Silk Road Spectacular

Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive in Shanghai
Arrive in Shanghai, met and transferred by our representative to hotel.
Overnight: Shanghai 3 star Ibis Yuyuan Hotel or similar
Meal: None

Day 2. Shanghai
Walking tour from the hotel to the Bund, Nanjing East Road, Yuyuan Garden, old town of Shanghai.
-Bund: Riverfront of Huangpu River with many old European architecture buildings.
-Yiyuan Garden: Well preserved old garden, located in a bustling bazaar.
-Old Town of Shanghai: Traditional Shanghai local houses and lanes near Yuyuan Garden
Overnight: Shanghai 3 star Ibis Yuyuan Hotel or similar
Meal:B

Day 3. Shanghai/Xi'an
Free time till we catch overnight train to Xi’an.
Overnight on the harder sleeper train.
Meal: B

Day 4. Xi'an
Upon arrival, transferred to hotel. In the afternoon, bike riding on the Old City Wall of Xi'an is pleasant experience.
-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 3 star Skytel Hotel or similar
Meal: B

Day 5. Xi'an/bullet train to Lanzhou
The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum is one of the highlights of the Silk Road. Take a ride for a visit in the morning. In the evening, catch bullet train 3 hours to Lanzhou.
-Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses: Discovered in 1974, it is a must-see site in Xi'an. Various warriors exhibitd in an original site will amaze you with their different features.
Overnight: Lanzhou 3 star Ibis Hotel or similar
Meal: B

Day 6. Lanzhou/Xiahe
Take a 5-hour ride to Xiahe, Labrang in Tibetan language. Visit Labrang Monastery in the afternoon.
-Labrang Monastery: One of the six biggest Tibetan monasteries, presents typical Tibetan Buddhism culture.
Overnight: Xiahe Norbu Serwo Hotel or similar
Meal: B

Day 7. Xiahe/Xining
Take a long ride toady to Xining. On the way you will see the stunning grassland and many Tibetan villages.
Overnight: Xining 3 star Ibis Hotel or similar
Meal: B

Day 8. Xining/bullet train to Zhangye
This morning isit Kumbum, one of the six biggest Tibetan monasteries, with many well preserved relics, colorful statues and yak butter carving. This afternoon catch bullet train 4 hours to Zhangye. -Kumnum Monastery: It is where Tsongkhapa, the founder of Yellow Hat Sect of Tibetan Budhism, was born. Overnight: Zhangye 3 star hotel Meal: B

Day 9. Zhangye/Jiayuguan
Visit Zhangye Rainbow Mount, then head to visit the well-preserved Jiagyuguan Fort. -Jiayuguan Fort: The end of the Great Wall in Ming Dynasty looks like a huge city to guard the border in Ming dynasty. Overnight: Jiayuguan 3 star hotel Meal: B

Day 10. Jiayuguan/Dunhuang
Head to Dunhuang, then visit Mingsha Dunes and Crescent Moon Spring in the desert in Dunhuang. Overnight: Dunhuang 3 star Hantang Hotel or similar Meal: B

Day 11. Dunhuang/Turpan
In the morning, we will Mogao Caves, the most important site on the Silk Road. Colorful fresco, statues tell you various stories about Buddha. Catch bullet train to Turpan. -Minsha Dunes: It means Singing Sand Dunes, the sand was moved from Taklamankan desert to form the dunes in the history. -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 Turpan 3-star hotel Meal: B

Day 12. 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(or Emin Minaret).
Return to hotel in the afternoon.
-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 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 3 star Turpan Hotel or similar
Meal: B

Day 13. Turpan/Urumqi
Take a 3-hour car ride to Urumqi. Visit Xinjiang Museum, mummies are a must-see in it, particularly Loulan Beauty and Xiaohe Beauty.
-Xinjiang Museum: It houses numerous relics and exhibitions. Mummies from Taklamakan desert and Turpan basin will amaze you with their features.
Overnight in Urumqi 3 star Jinggu Hotel or similar
Meal: B

Day 14. Urumqi/Heavenly Lake/overnight train to Kashgar
In the morning take a ride to Heavenly Lake, enjoying the stunning scenery there.
In the afternoon take overnight train to Kashgar.
-Heavenly Lake:Located in the Heavenly Mountain(Tianshan), it has a beautiful mountain view.
Overnight on the hard sleeper train to Kashgar
Meal: B

Day 15. Kashgar
It is a busy day, you will see the well-known Sunday Bazaar, Animal Market, 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.
-Id Ghar Mosque: It is the biggest mosque in Xinjiang. The mosque with its square is for local Uyghurs to pray.
Overnight in Kashgar 3 star Seman Hotel or similar
Meal: B

Day 16. Kashgar/Karakul Lake/Tashkuergan
Catch a coach to the Karakul Lake which is situated by the China-Pakistan friendship highway, with a stunning snow covered mountain view.
Move on to Tashkurgan that is situated at the border between China and Pakistan.
-Karakul Lake: Beautiful mountain lake with altitude nearly 3800 meters, has impressive scenery with the snow-covered mountains.
Overnight in Tashkuergan Travel Hotel or similar
Meal: B

Day 17. Tashkuergan/Kashgar
After sightseeing the Stone City in Tashkuergan, return Kashgar.
-Stone City: Built 2000 years ago, the ruin still can trace back its original style.
Overnight in Kashgar 3 star Seman Hotel or similar
Meal: B

Day 18. Depart from Kashgar
Transferred to the airport to catch flight heading home.
End of the trip.
Meal:B