There are multiple options for tourist routes from Lanzhou to Xinjiang. Below is a recommendation for a classic and enriching tourist route:?
Classic tourist route from Lanzhou to Urumqi, Xinjiang:?
Day 1: Lanzhou to Zhangye?
Route: Depart from Lanzhou and travel west along Lianhuo Expressway (G30), passing through Wuwei, to arrive in Zhangye City. The total distance is approximately 580 kilometers, with an estimated travel time of 6 hours.?
Highlight: Zhangye’s Danxia landform, known as ‘Zhangguo Beiye, Connecting the Western Regions’, boasts rich geological structures and unique colors, making it an excellent destination for tourists to take photos and appreciate nature.?
Day 2: Zhangye to Jiayuguan to Dunhuang?
Route: Depart from Zhangye and continue west along Lianhuo Expressway (G30), passing through Jiayuguan, to arrive in Dunhuang City. The total distance is approximately 540 kilometers, with an estimated travel time of 6 hours; the distance from Jiayuguan to Dunhuang is about 260 kilometers, with an estimated travel time of 3 hours.?
Highlight: Jiayuguan is an important node on the ancient Silk Road with a long history; Dunhuang is famous for its Mogao Caves, which are a treasure trove of Buddhist art.?
Day 3: In-depth tour of Dunhuang?
Activities: Deeply explore Dunhuang by visiting famous attractions such as Mogao Caves, Mingsha Mountain, and Crescent Moon Spring. In the evening, you can also visit Shazhou Night Market and Dunhuang Grand Theater to experience the local nightlife.?
Day 4: Dunhuang to Turpan?
Route: Depart from Dunhuang and travel east along Lianhuo Expressway (G30), passing through Hami, to arrive in Turpan. The total distance is approximately 670 kilometers, with an estimated travel time of 8 hours.?
Highlight: Turpan’s attractions such as Flaming Mountain and Kaner Wells are unique, and this place is also a paradise for Xinjiang’s specialty cuisines and handicrafts.?
Day 5: Turpan to Urumqi?
Route: Depart from Turpan and continue east along Lianhuo Expressway (G30) to arrive in Urumqi. The total distance is approximately 335 kilometers, with an estimated travel time of 3 hours.?
Highlight: After arriving in Urumqi, you can visit attractions such as Hongshan Park and Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar in the urban area to experience the multiculturalism and unique charm of this city.?
In addition, based on personal time and preferences, you can also choose to add some attractions or activities along the way, such as visiting the Gansu Provincial Museum, the Mother of the Yellow River Sculpture, etc., to enrich the entire journey.?
. Meanwhile, please drive safely during self-driving tours and learn about the opening hours and visiting rules of each attraction in advance to avoid delaying your itinerary.?