11-day Silk Road Odyssey Tour

Tour Itinerary

• DAY 1 Lanzhou

  Transfer via: flight - your arrangement.

  Activities for today: Airport to hotel transfer

  You will take a flight to Lanzhou today. Our local guide will expect you outside the arrival hall of the airport and transfer you to the hotel in downtown Lanzhou.

• DAY 2 Lanzhou/Zhangye

  Activities for today: Leitai Han Tombs, Temple of Confucius Wuwei

  Today we will drive you to Wuwei. Here, you could tour around the Leitai Han Tomb about 1,800 years ago, which is famous for the bronze statue Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow. Then, go to the Confucius Temple which is the largest and best-preserved of its kind in northwest China. After that, transfer to Zhangye and check in your hotel.

  

  

  
• DAY 3 Zhangye/Jiayuguan

  Activities for today: Giant Buddha Temple, Zhangye Museum, Zhangye National Geopark (Danxia Landform)

  Today, you will first visit the Giant Buddha Temple. Built in 1098, the temple is said to be where Kublai Khan was born, collecting the largest indoor clay reclined Buddha in Asia, the rare hand-written classics of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) and thousands of cultural relics. Then continue to visit the Zhangye Museum to explore the history of this city. Housing more than 10,000 exhibitions, the museum plays a very important role in promoting the culture publicity and exchange. Finally we will transfer you to visit Zhangye National Geopark.

  

  

  
• DAY 4 Jiayuguan/Dunhuang

  Activities for today: Jiayuguan Pass, Wei-jin Art Gallery, Echoing-Sand Dune, Crescent Lake

  Continuously going westward, you could arrive in Jiayuguan City and visit the famous Jiayuguan Pass. Reputed as "the Greatest Pass under Heaven", Jiayuguan Pass is one of the most important and majestic military fortresses along China Great Wall. Then move on to the Wei-Jin Art Gallery. Namely Wei-Jin Mural Brick Tomb, it is a huge tomb group of more than 1,400 tombs built between the 3rd and 5th century during the Wei and Jin dynasties. Regarded as the largest subterranean gallery in the world, it houses vast collection of murals which reflect the unique culture about 1,500 years ago. Then go visit the Echoing-Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake. As its name indicates, the sand in the Echoing-Sand Mountain echoes when wind blows or when you slide down the slope of the mountain. Amongst the endless sands, there is the Crescent Lake which resembles a crescent naturally. The most amazing part is that for thousands of years, it does not dry up because of the movement of the desert.
  
  Note: the camel-ride is optional. The riding is along the Echoing-Sand Mountain to reach the Crescent Lake. The price is RMB 100/pp for 50 minutes.

  

  

  
• DAY 5 Dunhuang

  Activities for today: Yumen Guan Pass, Dunhuang Yardan National Geopark

  Enjoy your hotel breakfast, then drive to visit Yumen Guan Pass. After that, proceed to exploring Dunhuang Yardan National Geopark (including shuttle bus). (today drive about 380 km).

  

  

  
• DAY 6 Dunhuang/Turpan

  Transfer via: High-speed train for 2nd class - our arrangement. Ref. D2701 (15:13 - 18:46)

  Activities for today: Mogao Grottoes, Dunhuang Museum, train station transfer, Uygur family visit

  Today's highlight is the noted Mogao Caves treasuring exquisite murals and Buddhist statues. The excavation was started between 3rd and 5th century during the Jin Dynasty and continued in the following dynasties. Now there are altogether 735 grottoes, 45,000 square meters (about 53,820 square yards) murals and 2,415 colorful Buddhist statues. The second stop of the day is Dunhuang Museum where you will learn more about Dunhuang City and the development of the ancient Silk Road. Then say goodbye to your Gansu tour guide and driver at the train station. Upon your arrival at Turpan railway station, our Xinjiang guide and driver will meet you and take you to visit a local family of Uygur. You will visit their vineyard and enjoy dinner with the family.
  
  Note: There is a time difference (2 hours) between Xinjiang and Gansu (or other Chinese provinces). Usually, the local people have dinner after 20:00 (Beijing Time)

  

  

  
• DAY 7 Turpan

  Activities for today: Jiaohe Ancient City, Karez Well, Emin Minaret

  After having breakfast in the hotel, you will go to visit the Ancient City of Jiaohe (including 4 WD). In the ancient city with 2,300 years of history, you can still find the past glory from the ruins. After that, go on to the Karez Well (Karez System) which has played an important role in irrigation and potable water supply of this area for 4,000 years. The last stop is the Emin Minaret (aka Su Gong Ta) which is a 44-meter-high conical pagoda with strong Islamic flavor. Built in 1777, it is the largest ancient tower in Xinjiang.

  

  

  
• DAY 8 Turpan/Urumqi

  Activities for today: Baizikeli Thousand Buddha Cave, Gaochang Ancient City, Flaming Hill (by car)

  Your private Turpan tour will be extended to the Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Caves and the Ancient City of Gaochang and the Flaming Mountain. The Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Caves were first excavated in the Southern and Northern Dynasties (4th to 6th century) and finished in the 13th century during the Yuan Dynasty. The colorful murals and vivid Buddhist statues show the development of Buddhism and the history of this area. Gaochang is another ruin of ancient city in Turpan. Though has a history of more than 2,000 years, the ancient city is still standing there with clear outline. Not far from the Ancient City of Gaochang is the Flaming Mountain where the temperature on the surface reaches 47.8 C (118.04 F) in the hottest summer, hence the name. After the day's trip, we will transfer you to Urumqi.
  
  Note:
  
  Flaming Mountain is actually a large shopping place. We don't recommend our customers to enter for a visit. Customers can have a panoramic view from outside.
  
  The camel riding (optional) in Flaming Mountain is about RMB 100/pp for 30 minutes, you can bargain with the herder. We don't suggest riding camel in Flaming Mountain.

  

  

  
• DAY 9 Urumqi

  Activities for today: Heavenly Lake, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum, Urumqi International Grand Bazaar

  Drive to Tianshan Tianchi National Park to visit Heavenly Lake (includes shuttle bus, ship is optional). After the lake, you can choose to visit (no extra fee) Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum and Urumqi International Grand Bazaar.

  

  

  
• DAY 10 Urumqi/Xi'an

  Transfer via: flight - our arrangement

  Activities for today: Airport Transfer (Urumqi, Xi'an), Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses

  This morning, you are escorted the the airport for the flight to your Xi'an. Our Xi'an local guide will meet you at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport. Visit the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horse Museum. It is one of the most important archaeological finds in the 20 th century; an army of terra-cotta warriors and the bronze chariots entombed in vast underground vaults at emperor Qin's tomb since 2200 year ago. Afer some hours at the museum, move on to visit Muslim Quarters(a famous food stree).
  

• DAY 11 Xi'an/Exit

  Transfer via: flight - your arrangement

  Activities for today: Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'an Museum, Ancient City Wall, airport transfer

  Spend the whole morning visiting the Small Wild Goose Pagoda (pagoda climbing is optional), Xi'an Museum and Xi'an City Wall. Around 14:00, you are escorted to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport.

Price Details & Inclusions of this Trip