11 days classic silk road tour provides a great opportunity to discover the Northwest China. To feel how silk road connect the ancient China. You will see the magnificent Terra Cotta Army preserved well from Qing Dynasty. And discover the exquisite art work Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang. Along with Mogao Grottos in Dunhuang. You will also extend to Xingjiang, to see the exotic Muslim culture and the amazing landscape in Turpan.
Arrive at Xi’an Airport, meet your guide at airport , transfer to hotel for check in
Lunch and dinner on your own account
Accommodation at hotel
After the breakfast , our guide pick up from hotel,
Today discover the famous Terra Cotta Army of Qinshihuangdi, the first Emperor of China. (Most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. It is a sight not to be missed by any visitor to China.)
Evening enjoy dumpling banquet dinner.
Return to town to make city tour of the City Wall. (Optional tour :bike tour on the wall ) Constructed in the center of Xi’an City, the City Wall of Xi’an is one of the oldest and best-preserved among the few Chinese city walls. Initially built in the Tang Dynasty, the City Wall was repaired and enlarged as the present one in the early Ming Dynasty.
Later, stroll in Muslim Street (Located beside the Drum Tower, it is about 500 meters long from south to north. This street is paved with dark colored stone with green trees providing heavy shade during summer; the buildings on both sides of the street are modeled on the styles of both the Ming (1368-1644) and the Qing Dynasties (1644-1911). Make tour of Gao Yue Song’s Ancient-styled Folk House (Gao Yue Song, who was a high rank official in Ming Dynasty 300 years ago. This famous house won the “Prize for Cultural Heritage Protection in Asian-Pacific Area of UNESCO in 2002”.). Enjoy the local Shadow Play Opera at Muslim Street.
Lunch at local Chinese restaurant and dinner on your own account.
Accommodation at hotel
After breakfast , pick up from hotel. Then transfer to railway station for the high speed Train to Luoyang G672 (9:06-10:54) the 1st class soft seat
Upon arrival, meet your guide at exit ,take the tour of Longmen Grottoes (Spanning a length of over 1,000 meters on the hillsides along the Yi River, the Longmen Grottoes, together with the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang (Gansu Province) and the Yungang Grottoes (Shanx/Jan.06 Province), are reputed as the three greatest stone sculpture treasure houses in China. In the year 2000, Longmen Grottoes was listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site).
Later , visit White Horse Temple（Established by the Han Dynasty in 68 AD when Buddhism started to spread, this temple is believe to be the first Buddhist temple built by the government in China.）
After tour , drive back to take the train back to Xi’an G819 ( 17:32-19:20) the 1st class soft seat.
Pick up by the guide in Xi’an at railway station , then transfer to hotel.
Accommodation at hotel
Firstly stop at History Museum (Close every Monday ) (The Provincial History Museum - a striking Tang-Dynasty style pavilion, houses a large collection of 113,000 historic and cultural artifacts unearthed in Shaanxi. It is an absolute must for every visitor to the city.).
Later move to airport for your departure flight to Duhuang.
Upon arrival , pick up from airport , then transfer hotel for check in
Accommodation at hotel
After breakfast , visit to the enchanting Mogao Grottos, also known as the Magao Caves and the Caves of the Thousand Buddha, which provide their own guided tours (English, German, French or Japanese speaking). They will unravel the caves system of 492 temples, forming a treasure trove of Buddhist shrines and art work.
After lunch on a popular local restaurant you will get first glimpse of the dunes in the Singing Sand Mountains. The Crescent Spring, which forms a lake between two huge sand dunes. Legend has it that this oasis spring has never dries up. Take the chance to ride on a camel, and imagine what it was like to travel on the Silk Road.
Accommodation at hotel
Today you will drive to visit a section of the Great Wall found in this area before visiting the Yumenguan Pass, once one of the west gates out of the country. It is now eroded by the shifting sands but still magnificent. This area is rich in natural resources, in fact Yumeng Town was the site of China’s first oil field.
The afternoon is dedicated to Yadan Landform Park, and the rocks molded by the winds to resemble living creatures.
In the evening your guide will take you to board the night train to Turpan. Soft berth -- ( 4 pax shared one compartment )
Accommodation at hotel
Breakfast box on the train
After early arrival in Turpan you’ll be taken to your hotel to drop off your luggage.
You will get to know Karez underground irrigation system. Karez irritation systems are the crystallization of ancient people's diligence and intelligence. At its peak, the karez irrigation system exceeded 5,000 km (3,106 miles). It is among the three ancient major irrigation projects with the other two being Ling Canal and Dujiangyan Irrigation Project
Followed by a visit to the Flaming Mountain. The mountain is 100km long and 10km wide. The mountain is famous for Chinese literature by the classic novel <Pilgrimage to the West>: the monk Xuan Zang and his followers who traveled west in search of the Buddhist sutra
Later stop at the Ruins of Jiaohe. Like a willow leaf, the ancient city of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto) with a history of 2300 years lies between two rivers on a loess plateau at the top a cliff of over 30 meters (98.4feet).The city is the largest, oldest and best-preserved earthen city in the world, Jiaohe is 1,650 meters (5,413 feet) by 300 meters (984 feet) at its widest; with an area of 220,000 square meters (2,368,168 square feet). Jiaohe was the capital of the former Cheshi State.
Accommodation at hotel
Departure from Turpan to Urumqi (2-2.5hrs ) , where the Heavenly Lake awaits you. The view is one of a kind. The snowy peaks of the Heavenly Mountains reflecting on the dazzlingly blue lake surface. A cruise on the Heavenly Lake is one way to appreciate its beauty, there is also a cable car going up the mountain side for an even better vantage point and some great walking paths
After tour,move to hotel for check in.
Accommodation at hotel
In the morning you will fly to Kashgar, and spend the day experiencing its Islamic culture. A must visit place is Id Kah Mosque, built in the 15th century, where 10,000 people gather at midday on Fridays to pray, Kashgar Bazaar is festooned with traditions and ancient history and has become famous throughout Asia, attracting merchants from as far as Pakistan and Kirghizstan; some tourists come especially to see it. Zhiren Street is an old street where craftsmen still produce their fare. It’s easy to lose your sense of time and direction as you wonder this bazaar, but don’t worry your guide will lead you through the maze.
After that, move back to hotel
Accommodation at hotel
Today you will get to see one of the best kept secrets in China: Lake Karakuli, a sparking glacial lake. On the three hour drive you may want to ask the driver to stop for photos, as the scenery is so breathtaking. The scenery and lake draws out the inner photographer, so remember to bring an extra memory card. Besides the breathtaking views another refreshing experience is the uncanny silence and pure air, a beautiful contrast to the bustle of Kashgar.
After that, move back to hotel
Accommodation at hotel
Breakfast at hotel. Free at leisure before transfer to Urumqi airport , upon arrival, your own take the connection flight to your next destination .
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