Cities of the Silk Route in China
Beijing – Dunhuang – Urumqi – Turpan - Kashgar – Urumqi – Xian

9 days/8 nights

Tour Itinerary


You can add on a Beijing Package before you start the Silk Road tour. In that case DAY 4 of the Beijing Package becomes DAY 1 of the Silk Road tour.....Click to see Beijing Package

Day 01 (Tue.) 
Arrive Beijing. Met and transferred to your hotel Balance of day free.

Day 02 (Wed.) (B,L,D)

Morning flight to Urumqi.  Geographically, this unique air route covers two of the worlds largest deserts, many high, dry or snow capped mountains, valleys and canyons. In the afternoon we drive 70 km southwest to a valley known as the Nanshan Grassland. Here there is the chance to visit families of Kazak, Uzbek, Kyrgyz tribal groups in their yurts. A chance to try local Milk Tea! Stay at the Urumqi Hoi Tak Hotel (5 star centrally located) - or similar

Sand dune near Dunhuang	Cave 'houses'.	Buddha Cave

Day 03 (Thu.) (B,L,D)
Today we drive 120 km northeast to the 'Heavenly Lake' - elevation of 2600 metres. This lake is flanked by rugged pines and cypress. The snow fed waters reflect the surrounding snow capped Heavenly Mountain (Boghanar Peak) at an elevation of 5446 metres.  The peak is has always been regarded as the 'Holy Mountain' by all major groups in Mid-Asia. We cruise on the lake. Travel back the city. Visit the Provincial Museum home to 2,000 year old mummies and other displays related to the area. Time permitting, we visit the Redhill Park and the local Bazaar.

Day 04 (Fri.) (B,L,D)
Urumqi / Turpan by bus   (B,L,D)
Today we drive for approximately two and a half hours southeast from Urumqi to Turpan. On route we will see a village located at the valley of Heavenly Mountain, which once was a prosperous caravan city called "Daban Cheng". From here caravans used to cross Heavenly Mountain and the Gobi Desert taking up to two months. Turpan is an Urghur town set in a large oasis surrounded by desert and dry mountains. Upon arrival, we visit the mysterious Death City (Jiaohe Ruins 1600 years old), which reveal traces of a ancient prosperous trading centre and military stronghold. For centuries this was the most western barrier town. Whilst here we visit the Ancient Karez Underground water supply and irrigation system and its Museum. Turpan is famous throughout China for large sweet grapes and gourds.
Stay at the Oasis Hotel, VIP Building (3-4 star, best available).

Day 05 (Sat.) (B,L,D)
Morning visit to Suleiman’s Minaret: The Flaming Mountain and Bezelik's Thousand Buddha Grottoes. In the afternoon we drive back to Urumqi airport for an evening flight to Kashgar.
Stay at Qiniwake Hotel (3-star, the best available).

Day 06 (Sun.) (B,L,D)
Morning prayers are a sight to behold as thousands of Muslems kneel down in the streets and the squares facing to the main mosque. From our vantage point we we visit the famed Sunday Bazaar, the largest outdoor market in the Mid-Asia. In the afternoon we visit the Temple and Tombs of the 'Fragrant Concubine'. After dinner we take an evening flight back to Urumqi. Stay at Urumqi Hoi Tak Hotel (5 star)

Kashgar Market

Day 7 (Mon.) 
Urumqi / Dunhuang by air    (B,L,D)
After breakfast at hotel, we take a morning flight to Dunhuang. In the afternoon visit one of the country's, and perhaps the world's great wonder, the Mogao Grottos. The caves honeycomb a 1600 metre long cliff overlooking a river valley and are located 25 km southwest from Dunhuang. This is also one of the world's most important ancient Buddhist sites. Dating from the 5^th to 14^th centuries the grottos, also known as Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, preserve nearly a thousand years of Buddhist cave-temple architecture, clay sculpture, mural paintings, and manuscripts. There are over 426 caves containing numerous clay sculptures and more than 45,000 square metres of mural paintings. All are considered national treasures.  Stay at the Dunhuang Hotel VIP Building (4-star).

Day 8 (Tue.) in Dunhuang (B,L,D)
Today we drive 2 hours west across the desert to Yumen Guan (Jade Gate Pass), which was the west terminal of Great Wall of China, built during the Han Dynasty 2100 years ago. In the afternoon, we return back to the city and visit 'Crescent Moon Lake' and the 'Sounding Dune'. A chance to take a camel ride to view the sunset from the 'ship of the desert'.

Day 9 (Wed.) 
Dunhuang / Xi'an by air (B)
Morning fight to Xi'an and services end upon boarding the flight.

You can either connect with your ongoing departure flight at Xian, or take one of the two following extension packages.
* Xian City
* Xian and Shanghai.

Departure Dates and prices - 2005.
Cities of the Silk Route in china

Services included:

• Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast:
• Beijing - Rosedale Hotel or similar (4-star)
• Xian Garden Hotel or similar (4-star)
• Shanghai - Ocean Hotel or similar (4-star)
• Dunhuang Hotel VIP Building or similar (4-star)
• Urumqi - Hoi Tak Hotel or similar (4-star)
• Turpan Oasis Hotel or similar (3-star)
• Kashgar Qinibagh Hotel (3-star) or Seman Hotel (3-star)
• All transfers and sightseeing tours on coach basis.
• Admission fees.
• Meals as listed. B = Breakfast. L = Lunch. D = dinner
• Professional English-speaking tour guide service in each city.
• Domestic airfare based on economy class- Beijing/Urumqi/Kashgar/Urumqi/Dunhuang/Xian - with airport taxes.
• For Xian Shanghai extension domestic economy air tickets Xian/Shanghai including airport tax.

Excluded:

• International return airfare.
• International airport departure taxes.
• Tips and gratuities to local guides, drivers and porters.
• Personal expenses.
• Travel insurance.

Remarks:

The above prices are based on twin share basis.

This join-in programme with the above listed departures is guaranteed based on a minimum of 2 passengers for each departure. This doesn't mean YOU have to book two persons.

A late booking fee of US$30.00 per person will be applied when a booking is made and confirmed within 14 days of the start date.

There is no discount for children.

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