Tracks of the Silk Road: 15 Days Silk Route Tour (Xian, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Turpan, Kashgar)

Summary

D1 Beijing Arrival: Make your own flight to Beijing, Private transfer to Beijing hotel
D2 Beijing to Xian by high-speed train: Take train to Xian, Terracotta Warriors
D3 Xian: Big Goose Pagoda, Xian Bell Tower, Xian Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter
D4 Xian to Zhangye by bullet train: take train from Xian to Zhangye
D5 Zhangye: Danxia National Geopark
D6 Zhangye to Jiayuguan by private vehicle: Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple, Transfer to Jiayuguan
D7 Jiayuguan: Jiayuguan Pass, The First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall, Wei-jin Art Gallery
D8 Jiayuguan to Dunhuang by private vehicle: Drive you to Dunhuang, Shazhou Night Market
D9 Dunhuang: Mogao Grottoes, Yunmenguan Pass, Dunhuang Museum
D10 Dunhuang to Turpan by train: Echoing Sand Mountains & Crescent Lake, take train to Turpan
D11 Turpan: Karez Well, Emin Minaret, Ruins of Jiaohe Old City
D12 Turpan to Kashgar by overnight train: Grape Valley, Flaming Mountain, take overnight train to Kashgar
D13 Kashgar Arrival: Id Kah Mosque, Kashgar Old City, Apak Hoja Tomb
D14 Kashgar to Beijing by flight: Kashgar Sunday Market, Fly to Beijing
D15 Beijing Departure: Transfer to Beijing airport

Day 1 Arrive in Beijing

Welcome to Beijing, the capital of China! Upon arrival, our guide will pick you up from Beijing airport with a welcome board "China Silk Road Tour" once you arrive. Transfer to your hotel in Beijing to check in. The rest day is free on your own to explore Beijing city.

Day 2 Beijing to Xian by train

After breakfast, transfer to Beijing train station to take high speed train to Xian. It takes around 5 hours from Beijing to Xian by speed train. Our Xian local guide will meet you at the exit of Xian train station with the same sign "China Silk Road Tour".

Your Xian adventure tour starts with Terracotta Warriors. This UNESCO World Heritage site displays more than 8,000 terracotta warriors, horses, and around 10,000 bronze weapons. Excavations continue, and more than 300 pieces were unearthed in June 2012 alone. These warriors were made as part of the funerary goods for Qin Shi Huang (259-210 B.C.), first emperor of the Qin Dynasty. The human-size figures are said to be models of Qing's real-life army. The army stands in three exhibition pits. Pit one is the largest, measuring 230 meters long, 62 meters wide and seven meters deep and housing around 6,000 troops in battle formation.

After the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel in Xian.

Day 3 Xian

After breakfast, you will have a chance to visit the Big Goose Pagoda, it is one of highlighted attractions and a famous buddhist pagoda in Xian city. It was built in 652AD during the Tang dynasty. One of the pagoda’s many functions was to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India by the Buddhist translator and traveler Xuan Zang. Generally, it is a symbol of the spread of Buddhism culture into China.

Then, take a insight to Xian Bell Tower, it was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Bell Tower sits in the center of Xi’an ancient city, which is the largest and the best-retained one of its kind in China, and it’s of a high historical and artistic value. A number of highlighted cultural relics are exhibited in Xi’an Bell Tower, including a huge bell, inscribed steles and couplets hung on the column, all of which are of high historical and cultural values.

In the afternoon, spend a leisure time at Xian Ancient City Wall, the wall in Xian with a history over 600 years. As one of the UNESCO heritage sites in China. It is one of the best preserved fortifications in China. And the best way to see the wall is by bike. Visitors are allowed to cycle on the wall, which is 15 meters wide. Cyclists will be able to view the city from a unique angle -- on one side stands the Xi'an from the past; on the other hand erects soaring high-rises of the present and future.

The last stop for the tour is Xian Muslim Quarter to meet many local snacks, is the most famous food street in Xian. It consists of Islamic food area, ethnic group shopping center, Great mosque and living area of Hui people. It is a place distinct for its delicious food and Islamic culture, with a history of more than 1000 years.

After the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel in Xian.

Day 4 Xian to Zhangye by bullet train

After breakfast, transfer to Xian train station to take bullet train to Zhangye, it takes around 7.5 hours from Xian to Zhangye. You will be picked up from Zhangye train station by our local guide who holding a welcome sign "China Silk Road Tour" once you arrive. Transfer to your hotel in Zhangye. The rest day day is free on your own to stay in Zhangye.

Day 5 Zhangye

After breakfast, you wil head to visit the Zhangye Danxia Geopark. It is located about 40KM from Zhangye city.The national park encompasses an area of 510 square kilometers. The Geopark is well-known for its spectacular, colorful rock formations. it is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in China. This site is popular among photographers, many popular movies and TV shows such as "A Woman, A Gun And A Noodle Shop" & "The Sun Also Rises", were filmed in Zhangye Danxia Geopark. It attracts thousands of both domestic and international tourists visit here every year.

When you in the park, you will have chance to enjoy the amazing Danxia landscape from different viewing platfoms. There are 5 platforms where you can take some photos. You will take the shuttle buses which starting from the main entrance and travels to the different stops (viewpoints) along the way.

After the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel in Zhangye.

Day 6 Zhangye to Jiayuguan by vehicle

After breakfast, you will visit the Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple, it is named after a statue worshiped inside the temple. It also known as Sleeping Buddha Temple, is very famous because it contains the biggest indoor sleeping Buddha all around China. The buddha is 34.5 meter long and its shoulder spans across a width of 7.5 meters. Up to eight people can stand on the ear of the reclining Buddha. Established in 1098 (Western Xia Dynasty) and rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty. Due to its extensive history, it is listed as an immovable cultural relic under state protection.

After the tour, drive you to Jiayuguan city to check in your hotel.

Day 7 Jiayuguan

After breakfast, you will visit the Jiayuguan Pass. It is one of the most famous tourist attractions here. Known as the 'mouth of China' because of its position at the end of the Great Wall of China where it guarded the western boundary of Ming Dynasty China. It is not only the western end of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty, but also the vital passage of the famous Silk Road, which was first built in the 5th year (1372) of the Hongwu reign in the Ming Dynasty. It is so called because it is built at the foot of Jiayu Mountain. There is a museum for those who are interested in the history of Jiayuguan Pass and China Great Wall.

Next, you will visit The First Beacon Tower of the Great Wall. This fire tower is the first one of the Great Wall, hence the name. It is also called Taolaihe Dun and Tou Dun in Chinese. It was built in Ming Dynasty, all 14 meters in length, width and height. After hundreds of years, it still stands there firmly, although not so completely. There are 39 fire towers inside and outside of Jiayuguan Pass, big or small. All the towers undertake the important task of military at ancient time.

Continue your tour to visit the Wei-jin Art Gallery. Renowned as the largest subterranean art gallery in the world and housing many colorful murals, the gallery has attracted tourists from both home and abroad since 1972 when it was originally excavated. Most tombs are of past families, housing bodies of three or four generations, and currently Grave 6 and Grave 7 are open for tourism with more to be developed responsibly.

After the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel in Jiayuguan.

Day 8 Jiayuguan to Dunhuang

After breakfast, check out your Jiayuguan hotel and head to Dunhuang city. It takes around 4 hour's driving, you will immerse yourself in the scenery along the way from Jiayuguan to Dunhuang. Once you arrive in Dunhuang, check in your hotel and take a rest.

The activity for today is Shazhou Night Market, it is the largest night market in Dunhuang, it's a good place to spend your time when you travel to Dunhuang. Here attrats lots of tourists from all over the world, which is a wonderful place both to eat and to socialize.The market is divided into five zones - food & snacks, art crafts, Sanbaotai teahouses, agricultural products and souvenirs, which form a bustling night picture with unique folk customs.

After the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel in Dunhuang.

Day 9 Dunhuang

After breakfast, you will visit the Mogao Grottoes, known also as the Mogao Caves are a network of Buddhist cave temples in China. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in China. This ancient city was once located in an oasis on a strategic point of the ancient Silk Road. Thus, Dunhuang was a center where not only trade, but also cultural, religious, and intellectual exchanges took place. The Mogao Grottoes serve as a testimony to the high level of sophistication that was achieved by Dunhuang during its heyday.

Next, you have chance to visit the Yumenguan Pass, it was built about 2000 years ago for military defense purpose when the famous Wudi Emperor of the Han Dynasty (202 B.C. - A.D. 220) was on his throne. At that time, the Huns were very powerful and always invaded the territory of Han. So Wudi ordered the young but capable general Huo Qubing to strike back. And then Han built up a military base here. In the ancient times, Yumenguan is an important pass along the Silk Road which connected West and East.

In the afternoon, spend a leisure to visit the Dunhuang Museum. The museum reflects the flourishing social development and cultural exchange between China and the West during the time when Dunhuang was a major center along the Silk Road. A trip to the Dunhuang Museum will provide visitors with a greater understanding of the history and culture of the Chinese people and their ancient civilization.

After the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel in Dunhuang.

Day 10 Dunhuang to Turpan by train

After breakfast, continue your Dunhuang tour to visit the famous Echoing Sand Mountains & Crescent Lake in Dunhuang. The city of Dunhuang is located at the borders of the Gobi desert and from here there are views of the Echoing Sand Mountain, a name that derives from the sweet sound that is made by the sand being caressed by the wind or rapidly sliding down from the dunes. The legend says that in this area in the foothills of the mountain there once lived a lively village surrounded by sacred temples. One year, during a celebration at one of the temples, the songs of the opera and the noise of the celebration was so deafening that it bothered the Yellow Dragon Prince that slept in a nearby desert.

Then, you will visit the Crescent Lake which is considered a natural wonder of the Gobi Desert, the lake is something of an enigma as it has existed for thousands of years and was considered a special place during the Han Dynasty (202BC to 220AD). Because the lake is dwarfed by the surrounding sand dunes, it’s a wonder it hasn’t filled up and been covered over many times, but due to a natural depression, the winds blow the sand across the nearby singing sand dunes and away from the spring.

After the tour, transfer to Liuyuan train station to take bullet train to Turpan. When you arrive, your guide will wait you at the exit of the train station, he/she will hold a welcome board "China Silk Road Tour". Drive you to your hotel in Turpan.

Day 11 Turpan

After breakfast, our guide will show you the famous Karez Well, it is one of the UNSECO World Heritage Sites in China. Karez well system is the underground transmission and water harvesting system in the Turpan Depression of Xinjiang. For over 2000 years, it has provided the water supplies to the communities of Xinjiang Uygur region. Karez well system works as an impressive hydraulic engineering project. The commuters here consider it as the “Mother River” and “spring of life” because of its safe and reliable water process. This project was initiated by ancient people and it benefits both later generations and contemporaries.

After lunch, you will visit the Emin Minaret, it is the tallest minaret in China, it was built in 1777 during the Qing Dynasty. In order to commemorate the general Emin Khoja and patriot who defended unifying China throughout his life,hence its name "Emin." It is the largest ancient tower in Xinjiang as well as the only Islamic old tower among China's one hundred famous towers.

The last stop for today is the Ruins of Jiaohe Old City. It is considered one of the oldest, largest and best preserved earthen cities of its time in China. It was built 2,300 years ago and its ruins are located along the Silk Road. As wood was rarely used in those times, all its buildings were constructed out of earth. People dug houses and rooms downward from the earth and built with dried bricks.The Ruins of Jiaohe Ancient City is very unique and rare.

After the tour, you will be taken to your hotel in Turpan.

Day 12 Turpan to Kashgar by overnight train

After breakfast, our guide will take you to visit the Grape Valley, it is one of most popular places in Turpan. As Turpan known as the "Land of Fruits", especially grapes. Turpan grape valley has become a unique tourist spot where visitors come to get refreshed and enjoy the different varieties of grapes.

Then, drive you to visit the Flaming Mounatin, it is combination of red sand and rocks that makes the mountain looks like a red dragon sleeping on the area basin. If you look the mountain from a distance, under the sunlight, the heat wave and the floating clouds will make you have the illusion that the mountain is on fire as tongues of fire. Every summer when the sun shines, the mountain could reach 80°C in temperature. There is a huge thermometer at the centre of the Flaming Mountain Museum will show you how hot it is.

When you finish your tour in Turpan, transfer to Turpan train station to take the overnight train to Kashgar. The overnight train takes around 13 hours from Turpan.

Day 13 Arrive in Kashgar

Once you arrive at Kashgar, our local guide and driver will meet you at the exit of Kashgar train station with the same sign "China Silk Road Tour". After breakfast, our guide will take you to explore the Kashgar City.

Firstly, you will visit Id Kah Mosuqe, it is the largest and active mosuqe in China with an area of 16,800 squre meters.It is one of famous tourist sites in Kashgar. On each Friday, lots of prayers come here, many of whom are praying in the square outside the mosque. While during the holidays the Id Kah Mosque being a kind of pilgrimage for Chinese Muslims is visited by 100,000 believers. The Id Kah Mosque is striking not only for its beauty but also for its grandeur.

Next, walk into the Kashgar Old City to get a feeling of Kashgar local life. It consists of the fancy natural landscape, full-bodied folk habits and custom, brilliant historical streets and featured Uygur houses. You can walk through th narrow streets to experience the local lifestyle. To see and learn the local handcrafits from craftswomen. Crop-haired girls in bright frocks and mismatching plastic sandals giggle and shove as they see strangers; And you can enjoy the local sing and dance. It is a good pleasure to visit and share your time with locals.

After lunch, head to visit the Apak Hoja Tomb, it was buily 1640 by the Apak Hoja family. As the largest Islamic mausoleum in China, Apak Hoja Tomb covers an area of 20,000 square meters, composed of gate tower, great mosque, small mosque, scripture hall and main tomb chamber. The Tomb is the best example of Islamic architecture in xinjiang from the 17th century and it is a group of beautiful and magnificent buildings.

After the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel in Kashgar.

Day 14 Kashgar to Beijing by flight

After breakfast, you will visit the Kashgar Sunday Market, which is the international trade market of central and Western Asia. It is located on the East Bank of the Tuman River in the northeast corner of Kashgar City. Bazaar here has a history of more than 2000 years and it is known as "the largest market in Asia". You can buy some souvenirs and local specialties in Xinjiang here. Here you can either shop or enjoy delicious food. Even if you don't want to do it, it's a beautiful thing to walk here and feel the strong western region customs.

After the tour, transfer to Kashgar airport to take flight back to Beijing. Once you arrive in Beijing airport, our guide will pick you up and transfer to your Beijing hotel.

Day 15 Beijing Departure

Free on your own until transfer to Beijing airport to catch your flight back home.

Price Per Person in US Dollars

Price Includes 1. All transfer and city transportation 2. Air-conditioned car or van 3. Hotels specified in the itinerary, all based     on two persons sharingone standard room; 4. Meals specified in the itinerary: Western     breakfast in hotels Chinese lunch and     dinner in local restaurants 5. Sightseeing: All arrangements mentioned     in the itinerary will be covered All first     admission/entrance fees in the itinerary 6. Tour guide: Conducted by a professional     English & Chinese speaking tour guide

Price Excludes 1. International air-tickets 2. Airport departure tax. 3. International or domestic air tickets which     are not listed in the itinerary. 4. Insurance coverage of personal loss, illness     or damages incurred during your trip 5. Tips to the tour guide and driver 6. Meals not specified in the itinerary. 7. Personal expenses: phone bills, laundry,     optional tours, postage, excess baggage     charge, entertainment fees out of the     itinerary. 8. Single Room Supplement.