9 Days Silk Road Tour and Kanas Lake Adventure from Dunhuang to Urumqi

The silk road is not only the “national highway” linking China and the west, but also an international channel for economic and cultural exchanges throughout the ancient world. This tour will take you explore the historical towns and ruins along the way from Dunhuang to Urumqi, as well as the beautiful lake in northern Xinjiang - Kanas Lake.

Highlights:

• Visit the glittering pearl that adorns the Silk Road – Mogao Grottoes.
• Experience the heat of “fire land” – Turpan.
• Enjoy the stunning views of this peaceful and colorful lake – Kanas Lake.
• Learn the folklore of Tuwa Pepole in Hemu village.

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Brief Itinerary

• Day 1: Dunhuang
• Day 2: Dunhuang - Turpan
• Day 3: Turpan
• Day 4: Turpan - Urumqi
• Day 5: Urumqi - Burqin
• Day 6: Burqin - Kanas
• Day 7: Kanas - Burqin
• Day 8: Burqin - Urumqi
• Day 9: Urumqi Departure

Google Map

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Dunhuang Arrival

Sightseeing and Activities: Shazhou Night Market
Accommodation: Dunhuang
Meals:

Upon your arrival, tour guide will pick you up from airport or train station and then transfer to your hotel in Dunhuang city. Have a rest and we will visit Shazhou Night Market in the evening.

Day 2 Dunhuang - Turpan

Sightseeing and Activities: Mogao Grottoes, Echoing-Sand Mountain, the Crescent Lake
Accommodation: Overnight Train
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, our local guide will pick you up from your hotel. Then we will head to visit Mogao Grottoes that is known as “The Thousand Buddha Cave”, and noted as one of the most important cultural and historical sites in China.

In the afternoon, drive to Crescent Moon Spring, which is an oasis in the Gobi Desert. Enjoy the rare view where an oasis meets the desert and have some fun sand adventure. After that, ride camels across the sand dunes to Minsha Mountain which can make sounds when the wind passes.

After the visit, take an overnight soft sleeper to Turpan.

Day 3 Turpan

Sightseeing and Activities: Astana Graves, Bezklik Grotto, the Flaming Mountain
Accommodation: Turpan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Upon your Turpan Arrival, local tour guide will transfer you to hotel and have a short rest. Then head to visit Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, a complex of Buddhist cave grottos. Move on to Astana Graves, an underground cemetery of ancient Gaochang residents, which is considered to be one of the humblest burial sites in China.

On the way back to Turpan, pass the Flaming Mountain and enjoy the flame-like landscape.

Day 4 Turpan to Urumqi

Sightseeing and Activities: Jiaohe Ruined, Karez Irrigation system, Sugong Minaret, Grand Bazaar
Accommodation: Urumqi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today drive to visit Jiaohe Ruined city, Karez Irrigation system and Sugong Minaret.

After the visit, have lunch in Turpan and then drive to Urumqi for visiting Erdaoqiao International Bazaar. Erdaoqiao Market is the largest retail and wholesale market for ethnic minority goods in Xinjiang.

Day 5 Urumqi - Burqin

Sightseeing and Activities: Karamay wild animal protection zone
Accommodation: Burqin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning, drive to Burqin county. It will take about 10 hours and through Kurbantonggut desert. Stop at Karamay wild animal protection zone for a visit. Have dinner at local famous night market at your own expense.

Day 6 Burqin - Kanas

Sightseeing and Activities: Kanas Lake
Accommodation: Kanas lake
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast at hotel, head to Kanas Lake. Have a short visit to multi-colored beach on the way and arrive in the entrance of Kanas lake - Jiadengyu at about 11:00am. Take 1-hour shuttle bus around the lake area.

After the shuttle bus tour, hiking along the kanas River and take a boat if you like(optional). Or visit watch tower to see the whole view of the Kanas Lake area, which takes around 3-4 hours.

Day 7 Kanas - Burqin

Sightseeing and Activities: Hemu village
Accommodation: Burqin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Drive to Hemu village after breakfast. Located at the south bank of the Kanas Lake, Hemu village is the gathering of local Tuwa people. Hemu is a rather primitive village, with all wooden houses here. The most famous is the amazing scenery in autumn.

Day 8 Burqin - Urumqi

Sightseeing and Activities: Urho Ghost City
Accommodation: Urumqi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning, drive along the Gurbantunggut Desert to the Urho Ghost City. The strange shapes of the various strange landscapes were created by strong wind and erosion. Then drive through Karamay city and to Urumqi.

Day 9 Urumqi Departure

Sightseeing and Activities:
Accommodation:
Meals: Breakfast

Be escorted to the airport for your next destination. Service ends.

Service Included:

• Admission fees for all of the 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;
• Chinese visa fees;
• Excess baggage charged by Airlines;
• Single room supplement;
• Tips to guides and drivers;
• Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
• Personal travel accident insurance;
• All optional programs.

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Included & Excluded

Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;

Meals as listed in the itinerary;

Accommodations: hotels based on twin occupancy as specified(Except day tours);

Sharing English-speaking tour guide;

Sharing vehicle for transfers & sightseeing with skilled driver;

Service charge & government taxes;

Luggage transfers between airports and hotels;

Domestic train tickets of soft sleeper.

Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;

Chinese visa fees;

Excess baggage charged by Airlines;

Single room supplement;

Tips to guides and drivers;

Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;

Personal travel accident insurance;

All optional programs.