14 Days China Silk Road Tour (Xian-Gansu-Ningxia-Xinjiang)
Tour Overview
This tour offers a journey through the historical Silk Road, exploring the diverse cultures and significant historical sites along the route. Tour Highlights Xi’an: Discover the iconic Terra Cotta...
Code of Tour: CDT0000092549
Length of Travel: No Data
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Features of Tour:
This tour offers a journey through the historical Silk Road, exploring the diverse cultures and significant historical sites along the route.
Tour Highlights
- Xi’an: Discover the iconic Terra Cotta Warriors, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Lanzhou: Visit the Xiguan Mosque and experience the beauty of the Yellow River and Zhongshan Bridge.
- Yinchuan: Explore the Helanshan Rock Carvings and the Western Xia Tombs.
- Dunhuang: Marvel at the Mogao Caves and enjoy the natural beauty of the Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Moon Spring.
- Turpan: Visit historical sites such as the Ancient City of Jiaohe, Karez Irrigation System, and the Emin Minaret.
- Urumqi: Experience the Xinjiang Museum and vibrant Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar.
- Kashgar: Explore the Apa Hoja Mausoleum and the old town.
- Karakul Lake: Take a scenic day trip to Karakul Lake, nestled in the Pamir Plateau.
Brief Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Xian
- Day 2: Xian
- Day 3: Xian-Lanzhou
- Day 4: Lanzhou-Yinchuan
- Day 5: Yinchuan
- Day 6: Yinchuan to Dunhuang by overnight train
- Day 7: Dunhuang
- Day 8: Dunhuang to Turpan by bullet train
- Day 9: Turpan
- Day 10: Urumqi to Tianchi, fly to Kashgar
- Day 12: Kashgar
- Day 13: Kashgar to Karakul Lake day trip
- Day 14: Departure from Kashgar
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Xi’an
Welcome to Xi’an, the historical city on the Silk Road. Upon arrival Xi’an, you will be met and transferred to hotel in Xi’an.
Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Xi’an
Day 2: Xi’an: Terra Cotta Warriors, City Wall
This morning, you will visit the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum. In the afternoon, we will guide you to explore the old City Wall.
Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Xian
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3: Xi’an to Lanzhou by bullet train
Visiting the Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the morning, and then transfer to Lanzhou by bullet train.
Transport: Private Vehicle + Bullet Train
Accommodation: Overnight in Lanzhou
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Lanzhou to Yinchuan by car
We will guide you to visit the Yellow River, Zhongshan Bridge, and water wheel park, then transfer to Yinchuan.
Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Yinchuan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: Yinchuan: Helanshan Rock Carvings, Western Xia Tombs
You will visit the Helanshan Rock Carvings in the morning and follow by exploring Western Xia Tombs.
Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Yinchuan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6: Yinchuan to Dunhuang by overnight train
You will spend a day to visit Yinchuan Drum Tower, and then Yuhuang Pavilion, also Chengtian Temple Pagoda. Later,you will catch overnight train to Dunhuang.
Transport: Private Vehicle + Overnight Train
Accommodation: Overnight on the soft sleeper train
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7: Dunhuang: Mogao Caves and Minsha Shan
In the morning, you will visit Mogao Caves, the gem of the ancient Silk Road. The early history of Mogao can be track back to the 4th century, and built many times in the histoty. The colorful fresco, statues in Mogao Caves display various stories about Buddhism. Afterwards, you will visit the Minsha Shan or Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Moon Spring this afternoon, where you have opportunity to ride the camel.
In the evening, you can explore the night market or watch the Dunhuang performance at the theater.
Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Dunhuang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8: Dunhuang to Turpan by bullet train
Today you will visit Dunhuang Museum (close on Monday), which is a new museum to exhibit he history, relics, antiques, paintings and statues in Dunhuang area on the Silk Road.
Afterwards, you will take 2-hour ride to Liuyuan where you will catch 3-hour bullet train to Turpan.
Transport: Private Vehicle + Bullet Train
Accommodation: Overnight in Turpan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9: Explore Turpan
Turpan is a hub on the ancient Silk Road, and there are lots of historical sites that are renowned for its well-preserved conditions.
Today you will visit Bezklik Thousand Buddha Caves, Astana Ancient Tombs, the Ancient City of Jiaohe and Gaochang, Karez Irrigation System, and Emin Minaret with a local guide.
You may taste some dried fruits and eat Uyghur food at the lunchtime.
Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Turpan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10: Turpan to Urumqi by car, visit Xinjiang Museum
You will take a 3-hour ride to Urumqi where you will visit Xinjiang Museum(close on Mondays), mummies are a must-see in it, particularly the Loulan Beauty and Xiaohe Beauty.
Afterwards you will visit the well-known Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar where you can purchase all sorts of souvenirs. Later, you will be transferred to the hotel in Urumqi for a rest.
Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Urumqi
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Urumqi to Tianchi, fly to Kashgar
This morning you will take 1-hour ride to Heavenly Lake, or Tianchi in Chinese, which is a high mountain lake with stunning scenery in the Tianshan Mountains, a world natural heritage.
Then you will catch 2-hour flight to Kashgar. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to hotel.
Transport: Private vehicle + Flight
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12: Kashgar city explore
Today it is a busy day to explore Kashgar with a local guide. You will take the city tour by the first stop to visit the Apa Hoja Mausoleum which was built in 1640 by local Imam for his father, and later it became a family graveyard to bury 72 people for 5 generations. The mausoleum is impressive for its delicate Uyghur architectural style including the blue tiles, the dome and the minaret.
Next, you will visit Kashgar old town to explore the interesting area where there are old houses for shops, workshops, restaurants, bakery, and tea houses etc. It displays the long history and vivid lifestyle in Kashgar from ancient Silk Road period to today. You will also visit the old Id Ghar Mosque, the biggest mosque in Xinjiang.
Lunch is arranged at a local Uyghur’s house for you to taste the authentic and traditional Uyghur food including nang bread, hand-stretched noodles, and pilau…etc.
The animal bazaar is relocated near Kashgar Airport and opens only on Sundays. If it is Sunday, you will also visit the Animal Bazaar.
Later, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 13: Kashgar to Karakul Lake day trip
Today you will take about 4 hours by a private vehicle departing from Kashgar to Karakul Lake. You will drive along the renowned friendship highway to Pamir Plateau. On the way, you will stop at Upar Uyghur town to buy some snacks and fruits before heading to the mountains. Then you will view the pretty White Sand Lake that looks like a mirror reflecting the snow-capped mountains on the lake water. After lunch, you will wander around the stunning Karakul Lake(3600 meter), which is situated beside Muztagh Summit. The mountain, the lake and the yurt around the lake create a picture of paradise.
Later, you will be transferred back to Kashgar.
Service Included:
- Admission fees for all sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary.
- Meals as listed in the itinerary.
- Hotels as listed in the itinerary.
- Private English-speaking tour guide.
- Private vehicle for transfers & sightseeing with skilled driver.
- Service charge & government taxes.
- Luggage transfers between airports and hotels.
- Domestic train tickets of soft sleeper.
Service Excluded:
- Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets.
- Single room supplement.
- Tips to guides and drivers.
- Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff.
- Personal travel accident insurance.
- All optional programs.
