Premium Route No.4 of Alxa Left Banner

Sealed ancient history, poignant elegies, and the cry of life echoing between heaven and earth...

Boundless Gobi stretches to embody desolation, while graceful desert poplars sing odes to life. Khara Khoto has slumbered in the desert for hundreds of years, and Dongfeng Space City remains shrouded in mystery. As an ancient civilisation along the Northern Silk Road, this land delivers an indescribable sense of awe and wonder...

Yinchuan (Wuhai) — Aolunbulage (Western Dream Canyon) — Dalaihubu Town, Ejina Banner (Khara Khoto Ruins, Strange Poplar Grove, Populus Euphratica Forest) — Dongfeng Space City (Launch Towers, Aerospace Centre, Martyrs Cemetery) — Bayanhot (Yanfu Temple, Rare Stone Street, Guangzong Temple, Moon Lake)

Meet the tour group in Wuhai, then take a coach to Western Dream Canyon in Aolunbulage. Admire the colourful sacred mountain range, Camel Peak, Phallus Peak, Baihongta Temple and Bule Temple, and fully appreciate the spectacular geological wonders of Alxa’s Danxia landform. Overnight: Aolunbulage Town

After breakfast, drive hundreds of kilometres along the China-Mongolia border across a 300-li uninhabited zone, heading straight for Ejina. Overnight: Dalaihubu Town

Pay homage to Khara Khoto Ruins and the Strange Poplar Grove. Visit the Sacred Poplar Tree, Juyan Lake and Ceke Port, and enjoy free time for photography and sightseeing in the poplar forest. Overnight: Dalaihubu Town

After breakfast, travel to Dongfeng Space City to tour the launch towers and aerospace centre, visit the Heavenly Pavilion, and honour fallen heroes. Overnight: Dalaihubu Town

Return to Bayanhot after breakfast and visit Yanfu Temple and Rare Stone Street. Overnight: Bayanhot

Take a coach to Guangzong Temple (South Temple, 4A-level scenic area) at Helan Mountain after breakfast. Pay respects at the Spirit Pagoda of the 6th Dalai Lama, the Yellow Temple, Red Temple and Thousand-Buddha Hall, and stroll through the primeval Helan Mountain forest. Have lunch in Mongolian yurts at the Oirat Nomadic Camp. In the afternoon, head for Tengger Dalai Moon Lake Desert Adventure Camp (4A-level). Experience 15 kilometres of thrilling sand surfing in dedicated desert vehicles, and take part in optional self-paid activities including horse riding, camel riding, go-karting and sand sliding. A feast of roast whole lamb or lamb back can be arranged for dinner, followed by a grand bonfire party. Overnight: Moon Lake

Board a coach bound for Foyin Temple (North Temple, 3A-level) at Helan Mountain after breakfast. In the afternoon, visit Wurste Grassland Cultural Tourism Zone (3A-level) to watch horse racing and camel racing, and tour the golden-top grand yurt. Overnight: Bayanhot

Take a coach back to Yinchuan (Wuhai) for group dismissal.