Cities of the Silk Route in China
Beijing – Dunhuang – Urumqi – Turpan - Kashgar – Urumqi – Xian
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
13 days/12 nights
Tour Itinerary
|
Day 1 Tue |
Arrive Beijing |
|
|
Arrive in Beijing, meet and transfer to the hotel. Free time for leisure. |
|
|
Hotel: Chang An Grand (1st class) or similar |
|
Day 2 |
Beijing / Urumqi by air (B, L, D) |
|
|
We take the morning flight for Urumqi. This is a unique air route, as geographically it covers two expansive deserts along with many high red-rock or snow-capped mountains, valleys, and canyons. In the afternoon, we travel 70 km southwest to Nanshan Grassland, where we visit Kazakstanian, Uzbekistanian, Kyrgyzatanian minority families and chat with them in their yurts while drinking strong Milk Tea and local home-made snacks. |
|
|
Hotel: Urumqi Hoi Tak Hotel (1st class) or similar |
|
Day 3 |
Urumqi (B, L, SD) |
|
|
Today, we drive 120 km northeast to Heavenly Lake, which is at an elevation of 2600 meters. The lake is flanked by rugged pines and cypresses, its melted clear waters reflecting the surrounding snow-capped peaks. Then we return to Urumqi and visit the Provincial Museum, which contain 2,000 year old mummies. If time permits, we’ll visit the Red Hill Park and the Bazaar, which is believed to be the largest outdoor market in Xinjiang. |
|
|
Hotel: Urumqi Hoi Tak Hotel (1st class) or similar |
|
Day 4 |
Urumqi / Turpan by bus (B, L, D) |
|
|
This morning, we drive to Turpan – an oasis surrounded by desert and dry mountains. Upon arrival, we visit the mysterious ruins of Jiaohe city, which reveal traces of a prosperous ancient trading center and military base from one thousand six hundred years ago. We then visit Karez, its underground water supply and irrigation system, and its museum. Turpan is famous throughout China for its large, sweet grapes and gourds, so we will visit the grape valley and sample some of the fruit. |
|
|
Hotel: Oasis Hotel (local best) |
|
Day 5 |
Turpan / Urumqi by bus, Urumqi / Kashgar by air (B, L, D) |
|
|
In the morning, we’ll visit Sugong Pagoda, the Flaming Mountain, Bezeklik - Thousand Buddha Grottoes and then lunch with a local family. In the afternoon we drive back to Urumqi for the evening flight to Kashgar. |
|
|
Hotel: Qinibagh Hotel or similar |
|
Day 6 |
Kashgar / Urumqi by air (B, L, D) |
|
|
We will visit the Sunday Bazaar – the largest outdoor market in mid-Asia. You can imagine yourself trasnprted back 500 years in time. In the afternoon, we’ll drive to see the tombs of the Fragrant Concubine and the old town of Kashgar. Take the evening flight back to Urumqi. |
|
|
Hotel: Urumqi Hoi Tak Hotel (1st class) or similar |
|
Day 7 |
Urumqi / Dunhuang by air (B, L, D) |
|
|
We take a morning flight to Dunhuang. In the afternoon, visit the world heritage site– Mogao Grottoes. It is the world's most important site of ancient Buddhist Culture. The grottoes preserve nearly a thousand years of Buddhist cave-temple architecture, clay sculpture, mural paintings, and manuscripts, dating from the 5th to 14th centuries. |
|
|
Hotel: Dunhuang Hotel VIP Building |
|
Day 8 |
Dunhuang (B, L, D) |
|
|
Today we drive two hours west across the desert to Yumen Pass (Jade Gate Pass), which was the west terminal of the Great Wall built in Han Dynasty 2,100 years ago. Then we drive back and visit the Crescent Moon Lake and Sand Singing Dune. Ride a camel and enjoy the marvelous sunset. |
|
|
Hotel: Dunhuang Hotel |
|
Day 9 |
Dunhuang / Xi’an by air (B, L, D) |
|
|
Fly to Xi’an in the morning. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in. In the afternoon, tour the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell Tower, and Xi Guan Street. |
|
|
Hotel: Aurum Int'l (1st class) or similar |
|
Day 10 |
Xi’an (B, L, SD) |
|
|
Today’s highlight is the 2000 year-old army of Terracotta Warriors guarding the tomb of China’s first emperor. Afterwards, we tour the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. Enjoy a Dumpling Dinner and Tang Dynasty Performance tonight. |
|
|
Hotel: Aurum Int'l (1st class) or similar |
|
Day 11 |
Xi’an / Shanghai by air (B) |
|
|
Fly to Shanghai in the morning. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Free at leisure |
|
|
Hotel: Galaxy Hotel (1st class) or similar |
|
Day 12 |
Shanghai (B, L, D) |
|
|
Today’s
sightseeing includes the Bund, Yu Garden, Jade Buddha Temple |
|
|
Hotel: Galaxy Hotel (1st class) or similar |
|
Day 13 Sun |
Shanghai Exit (B) |
|
|
Transfer to Pudong International airport for flight home forward |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
Sand dune near Dunhuang |
Cave 'houses'. |
Buddha Cave |
![]() |
|
Kashgar Market |
|
Arrive Beijing Tuesday |
Finish Shanghai |
Package Rate |
Single Supplement |
Extra Night |
Extra Night |
|
28/4/2009 |
10/5/2009 |
US$2800 |
US$500 |
US$92 |
US$92 |
|
12/5/2009 |
24/5/2009 |
US$2815 |
US$515 |
US$92 |
US$92 |
|
26/5/2009 |
7/6/2009 |
US$2815 |
US$515 |
US$92 |
US$80 |
|
9/6/2009 |
21/6/2009 |
US$2815 |
US$515 |
US$92 |
US$80 |
|
23/6/2009 |
5/7/2009 |
US$2815 |
US$515 |
US$92 |
US$80 |
|
7/7/2009 |
19/7/2009 |
US$2815 |
US$515 |
US$92 |
US$80 |
|
21/7/2009 |
2/8/2009 |
US$2815 |
US$515 |
US$92 |
US$80 |
|
11/8/2009 |
23/8/2009 |
US$2815 |
US$515 |
US$92 |
US$80 |
|
25/8/2009 |
6/9/2009 |
US$2940 |
US$515 |
US$92 |
US$105 |
|
1/9/2009 |
13/9/2009 |
US$2975 |
US$515 |
US$92 |
US$105 |
|
15/9/2009 |
27/9/2009 |
US$2975 |
US$515 |
US$92 |
US$105 |
|
6/10/2009 |
18/10/2009 |
US$2975 |
US$515 |
US$92 |
US$105 |
|
Additional airport tax & fuel surcharges US$ 180 pp |
|
||||
Tour package includes
Buffet breakfast at hotels:
1 night at Regal Court Hotel Beijing or similar Grand Chang An Hotel
3 nights at Urumqi Hoi Tak Hotel or similar
1 night at Turpan Oasis Hotel or similar
1 night at Kashiga Qinibagh Hotel or similar
2 nights at Dunhuang Hotel VIP Building
2 nights at Xian Aurum International Hotel or similar
2 nights at Shanghai Galaxy Hotel or similar
Sightseeing with lunch & dinner listed in the above itinerary, including Peking Duck Dinner & Peking Opera in Beijing and Culture Performance in Xinjiang
Professional English speaking tour guide service in each city
Round trip airport/hotel/Train Station transfers in each city
Airfare Beijing / Urumqi / Kashiga / Urumqi / Dunhuang / Xian / Shanghai
Cost excludes:
Fuel surcharges and airport tax, which is 1200 RMB or 180 USD p/p.for 6 legs of flight.
The package rate excludes fuel surcharge for the domestic flights
Arrival & Dept International flights & International Airport Tax
Personal expenses & gratuities to guides, drivers, porters & cruise staff.
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.
There are no discounts for children.
|
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Beijing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
average temp C |
-4 |
-2 |
4 |
13 |
20 |
24 |
26 |
24 |
19 |
12 |
4 |
-2 |
|
rainfall mm |
2 |
7 |
9 |
22 |
36 |
70 |
196 |
243 |
63 |
21 |
7 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tours and Travel
| Beijing Stopover | China and its Silk Route |
| Beijing Shanghai Xian Guilin | Train Beijing to Hong Kong and reverse |
| Chinese Rail Network-routes main cities | Train Beijing to Hanoi and reverse |
General Information about China
| Money Currency | Social Customs |
| Festivals | Chinese Language |
| Chinese Names |