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.

Breakfast at the hotel, then you will be transferred to the train station to catch the train to Zhangye. Your guide will accompany you to the Grand Buddha Temple, which is the important place of the Silk Road. Midway in the Hexi Corridor along the Silk Road lies the historic city of Zhangye, the centerpiece of which is the mysterious Giant Buddha Temple. Located in the southwest corner of Zhangye in Gansu Province, the Giant Buddha Temple is the largest architectural relic in Gansu Province of the Western Xia (1038-1227) period. you will see the largest and well-preserved reclining Buddha in this temple. Then we will head to visit the Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, which is the most typical arid area of northern China. Ribbons of reds, oranges and yellows slice through the rock, to create a rainbow vista contained only by the contours of the jagged mountain peaks. so many people also call it "Rainbow Mountain". After visiting, we will transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

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)

Today we are driving to Dunhuang to visit Mountaion & Crescent Lake, where is famous for the constant sound of the moving sand. The lake's name derives from the crescent moon shape taken by the pool of spring water between two large sand dunes. You can ride the camels for 40mins to experience the beautiful desert scenery in the sunset. It is also fun to climb up to the top of the sand dune by the ladders to have the bird-view of the park and slide down to the bottom. 

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

After breakfast, let's visit the world famous Mogao Grottoes, which was designated as a world cultural heritage by UNESCO for its 1600 years accumulated cultural, architectural, and art treasures. There remains 492 cave temple and 45000 square meters of frescos. According to Tang Dynasty records, a monk had witnessed onsite a vision of thousand Buddhas under showers of golden rays. Thus inspired, he started the caves construction work that spanned ten dynasties. Mogao Caves are commonly known as the Caves of a Thousand Buddhas. At 17:00hr, we embark the 'China Orient Express' Charter Luxury Train to Turpan.

With an early start today our first stop Tuyoq Valley, an ancient oasis-village. We will have lunch in the local Uygur 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.

After visiting, driving to the capital city of Xinjiang- Urumqi

Morning your driver will pick you up from your hotel. Then driving to visit the Heavenly Lake, a picturesque Alpine lake, 2000m up in the Tianshan mountain range. Heavenly Lake is a long and narrow gourd-shaped moraine lake, 3400 meters long, about 1500 meters wide, 105 meters at the deepest point, with an average depth of 40 meters, covering an area of about 5.9 square kilometers. There are eight beautiful scenic spots in the lake scenic area. Then 2 peolpe back to Urumqi and the other 8 paople drive to Fuyun for overnight stay

Welcome to Fuyun. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting in the hotel lobby and you will start your trip from Keketuohai National Geological Park. Then you will see "Haizi Kou" and explore the Tunnel of Mine No 3, which comprises of many types of minerals. Thereafter, travel to Burqin and pay a visit to the marvelous 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.
In the evening, you can walk around the street in Burqin, enjoy your leisure time and tasty snacks. And we will spend the night in Burqin.

We have to start the tour in the very early morning, and then drive along the mountain road to Kanas Nature Reserve, China's only European-like ecological site that has been awarded the title of the "Pure Land of the World" due to its unspoiled natural scenery. En-route, visit Kanas Lake. Upon arrival have lunch and then change the shuttle bus to the inside of the Reserve to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Later afternoon back to Jiadengyu district to check into the hotel. Dinner and rest.

Today we will take the coach to Hemu village, which is also known as the first village in China, the Scenic Spot is located in Burqin County, Altay District, about 30 kilometres east of Kanas Lake. It is an exquisite and unique wooden house village with a small bridge and magnificent scenery. Meanwhile, you can also experience the unique lifestyle of Tuvas, which is quite worth to visit.

Today we will head to Karamay, the famous oil city, and travel along the Gurbantunggut Desert to the Urho Ghost City, also known as "Wuerhe Wind City", a unique wind-eroded geological area commonly referred to as "wind city" because of the frequent howling winds. This is the most beautiful Yadan Landform in the region. When we arrive at the entrance, we will take the shuttle bus to  visit the entire Ghost city, which is shaped like a small train.

Today you will say goodbye to Urho and drive to Urumqi. Upon arrival, transfer to airport or train station based on your flight/train schedule. Wish you a pleasant journey home!