Northwest China

Northwest China covers Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia and Xinjiang, known for the ancient capital Xi'an, the Hexi Corridor and Dunhuang, Qinghai Lake, and the Silk Road deserts and highlands of Xinjiang's Ili and Kanas.

Under the standard division of China into seven geographic regions, Northwest China covers five provinces and autonomous regions: Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia and Xinjiang. For data purposes, Aksai Chin is included here under Xinjiang. The region is vast and forms the main stretch of the ancient Silk Road. Highlights: Shaanxi has Xi'an's Terracotta Army, City Wall and Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, plus Mount Hua, Yan'an, Hanzhong and the Qinling Mountains. In Gansu, the Hexi Corridor strings together Lanzhou, the Rainbow Mountains of Zhangye Danxia, Jiayuguan, and Dunhuang's Mogao Caves and Mingsha Dunes with Crescent Spring; southern Gansu has Labrang Monastery in Xiahe, Langmusi and Zhagana. Qinghai has Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, the Qilian Mountains, the Qaidam scenery around Da Qaidam and Delingha, and the Three-River-Source highlands of Yushu and Nianbaoyuze. Ningxia has the Western Xia Tombs near Yinchuan and Shapotou in Zhongwei. Xinjiang is divided into northern, southern and eastern parts; Kanas and Hemu, Sayram Lake, Narat and the Bayanbulak Grasslands, Turpan, Kashgar Old Town, and Tashkurgan and Muztagh Ata in the Pamirs are all representative. Classic itineraries: Xi'an and surroundings, 3–5 days; the Qinghai–Gansu Grand Loop of Xining–Qinghai Lake–Chaka–Da Qaidam–Dunhuang–Zhangye, 7–9 days; the northern Xinjiang loop, 10–14 days; and southern Xinjiang's Kashgar–Pamirs, 5–7 days. Getting around: the main hubs are Xi'an Xianyang, Urumqi Diwopu, Lanzhou Zhongchuan, Xining Caojiabao and Yinchuan Hedong, with regional airports at Dunhuang, Kashgar, Yining, Altay and elsewhere. The Lanzhou–Xinjiang and Xuzhou–Lanzhou high-speed lines link east and west, but distances between sights are huge, so self-drive or chartered cars are the norm. Practical notes: Xinjiang is about two hours behind Beijing time in daily rhythm, so adjust your schedule; watch for altitude sickness and strong UV on the plateau; some border areas require a border permit; on long drives, plan your supplies and fuel stops.

Destinations

Itineraries