1

I can give you one email address which can help you with all bookings at the above places -reservation@chinahotels.net.
Actually it is a reservation center in China and with good services. Many questions and problems could be turned to them.

2

Try Elong.net for Hotel bookings. You can easily cancel after your visa application has been processed, if that is what you like.
Mogao caves are some 10-15 km from Dunhuang - take a taxi there.
Hire a taxi for the day if you want to go into the Gobi - Yuanguan pass, Yadan stone formations, Han great wall.
Both the pass and the Han GW are sights on a relatively small scale - but I really liked them, the settings in the dessert are stunning
Han GW
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china_great_wall/scene/gansu/dunhuang_han.htm
Yadan:
http://www.topchinatravel.com/china-attractions/dunhuang-yadan-national-geologic-park.htm
I think I payed some 500 RMB (2 years ago) for a day tour into the Gobi, reaching as far as Yadan formation. In the LP guide, there are, I think, mentioning of a a hotel on Minsha Lu, which has a travel agent office. Taxi tours are easily arranged from there.
In Dunhuang, a bike tour to the dunes (Mingsha Shan) would be a must. No need for a guide - there are several descriptions of DIY options in this forum. There is no need to enter the dessert theme "park", unless you feel a strong urge to do so.
Within the Mogao and Yadan sites, you need to follow a guided tour.

Edited by: pknielsen

3

I think you should go the Danxia landform near the Zhangye City, east of Jiayuguan. It's so beautiful, different from the Yadan and Gobi. One day tour is enough.

4

Hi Elke,
When do you plan to visit China?
Do you need a companion?
BR

5

I have traveled this route with the exception of Jiayuguan.

If you can take the luxury of going to Kashgar for the day, do it. I literally flew there for the day. The tickets were 75 USD on ctrip and then I had a tour in advance pick me up and take me to Karakul Lake for the day and then back. It was a wonderful day.

As far as what you listed:

Urumqi - don't miss the FREE Xinjiang Autonomous Region Museum. It is WONDERFUL. Heavenly Lake is beautiful too.
Dunhuang - yes, the Mogao Grottoes are worth it.
Xian - of course, the Warriors Museum... aside from that, I loved Small Goose Pagoda (much more charming than the Big Pagoda), the Shannxi Museum (AMAZING) and the Forest of Stele Museum which seems to not get a lot of traction, but the collection there is quite memorable.

In Beijing, there are the usual suspects - the Summer Palace (although most people just go to the New Summer Palace, and you really should go to the Old Summer Palace too if you have time - they are nothing alike), Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City. I loved the Drum Tower, Confucius Temple and the Ox Street Mosque. Skip the Great Wall at Badaling, and see it at Mutianyu and do the walk (whatever you can of it, that is) from Jinshanling to Simatai. The most spectacular thing to me, however, was the day trip you can take to the Mountain Resort and Its Temples in Chengde. It is absolutely breathtaking.

6

Maijishan, on the rail line between Lanzhou and Xi'an, is a remarkable place if you're into Buddhist sculpture and relics. More spectacular in its setting than Dunhuang or Longmen.

7

Thank you very much for all your answers! :)

They helped me a lot so far.

Has anyone also been to Lanzhou or Xiahe?

How long would you recommend to stay in all this places. We planned 5 days for Beijing and sourrounding - and the rest...?

Sorry, not looking for a travel companion. :(

8

Agreed. And a trip to Maijishan can be easily combined with a walk through the nearby Xianren'an Nature Spot (info).

More about Lanzhou and Xiahe in the signature links below.