China Silk Road Tour
The Silk Road is a historically important international trade route between China and the Mediterranean. Because silk comprised a large proportion of trade along this road, in 1877, it was named 'the Silk Road' by Ferdinand von Richthofen, an eminent German geographer.
The Silk Road is not only an ancient international trade route, but also a splendid cultural bridge liking the cultures of China, India, Persia, Arabia, Greek and Rome. The scenery and sights along the Silk Road are also spectacular and intriguing. There are well-known Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, the bustling Sunday Bazaar in Kashgar and exotic customs in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, etc.
Silk Road Tour Attractions
Urumqi
Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. With a population of two million gaily-dressed ethnic inhabitants, the city is likened to a piece of emerald embedded at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains. It lies in the lofty ice-capped Bogda Peak and vast Salt Lake in the east; in the rolling pine-covered Southern hill, a well-known scenic district, in the south; and in the alternating fields and sand dunes of Zunggar Basin in the northwest.
Kashgar
Kashgar means a "gathering place of boulders" in the Uygur language. It is one of the oldest but richest oasis at the west end of China. For thousands of years, it has been regarded as the economic, political, cultural and communication center south of the Tianshan Mountains. In addition to the beautiful natural scenery, there are many tumuli (burial mounds) and ancient buildings of Islam and Buddhism in and around the city.
Turpan
Turpan is an old city with a long history. Traces have been found of humans living there as far back as 6,000 years ago. Turpan means 'the lowest place' in the Uygur language and 'the fertile land' in Turki. Lying in the Turpan Basin, the elevation of most of the places in the area is below 1,640 feet. Turpan is the city with the lowest elevation in China.
10 Days Silk Road Tour
Tour Code: ST-CSLKTour Type: Private tour with private car, driver and guide
Visit: Urumqi, Turpan, Kashgar, Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, Lanzhou
Departure: You pick
Itinerary |
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| Day 01 (D) Arrival Urumqi—the capital city of Xinjiang. Upon arrival, guide meet and transfer to hotel. Welcoming dinner would be at a local Uyghur restaurant near the old town area. |
| Day 02 (B, L, D) This morning departure from Urumqi to Turpan (2.5 hours). Upon arrival, check in 4-star Tuha Hotel, then start your tour in Turpan by visiting the Flaming Mountain; the Bizaklik Caves, where "Bizaklik" means "a place with beautiful decorations"; the ruins of Gao Chang - an ancient Chinese Silk Road garrison town (where you will be taken by donkey cart to visit the temple area). Before lunch, you will tour the Ancient Tombs of Astana which is called the "Gaochang live history record and underground museum in the Turpan area. You can have a short siesta before continue your tour to the Emin Minaret, the Karez underground irrigation system and the Jiao he Ruins (with a history of over 2500 years). |
| Day 03 (B, L, D) This morning, continue to explore Turpan - visit Turpan Museum and Grape Valley. Turpan is most famous for its grapes and raisins, especially the seedless variety called sultanas when dried. After lunch, transfer to Urumqi airport for your flight to Kashgar. This is a scenic drive where you see the Gobi Desert, the windmill hydro plant and ruins along the way. Upon arrival at Kashgar, transfer to hotel for check in. |
| Day 04 (B, L, D) Visit the outstanding Sunday market, the biggest in Asia. It attracts 50,000 people to view, thousands of donkeys, camels and sheep, as well as a huge range of merchandise, this will be a memorable experience. In the afternoon, you will visit the local bazaar and trekking tour around old town are with handcraft streets. |
| Day 05 (B, L, D) Visit Abakh Khoja Tomb, Idkah Mosque and the old town and visit to a Uygur family as well. After tour, transfer to airport for the flight to Urumqi in the afternoon. Upon arrival, transfer to Hotel. |
| Day 06 (B, L, D) Today you drive 115 km east of Urumqi to the serene alpine landscapes around Tian Chi (Heavenly Lake). With scenery reminiscent of Switzerland, the alpine pastures around the lake are home to the grazing horses of the yurt-dwelling Kazakhs. After lunch, you spend some time with the nomads and drink tea in a Kazak felt yurt. Then, return to Urumqi to visit the Xinjiang Museum, which famous with its outstanding dry corpses over 4000 years old and with other silk relics. Before dinner you will also visit Urumqi Erdaoqiao Market and old town area. |
| Day 07 (B, L, D) Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Dunhuang. Upon arrival, guide meet and transfer to hotel. City tour to the Western Thousand- Buddha Cave, which is situated to the west of Mogao Caves, is set into a cliff on the bank of the Dang River, then, visit Carpet Factory. After dinner, you may visit the local night market in the downtown. |
| Day 08 (B, L, D) Day tour to the magnificent Mogao Grottoes. Since 366 AD, devout Buddhists have spent their time building the 492 grottoes. These caves contain some of the most important Buddhist art in the world, including thousands of murals, paintings, and manuscripts. Mixing Indian and Chinese styles, they are a remarkable record of Silk Road civilization. After lunch, visit Dunhuang Silk Road Museum. Late afternoon, Visit to the picturesque Crescent Moon Spring, situated among the mountain–high sand dunes of the exotic Gobi desert, the Ming Sha Hill and the Old City. Sunset camel ride. |
| Day 09 (B, L, D) Morning excursion to Jiayuguan City. Upon arrival, visit Jiayuguan Fortress and Great Wall-the western terminal of the world famous Great Wall. Jiayuguan Pass, the first pass at the west end of the Great Wall of China and was built during the Ming Dynasty, earned the name "Strategic Pass under the Heaven" as an important communication center in Chinese history. Later afternoon, take flight to Lanzhou. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. |
| Day 10 (B, L) Day tour to Gansu Museum, White Pagoda Park, Water Wheel Garden and Yellow Stone Exhibition Hall. Transfer to airport for flight to next destination city. |
2013 Private Tour Cost |
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| Please contact us for the tour cost. | |||
Tour price include:
- Private arrival and departure transfers with English-speaking guide & car service.
- Private sightseeing tours including admission tickets to all sites mentioned as well as daily lunch (L) on specified tours in itinerary.
- Hotel accommodations based on double occupancy with daily buffet breakfast (B) served at hotel.
- All city to city transfers and flights mentioned in itienrary.
Tour price doesn't include:
- China visa & Iint'l flight & airport tax.
- Train/flights to Urumqi on Day 1 and on Day 10.
- Travel insurance, daily dinners (except mentioned).
- Personal expenses & gratuities to guide, driver & porters.
Remarks:
- Price is in USD based on 2 or more participants.
- Tour itinerary and hotel arrangement are subject to change upon reservation & confirmation.
- Schedule is subject to change due to local circumstance and flight, etc.
- Tour cost is subject to change based on fuel surcharge and currency exchange rate.
- Please contact us if you would like to customize this tour to your specific interests.
