15 Day Ancient Silk Road of China

Beijing. Urumqi. Turpan. Kashigar. Dunhuang. Xi'an. Shanghai

For the new and second time visitor to China, A 2000 year old route between Middle East and China. Traveling the Silk Road is an adventure where the west and Great Wall meets the Gobi Desert, ancient tombs, Lhama Temples and much more. This is an experienced mixture of Chinese and Islamic cultures.  

Tour code:  SILK

Tour Itinerary: 

Day 1/Monday           USA to Beijing

Enjoy flight to Beijing. Cross international dateline.

Day 2/Tuesday              Arrive Beijing                       

Upon arrival Beijing, capital of China, a friendly English speaking guide will meet and transfer tour to Beijing Rosedale Hotel (4 star).

Day 3/Wednesday        Beijing to Urumqi (B, L, D)

We take the morning flight for Urumqi, This unique air route geographically covers the 2 world biggest deserts, many high and dry or snow capped mountains, valleys and canyon. Afternoon we drive 70 km southwest to one of the eighth major deep valleys and passage ways along the whole Mountain called Nanshan Grassland, where we visit the minority families of Kazakstanian, Uzbekistanian, Kyrgyzatanian and chat with them in their yurts while drink strong Milk Tea & home-made snacks. Check into Urumqi Hoi Tak Hotel (5 star, central located at the Square)

Day 4/Thursday            Urumqi (B, L, D)

A day excursion to the beautiful Tianchi (Heavenly) Lake about 120 km northeast from Urumqi, with an elevation of 2600 meters. The beautiful lake is flanked by rugged pines and cypresses, with melted clear waters reflecting the surrounding of snow capped Heavenly Mountain-Peak of Boghanar at an elevation of 5446 meters.  The peak is always regarded as the holy mountain by all Turks in the Mid-Asia. We cruise on the lake and take a golf cart around the lake. Then we return back the city and visit the Provincial Museum to view the incredible mummies from over 2,000 years ago, which really tells us mystery history unwritten in the books. If time permits, we tour the Red Hill Park and visit Bazaar, the largest out-door market in the region.

Day 5/Friday               Urumqi to Turpan (B, L, D)

Drive for 2 hours and a half southeast from Urumqi to Turpan in the morning. On the way we will see a village located at the Valley of Heavenly Mountain, which was a very prosperous caravan city called "Daban Cheng", because from there the caravan has to cross the Heavenly Mountain and the whole Gebi Desert without any villages & towns in couple of months. We will also see a field with thousands of fan tower standing in the valley, newly built for generating power. Turpan is a Uighur town set in a large oasis surrounded by desert and dry mountains. Upon arrival, visit the mysterious Death City---Jiaohe Ruins, which reveals the traces of a prosperous ancient trading center and military stronghold dating from 1600 years ago, and used to be the most frontal barrier in the west for centuries. And then we see the Ancient Karez Underground water supply & irrigation system and its Museum. Turpan is famous throughout China for its rich and sweet grapes and gourds, and we will visit the grape valley and enjoy fruits.

Check into the Oasis Hotel, VIP Building (3-4 star, best available).

Day 6/Saturday            Turpan to Urumqi to Kashigar (B, L, D)

Morning visit Suleiman’s Minaret, The Flaming Mountain and Bezelik Thousand Buddha Grottoes. Then, drive back to Urumqi in the afternoon and take an evening flight to Kashigar. Check into Qiniwake Hotel (3-star, the best available).

Day 7/Sunday              Kashigar to Urumqi (B, L, D)

We visit Sunday Morning Moslems Pray Service. Then visit the Sunday Bazaar, which is the largest out-door market in the Mid-Asia. Also see the Temple & the tombs of the Fragrant Concubine, in the afternoon. After dinner, take an evening flight back to Urumqi.

Check into Urumqi Hoi Tak Hotel (5 star)

Day 8/Monday             Urumqi to Dunhuang (B, L, D)

After breakfast at hotel, we take a morning flight to Dunhuang. In the afternoon visit the world wonder – Mogao Grottoes. The grottoes honeycomb a 1600 meters long cliff overlooking a river valley, located 25 km southwest from Dunhuang. It is the world's most important sites of ancient Buddhist Culture. The grottoes, also known as Caves of the Thousands Buddha, preserve nearly a thousand years of Buddhist cave-temple architecture, clay sculpture, mural paintings, and manuscripts, dating from the 5^th to 14^th centuries. Over 426 caves are very enormously in size and contain numberless clay sculptures and more than 45,000 square meters of mural paintings, all are national treasures. Check into the Dunhuang Hotel VIP Building (4-star).

Day 9/Tuesday             Dunhuang (B, L, D)

Today we drive two hours west forward across the desert to Yumen Guan (Jade Gate Pass), which was the west terminal of the Great Wall built in Han Dynasty 2100 years ago, followed by a tour to the Crescent Moon Lake & Sounding Dune with a camel ride to see the sunset.

Day 10/Wednesday      Dunhuang to Xi'an (B, L, D)

Take a morning flight to Xi'an, one of the ancient capitals in China. An afternoon city tour includes the Big Wild Goose Pagoda dating from the Tang Dynasty, 1352 years ago, and also visit the ancient City Wall, the largest and well-preserved extant wall in China and one of a few ancient military facilities in the world. Check into Garden Hotel or similar (4 star deluxe).

Day 11/Thursday          Xi’an (B, L, D)

Full day sightseeing includes the Excavations of Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, one of the greatest archaeological finds of the century, the extraordinary life –sized terra-cotta warriors were buried with the first emperor for over 2200 years. After a Dumpling Dinner, Enjoy Tang Dynasty Music Show tonight.

Day 12/Friday               Xi’an to Shanghai (B)

Take a morning flight to Shanghai, the bustling cosmopolitan center of business and commerce of China. Upon arrival, transfer to Ocean Hotel or similar (4 star deluxe). The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Day 13/Saturday          Shanghai (B, L, D)

Full day city tour includes The Bund (Waterfront), Yu Garden in the Old Town and the Jade Buddha Temple, also visit Shanghai Carpet Factory. This evening, after dinner, attend an amazing Shanghai acrobatic show.

Day 14/Sunday             Shanghai to Zhujiajiao to Shanghai (B, L, D)

Morning excursion to Zhujiajiao, a beautifully preserved riverside village, known as the new Venice of China, lunch at a local restaurant, afternoon visit the Shanghai Museum, the architectural master piece.

Day 15  /Monday           Shanghai to USA (B)

Departure transfer to the airport for homeward flight. Your flight will bring you back home the very same day.  

B= Breakfast     L= Lunch           D= Dinner

2006 Departure dates and cost

USA Departure tax: $169

Tour cost includes:

 -- Round trip transpacific air transportation

 -- All intra-China air/land transportation

 -- China airport departure taxes

 -- 13 night hotel accommodation with buffet breakfast at hotels below:

            Beijing Rosedale Hotel or similar (4 star)

Urumqi Hoi Tak Hotel (5 star)

Turpan Oasis Hotel, VIP Building (3-4 star)

Kashigar Qiniwake Hotel (3 star, best available) 

            Dunhuang Hotel VIP Building (4 star)

Xi'an Garden Hotel (4 star)

            Shanghai Ocean Hotel or similar (4 star)

 -- Escorted sightseeing tours and meals as specified.  

 -- Professional English speaking tour guide service in each city

 -- Xi’an Dumpling dinner and Tang Dynasty music show

 -- Shanghai Acrobatic show

 -- Round trip transfers between airport and hotel, baggage handling, hotel taxes and service charges in each city

Cost excludes:

-- Chinese visa fee

-- USA Departure tax

-- International airport departure tax out of Shanghai

-- Personal expenses

-- Tips & gratitude to guides, drivers & porters

Remarks:

-- Please indicate Tour Code “SILK” at time of booking

-- Please provide your full names and passport numbers upon reservation

-- For additional air add-on from your departure city, please contact us.

--We mainly use Northwest, United, Japan, AA, Air China, Air Canada, China Eastern, etc. for international carriers.

-- Extra cost may apply if our contracted air space is unavailable

--Any reservation made within 14 days prior to departure is subject to a $50 per person late booking fee.

--75% of tour cost for children 2-11 year old who share room with parents without extra bed

-- We highly recommend you purchase our travel insurance program

-- We accept American Express, Discover, Master and Visa cards

-- Extra night hotel in Shanghai is available upon request

	For payment, trip cancellation, please refer to the Terms & Conditions
	For more information, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-865-6221 or email to us at info@chinacustomtours.com