Essential China Silk Road
Xian, Zhangye, Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi and Kashgar are the key towns on the Silk Road in China, exploring the historical oasis towns to acquire the first-hand experience on a luxury way by first class bullet train, flight and nice van.
Day 1. Arrival Beijing
Met and transferred to hotel. Take a rest and prepare for your tour.
Overnight in 4 star hotel in Beijing
Meal: N/A
Day 2. Beijing Great Wall day trip
Visit Mutianyu Great Wall, which is impressive on the endless mountains.
Overnight in 4 star hotel in Beijing
Meal: BL
Day 3. Beijing to Xian by bullet train
Visit Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City this morning with a local guide to learn the history and story about the royal family in Ming and Qing Dynasty, and then catch 5-hour bullet train to Xian.
Overnight in 4 star hotel in Xian
Meal: BL
Day 4. Xian
Visit Terra Cotta Warriors Museum and old city wall and Muslim Quarter with a local guide, enjoy the explore for the historical city Xian.
Overnight in 4 star hotel in Xian
Meal: BL
Day 5. Xian to Zhangye by flight
Fly to Zhangye, visit Zhangye Rainbow Danxia this afternoon, which is hot attraction recently.
Overnight in 4 star hotel in Zhangye
Meal: BL
Day 6. Zhangye to Jiayuguan
Drive 2 hours to Jiayuguan, visit Jiayuguan Fort and Overhanging Great Wall.
Overnight in 4 star hotel in Jiayuguan
Meal: BL
Day 7. Jiayuguan to Dunhuang
Drive 5 hours to Dunhuang along the Hexi Corridor, visit Mingsha Shan and Crescent Spring this afternoon in Dunhuang.
Overnight in 4 star hotel in Dunhuang
Meal: BL
Day 8. Dunhuang to Turpan by bullet train
Visit Mogao Caves, the highlight of the Silk Road, then drive 2 hours to Liuyuan to catch 3-hour bullet train to Turpan.
Overnight in 4 star hotel in Turpan
Meal: BL
Day 9. Turpan
Explore the fantastic town Turpan including the Ancient City of Gaochang, Jiaohe, Karez Irrigation System, Astana Tombs, Bezklik Caves, Flaming mountain.
-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: Built on a 30 meter terrace, Jiaohe is a ruin to prove local splendid history.
-Ancient City of Gaochang: It was built in the first century BC. Gaochang has huge city wall and various temples. Unfortunately it was abandoned in the civil war of Mongolians.
-Sugong Minaret: Built in 1777, also called Eming Tower, it is a representative of Uyghur architecture.
Overnight in 4 star hotel in Turpan
Meals:BL
Day 10. Turpan to Urumqi, Heavenly Lake
Drive 3 hours to Urumqi, visit Xinjiang Museum and Heavenly Lake this afternoon.
Overnight in 4 star hotel in Urumqi
Meals:BL
Day 11 Urumqi/Kashgar
Fly to Kashgar in the morning. Visit well-known sites in Kashgar including Sunday Bazaar, Animal Market, Id Ghar Mosque, Apa Hoja Tomb, old town etc. in 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 4 star hotel in Kashgar
Meals:BL
Day 12. Depart from Kashgar
Transferred to the airport to catch a flight to your next destination, where the tour concludes.
Meals:B
