14 Days Fascinating Maritime Silk Road to Xi'an Dunhuang and Xinjiang

Welcome to Guangzhou, the capital city of Guanzhou Province in the south of China as well as the pivoty of maritime silk road. There are aboundant fabulous natural sceneries, vivid regional bulidings reflecting historical cultures, and famous cantonese cuisine. All these things are worth for you to visit.

Upon arrival, you will pick up and transfer to check  in the hotel. Relax and have a good rest for your tomorrow's travel.

Full day Guangzhou tour. The day begins with visiting Yuexiu Park, a great combination of cultural relics and natural scenery. Enjoy the natural beauty of the park on passage. Then visit Five Rams Stone Statue which is located at the top of Yuexiu Hill. The statue is the symbol of Guangzhou. Thereafter take a visit to one of the earliest China's museum Guangzhou Museum in Zhenhai Tower of Yuexiu Park. Lunch is arranged in the local restaurant for contonese cuisine.

Continue to visit Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family, "a symmetric complex consist of 19 bulidings with nine halls and six courtyards". The academy, as the epitome of traditional Chinese architecture, has a great influence on te world's architectural development. Free time for you to stroll at Shamian Island and Qingping Market to see local people's life.

Take a morning flight about 1hr to Xiamen, the most leisurely city in China. You will be transferred to check in the hotel after your arrival. Then kick off your day to discover Xiamen.

The first stop is South Putuo Temple, first built in the Tang Dynasty (618—907). It is famous for its collection of Buddhist cultural relics, such as a Burmese jade carving of the Buddha and some important Buddhist texts.  Then climb up to the Wulao Peak, you can enjoy a bird's eye-view of Xiamen University and Xiamen Port.

Then you will head to Gulangyu Island. On your way to Gulangyu Island, you will stop off to visit Hulishan Fortress with architecture mainly integrating the styles of the Ming and Qing dynasties built in 1891. It is famous for having both the biggest and smallest cannons in the world. Then continue to the Island. Have a leisurely stroll around Gulangyu Island to appreciate old consulates, churches and other European-style buildings. You will also visit two attractions on the island: Sunlight Rock Park and Shuzhuang Garden. Rest of the day is free for you at leisure.

Morning drive about 3hrs to Tianluokeng Tulou in Zhangzhou City situated in southeasten Fujian. Formed by one square Buyulou with three round and one oval surrounded, it is famous for its specific cultural value and architectural style.

Continue journey west towards Taxia Village which is a typical Hakka village lying in the valley of Nanjing County. It is regarded as one of the 15 most beautiful villages in China for its fascinating natural scenery. Walk along the village to experice the comfortable way of Hakka people’s life.

Drive back to Xiamen and prepare for the next tour to Wuyi Mountain.

Spend about 3hrs to Wuyishan City by high speed train and another 20mins drving to visit the stunning vire of Wuyishan Scenic Area. 

You will stand a chance climbing up the Tianyou Peak and get to know some Taoist culture. Wuyi Mountain is also the original production place of Chinese tea Da Hung Pao, one of Top Ten Famous Tea in China. You will witness the magnificent view of tea garden. Then your driver will transfer you to check in the hotel. Rest of the day is free for you at leisure.

Another glorious travel day in Wuyishan City by cruising down Jiuqu Stream to see the gorgeous scenery covering lofty mountains, lush plants, clear sky and crystal water. The Danxia Landform along the stream is a must-see spot of Mount Wuyi. Hanging coffins with a history of more than 3,000 years are also worth for you to explore. Hanging coffin is the model of ancient Fujian culture and how they hang on the cliff is still a riddle. Then you will visit Song Ancient Street and Wuyi Palace near the terminal of Jiuqu Stream.

Afterwards you will take a visit to Xiamei Ancient Village where the buildings can be traced back to Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties. Most of the bulidings are well preserved built with brick and wood and delicating with stone sculptures. Walk in this tranquil village and enjoy the easygoing time.

Farewell to Wuyishan City and take a morning flight to Xian(2.5hrs), the capital city of Shanxi Province and the gateway to northwest China. It is an ancient city with a long history and colorful culture, remaining many historical sites worth visiting. 

You will first visit Shaanxi History Museum, a treasure trove for anyone interested in the art facts of Chinese history. Exhibits numerous unearthed cultural artifacts and represents the imposing image of a 13-dynasties capital.

Afterwards, head up to the Ancient City Wall, the most well-preserved city wall and the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. It is an amazing to wander along the city wall with the bird's-eye view of Xi’an. Then drive you to check in the hotel and you must have a good sleep after this long day.

Today is an another day to explore the history and culture in Xi'an. Tour starts at 08:00 and then drive 1 hour to get close to the incredible Terracotta Warriors in China’s first Emperor’s Tomb built 2300 years ago,the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century.

After lunch in the local restaurant, head to ancient architecture and a holy place for Buddhists- Big Goose Pagoda,The restored Buddha and building are beautiful with spectacular timber work and gilded features are recently built by donors, they make a fine job of explaining the role of Buddhism in China’s history.

Afterwards, wandering through the tight and interesting Muslim Quarter Streets to experience the local lifestyle. Street vendors selling all sorts of goods from souvenirs, hand crafted products and local snacks. You need to bargain with the vendors if you are buying goods.

Today take the morning flight to Jiayuguan, then 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. It was also an important traffic hub along the Silk Road, the oldest worldwide trading route.

Today Continue tour to the Dunhuang, on the way you will visit the non-touristy Yulin Grottoes built from 7-14AD after 2hrs driving, relax walking by the side of the Yulin River and enjoy 6-7 caves which paintings are generally in good shape,especially the green blue colour of paintings are original and very rare.

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.

Say goodbye to Duhuang, you will drive for 2hrs to Liuyuan Station and take a high speed train to Turpan at noon(3hrs). 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.

Our first stop is BezkIlik Thousand Buddha Caves located in the center of Flaming Mountains. Then continue to Tuyoq Valley, an ancient oasis-village. We will have lunch in the local Uighur family before exploring this traditional village surrounded by the impressive grape trellis and the stories of the adventurers all of the world.

About 3pm, head up to the 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.

Today's tour end up with the 2hrs’s exploration of 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. Relax with free time for the rest of the day. If the group is less than 4 persons, we may use high-speed train for transfer.

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. Lunch will be arranged in the Yurt of the local Kazakhs.

Back to Urumqi and head to Xinjiang Regional Museum, where are many archaeological treasures of the Silk Road and Xinjiang's minority cultures. You will learn about the history of Xinjiang and its peculiar ethnic customs. If time allowed, you will visit Grand International Bazaar and have dinner there.

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