10 Days Silk Road Tour: Xi'an to Urumqi

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

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.

Then back 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.

First we pay a visit to Shaanxi History Museum, a treasure trove for anyone interested in the art facts of Chinese history. Exhibit numerous unearthed cultural artifacts and represent 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 amazing to wander along the city wall with the bird's-eye view of Xi'an

After dinner, take the high speed train to Lanzhou (3hrs).

With a early start today, we will arrive Binlings 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.

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

After breakfast, take you to visit the Binggou Danxia, which is an important component of Danxia National Geopark in Zhangye. It is the one of the most complete and unique shapes in China.

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.

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, economies, 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 and we will take high-speed train to Turpan.

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 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 Uygur 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 Lakeabout 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!