Classical Silk Road 14D

The well-known Silk Road began from Chang'an(the old name of Xi'an), extended to farther west, then finished in Rome. In China, the classical Silk Road goes to Xi'an, Lanzhou, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Turpan, Hetian, Kashgar.

Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive in Xi'an
Arrive in Xi'an, met and transferred by our representative to the hotel.
Overnight: Xi'an Ramada Hotel 4 star or similar
Meal: Welcome Dinner

Day 2. Xi'an
The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum is one of the highlights of the Silk Road. Take a ride for a visit.
In the afternoon, ride a bike on the Old City Wall of Xi'an is pleasant experience. Dinner will be offered in the Muslim Quarter.
-Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses: Discovered in 1974, it is a must-see in Xi'an. Various warriors exhibitd in an original site will amaze you with their different features.
-Old City Wall: Nearly 14km, build in 6 hundred years ago, the old City Wall of Xi'an is a perfect place to know the long history of China.
Overnight: Xi'an Ramada Hotel 4 star or similar
Melas: BLD

Day 3. Xi'an/Lanzhou by bullet train
In the morning, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Shaanxi Provincial Museum.
In the afternoon, catch a 3-hour bullet train to Lanzhou.
-Big Wild Goose Pagoda: It was build 1500 years ago in Tang Dynasty, still well preserved. You can have a bird view of the city when you climb up.
-Shaanxi Provincial Museum:One of the biggest museums in China, houses more than 3000 relics dated back to millions years ago.
Overnight: Lanzhou Legend Hotel 4 star or similar
Meals: BLD

Day 4. Lanzhou/Binglinsi/Xiahe
Take a ride to Linxia where we will take ferry to view the Binglingsi Grottos.
Afterwards, move on to Xiahe, Labrang in Tibetan language.
-Binglingsi Grottos: Build beside Yellow River, the Grottos were carved from the mountain. Various Buddha Statues and the scenery around the Grottos are incredible.
Overnight: Xiahe Norbu Serwo Hotel Suite Room or similar
Meals: BLD

Day 5. Xiahe/Lanzhou/Overnight train to Jiayugua
Visit Langrang Temple in the morning. Take a ride to Lanzhou to catch overnight train to Jiayuguan.
-Labrang Monastery: One of the six biggest Tibetan monasteries presents typical Tibetan Buddhism culture.
Softer Sleeper Overnight train to Jiayuguan
Meals: BLD

Day. 6 Jiayuguan
Early morning arrival, transferred to hotel to have breakfast, then visit the well-preserved Jiagyuguan Fort and Great Wall.
-Jiayuguan Fort: The end of the Great Wall in Ming Dynasty looks like a huge city to guard the border in Ming Dynasty.
Overnight: Jiagyuguan Hotel 4 star or simialr
Meals: BLD

Day 7. Jiayuguan/Dunhuang
Take a ride to Dunhuang in morning.
In the afternoon, we will view the Mingsha Dunes and Crescent Moon Spring in the desert.
-Minsha Dunes: It means Singing Sand Dunes, the sand was moved from Taklamankan desert to form the dunes in the history.
Overnight: Dunhuang Hotel 4 star or similar
Meals: BLD

Day 8. Dunhuang/Turpan by fast train
Visit Mogao Caves, the most important site on the Silk Road. Colorful fresco, statues tell you various stories about Buddha.
Take 4-hour fast train to Turpan in the afternoon.
-Mogao Caves: Though it was stolen many times in the history, Mogao Caves still has well preserved frescos with colorful paintings that look like finished yesterday.
Overnight in Turpan Huozhou Hotel 4 star or similar
Meals: BLD

Day 9. Turpan
Turpan Basin is a key part on the ancient Silk Road, with well preserved ruins and grottos. We will visit Bezklik Grottos,Astana Ancient Tombs, the Ancient City of Jiaohe and Gaochang, Karez Irrigation System, and Sugong Minaret.
-Astana Ancient Tombs: It was a public cemetery 1000 years ago for the citizens of Gaochang Kingdom. You will see dried corpses and tomb paintings.
-Karez Irrigation System: This underground tunnels provide enough water offering to the farmers and their field to support local civilization in the dry and hot oasis.
-Ancient City of Jiaohe: Build on a 30 meter terrace, Jiaohe is a ruin to prove local splendid history.
-Ancient City of Gaochang: It was build in the first century BC. Gaochang has huge city wall and various temples. Unfortunately it was abandoned in the cilvil war of Mongolians.|
-Sugong Minaret: Built in 1777, also called Eming Tower, it is a representative of Uyghur architecture.
Overnight in Turpan Huozhou Hotel 4 star or similar
Meals: BLD

Day 10. Turpan/Urumqi
Take a 3-hour ride to Urumqi in the morning, transferred to Xinjiang Museum to see the mummies, particularly Loulan Beauty and Xiaohe Beauty. Afterwards, check in the hotel.
-Xinjiang Museum: It houses numerous relics and exhibitions. Mummies from Taklamakan desert and Turpan basin will amaze you with their features.
Overnight in Urumqi Mirage Hotel or similar|
Meals: BLD

Day 11. Urumqi/Heavenly Lake/Kashgar
In the morning take a ride to Heavenly Lake, enjoying the stunning scenery there.
In the afternoon fly to Kashgar.
-Heavenly Lake:Located in the Heavenly Mountain(Tianshan), it has a beautiful mountain view.
Overnight in Kashgar International Hotel 4 star or similar
Meals: BLD

Day 12. Kashgar
It is a busy day, you will see the well-known Sunday Bazaar, Animal Market(only open on Sundays), Apa Hojia Tomb,Idkar Mosque, old town of Kashgar.
-Sunday Bazaar: It was said this is the biggest market in the world, you can purchase all products apart from your parents.
-Idkar Mosque: It is the biggest mosque in Xinjiang. The mosque with its square is for local Uyghurs to pray.
-Apa Hoja Tombs: It is a family cemetery, with stunning blue tiles shining in the sun.
Overnight in Kashgar International Hotel 4 star or similar
Meals: BLD

Day 13. Kashgar/Karakul Lake/Kashgar
Catch a coach to the Karakul Lake which is situated by the China-Pakistan friendship highway, with a stunning snow covered mountain view.
-Karakul Lake: Beautiful mountain lake with altitude nearly 3800 meters, has impressive scenery with the snow-covered mountains.
Overnight in Kashgar International Hotel 4 star or similar
Meals: BLD

Day 14. Depart from Kashgar
Transferred to the airport to catch flight heading home. The wonderful Silk Road tour concludes.
Meal: B