12 Day Ancient Silk Road of China

Visit: Beijing. Urumqi. Turpan. Kashigar. Dunhuang. Xi'an

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 Jianguo Garden Hotel.

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 Beijing to USA (B)

Transfer to airport and take a morning flight to Beijing, connect flight to US 

B= Breakfast     L= Lunch           D= Dinner

Tour code: 12SILK

2007 Departure dates and cost

Superior First Class Hotel Accommodations:

Beijing Jianguo Garden Hotel

Urumqi Hoi Tak Hotel

Turpan Oasis Hotel, VIP Building

Kashigar Qiniwake Hotel

Dunhuang Hotel VIP Building

Xi'an Garden Hotel

All inclusive features:

 . Round trip transpacific air transportation

 . All intra-China air/land transportation

 . 10 night hotel accommodation with buffet breakfast at hotels below:

 . 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

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

Not including:

. Chinese visa fee of $80

. Tips, gratuities to tour guides, drivers, and porters

. Travel insurance

. Personal Expenses

Special Notes:

. USA Departure Tax, Fuel Surcharge, and China Domestic Airport taxes apply

. Minimum six (6) passengers required for each departure  

. This tour can be customized upon request at an additional cost

. Land only rate does not include transpacific air

. Tour fares are subject to change

	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