Overview
Epic and unforgettable Silk Road odyssey from imperial China through Gansu to Xinjiang
Beijing –Xi’an –Lanzhou – Zhangye – Jiayuguan - Turpan–Urumqi–Kashgar - Shanghai
This cultural odyssey treads upon the crucial China tour stops, and takes you on an epic and unforgettable journey from Xi’an through Gansu to Xinjiang along the exotic Silk Road. Extending 6,500 km with over half of length in China, the Silk Road plays the vital role in interlinking China, the Mediterranean and European world for trading, cultural exchanges and religious spread from Han Dynasty to Yuan Dynasty, lasting about 1,600 years. The road gets its name as the silk was a major trade item from China along it. Our journey is onward through such a fabled area, eye-catching with splendid cultures, millennia legends and breathtaking views. Travelling all the way northwest to the China’s far-end frontier town of Kashgar, we discover many historic and cultural sites including imperial China’s most iconic remains; witness the remnants of the remarkable Buddhist grottoes and arts, especially Mogao Caves; tramp alongside the wind-blasted ramparts of the Great Wall and the ruined cities; wander through the Muslim Quarter and Uygur’s old bazaars; experience the contrasting landscapes of serene alpine lake and arid Gobi desert. This is a great odyssey will immerse you in the thriving past and vibrant present along Silk Road.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01 Arrival Beijing
Day 02 Beijing Sightseeing (B / L / D)
Day 03 Beijing Sightseeing & Overnight Train to Xi’an (B / L)
Day 04 Arrive in Xian & Sightseeing
Day 05 Xian Sightseeing & Train to Lanzhou (B)
Day 06 Lanzhou Sightseeing & Train to Zhangye
Day 07 Zhangye–Jiayuguan (B)
Day 08 Jiayuguan - Dunhuang (B)
Day 09 Dunhuang - Turpan (B)
Day 10 Turpan
Day 11 Turpan – Urumqi - Kashgar (B)
Day 12 Kashgar – Karakul Lake - Kashgar (B)
Day 13 Kashgar - Shanghai (B)
Day 14 Shanghai (B)
Day 15 Shanghai Departure (B)
Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival Beijing
Upon arrive at Beijing, the capital of China, you will be met by the local guide and driver and then transfer to the hotel. Rest time is free leisure or rest in the hotel for jet leg.
Day 02: Beijing Sightseeing (B / L / D)
Get up early morning, take the public subway (or alternative private vehicle) to Temple of Heaven, experience the bustle local way of life; Visit Temple of Heaven, the solemn site for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven. View the local people doing exercises there. Then we drive the vicinity of Beijing to visit Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, where is lesser crowded and has magnificent scenery set amidst the emerald green hills dominated with fragrance orchards and stunning hamlets offering the amazing views especially in spring and autumn. Today’s lunch will be arranged in nearby local villager’s house to have organic food includes flavor of BBQ fish, dinner will be served as the famous Beijing Roasted Duck in a small courtyard-style restaurant located in Hutong.
Day 03: Beijing Sightseeing & Overnight Train to Xi’an (B / L)
Full day sightseeing tour in Beijing. Visit Tian'anmen Square, the world’s largest city square near the centre of Beijing. Then visit the Forbidden City, located heart of Beijing, it was once the Chinese imperial palace for almost 500 years. Later take the particular rickshaw to tour of Beijing's Hutong, a labyrinth of old narrow alleyways lined with authentic courtyard residential houses. Wander around HouhaiLake, stop for some lovely Chinese tea. Climb to the local bell tower, have a birds view of the old Beijing area. Visit a local family in Hutong, learn how to make traditional food of dumplings with the hostess. Have dumpling lunch with the Beijing family and taste the dumpling made by yourself. Then visit Summer Palace, the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China. In the evening time, transfer to the train station and take the overnight sleeper train to Xi’an.
Day 04: Arrive in Xian & Sightseeing
Morning arrive in Xi’an, one of the oldest cities in China, was the capital for 11 dynasties and is the eastern terminus of the Silk Road. Today visit Ancient City Walls, built in 1370 during the Ming dynasty, the 12m-high walls are surrounded by a dry moat and form a rectangle with a perimeter of 14km. Walk or bicycle ride on the wall. Later visit Wide Goose Pagoda, one of China’s best remains Tang-style architecture, housing the Buddhist sutras brought back from India by the monk Xuan Zang. Then visit Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosque in China, blending of Chinese and Islamic features; wander in Muslim Quarter for night market and local snacks, where is home to the city’s Hui community for centuries since Tang dynasty.
Day 05: Xian Sightseeing & Train to Lanzhou (B)
Today visit the highlight of any trip to Xi'an, the Terracotta Warriors. In this world’s archeological wonder, thousands of life-sized armies and horses silently stood guard the tomb of the China’s first unifier of Qin Emperor for over two millennia. Following visit Forest of Steles, witness more than 1000 stone tablets including collections of ancient calligraphy, maps, portraits and sculpture stelae. In the evening time, transfer to the train station and take the overnight train toLanzhou.
Day 06: Lanzhou Sightseeing & Train to Zhangye
Arrival at Lanzhou train station in the morning, the capital city of Gansu province and transportation hub of western China and ancient Silk Road. Then we drive the vicinity of Lanzhou to visit BinglingThousand-BuddhaCaves over the Yellow River by boat. There are 183 Buddhist grottoes containing unscathed 694 statues and many terracotta sculptures and frescoes. The oldest date from 420 AD, older than those in Dunhuang Grottoes.In the afternoon, we take the train to Zhangye. Spend a night in Zhangye, an absorbing outpost along the Silk Road.
Day 07: Zhangye–Jiayuguan (B)
Morning, we visit Giant Buddha Temple, the symbolic and royal-style architectures at Zhangye established since Xixia dynasty, contains a China’s largest 35-m long sleeping Buddha inside. Then we leave for Jiayuguan. En-route, we visit a natural wonder in west vicinity of Zhangye, the gorgeous and colorful Danxian formations and rock layers, some of them are very impressive. Jiayuguan, a key outpost along Silk Road, guards the western entrance to China.
Day 08: Jiayuguan - Dunhuang (B)
We explore Jiayuguan, this ancient Han Chinese frontier post by visiting Jiayuguan Fort, the first fortification of Great Wall in the west. Later visit Overhanging Great Wall, where you can hike up for fine views of the desert and snow-capped peaks in distance. Then we drive to Dunhuang across the vast Gobi with backdrop of the Qiliang ranges. The magical mirages could be seen along the way by chance.
Day 09: Dunhuang - Turpan (B)
VisitMogaoCaves, the greatest and most consummate gallery of Buddhist art in the world, there are 492 caves and over exquisite 2000 coloured Buddhist statues and murals remains here, and the first one carved out in AD 366. In the afternoon visit the Mingsha Hill and Crescent Moon Spring where you can take a camel ride to the top of the enormous sand dunes for amazing views of the crystal clear spring. In the evening time, drive 130km to Liuyuan train station and take the overnight train to Turpan.
Day 10: Turpan
Arrival in Turpan, named the 'Fiery Land', one of the lowest places on earth, a remote oasis in a scorching desert. Visit the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, the old ruined city of Gaochang, the Flaming Mountains, the Tombs of Astana and the grape valley.
Day 11: Turpan – Urumqi - Kashgar (B)
Continue sightseeing in Turpan. See the Emin Minaret, the ancient city of Jiaohe and the Karez underground irrigation system. After sightseeing, drive about 2 hours to Urumqi and look around the city, the capital of Xinjiang province. In the evening time, we take the short flight to Kashgar, where has been one of the key outposts of Silk Road and Uyghur cultural epicenter for over two millennia.
Day 12: Kashgar – Karakul Lake - Kashgar (B)
After breakfast, drive to visit Karakul Lake (400KM, about 4 hours drive for one way), which is alpine lake located on the Pamirs plateau. On the route, overview the Mt. Muztag Ata (7,546m), the third highest mountain on the Pamirs and is described as the Father of Ice Peaks. Appreciate Kongur Peak, Sand Hill and Red Hill, enjoy the spectacular natural sceneries. Excursion at the Karakul Lake side for the leisure time. After visiting, drive back to Kashgar.
Day 13: Kashgar - Shanghai (B)
After breakfast, have the city tour in Kashgar, visit ApakHojaMazzar (the Fragrant Princess Tomb), experience the old and traditional grand Bazaar of the Uyghur, the famous and colorful Sunday Market, handicrafts street, Aitiga Mosque and ancient town with twisting alleyways. In the later afternoon, transfer to the airport and take the flight to Shanghai.
Day 14: Shanghai (B)
Own arrangements and free leisure in Shanghai.
Day 15: Shanghai Departure (B)
Maglev train to Pudong International Airport for exit.
Experiences & Activities
- Visit Great Wall, Forbidden City and other Beijing’s main highlights
- Visit the historic imperial capital of Xi'an andthe famed Terracotta Warriors
- Marvel at theBingling Buddhist grottoes complex near Lanzhou
- Lose breath for the gorgeous Danxian formations and huge sleeping Buddha in Zhangye
- Tramp on the wind-blasted ramparts of Jiayuguan Fort and the remnants of the Great Wall
- Peruse the astonishing Mogao Caves and Camel ride up the Mingsha Hill over the shimmering Crescent Moon Spring
- Explore Turpan with cultural sites, ruined relics, Flaming Mountain and sweet grapes
- Excursion alongside of beautiful Karakul Lake with backdrop of snow peaks
- Visit Kashgar, the outpost of Silk Road, with its historic sites and old bazaar
