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Chasing Sunsets in the Northwest: 9-Day Gansu & Qinghai VIP Small Group Tour

A visual journey through Zhangye Danxia, Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, and Qinghai Lake with drone photography and VIP small group service.

Route Code
GANQING-545
Duration
9 Days / 8 Nights
Group Size
2-8 Guests
Destination
Gansu, Qinghai
VIP Small Group No Shopping Stops Drone Photography Cultural Experience

Tour Highlights

Pure Travel Experience

No shopping stops or hidden costs throughout the journey.

Visual Journey

Full-trip drone aerial photography, desert themed travel photography with makeup and retouched photos, and grassland travel photography.

Comfortable Upgrades

7/9-seater business vans with 1+1 first-class seats for groups of 4+, and one night upgrade to a Starry Sky Wooden House.

Deep Cultural Immersion

Tibetan clothing photos, archery, pot throwing, and grassland afternoon tea.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Lanzhou

Fly from Guangzhou to Lanzhou. Upon arrival, enjoy 24-hour pickup service to your hotel. Free time to explore the Yellow River Scenic Line and Zhongshan Bridge. Taste local Lanzhou cuisine.

Yellow River Scenic Line Zhongshan Bridge
Meals: None
Accommodation: Lanzhou
Lanzhou Yellow River
Day 2

Lanzhou - Gangshika Snow Peak - Qilian Grassland - Zhangye

Depart for Zhangye. View the Men Yuan Rapeseed Flower Sea (seasonal). Visit Gangshika Snow Peak and Lianxin Lake. Cross the Qilian Grand Grassland. In the afternoon, visit Zhangye Seven Color Danxia Geopark.

Gangshika Snow Peak Lianxin Lake Qilian Grand Grassland Zhangye Seven Color Danxia
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Zhangye/Linze
Zhangye Danxia
Day 3

Zhangye - Jiayuguan - Dunhuang

View Jiayuguan Pass from afar. Visit the Wilderness Art Base (Son of the Earth, Unbounded). Experience desert activities including sand sliding and sunset viewing. Enjoy a desert travel photography session (Feitian theme, includes simple makeup, 3 retouched photos, and 10 digital originals).

Jiayuguan Pass Wilderness Art Base Desert Experience
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Dunhuang City
Included Activity: Desert Travel Photography (Feitian theme)
Jiayuguan Pass
Day 4

Dunhuang Exploration

Morning: Visit Mogao Grottoes (Ticket NOT included, must be booked independently). Afternoon: Visit Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring. Experience sand sliding and camel riding.

Mogao Grottoes Mingsha Mountain Crescent Moon Spring
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Dunhuang City
Optional: Camel Riding, Sand Sliding
Note: Mogao Grottoes tickets must be booked independently in advance.
Mogao Grottoes
Day 5

Dunhuang - Heidushan - Da Qaidam

Morning: Explore the mysterious Heidushan (Black Solitary Mountain). Afternoon: Visit Feicui Lake (Emerald Lake).

Heidushan Feicui Lake
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Da Qaidam
Heidushan
Day 6

Da Qaidam - Chaerhan Salt Lake - Delingha/Chaka

Morning: Visit Chaerhan Salt Lake and walk on the Ten Thousand Zhang Salt Bridge. Afternoon: Photo stop at the Life Tree Film Base.

Chaerhan Salt Lake Life Tree Film Base
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Delingha or Chaka
Chaerhan Salt Lake
Day 7

Delingha/Chaka - Chaka Salt Lake - Qinghai Lake

Morning: Visit Chaka Salt Lake (Sky Mirror). Afternoon: Visit Qinghai Lake Cliff. Enjoy afternoon tea at Wenjia Pasture. Stay in an upgraded Starry Sky Wooden House.

Chaka Salt Lake Qinghai Lake Cliff Wenjia Pasture
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Starry Sky Wooden House (Upgraded)
Included Activity: Grassland Afternoon Tea
Chaka Salt Lake
Day 8

Wenjia Pasture - Lanzhou

Morning: Participate in Grassland Sports Meeting (Tibetan clothing photo, blessing, archery, pot throwing) and grassland travel photography. Return to Lanzhou. Evening free to explore Lanzhou Night Market.

Wenjia Pasture Grassland Sports Meeting
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Lanzhou
Included Activity: Grassland Travel Photography, Tibetan Clothing Photo
Wenjia Pasture
Day 9

Lanzhou Departure

After breakfast, free time until transfer to the airport for your flight back to Guangzhou.

Meals: Breakfast
Lanzhou Departure

What's Included

  • Round-trip economy class airfare from Guangzhou to Lanzhou (taxes excluded).
  • 8 nights accommodation (Standard: 3-diamond or 4-diamond hotels; Night 7 upgraded to Starry Sky Wooden House).
  • Transportation in 5-seater cars (2-3 people) or 7/9-seater business vans with 1+1 seats (4+ people).
  • Entrance tickets to listed attractions: Zhangye Danxia, Mingsha Mountain/Crescent Moon Spring, Feicui Lake, Chaerhan Salt Lake, Chaka Salt Lake.
  • 8 hotel breakfasts.
  • Professional driver-guide service (non-professional guide).
  • Drone aerial photography service throughout the trip.
  • Gifted experiences: Desert travel photography, desert activities, grassland afternoon tea, grassland sports meeting, grassland travel photography.
  • 24-hour airport pickup and drop-off service.

What's Not Included

  • Airfare taxes and fuel surcharges.
  • Mandatory scenic area shuttle buses/interval cars (Approx. CNY 426/person total).
  • Mogao Grottoes entrance ticket (Must be booked independently, approx. CNY 238 for A-ticket).
  • Other entrance tickets not listed, park within park tickets, cable cars, or battery cars.
  • All lunches and dinners.
  • Single room supplement if traveling alone.
  • Travel insurance and aviation accident insurance.
  • Personal expenses and optional activities not mentioned.

Tour Pricing

Valid: May 10, 2024 - July 05, 2024

May 10 - May 25

Category Price per Person
Group Price (Base) CNY 5,499
4-5 People Same Car CNY 6,399
2-3 People Same Car CNY 7,599

May 26 - Jun 20

Category Price per Person
Group Price (Base) CNY 5,999
4-5 People Same Car CNY 6,999
2-3 People Same Car CNY 7,799

Jun 21 - Jul 05

Category Price per Person
Group Price (Base) CNY 6,599
4-5 People Same Car CNY 8,399
2-3 People Same Car CNY 9,399

Price Notes

  • Prices are based on departure dates and number of people sharing a vehicle.
  • Price includes round-trip economy class airfare from Guangzhou to Lanzhou (taxes excluded).
  • Child price includes only seat fee and gifted items; excludes tickets, accommodation, and breakfast.

Important Information

Mogao Grottoes Booking

Mogao Grottoes tickets must be booked in advance by the traveler. During peak season (May-Oct), A-tickets should be booked 30 days in advance via official channels. Failure to book may result in inability to visit.

High Altitude Notice

Qinghai is a high-altitude region. Avoid strenuous exercise and bathing upon initial arrival. Travelers over 70 years old require a health certificate and family accompaniment.

Climate

Large temperature difference between day and night. Warm clothing is required even in summer, especially around Qinghai Lake.

Local Customs

Respect local customs in Muslim areas (Hui, Kazakh, etc.). Alcohol and pork discussions are prohibited in Halal restaurants.

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