The Classic Silk Road:
Xian, Lanzhou, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi, Kashigar, Lake Karakuri
Tour Code: ST-W-009
Duration: 15days
Destination: Xi'an, Lanzhou, Zhangye, Wuwei, Dunhuang, Urumqi, Kashgar, Turpan
Good time to visit: all year
Departure date: Jan 03, Feb 10, Mar 16, Apr 16, May 16, Jun 16, Jul 16, Aug 16, Sep 16, Oct 16, Nov 16, Dec 29, 2010
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The perfect introduction to this ancient trade route takes us through all the major oases of China's great western expanse. Our first stop is Xian, the gateway to the West and the starting point of the Silk Road. From Lanzhou, we head up the Hexi Corridor towards the ancient city of Wuwei and Jiayuguan. At the incredible cave site of Dunhuang we stop for a full two days so that we not only have enough time to fully explore the Buddhist caves which are generally held to be one of China's greatest cultural attractions, but we can also spend some time exploring the surrounding desert by camel. This is a unique chance for those who want to get a genuine feel for the silk road without sacrificing the comfort of a good hotel. Further west, through the enchanting oasis of Turpan to Urumqi, and then fly over the Taklamakan desert to Kashgar where the largest bazaar in Central Asia is held every Sunday. Another highlight of the tour is the visit to the Lake Karakuri at the base of Mt.Muztagh(7,545 m/24,754 ft), also called the Father of Ice.
DAY-BY-DAY DETAILED ITINERARY:
Day 1 Arrival Xian ( L)
Pick you up a the airport. Visit the magnificent Qin Terra-cotta Army. It were built in about 2500 years ago and contains more than 6000 warriors, soldiers and horses. It was listed by UNESCO in 1987 as one of the world cultural heritages. In the afternoon, drive back to Xian city, visit Forest of Stone Steles Museum. Stay in 4-star hotel.
Day 2 Xi'an/Lanzhou(by air,BL)
In the morning, visit Shanxi History Museum, the Old City Wall. The Shanxi History Museum's permanent exhibition primarily displays Shaanxi's ancient history. Representative pieces from all periods have been selected to show the development of civilization in this region. This afternoon you will visit Gao's Grand Courtyard , the Great Mosque and the old street. take evening flight from Xian to Lanzhou, meet and greet at the airport of Lanzhou, transfer from the airport to the 4-star Hotel;
Day 3 Lanzhou(BL)
We will visit the museum and the local market. This afternoon visit Bingling Temple. Drive back to hotel. Stay in the same.
Day 4 Lanzhou/Wuwei//Zhangye (BL, 460km driving)
Cross the great Yellow River and head up the Hexi Corridor towards the ancient city of Wuwei. Visit Lai Tai Han Tomb which has become a main tourist attraction in Wuwei city. Futhur on to Zhangye, visiting Giant Buddha Temple in Zhangye where the biggest indoor sleeping buddha in China is preserved, stay in 4-star Huachen International Hotel or similar
Day5. Zhangye/Jiayuguan Pass(BL, 250km driving)
Snow capped Qilian Mountain ranges wind its way westward and accompany you all the way(about 250km),you may visit “The Strategic Pass Under Heaven”-the most west point of the present Great Wall and Wei & Jin Ancient Tomb, stay in 4-star Huayuan Hotel.
Day6. Jiayuguan Pass/Dunhuang(BL, 385km driving)
Driving on the northwest plateau and spacious Gobi Desert(about 385km),you may see strange phenomenon and mirage in Gobi Desert if you are lucky enough. Another must for you is riding camel to visit Whistling Sand Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring if the time is available. Stay in 4-star Silk-Road Dunhuang Hotel or similar.
Note: leave Jiayuguan early to be sure you have time do camel-riding.
Day7 Dunhuang (BL)
Have a good rest this morning. Drive towards the northwest of the city for the Yumen Pass. Situated in the Gobi Desert eighty kilometers northwest of Dunhuang City, it was once one of the two critical defensive passes protecting Dunhuang from invasion about two thousand years ago. Drive onwards to visit Yadan National Geologic Park. Yadan landforms rise above the flat Gobi Desert and cover a vast area. Due to its eccentric landforms, the hard-to-spot roads, low-lying terrain, strong magnetism and howling sounds made by the wind, the area is also called "Ghost City" by local people. Yadan Landforms is the largest in scale, fully developed in geology and most valuable for ornament in the world. The scenery sites have an infinite variety of fantastic phenomena and the superlative craftsmanship of nature.
Day8. Dunhuang/Turpan(By train,BL)
Have a good rest this morning. Then visit the world famous Mogao Grottoes which is called“the World Famous Treasure House of Arts”. After dinner, taking evening soft sleeper train from Dunhuang to Turpan, Overnight on the train;
Day9. Turpan(BL)
Arrive at Turpan in the morning, visit Gaochang Ruins, which were must prosperous along the Silk Road in ancient times, Astana Ancient Tomb, Bezklik thousand Buddha Caves, another set of Buddhist cave temples carved out of a cliff face, On our way to the caves we will drive past the Flaming Mountains., Grape Valley, Suliman’s Minaret, stay in Oasis Hotel or similar
Day10.Turpan/Urumqi/Kashgar (by air, BL)
We will also visit the. Jiaohe Ancient City and Karaz Well in the morning . we will drive all the way to Urumqi. It’s about 300km highway in the afternoon. On the way ,we will visit the Wind mill .Upon arrival Urumqi , take night flight to Kashgar, stay in Seman Hotel or similar.
Day 11 Kashgar/Tashkurgan (BL)
Today we will depart late to be sure you are full of energy for the tour. Drive about 4-5 hours to Tashkurgan County which is located at the south of Kashgar for the ancient stone city. You could take an easy hiking visit the ruins of the stone city which is in the back of Tashkurgan County. Stay in Tashikurgan Crown Inn (The best hotel).
Day 12 Tashkurgan/Lake Karakuri/ Kashigar (BL)
Today we start our tour from the Tashkurgan Museum. Then drive about 2 hours to the famous Karakuri Lake and Muztagh Mountain, enjoying breathtaking scenery of high mountain pastures and snow-capped peaks. Karakuri Lake, known as "the father of glaciers", is located at the foot of Mount Muztaga-Ata, sitting at 3,600m above sea level. You will have enough time for deep exploration of the famous lake and the holy Mountain. Take a leisure walking around the majestic blue lake. Then back to Kashgar.. stay in Seman Hotel or similar.
Day 13 Kashgar/Urumq(by air , BL)
Visit the Sunday Bazaar, which is the biggest one in Xinjiang, and Apakhoja Tomb & Great Mosque, take night flight back to Urumqi, stay in Xinjiang Grand hotel similar;
Day14. Urumqi(BL)
After taking your breakfast we will head for Heavenly Lake, in the middle of Bogda Peak, 110 km (68miles) east of Urumqi. In Urumqi , we will also pay a visit to the National Museum. The display of ancient mummies is fantastic, for it was in this region that a great number of ancient and well preserved remains were discovered.
Day15. Urumqi/next station(B)
Transfer to the airport for the flight back to next station, the end of the tour.
B- breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner.
Tour Cost: Currency Converter
| | 2-3 person | 4-5 person | 6-9 person | Over 10 person | Single Supplement |
| Tour Cost | CNY20200/P
$3015/P | CNY17900/P
$2672/P | CNY15700/P
$2343/P | CNY14100/P
$2104/P | CNY2910/P
$434/P |
($1=6.7CNY)
(The cost for the child of 2-12 year old is based on 15% discount of the adult's tour cost.Any baby less than 2 year old is free of any charges. If it turns out there is cost involved, we reserved to collect the cost.) |
Note: The airfare of Urumqi/Kashgar/Urumqi is based on 50% discount. We will refund you the different if we get better discount. Meanwhile we reserve the right the get the extra from tourists if there is no discount.
The tour cost includes:
- Land transfer service, meals daily as listed in the itinerary(B-breakfast， L-lunch, D-dinner), service of English-speaking guide, experienced driver, scenic spots admission fee, twin share room in 4-star hotel in big city, the best hotel in small cities or counties, clean carefully-chosen guest house/hostel/or home-stay in village or old town; all domestic flights or trains and local airport taxes if there is in the itinerary.
The tour cost Does not include:
- meals in your free time and on the train/plane, personal travel insurance (very important); transfer/guide/entrance tickets in your free time, extra luggage truck, international flights and related airport taxes, any tips (hotels, restaurants, guide, driver, etc.), photography charges at monasteries/palaces/sites if required, supplementary trips and services not mentioned, supplement cost for those who wants to accommodate on a single basis, any expenses on personal nature not listed above, the extra cost due to the unforeseen events;
Remarks:
- As the exchange rate of CNY to USD is subject to Change, the final price will be calculated according to the Chinese currency CNY. The price in USD dollar is just for your reference.
- We are ready to reserve the e-air ticket from another city to the starting city or from the ending city back to your preferred city if needed.
- Before you pay deposit to book the tour, we haven’t made any reservation yet. The train, flight tickets and the hotel may different from the itinerary listed.
- The visiting order of the scenic spots in the itinerary may change according to the traffic condition and other unforeseen things.
- Tourist insurance is a must before going, please provide us the confirmation of insurance company when sign up.
- The prices do not apply to National Holidays (e.g. Chinese National Day Sep. 30th -Oct.8th , Or other Special Festival time).