The Route of Xuanzang

Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive in Xi'an
Arrive in Xi'an, met and transferred by our representative to the hotel.
Overnight: Xi'an 3 Star Skytel Hotel or similar
Meal: None

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.
-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 3 star Skytel Hotel or similar
Meal: B

Day 3. Xi'an/Lanzhou
In the morning, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Shaanxi Provincial Museum.
In the afternoon, catch bullet train 3 hours 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 3 star Ibis Hotel or similar
Meal: B

Day 4. Lanzhou/Xiahe
Take a 5-hour ride to Labrang in Tibetan language. Free time in the afternoon to explore the Tibetan town.
Overnight: Xiahe Norbu Serwo Hotel or similar
Meal: B

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.
Harder Sleeper Overnight train to Jiayuguan
Meal: B

Day. 6 Jiayuguan/Dunhuang
Early morning arrival, transferred to hotel to have breakfast, then visit the well-preserved Jiagyuguan Fort.
Take a ride to Dunhuang in the afternoon.
-Jiayuguan Fort: The end of the Great Wall in Ming Dynasty looks like a huge city to guard the border in Ming Dynasty.
Overnight: Dunhuang 3 star Hantang Hotel or similar
Meal: B

Day 7. Dunhuang/Overnight train to Turpan
In the morning, we will view the Mingsha Dunes and Crescent Moon Spring in the desert.
In the afternoon, visit Mogao Caves, the most important site on the Silk Road. Colorful fresco, statues tell you various stories about Buddha.
Catch overnight 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.
Harder Sleeper Overnight train to Turpan
Meal: B

Day 8. Turpan
Transferred to hotel for breakfast upon arrival.
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 (Emin) 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: 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 civil war of Mongolians.
-Sugong Minaret: Built in 1777AD, also called Eming Tower, it is a representative of Uyghur architecture.
Overnight in Turpan 3 star Turpan Hotel or similar
Meal: B

Day 9. Turpan/Urumqi
Take a 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 10. Urumqi/Heavenly Lake/Kuqa
In the morning take a ride to Heavenly Lake(Tianchi in Chinese), enjoying the stunning scenery there.
In the afternoon take overnight train to Kuqa.
-Heavenly Lake: Located in the Heavenly Mountain(Tianshan), it has a beautiful mountain view.
Overnight on the hard sleeper train to Kuqa
Meal: B

Day 11. Kuqa
In Kuqa, view Kizil Grottos which is one of the earliest caves in Xijiang. Moreover, we will visit Tianshan Grand Valley to enjoy the picturesque scenery.
-Kizil Grottos: It was the first grottos built in China, which can be traced back 2000 years ago, with many Buddhism stories telling people to follow Buddha.
Overnight in Kuqa 3 star Kuqa Hotel or similar
Meal: B

Day 12. Kuqa/Hetian
Today we will take a long ride from Kuqa to Hetian, traveling along the Taklamagan Desert Highway.
Overnight in Hetian 3 star Muztaga Hotel or similar
Meal: B

Day 13. Hetian/Kashgar
Visit Hetian Bazaar for the local trade in the morning.
In the afternoon, take a ride to Kashgar.
Overnight in Kashgar 3 star Seman Hotel or similar
Meal: B

Day 14. 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.
-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 3 star Seman Hotel or similar
Meal: B

Day 15. 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 16. 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 17. Depart from Kashgar
Transferred to the airport to catch flight heading home.
End of the trip.
Meal:B