18 Days Silk Road and Northern Xinjiang Tour

Today your travel begins with a welcome meeting at airport. After checking in the hotel, rest of your time is free to explore Lanzhou with a long history and colorful culture. There are many historical sites worth visiting.

With a early start today, we will arrive Binlingsi Temple at 09:30 after 1.5hrs’ driving. Taking the 40mins fast boat to the inside of the park, enjoy the variety of artworks in different styles and observe the social situations and customs in ancient times when seeing the stone sculptures and appreciate the miracle of Buddha caves. 

We will then head back to downtown to visit the the first bridge of the Yellow River's Mother Statue consisting of “a mother” and “a baby boy” which symbolizes the mother of the Yellow River nurturing the Chinese nation.

In twilight, take high-speed train to Zhangye to check in the hotel for a good rest.

After 1hr's visiting to the 900-years old Grand Buddha Temple, experiencing the impressive Buddha culture and architectural treasures.

We will drive 3hrs to the masterpiece of nature Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, which is situated in the north of Qilian mountains with a distance of 40 km from east Zhangye city. You will be marveled by the colorful layers of mountain ridges in the 4hr's adventure to the different platforms.

Afterwards, 3hrs driving to Jiayuguan for a refreshing dinner and a good rest.

Today we begin our journey to the Jiayuguan Fortress. Standing among vast desert and surrounded by rolling mountains, it looks like a dignified general guarding the grand land. It was constructed with the most integrated defensive system: an inner city, an outer city, and a moat. Besides functioning as a frontier military fortress, it was also an important traffic hub along the Silk Road, the oldest worldwide trading route.

Continue the sightseeing to renowned underground gallery Weijin Tombs.There we can enjoy lifelike and succinct wall paintings covering a wide range of subjects including politics, economics, culture, military affairs, folk customs, and science and technology during the Wei and Jin periods (4AD)

After lunch, 4hrs driving to Dunhuang to visit Echoing Sand Mountain, where you can ride the camels for 40mins to experience the beautiful desert scenery in the sunset.

After an extraordinary day, freshen up and enjoy a good dinner, we continue to appreciate the bustling Shazhou Night Markets dotted with special commodities and souvenirs.

Today we are going to appreciate the Holy Center of Buddhism Culture and Art-UNESCO of Mogao Grottoes, enjoying the 40mins 4D movie to learn the development of the grottoes and then we will be escorted by the professional guides from Mogao to enjoy the the 8 caves mainly.

Afterwards, say farewell to Dunhuang as we will take high-speed train to Urumqi, a pivotal city along the Silk Road.

We will drive 1.5 hours to entrance of the Heavenly Lake about 08:30, following is the 40-minutes shuttle bus twisting through the picturesque Tianshan mountains to the edge of the Lake. Either Trek around the lake, enjoy the boating cruise, or even take the cable car to the explore the Maya Mountain for the incredible view of Bogoda Peak. 

Then drive to Fuyun county. On the way, you can enjoy the stunning Huoshaoshan (Burning Mountain), where you will witness a sea of red, caused by burnt rocks that look as if they are still burning along the hills.

Throw yourself into visiting Keketuohai National Geological Park this morning. Keketuohai National Geological Park is famous for its mines and deposits sites. You will be amazed by the natural scenery consisting of valleys, rivers and mine pit. 

Thereafter, drive to Burqin for 3.5hrs and then enjoy the sunset in Five-Colored Beach, Walk into the colorful Beach, you will feel as if in a dream world. The unique lava landscape consisted of purplish red, vandyke red, yellow and light green mudstone, sandstone and gravel. this is the most beautiful colorful Beach, masterpiece of nature, and miracle of Burqin. After that, check in the hotel and have a good rest.

Today we will still enjoy the scenery of Kanas Nature Reserve, It is the most beautiful mountain lake you have never seen. The lake takes on different colors following the four seasons of the year, sometimes it's crystal blue, sometimes it's dark green, or even gray. Afternoon head to Burqin.

After breakfast, we’ll take the coach to Hemu village passed through some beautiful grasslands and zigzag mountain roads line up by pine trees. Upon arriving Hemu Village. Stroll along the Hemu river to the deep of the vast grassland. You can experience the particular life of Tuwa people and appreciate the original charming scenery here. It is fancy experience to stay a night in the house  built with rough timber which has a primitive taste.

Get up early to climb up wooden steps to reach the grassland on the hill to enjoy the gorgeous sunrise. Scenery at the hill top overlooking the whole village, wooden houses, birch trees and the green colors river meandering its way in the village is really majestic.

Riding horse to enjoy the sunrise highly recommended. 

After lunch drive 5 or 6 hours to the Urho Ghost City, one of the famous yardang landform in China, caused by strong howling wind and erosion. The various strange shapes formed by the wind erosion make you connect them with pagodas, temples, animals, etc.

Continue heading to Karamy. Upon arrival, checking in the hotel and relax with the rest of day.

After breakfast, drive 4hrs to visit the Sayram Lake, the largest alpine lake in Xinjiang. Stroll around the lake and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery. Then cross the Guozigou(fruit valley), hike around the valley, step on the wooden deck trails, that will lead you to the most scenic spots with views of Guozigou Bridge and Lake

After lunch in the Yurts of the local Kazahks Family, continue our driving to Yili and you will have the opportunity to enjoy the Lavender Farm en route from June to Sept.

Drive 4hrs this morning to see a typical river bed grassland—Naraty Grassland, one of four famous grassland in the world.

Prairie is as beautiful as in a poem or a picture. There are springs densely distributed here. Every year, from May to September, with flowers all blossoming out here and numerous herds gathering around, a great number of tourists domestic and abroad are attracted here. The Narat Prairie is also called "Deer Garden" in history and an ideal place for people of the pasture to exchange materials and hold cultural activities.

Ride the horse in the vast grassland. Explore the traditional Kazakh way of life is also an activity that you can't miss in this place.

Enjoy the sunrise in the morning and head to Bayinbuluk by car(3hrs) to explore another grassland scenery in Bayanbulak Grassland, which is the second largest grassland in China. There are verdant grass, flock of sheep and various plants. A fairyland which is worth for you to spend your time here. Then we are going to Swan Lake, the unique natural reserve for swan in China. It is the paradise of flocks of wild swan.

Please note you will need special Xinjiang Travel Permit to Bayinbuluk which will be applied 4months in prior.

Today we leave Bayinbuluk Grassland for Kuqa along the Dushanzi-kuqa highway with 3 hours ride. On the road we can enjoy the stunning scenery.

On arrival, visit the Tianshan Great Canyon, the excellent geological park all over the world. It recorded the whole process of crustal movement in Xinjiang during the past 400 million years.

After lunch, continue to visit Kuqa Mosque, the second Mosque in Xinjiang, situated to the north of the old city of Kuqa county downtown. At dusk, wander around the Kuqa Old Town to explore the local culture and history.

In the evening, taste local delicacies before having a good rest in the hotel

Say goodbye to Kuqa and drive 5 or 6hrs to Korla, which is known as the "City of Pears" and the "City of Petroleum".

Explore Iron Gate in suburbs of Korla, an important fortress of the ancient Silk Road. You will be told some stories about the glorious city's past.

Then you will walk along the Peacock River which water comes from Bosten Lake. Two thousand years ago, the river stretched into Lop Nur and raised the people of Loulan Ancient City. After dinner, stroll through the city at your own pace and spend a free evening night.

Morning breakfast at the hotel, then we will drive to the hottest place in China—Turpan. It is an important city on the branch of ancient silk road from Kumul to Kashgar and also one of the centers of the Uighur cultures. The amphisarca in this place is very sweet and raisin is sold around the world. You are strongly recommended buying some raisin to home. Dinner will be arranged in local Uighur Family.

Today you will have a full day to explore this fertile oasis. Pay a visit to Karez Well irrigation system that produce the best melons and grapes in China. Following is the visiting to Sugong Minaret, a conduit for cultural exchange between different ethnic and religious groups.

Afterwards explore Jiaohe Ruins, resembles Pompeii, but 300 years older, where you can experience the way of life of the Uighur ancestors.

Drive to the capital city of Xinjiang- Urumqi to visit the Grand International Bazaar where  you can watch Uighur dance show and taste local delicacies.

Today you will say goodbye to Urumqi, be transferred based on your flight or train schedule. Wish you a pleasant journey home!