15 days Silk Road and Yushu Horse Festival Tour (Xining to Urumqi)

Arrive in Xining, capital of Qinghai Province. Your guide will meet you and transfer you to the hotel. Rest and adjust to the altitude, or stroll through the old quarter and Dongguan Mosque. Overnight in Xining.

Xining, the capital of the Qinghai province in western China, is the largest city on the Tibetan Plateau. From Xining, you can easily access the area the Amdo Tibetan people inhabited and learn about their brilliant culture.

After breakfast, drive to Kumbum Monastery (Ta’er Monastery), one of the six great Gelugpa monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism, known for its butter sculptures, murals, and vibrant debating sessions. Continue to Qinghai Lake, the largest saltwater lake in China, famous for turquoise waters and vast grasslands dotted with yaks and sheep. Enjoy sunset views from the lakeshore before driving to Gonghe County for the night.
Overnight in Gonghe.

Set off early for a long but rewarding drive across the Amdo Tibetan Plateau, passing rolling meadows, nomad tents, and snow-capped peaks. Stop to visit a local Tibetan nomadic family en route and enjoy yak butter tea while learning about their traditional lifestyle. Arrive in Yushu, a remote yet culturally rich town on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.
Overnight in Yushu.

Spend the day exploring the hidden treasures of Yushu. Visit Jyegu Monastery, home to hundreds of monks and an important pilgrimage site for the Kham region. Continue to the Gyana Mani Stone Pile, the largest mani stone mound in the world, where countless carved prayer stones and fluttering prayer flags create a sacred atmosphere.
Overnight in Yushu.

Today marks the highlight of your journey as you witness the Yushu Horse Racing Festival, one of the most celebrated events in the Tibetan world. Held annually from July 25, this weeklong festival transforms the vast Pathang Grassland into a sea of color and excitement. The summer weather is at its best, with clear skies and lush meadows providing the perfect setting for long-distance horse races and nomadic camping.

Tibetans from across the Kham and Amdo regions gather here to showcase their horsemanship, athletic skills, and vibrant cultural traditions. Enjoy a full day of festivities featuring horse and yak racing, traditional Tibetan dances, songs, and archery competitions. Locals wear their most elaborate attire such as bright silk robes, silver ornaments, and turquoise jewelry while families set up decorated tents and share picnics across the grasslands.

It is an unforgettable day of energy, color, and culture, offering a rare chance to witness one of Tibet’s most authentic living traditions.
Overnight in Yushu.

Enjoy another day at the festival, immersing yourself in Tibetan culture. Watch Tibetan fashion shows, cultural parades, and performances of folk songs and dances. Interact with local families in their ornately decorated tents and taste authentic festival foods such as yak butter tea and tsampa. Capture stunning photos of riders galloping across the grasslands under a deep blue sky.
Overnight in Yushu.

After breakfast, transfer to Yushu Airport for your flight back to Xining. Upon arrival, board a high-speed train to Zhangye (≈2 hours). In the afternoon, visit Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, home to the spectacular Rainbow Mountains. Walk along elevated platforms to view the surreal red, orange, and yellow sandstone formations glowing in the late afternoon sun.
Overnight in Zhangye.

In the morning, visit the Giant Buddha Temple in Zhangye to see one of China’s largest reclining Buddha statues, measuring 34.5 meters long. The temple’s murals and wooden structures showcase the region’s deep Buddhist heritage along the ancient Silk Road.

Then drive about two and a half hours to Jiayuguan, the western end of the Great Wall of China. Explore Jiayuguan Pass, known as the “First Pass Under Heaven,” a grand fortress that once protected the Silk Road frontier.

Afterward, visit the Wei-Jin Tombs, often called the “Underground Art Gallery,” famous for their well-preserved brick murals depicting daily life from nearly 1,800 years ago.
Overnight in Jiayuguan.

Depart early from Jiayuguan and drive toward Dunhuang, one of the most important oasis towns along the ancient Silk Road. En route, stop at the Yulin Grottoes, an extension of the Mogao Caves, known for their exquisite murals and statues that span over a thousand years of Buddhist art from the Tang to Yuan dynasties. Explore several of the best-preserved caves to admire the vivid wall paintings that depict Buddhist stories, daily life, and ancient Silk Road influences.

After the visit, continue the scenic drive to Dunhuang (total travel time about 8-9 hours, including sightseeing). Upon arrival, check into your hotel and relax. In the evening, stroll through the lively Shazhou Night Market, sample local snacks, or attend a cultural performance at the Dunhuang Theater to experience the spirit of this legendary desert city.
Overnight in Dunhuang.

Spend full day to discover Dunhuang, a cultural gem of the ancient Silk Road. Begin at the UNESCO-listed Mogao Grottoes, a complex of 492 caves filled with magnificent murals and statues that reflect over a thousand years of Buddhist art. Before entering, stop at the Dunhuang Grotto Exhibition Center to learn about the site’s history and restoration.

In the afternoon, head to the Echoing Sand Dunes, named for the soft musical sounds created when the wind moves the sand. Enjoy an optional camel ride across the golden dunes and visit the Crescent Lake Oasis, a freshwater crescent-shaped lake that has flourished for centuries in the desert. End the day with stunning sunset views over the glowing sands.
Overnight in Dunhuang.

After breakfast, you'll head out for a half-day adventure into the wild Gobi Desert, where history and sweeping landscapes come together. Drive about 100 kilometers west of Dunhuang to visit Yumen Pass (Jade Gate Pass), once a vital military outpost and trading gateway on the ancient Silk Road. It was through this pass that jade and other goods from the West entered China, giving the site its name and strategic importance.

Just a short drive away, explore the ruins of the Han Dynasty Great Wall, built over 2,000 years ago to defend against nomadic tribes such as the Xiongnu. Though worn by centuries of wind and sand, the wall still winds through the desert, offering a powerful glimpse into China’s ancient frontier defenses.

After your visit, return to Dunhuang and continue on to Liuyuan, where you will board a high-speed train to Turpan, continuing your journey along the legendary Silk Road.

After breakfast, explore the highlights of Turpan, a key hub on the ancient Silk Road. Begin at the Gaochang Ruins, once a bustling desert kingdom that welcomed traders and monks from across Central Asia. Although long deserted, its city walls and temples still reveal traces of its ancient splendor.

Continue to the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, carved into the cliffs of the Flaming Mountains, where centuries-old murals depict Buddhist legends and Silk Road culture. Then enjoy a traditional Uyghur lunch in Tuyuk Valley, a tranquil village of mud-brick homes shaded by grapevines.

On your return to Turpan, pass by the glowing slopes of the Flaming Mountains, admired from afar, before visiting the Jiaohe Ruins, the largest and best-preserved earthen city in the world. Its elevated plateau setting offers a remarkable window into Turpan’s ancient past.
Overnight in Turpan.

Start the morning with a visit to the Karez Underground Irrigation System, an ingenious network of wells, tunnels, and canals that has supplied water to Turpan’s oasis for over 2,000 years. Stretching an astonishing 5,000 kilometers, it stands as one of China’s greatest ancient engineering achievements.

Continue to the Emin Minaret, the tallest Islamic tower in China at 44 meters, built in the 18th century to honor a local Turpan ruler. Its elegant brickwork and circular design reflect the region’s deep Uyghur cultural heritage.

After lunch, drive about 2.5 to 3 hours through the desert plains to Urumqi, the world’s most inland city. In the evening, stroll through the lively Xinjiang Grand Bazaar, where you can enjoy local snacks, shop for ethnic handicrafts, and immerse yourself in the vibrant mix of Central Asian cultures.
Overnight in Urumqi.

This morning, drive about 1.5 hours to visit the breathtaking Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), nestled high in the Tianshan Mountains. Encircled by snow-capped peaks and dense evergreen forests, this alpine lake offers a serene escape and some of the most striking scenery in Xinjiang.

Upon arrival, take a scenic 40-minute shuttle ride along winding mountain roads to the lakeside area. Enjoy a leisurely walk by the water or opt for a boat cruise to admire reflections of Bogda Peak on the turquoise surface. For panoramic mountain views, consider a cable car ride to Maya Mountain (optional, additional fee).

In the afternoon, return to Urumqi and visit the Xinjiang Regional Museum (closed Mondays), home to fascinating exhibits on Silk Road history, local ethnic cultures, and the world-renowned Tarim Basin mummies dating back over 3,800 years.
Overnight in Urumqi.

Transfer to the airport for your flight home. Your 15-day Silk Road and Yushu Horse Festival journey ends with unforgettable memories of Tibetan traditions, desert wonders, and Silk Road history.