Day 1
Xi'an
Welcome to Xi'an, the capital city of Shaanxi Province, also the famous historical and cultural city in the world. Today your flight will touch down in Xi'an, we will wait for you at the arrival exit of the airport with the signage of your name. Be met and transfer to the hotel check in. You will have the rest of the day free to do a little exploration at your leisure.
Accommodation: In Xi'an
Day 2
Xi'an
As the starting point of Silk Road, Xi'an has a profound history and culture. Drive to the countryside of the Xi'an city about 1hrs, we will visit the most impressive historic site Terracotta Warriors which 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, It is a sight not to be missed by any visitor to China. Believe you will be amazed by the culture and history to get a feeling back to Qing Dynasty during the 3hrs experience. （No flash when take photos)
Lunch will be in the local restaurant, we will continue the sightseeing to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda built to house Buddhist scriptures collected by a Chinese Monk. Big Wild Goose Pagoda has 7 floors in total. Architecture is traditional Chinese style decorating with some Buddha statues. Tourists can see variety of Buddha statues and see the whole Xi’an city at the top floor.
Option: if time permit we suggest you enjoy the Culture Tangshow in the evening which is 1hr
Accommodation: In Xi'an
Day 3
Xi'an
Spend the other whole day exploring culture and customer in Xi'an. we will go to the Shaanxi Province 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. The newly built modern building recreates Tang-dynasty architecture and successfully symbolizes the great extent of Shaanxi history and its remarkable culture. Afterwards, drive you to the Ancient City Wall, This is the most complete city wall that has survived in China as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. you will enter the city wall through the ticket gate. Standing on the wall, you can't use your eyes to judge how long the wall is. you can walk around the city wall or experience the cycling. and then explore the Muslim Street, Relax with free walking along the street tasting he local delicious food and exploring the local lifestyle.
Accommodation: In Xi'an
Day 4
Xi'anZhangye
Enjoy your nice buffet breakfast at the hotel, then the guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and transfer you to the airport to catch the domestic flight to Zhangye, flat terrain, fertile soil, luxuriant forests and crops, fragrant fruits and melons. The snow-capped mountains, the grasslands, and the deserts coexist side by side, featuring sceneries both in southern China and in northern frontier. upon your arrival, we will bring you to downtown to check in your hotel and then you will have time to visit this city. enjoy the night view of the central square, or stroll around the local night market. tomorrow we will start the tour in Zhangye.
Accommodation: In Zhangye
Day 5
ZhangyeJiayuguan (223kms, 3hrs driving)
In the morning, we will meet you at the hotel lobby and take you to visit the Grand Buddha Temple, which is the important place of the Silk Road. Midway in the Hexi Corridor along the Silk Road lies the historic city of Zhangye, the centerpiece of which is the mysterious Giant Buddha Temple. Located in the southwest corner of Zhangye in Gansu Province, the Giant Buddha Temple is the largest architectural relic in Gansu Province of the Western Xia (1038-1227) period. you will see the largest and well-preserved reclining Buddha in this temple. Afterwards, drive you to enjoy the scenery of Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, which is the most typical arid area of northern China. Ribbons of reds, oranges and yellows slice through the rock, to create a rainbow vista contained only by the contours of the jagged mountain peaks. so many people also call it "Rainbow Mountain".
After the visiting, we will head to our next stop Jiayuguan with about 2 to 3 hours driving.
Accommodation: In Jiayuguan
Day 6
JiayuguanDunhuang (350kms, 4.5hrs driving)
we will climb the Jiayuguan pass. 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.
Following a lunch in local restaurant, we will drive all the way to Dunhuang, check in hotel and relax with free time for the rest of the day.
Accommodation: In Dunhuang
Day 7
Dunhuang
This morning, we will visit Mogao Grottoes, also known as the Thousand Buddha Grottoes, this UNESCO World Heritage site. It is one of the great artistic and religious wonders of the world and it is famous for its exquisite murals and various sculptures inside the caves, which was built in different dynasties, spanning 1,000 years of Buddhist art, enjoy the Silk Road Movies in the visitor Center about 40 mins before our exploration into the Grottoes.The professional guide from the Mogao will bring you to 8grottoes with their special torch so that you have clear view of the murals and paintings. （Note: No photos and Video in the caves). The visiting time is around 4hrs including movie.
Coming out from the Mogao Grottoes, we will 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 8
Dunhuang
Your Essence China Silk Road Tour will be finished today, we will arrange the airport or train transfer for you accordingly. Thanks for everything!
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:NO
| Travel in party of |
Superior Class ★★★★★ |
Deluxe Class ★★★★ |
Tourist Class ★★★ |
| 2-5 persons | N | $ 1260 | $ 1200 |
| 6-9 persons | N | $ 850 | $ 790 |
| 10 persons & above | N | $ | $ |
| Single room Supplement | N | $ | $ |
Service included:
√ 4star Accommodation based on TWN rooms listed with breakfast;
√ Airfare: Xi'an to Zhangye
√ Excellent English speaking guide
√ All sightseeing as specified in the itinerary;
√ 2 bottle of water each person every day
√ Visa support letter if necessary
Service excluded:
× Other lost due to the weather condition
× China Visa
