15 Days Silk Road and Tibet Adventure

Welcome to Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region and the farthest land from any ocean.  It is the heaven of travelers for its beautiful natural scenery, profound cultural deposits and special local customs and practices. Upon arrival, be transferred to the hotel and check in. The rest of day is free at leisure.

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 Grand International Bazaar where you can watch Uygur dance show and taste local delicacies.

With an early start today at 08:00. Drive all the way to Oasis Turpan that we will pass by the wind power station and vast Gobi desert in 3hrs.

Our first stop is BezkIlik Thousand Buddha Caves located in the center of  Flaming Mountain.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 Pompei,but 300 years older, a Chinese archaeological site found in the Yarnaz Valley, 10 km west of the city of Turpan and a natural fortress located atop a steep cliff on a leaf-shaped plateau between two deep river valleys where you can experience the way of life of the Uighur ancestors.

If the group is less than 4 persons,we may use high-speed train for transfer.

Morning after breakfast, 3hrs train ride 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 drive 3-4hrs to Jiayuguan, a city with profound history and culture relics. Check in the hotel and rest of the day is free at leisure.

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. It was also an important traffic hub along the Silk Road, the oldest worldwide trading route.

After that, you will explore the Great Wall Museum, which was opened to the public in October 1989 and it is the first one to exhibit the Great Wall culture in a comprehensive and systematic way. 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, 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.

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

Then we will drive to Xining and pay a visit to the Buddhist architectural masterpiece—Ta'er Monastery(kumbum Monastery),an ancient Tibetan gompa founded in 1583. You will be taken to catch a whole sight of this delicate complex and get close to the inner design knowing about its decoration, mural etc. Witness Buddhist believers undertaking religious activities is also a good experience.

Departure early around 07:00, we will drive 3hrs to Qinghai Lake with the stunning view along the way. You will be amazed by the scenery of this highland lake, it is also interesting to see the grazing animals - sheep, goats, duos, horses.You can ride a bike or cruise around the lake to taking in the wonderful landscape here.

In the afternoon back to Xining, check in the hotel and have a good rest.

Journey west to Tibet by train for 21hrs along the world's highest  Qinghai-Tibet railway. Some 960 kilometers of its tracks are located 4,000 meters above sea level and the highest point is 5,072 meters. You can experience stunning scenery along the road in the train

Tibet is called the“the roof of the world”with the Mount Everest, and you will travel in this unparalleled land for 4 days. 

After disembark the train at Lhasa station, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to check in the hotel. You must be tired after a long train ride, therefore, having a good rest and adapting to altitude stress at the average sea level of 3，658 meters. 

Then stroll along the must-visit Barkor Street with 1.5 kilometers length and 9 meters width where vendors sell various goods including snakes, gifts,and cosmetics.

In the evening, return to the hotel and refresh up.

A full day will arrange for you to explore Lhasa city. At 8.00, you will drive for 20mins to visit Potala Palace, which is the landmark of Tibet for its long history and delicate architecture. Standing at the top of the palace, you can take in everything of Lhasa city and plateau scenery far away at a glance. You will also see a lot of splendid artworks and religious treasures here. 

Afterwards, drive another 20mins to the Jokhang Temple, a building built in  7 century by absorbing the architecture style of Tibetan, India and Nepal. You will know something about the past Tibet through visiting various statues and wall paintings. 

Return to the hotel and have a good rest.

Today is another day to explore Lhasa. Budget 3hrs at Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet located at the foot of Mount Gephel. It is the Tibetan Buddhism(Gelug) monastery and one of the “great three” monasteries in Tibet. You will have an opportunity learning some history and culture of Gelug as well as the magnificent view of a large number of white buildings like a heap of rice lying in the hillside.

Then head to another Gelug monastery-Sera Monastery. There you will successively visit The Great Assembly Hall, Je Dratsang and Me Dratsang in this building. The most interesting activities here is watching monks debating at courtyard by listening them argue some knowledge about Buddhism.

Back to the hotel and enjoy a good night.

Today you will head to next place Gyantse with a distance of 300kms for driving 4.5hrs. On the way, you will stop to visit Yamdrok Lake- a beautiful freshwater lake in the south of Tibet. It is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, lush meadows and lively animals. Wander around the lake, breath the fresh air and enjoy your leisure time at lakeside. Continue your trip and reach the beautiful Karola Glacier, take a short stop and get close to the natural overwhelming glaciers.

Then arrive in Gyantse to visit a different style of monastery in Tibet—Pelkor Monastery. You will explore the different Zhacangs to witness the life of monks. Later stroll to Gyantse Kumbum to see Buddha stupa where 100,000 images about major religious figure sculptures and wall paintings is here. If you want to have a better knowledge of Buddhist culture, you cannot miss this spot.

Afterwards drive for 1hr to Shigatse which is 100kms away from Gyantse. Check in the hotel and rest of day is free at leisure.

Today get up early to visit one of the four major monasteries in Tibet—Tashilunpo Monastery founded in 15th century by first Dalai Lama Gedun Dropa. There you can visit chapel Jampa, tomb stupas of fourth and tenth Panchen Lama and assemble halls etc. Then you will have a river view of Brahmaputra to experience the spectacular geological landscape.

In the afternoon, you will drive back to Lhasa, which will take around 6 hours(Shigatse to Lhasa's transfer perhaps by train). Check in the hotel and prepare for your tomorrow's departure.

Today our journey comes to an end after a good breakfast. You will be transferred to the airport or train station based on your schedule.