Day 1
Xi'an
Today you will arrange your international flight to get to Xi'an, and we will pick you up from the airport and bring you to downtown Xi'an. then escort you to check in at the hotel. Relax during the rest time of the day.
Accommodation: In Xi'an
Day 2
Xi'an
In the morning, we will visit the Terracotta Warriors, are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. Work is ongoing at this site, which is around 1.5 kilometers east of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum in Lintong, Xian, Shaanxi Province. It is a sight not to be missed by any visitor to China.Upon ascending the throne at the age of 13 (in 246 BC), Qin Shi Huang, later the first Emperor of all China, had begun to work for his mausoleum. then proceed to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, The Big Goose Pagoda is where the renowned Buddhist Master Xuanzang (Monk Tripitaka) stored his classics brought back all the way from India. The pagoda is one of the oldest structures in China. evening stroll around the Muslim Street, enjoy your free time and delicious food in Xi’an.
Accommodation: In Xi'an
Day 3
Xi'an
Lanzhou
this morning, we will head to visit the Shaanxi History Museum, This provincial museum is one of the major museums in China. It holds numerous unearthed cultural artifacts from within the Shaanxi province as well as the rest of China. thereafter walk around the Xi'an Ancient City Wall, the most complete city wall that has survived in China as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. The City Wall has corner towers, ramparts, sentry towers, gate towers, battlements and a number of city defensive fortifications with very strong defense capability. You can walk, even cycle on the wall. Its south gate is the largest with a suspension bridge. thereafter, bus transfer to the train station and take the express train to Lanzhou.
Accommodation: In Lanzhou
Day 4
Lanzhou
After breakfast, we will head to visit the Binglingsi Thousand Buddha Caves which is close to Liujiaxia Reservoir, These caves stretch for 200 meters, were built during the Western Qin, North Wei, Sui, Tang, and Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing dynasties (between the 3rd and 18th centuries). Upon arrival, have a Lanzhou city tour: visit the Yellow River Mother Sculpture, The sculpture comprises a mother and a baby, the mother with long hair, slim figure, lying on the undulating water looking happy and kind. Resting on her breast is a small child smiling naively. The first bridge Of the Yellow River, it is the first highway bridge in the ancient Yellow River, also the second city steel bridge in China. waterwheel Garden, The garden covers an area of 1.45 hectares (3.58 acres) and is comprised of two waterwheels, a cofferdam, the recreation area and a water mill house.
Accommodation: In Lanzhou
Day 5
LanzhouZhangye
This morning, enjoy your breakfast time at the hotel, then you will take the express train from Lanzhou to Zhangye. Arriving in Zhangye after 3.5 hours and meet our nice guide and driver. then bus transfer to Linze county, about 50 kilometers from Zhangye. the famous Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park is located here. Zhangye Danxia, many people also call it "Rainbow Mountain", Acclaimed as one of China’s most beautiful landforms, it sits in a class of its own. then drive back to downtown Zhangye, visit the Giant Buddha Temple, which is located in the southwest corner of Zhangye, it is the important site on the Silk Road, also the landmark of Zhangye. From here you will see the largest reclining Buddha in China which is well preserved in this temple. After that, drive you to the hotel and have a good rest.
Accommodation: In Zhangye
Day 6
ZhangyeBadain jaran
Today we will send you to meet your guide and driver in Badain Jaran, then change to the off-road vehicles to the desert. Upon arrival, you will have the opportunity to explore and enjoy the different scenery and activities. This desert is home to some of the tallest stationary dunes on Earth, with some reaching a height of more than 500 meters, although most average at around 200 meters. Its tallest dune is also measured, from base to peak, as the world's third tallest dune and highest stationary dune in the world. The desert also features over 100 spring-fed lakes that lie between the dunes, some of which are fresh water while others are extremely saline. These lakes give the desert its name which is Mongolian for "mysterious lakes". It is also crossed by one river, the Ruo Shui ("weak water"), which has formed an alluvial plain in the desert.
Accommodation: In Badain Jaran
Day 7
Badain jaranZhangye
Today we will continue our desert journey in Badain Jaran, the most beautiful desert in China. It is the fourth largest desert in the world and the third largest desert in China. there are many lakes and oases including the famous lake - Badain Lake, and the ancient temple in the isolated desert - Badain Jaran Temple. The strange and charming scenery attracts many people to visit, explore and take photos.
After the trip in Badain Jaran desert, we will drive back to Zhangye, and have a good rest.
Accommodation: In Zhangye
Day 8
ZhangyeJiayuguan (223kms, 2-3hrs driving)
Breakfast the hotel and drive all the way to Jiayuguan about 2 to 3 hours driving. we will climb the Jiayuguan pass in the morning. This Ming Dynasty fort guards the strategic Jiayuguan pass, at the western end of the Great Wall – this was the last section built by the Ming Dynasty. and visit the The Great Wall Museum, which was opened to visitor in October 1989 and it is the first one to exhibit the Great Wall culture in a comprehensive and systematic way. (There are many steps from one tower to the other, please consider if are able to walk and climb about 2hrs)
Next, travel to the Weijin Tombs, which are ancient tombs of brick paintings dating back 265-420 AD. The wall paintings discovered are lifelike and succinct in style and cover a wide range of subjects including politics, economics, culture, military affairs, folk customs, and science and technology during the Wei and Jin periods.
Accommodation: In Jiayuguan
Day 9
JiayuguanDunhuang (350kms, 4.5hrs driving)
In the morning, enjoy your nice buffet breakfast at the hotel and then we will head to the historical and cultural city Dunhuang. After 4.5 hours driving, we will get into the city and head up to Echoing Sand Mountain&Crescent Lake. When there is wild wind, the sands will be blown up and make loud sound, while the sound sounds like being produced by some ancient musical instrument when blew by breeze, There is also a Crescent Lake that has been in existence for hundreds of years without ever being buried by the sand. Riding the camel as the Silk Road Caravan in the vast desert is highly recommended (approximately 40mins). Please bring your sunglasses and and mask to keep out the dust
In the evening, you will enjoy the walking tour to the Shazhou Night Market, the most bustling place of Dunhuang at night. It's easy to lose our sense of time wonder the market while enjoy your leisure time and taste some local cuisine.
Accommodation: In Dunhuang
Day 10
DunhuangTurpanFollowing a lunch in the local restautant, drive you to Dunhuang Liuyuan south station where you will take the express train to the next stop Turpan. our local guide will meet you at the train station and bring you to downtown for dinner and rest.
Accommodation: In Turpan
Day 11
TurpanUrumqi (200kms, 3hrs driving)
Today we will do a Turpan city tour. A must and first visit is the oldest Uighur village Tuyoq Village located in the very center of Flaming Mountain Canyon. It used to be the holy site of Buddhism and Islam. The village consists of four parts: Canyon scenery, Thousand Buddha Caves, Maza tomb and the old buildings of the ancient village. Following a lunch in the traditional Uighur family in their grape yard,we will drive all the way of 1hr to Sugong Minaret, the largest Islamic minaret in China built in 1778 by Sulaiman that is the ruler and leader of Turpan to commemorate and commend his father's achievements of the reunion of Xinjiang.
In the afternoon we will also pay a visit to Karez Well, A special irrigation system that the locals make full use of the topography of Turpan to draw the underground water to irrigate their farmland ingeniously. The tour today end up to enjoy the scenery of Jiaohe Ruins with a history of 2,300 years lies between two rivers on a loess plateau atop a cliff of over 30m. It is one of the best preserved ruins of its ancient era in China, it was include in the World Heritage List on June 22, 2014.
After the visiting, drive to Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang. passing by the wind power station which is the largest one in Asia spreading at the foot of Tianshan Mountain. Following glimpse of Salt Lake in Dabancheng. We'll be amazed by the histroical sites and oasis land of Turpan.
Accommodation: In Urumqi
Day 12
UrumqiHeavenly Lake (120kms, 1.5hrs driving)
Today you will enjoy the tour of the picturesque Heavenly Lake (approximately1.5hrs), 2000m up in the Tianshan mountain range. which is surrounded by the snow mountains, blooming wildflowers, evergreen pine trees. 40-minute sceniic shuttle bus ride that twists though the dramatic mountains. Then you can either walk to the lakeside in 10mins or take the electronic cart. There are 3 options suggested. Boating cruise to take the incredible view of Tianshan Mountain. Trekking along the lake in the fresh air. or you can explore further uo to the Maya Mountain by the cable car to enjoy the magnificent view of the Mountains. The lunch in the local Kazakh's yurt is highly recommended.
Travel back to Urumqi in the afternoon which is about the other 1.5hrs, continue the tour at the Xinjiang regional museum to see archaeological treasures from the Silk Road and Xinjiang's minority cultures. After then, visit the Xinjiang International Bazaar, the largest bazaar in Urumqi. You'll find a bustling market filled with fruit, clothing, crafts, knives, carpets and almost anything that you can imagine. (Option: The Culture Show with Banqute,fr $45/pp)
Accommodation: In Urumqi
Day 13
UrumqiToday you will be transferred to the airport and say farewell with your guide and driver, your Silk Road trip is over here and wish you a pleasant journey home.
| Travel in party of |
Superior Class ★★★★★ |
Deluxe Class ★★★★ |
Tourist Class ★★★ |
| 2-5 persons | N | $ | $ |
| 6-9 persons | N | $ | $ |
| 10 persons & above | N | $ | $ |
| Single room Supplement | N | $ | $ |
Service included:
Service excluded:
