Silk Road by Bullet Train and Flight: Xian to Kashgar 12D

Day 1 Xian Arrival Transfer
Welcome to Xi'an, the historical city on the Silk Road. Upon arrival Xi'an, you will be met and transferred to hotel in Xi'an.
Accommodation: Overnight in Xi'an

Day 2 Xi'an: Terra Cotta Warriors, Old City Wall and Muslim Quarter
This morning you will take the fantastic tour to Terra-cotta warriors that is one-hour car ride from Xian. There are 4 exhibition halls presenting various warriors and horses that were make 2200 years ago, and each warrior has unique face.
This afternoon you will move to visit the 14-km old city wall in Xi'an, which was built in Ming Dynasty and still well preserved. You can walk, or ride bike on the wall to view the old city and modern city in and out of the city wall.
Later, you will visit the Muslim Quarter in the city center, which is situated near Bell and Drum Tower. There are shops, snack stands, market, and restaurants in this area, and it is nice to view the bustling street here.
Accommodation: Overnight in Xi'an
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 Xian to Xining by Bullet Train
Take 5-hour bullet train from Xian to Xining. Upon arrival, you will visit Xianguan Mosque in Xining, which is a traditional Chinese architectural style. Afterwards you will wander around the local market.
Accommodation: Overnight in Xining
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 Xining to Zhangye by Bullet Train
This morning you will visit the Tibetan Buddhism temple, Kumbum Monastery, which is one of the six main monasteires for Tibetan temples. There are spectacular sculptures, frescos, and paintings in the monastery.
Afterwards, you will take 2-hour bullet train to Zhangye.
Accommodation: Overnight in Zhangye
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 Zhangye to Jiayuguan by Car, Jiayuguan to Dunhuang by Bullet Train
This morning you will visit the colorful Rainbow Danxia Mount in Zhangye, then take 2-hour car ride to Jiayuguan city where you will visit the western end of Ming Dynasty Great Wall. Take evening 2.5-hour bullet train to Dunhuang. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to hotel. Dunhuang Silk Road Hotel is situated near the Sand Dunes, which offer you the best desert view on the rooftop bar in the hotel.
Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 Dunhuang: Mogao Caves and Minsha Shan
In the morning, you will visit Mogao Caves, the gem of the ancient Silk Road. The early history of Mogao can be track back to the 4th century, and built many times in the histoty. The colorful fresco, statues in Mogao Caves display various stories about Buddhism.
Afterwards, you will visit the Minsha Shan or Singing Sand Dunes & Crescent Moon Spring this afternoon, where you have opportunity to ride the camel.
In the evening, you can explore the night market or watch the Dunhuang performance at the theater.
Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 Dunhuang to Turpan by bullet train
Today you will visit Dunhuang Museum (close on Monday), which is a new museum to exihit he history, relics, antiques, paintings and statues in Dunhuang area on the Silk Road.
Afterwards, you will take 2-hour ride to Liuyuan where you will catch 3-hour bullet train to Turpan.
Transport: Private Vehicle + Bullet Train
Accommodation: Overnight in Turpan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 Turpan City Day Tour
Turpan is a hub on the ancient Silk Road, and therer are lots of historical sites that are renown for its well-preserved conditions. Today you will visit Bezklik Grottos, Astana Ancient Tombs, the Ancient City of Jiaohe and Gaochang, Karez Irrigation System, and Emin Minaret with a local guide. You will taste some dried fruits and eat Uyghur food.
Accommodation: Overnight in Turpan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9 Turpan to Uurmqi by Car, then fly to Kashgar
This morning you will take 3-hour ride to Uruqmi, where you will visit Xinjiang Museum (close on Mondays ), mummies are a must-see in it, particularly Loulan Beauty and Xiaohe Beauty.
Then you will catch 2-hour flight to Kashgar. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to hotel.
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10 Kashgar City Tour
Today is a busy day to explore Kashagr with a local guide. You will take the city tour by the first stop to visit the Apa Hoja Mausoleum which was built in 1640 by local Imam for his father, and later it became a family graveyard to bury 72 people for 5 generations. The mausoleum is impressive for its delicate Uyghur architectural style including the blue tiles, the dome and the minaret.
Next, you will visit Kashgar old town to explore the interesting area where there are old houses for shops, workshops, restaurants, bakery, and tea houses etc. It displays the long history and vivid lifestyle in Kashgar from ancient Silk Road period to today. Handicraft Street is a must-see section in the old town, where the huge music instruments and bronze vessels are very impressive. You might taste some local snacks here, such as Nang Bread, grilled eggs, dried fruits etc. before visiting the old Id Ghar Mosque, the biggest mosque in Xinjiang. Enter the mosque at non-praying time to appreciate its architecture and decor, please wear long pants and cover the shoulders for ladies while visiting this mosque.
Lunch is arranged at a local Uyghur's house for you to taste the authentic and traditional Uyghur food including nang bread, hand-stretched noodles, and pilau...etc.
In the afternoon, you will wander around the Grand Bazaar in Kashgar, which is well known in Central Asia for its colorful and lively market. As a Uyghur saying goes that you can buy everything except for your parents. There are more people in the afternoon, because the farmers will drive to here from different area in the morning and buy things in the afternoon at the market. Actually the bazaar opens every day, and more people on Sunday. The animal bazaar is relocated near Kashgar Airport and opens only on Sundays. So if it is Sunday, you will also visit the Animal Bazaar as well.
When your tour is finished, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11 Kashgar to Karakul Day Tour
Today you will take about 4 hours by a private vehicle departing from Kashgar to Karakul Lake. You will drive along the renown friendship highway to Pamir Plateau. On the way, you will stop at Upar Uyghur town to buy some snacks and fruites before heading to the mountains. Then you will view the pretty White Sand Lake that looks like a mirror reflecting the snow-capped mountains on the lake water. After lunch, you will wander around the stunning Karakul Lake(3600 meter), which is situated beside Muztagh Summit. The mountain, the lake and the yurt around the lake create a picture of paradise. Later, you will be transferred back to Kashgar.
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12 Departing from Kashgar
Transferred to Kashagr airport to catch your flight heading for your next destination, where the wonderful Silk Road tour concludes.
Meal: Breakfast