Cities of the Silk Route in China
Beijing – Dunhuang – Urumqi – Turpan - Kashgar – Urumqi – Xian
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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
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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)
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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 5th to
14th 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.
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Xi'an - the Gate to the Silk Route - extension
Day 9. Wed
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Xi'an and Shanghai -extension
Day 9.Wed |
Departure Dates and prices - 2005.
Cities of the Silk Route in china
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May 31: Jun 21: Jul 12: US$1625 per person twin share. Single room supplement: US$260. Extra night with breakfast in Beijing: US$91per room/night. |
Aug
02: Aug 16: Sep:06 Sep 20: Oct 04: Oct 18: US$1651 per person twin share. Single room supplement: US$286. Extra night with breakfast in Beijing: US$104per room/night. |
| Xian Extension | Xian Extension |
| US$156
per person twin share. Single supplement US$55 Extra night with breakfast in Xian: US$52 per room/night. |
US$156 per person
twin share. Single supplement US$55 Extra night with breakfast in Xian: US$52 per room/night. |
| Xian and Shanghai Extension | Xian and Shanghai Extension |
| US$533
per person twin share. Single supplement US$150 Extra night with breakfast in Xian: US$52 per room/night. Extra night with breakfast in Shanghai: US$98 per room/night |
US$552 per person
twin share. Single supplement US$188 Extra night with breakfast in Xian: US$52 per room/night. Extra night with breakfast in Shanghai: US$98 per room/night |
Services included:
Excluded:
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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Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
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Beijing |
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average temp C |
-4 |
-2 |
4 |
13 |
20 |
24 |
26 |
24 |
19 |
12 |
4 |
-2 |
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rainfall mm |
2 |
7 |
9 |
22 |
36 |
70 |
196 |
243 |
63 |
21 |
7 |
1 |
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