjoy 1-hour boat ride into the Binglingsi grottoes at the end of the reservoir. Lunch at Linxia before continuing to Xiahe where you will enjoy the beautiful view of sunset on the Sanker Grassland. On the way to Xiahe, you will pass Moslem area to visit Moslem, markets and Mosques, passing through terraced fields and Tibetan villages. Stay 1 night in Xiahe.
Day 5 Xiahe
After breakfast, visit Labrang Lamasery, one of the six main lamaseries of the Yellow Sect of Buddhism and the largest Lamaism institute in the world with a large collection of scriptures volumes. The site of Labrang Lamasery is named Xiahe, which is often referred to as ‘Little-Tibet’. In the afternoon, free walk in Xiahe.
Day 6 Xiahe-280km-Lanzhou-480km-Yinchuan
After breakfast, drive 6.5 hours back to Lanzhou. Take rest or photo when having many stops. When arriving at Lanzhou, free leisure time in the city. Take overnight train (N902 21:52 07:28+1) to Yinchuan
Day 7 Yinchuan - Arrival
Meet your local guide at Yinchuan railway station and have breakfast in local restaurant. Transfer to Shapato (Sand Dune close to the Yellow River), which is one of four Deserts in China. Then visit 108 Pagoda, Ruins of the Great Wall. Drive back to Yinchuan. Stay 1 night in Yinchuan.
Day 8 Yinchuan-Departure
After breakfast, visit the Western Xia Tombs, which are located at the eastern foot of the Helan Mountain, 30 km west of Yinchuan. There are 9 tombs of kings and over 20 funerary tombs, which were built to fit in with the topography. In the evening, transfer to the airport and depart for your next destination. Trip ENDs