9 Days Gansu-Inner Mongolia Photograph Tour with Mystical Badain Jaran Desert & Colorful Danxia

Breakfast at Hotel

Enjoy a healthy breakfast at the hotel before embarking on your journey to Wuwei (武威).

Morning Departure from Lanzhou

Distance: Approximately 410 KM, which will take about 5-6 hours of travel by bus.

Drive Time: You will travel on National Highway 312 (G312), a scenic route that passes through the outskirts of Lanzhou and the Hexi Corridor (河西走廊), known for its desert landscapes.

Visit Huanghe Stone Forest (黄河石林)

Arrival in Wuwei: After arriving in Wuwei (武威), visit the spectacular Huanghe Stone Forest (黄河石林), a geological wonder created by erosion from the Yellow River. The site is famous for its towering stone pillars and unique rock formations that stand as natural sculptures, some of which resemble animals or human figures.

Sightseeing Highlights:

• Grand Canyon (大峡谷): Walk along the winding paths that lead you to the Grand Canyon in the Stone Forest, where you can admire steep cliffs and deep crevices.

• Erosion Features: Marvel at how wind and water erosion have created fantastical rock shapes resembling animals, towers, and even ancient ruins.

• Photography Spots: Capture stunning photographs of the formations, with unique sunlight and shadows creating ever-changing views.

Lunch at Local Restaurant

Enjoy a farmhouse-style meal, featuring fresh ingredients from the surrounding region, including vegetables, grains, and meats.

Drive to Hotel in Wuwei

After your exploration, head to your hotel in Wuwei. After checking in, you may have time to relax and unwind before dinner.

Dinner

San Tao Che-style Dinner (三套车风味): A local specialty consisting of three types of meat and vegetables served in a ceremonial style.

Accommodation

Overnight stay at a local hotel in Wuwei.

Wuwei (武威) to Badan Jilin Desert (巴丹吉林沙漠)

Breakfast at Hotel

Have breakfast at your hotel in Wuwei, preparing for a thrilling journey into the Badan Jilin Desert (巴丹吉林沙漠).

Travel to Badan Jilin Desert

Distance: Approximately 400 KM, about 6-7 hours of travel.

Road Journey: As you head toward Badan Jilin Desert, the landscape transforms from barren plains to vast stretches of sand dunes. Along the way, enjoy the desert scenery as the road winds through rugged desert hills and sandbanks.

Arrival and Desert Adventure

Badan Jilin Desert: The Badan Jilin Desert is one of the most famous deserts in China, known for its immense sand dunes and vast, untouched beauty.

• Breathtaking Landscape: The desert’s golden sands stretch as far as the eye can see, offering panoramic views of the sand dunes, small oases, and rock formations.

• Desert Jeep Ride: Once you arrive, take an off-road jeep ride (3 people per vehicle) into the heart of the desert. Your local guide, an expert in desert terrain, will lead you through the sand dunes, showing you hidden spots and helping you discover the desert’s natural wonders.

• Sand Dune Adventures: You’ll have the chance to climb the tallest dunes for stunning views and perhaps even try sand surfing or sledding down the slopes.

Lunch in the Desert

A picnic-style lunch will be provided, giving you the opportunity to relax and enjoy your surroundings before continuing your exploration.

Visit Red Sea Lake (红海子) and Desert Everest (沙漠珠峰)

Red Sea Lake: Discover the small oasis of Red Sea Lake, surrounded by sand dunes and lush vegetation. The contrast between the vibrant red sand and the deep blue water creates a stunning visual effect, perfect for photographs.

Desert Everest: Reach the highest dune in the desert, known as the Desert Everest. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the entire desert as the sun sets over the horizon.

Dinner and Accommodation

Enjoy a local dinner, featuring roast lamb and desert herbs, a regional specialty.

Stay at a desert-themed hotel or local guesthouse in the Badan Jilin Desert, where you’ll experience the unique nomadic lifestyle of the area.

Breakfast at Hotel

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at your desert accommodation before setting off on your next adventure.

Departure from Badan Jilin Desert

Distance: Approximately 680 KM, around 8-9 hours of travel by bus.

Travel Route: Drive through the vast desert landscapes and desert-edge plains, entering the Hexi Corridor (河西走廊). On your way, you will be surrounded by arid landscapes with occasional oasis spots, small villages, and scattered poplar trees.

Arrive in Ejina Banner (额济纳旗)

Upon reaching Ejina Banner, you will immediately notice the beauty of the ancient poplar forests (胡杨林) which are one of the region's most iconic features.

Lunch at Local Restaurant

Enjoy a traditional lunch featuring local herb-flavored meats and desert vegetables.

Visit Haishenchulu Strange Stone Forest (海森楚鲁怪石林)

Haishenchulu (海森楚鲁) is a mysterious stone forest where naturally eroded rock formations resemble strange shapes such as animals, towers, and abstract figures. Wander through this surreal landscape, marvelling at the windswept stone pillars, gorges, and unusual geological formations that make this area feel like another world.

Evening Leisure in Ejina Banner

Take the evening to relax and settle into your accommodation, and enjoy the vast desert sky at dusk.

Dinner and Accommodation

Dinner: Traditional roast lamb and local desert-style cuisine served in a communal dining style.

Accommodation: Stay in a comfortable hotel in Ejina Banner.

Breakfast at Hotel

Enjoy a delightful breakfast at the hotel before setting off to explore the incredible poplar forests of Ejina Banner.

Explore the Famous Poplar Forests (胡杨林)

Poplar Forest is home to some of the oldest poplar trees in the world, known for their resilience in extreme conditions. These trees have an incredible lifespan, with many living for over a thousand years. The region is also famous for its vivid golden-colored leaves that make it an ideal location for photographers.

• Erdao Bridge (二道桥): Visit the famous Erdao Bridge where you can photograph the reflections of the poplar trees in the water, capturing their unique golden glow.

• Sidao Bridge (四道桥): The Hero Forest (英雄林) at Sidao Bridge is a stunning location where towering poplar trees line the path, forming a natural archway. Capture the grandeur of these ancient trees standing tall against the backdrop of the desert landscape.

Camel Photo Opportunity at Badaoqiao (八道桥)

Camel Ride: Enjoy a unique camel ride through the desert at Badaoqiao, a prime spot to photograph camels against the sand dunes and poplar trees. This area is one of the most picturesque parts of the Badan Jilin Desert, with endless golden sands and contrasting greenery from the trees.

Lunch at Scenic Spot

Lunch: Enjoy a scenic picnic lunch among the poplar trees while soaking in the natural beauty around you.

Afternoon Exploration of Poplar Forests

Dream Forest (梦境林): In the afternoon, continue exploring the Dream Forest, a quiet area where the golden leaves create a dreamy and magical atmosphere, perfect for photography. Here, the ancient poplars are framed by dunes, creating a contrast of desert and forest in the same frame.

Evening Free Time

After the exploration, return to your accommodation for some relaxation. Enjoy the starry desert night sky, a spectacular sight with minimal light pollution.

Dinner and Accommodation

Dinner: Traditional desert-style cuisine featuring roast lamb and local vegetable dishes.

Accommodation: Stay overnight at your hotel in Ejina Banner.

Breakfast at Hotel

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel before setting out for a day of desert adventures and cultural exploration.

Morning Visit to Heishen City (黑城)

Heishen City (黑城), also known as Black City, was once a flourishing settlement during the Western Xia Dynasty (西夏王朝), but now only ruins remain. The city walls and watchtowers stand as silent witnesses to its rich history.

• Black City Ruins: Walk around the ruins and take in the desolate beauty of this historical site. The blackened stone walls of the city, paired with the surrounding desert, give a strong impression of ancient civilizations that once thrived here.

Visit the Ruins of the Great Wall at Heishen

Western Xia Great Wall (西夏长城) is an impressive structure built by the Western Xia empire as a defensive fortification. Explore sections of the Great Wall that still stand, offering incredible views of the desert and adjacent mountains.

Lunch in Ejina Banner

Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant, where you can savor desert-inspired dishes.

Afternoon Visit to the Strange Tree Forest (怪树林)

Strange Tree Forest is a bizarre and mystical forest of ancient poplars. Some trees are dead but still standing, with their gnarled trunks twisted and shaped by the harsh desert winds and extreme temperatures. The combination of these old trees, wind-swept dunes, and colorful sky make this area a popular photography spot.

Sunset at the Desert Edge

Enjoy a desert sunset at a stunning vantage point, where the sand dunes are illuminated by the golden glow of the setting sun. This moment is perfect for capturing the serene beauty of the desert.

Evening Relaxation

After your desert exploration, head back to the hotel for some well-deserved rest. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the desert at night.

Dinner and Accommodation

Dinner: Enjoy a traditional desert feast, featuring lamb and regional specialties.

Accommodation: Stay overnight in Ejina Banner.

Breakfast at Hotel

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at your hotel in Ejina Banner.

Departure from Ejina Banner

Distance: Approximately 400 KM, around 5-6 hours of travel by bus.

Route: You will journey through the Hexi Corridor (河西走廊), known for its historical significance along the Silk Road. The landscape alternates between desert plains, mountain ranges, and desert oasis, with glimpses of ancient trading towns.

Visit to Jiayuguan Great Wall (嘉峪关长城)

Jiayuguan Fortress (嘉峪关城楼) is known as the "First Pass Under Heaven" and marks the westernmost point of the Great Wall of China. The fortress stands as a symbol of China's military history and Silk Road defense.

• Jiayuguan Tower: Explore the ancient watchtower and walls, which offer stunning panoramic views of the surrounding desert and mountains.

• Silk Road History: Learn about the strategic importance of Jiayuguan in the ancient Silk Road trade and its role as a military stronghold.

Lunch in Jiayuguan

Lunch: Enjoy a delicious local lunch in Jiayuguan, featuring traditional Chinese noodles or roast lamb from the region.

Visit the Hanging Great Wall (悬壁长城)

The Hanging Great Wall is a fascinating section of the Great Wall that stretches along the cliffs of the mountains, offering unique views and a stark contrast to other parts of the wall.

Visit the Buddhist Temple - Great Buddha Temple (大佛寺)

Great Buddha Temple (大佛寺) is a key landmark in Jiayuguan and part of the Silk Road heritage. The temple is home to several Buddhist statues, including a massive reclining Buddha, and offers insight into the Buddhist culture that flourished along the Silk Road.

Evening Leisure in Jiayuguan

After visiting the historical sites, relax and enjoy the evening in Jiayuguan, soaking in the atmosphere of this ancient Silk Road town.

Dinner and Accommodation

Dinner: Enjoy a traditional Chinese-style dinner with local specialties such as roast lamb and stir-fried vegetables.

Accommodation: Stay overnight in Jiayuguan at a comfortable hotel.

Breakfast at Hotel

Enjoy a hearty breakfast at your hotel before setting off for an exciting day in Zhangye.

Departure from Jiayuguan

Distance: Approximately 400 KM, around 5-6 hours of travel by bus.

Visit Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park (张掖丹霞国家地质公园)

The Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park is renowned for its "rainbow mountains", where red, yellow, and green hills rise dramatically from the landscape in surreal formations.

• Colorful Mountains: The geological formations in this area are caused by millions of years of erosion, which have created vibrant stripes in the rock. The result is a truly breathtaking view, one of nature’s most stunning masterpieces.

• Best Photography Spot: This area is a photographer’s paradise, with its vivid colors, unusual shapes, and vast panoramic views. The park is especially stunning at sunrise and sunset, when the colors of the mountains come to life.

Lunch at Scenic Area

Lunch: Enjoy a packed lunch at a scenic spot in the Danxia park, where you can enjoy a relaxing meal surrounded by natural beauty.

Visit the Local City Highlights

After exploring the Danxia park, head to the downtown area of Zhangye for a stroll. Visit the local markets, where you can find traditional handicrafts and local foods.

Evening at Leisure in Zhangye

Enjoy some free time in Zhangye. You can either relax or take a leisurely walk through the historical streets, enjoying the sights of this ancient city.

Dinner and Accommodation

Dinner: Enjoy a traditional Zhangye meal, featuring sizzling meats and noodle dishes.

Accommodation: Stay overnight in Zhangye, with options for comfortable hotels.

Breakfast at Hotel

Start your final day with a satisfying breakfast at your hotel in Zhangye.

Departure from Zhangye

Distance: Approximately 400 KM, around 5-6 hours of travel by bus.

Return to Lanzhou

Begin your journey back to Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province. On the way, enjoy the scenic drive through the Gansu countryside, with views of the Qilian Mountains (祁连山) in the distance.

Lunch En Route

Stop for a lunch break at a local restaurant on the way back to Lanzhou.

Arrival in Lanzhou

Upon arrival in Lanzhou, you will have some free time to explore the city or relax at your hotel.

Visit the Famous Lanzhou Zhi Ma La Mian

If time allows, try Lanzhou’s famous hand-pulled noodles (Zhi Ma La Mian), a must-try for food enthusiasts.

Evening at Leisure in Lanzhou

Spend your evening relaxing, shopping for souvenirs, or walking around Lanzhou’s city center.

Dinner and Accommodation

Dinner: Enjoy your last meal in Lanzhou, featuring local specialties like beef noodles.

Accommodation: Stay overnight at a comfortable hotel in Lanzhou.