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info@tour-beijing.comXi'an, Lanzhou, Xiahe tour
Explore Xi’an’s ancient wonders, then journey overnight by sleeper train to Lanzhou. Discover the Binglingsi Grottoes and the Tibetan Buddhist heart of Xiahe at Labrang Monastery.
This 4-day private tour connects the historic capitals of Xi’an and Lanzhou with the spiritual landscapes of Xiahe, offering a rich blend of Chinese and Tibetan culture. Begin in Xi’an, where you board an overnight sleeper train to Lanzhou, arriving early for a stroll along the Yellow River. From Lanzhou, venture to the Binglingsi Grottoes, a stunning complex of Buddhist cave temples carved into cliffs along the Yellow River. Continue to Xiahe, home to the renowned Labrang Monastery, one of the six great Geluk monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Explore the monastery’s intricate halls and prayer halls, then relax on the Sangke Grassland, where nomadic herders graze their livestock. Return to Lanzhou for an overnight train back to Xi’an, completing your journey through Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. This itinerary is ideal for travelers seeking authentic cultural encounters and scenic diversity, with private transfers and English-speaking guides ensuring a seamless experience.
The map shows the tour area. The detailed plan below remains the source for stops and timing.
You will be transferred to Xian Train Station and take the overnight train K119 (22:26 - next morning 6:27) for Lanzhou ( 4-berth cabin )
Arrival at Lanzhou Train Station at 6:27am, met by our representative in Lanzhou and transferred to a nice hotel for a buffer breakfast. Then have a short walk in the Yellow River Park. The Yellow River passes across the city center of Lanzhou.
Then drive 75 km southwest of Lanzhou to Binglingsi Grottoes. "Bingling" means "thousand Buddhas" or "ten-thousand Buddhas" in the Tibetan language. Also known as Bingling Temple, the grottoes are carved on Jishi Hill 75 km from Lanzhou. Bingling Temple Grottoes are famous for stone sculptures of Budda Buddhist pagodas in relief and murals of Esoteric Buddhism.
After lunch, drive from Bingling Temple to Xiahe which takes about five hours. Xiahe is well noted for its old Laprung Temple. Xiahe is densely populated by Tibetan people. Stay at Laprung Hotel.
After breakfast, visit Labrang Monastery. It is one of the six great monasteries of the Geluk (Yellow Hat) school of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery was founded in 1709 by the first Jamyang Zhaypa, Ngawang Tsondru. It is Tibetan Buddhism's most important monastery town outside the Tibetan Autonomous Region.
After lunch, visit Sangke Grassland, around and beyond the village of Sangke, 14km southwest of Xiahe, large expanses of open grasslands, where the Tibetans graze their yak herds. In summer these rolling pastures are at their greenest and abound with wildflowers.
Then drive 280km back to Lanzhou and take overnight train K120 ( 21:59 - next morning 7:02 ) for Xian ( 4-berth cabin ).
Arrival in Xian at 7:02am and transferred to your hotel in Xian ( or Xian Train Station, or Xian Airport connecting your next destination).
| Included | Not included |
|---|---|
| All transfers and city transportation for your own use | Tips to your tour guide and driver |
| Entrance fees and meals as mentioned | |
| Private car or van with English speaking guide | |
| Hotel with breakfast | |
| Xian-Lanzhou-Xian Train tickets ( 4-berth cabin ). | |
| The above private escorted tour is customized for you, your family or your friends exclusively. No other travelers will join in your group. |
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