Legend of the Silk Road

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Xian

Upon arrival in Xian - also known as Chang’an (Ever-lasting Peace) and the most important city in China’s northwest region. You will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day will be at leisure.

Day 2: Xian

Today after breakfast, your trip will be the Terra Cotta Warriors & Horses that are located in the city’s eastern suburb. Once buried underground for 2000 years and found during local farmers’ sinking of well, it is absolutely a shock to all viewers. Your afternoon tour includes the Great Mosque that is one of the four most famous ones in China and the Ancient City Wall. Enjoy the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show in the evening.

Day 3: Xian – Lanzhou

Transfer to the railway station for your express train to Lanzhou. Upon arrival in this capital city of Gansu Province, you will be greeted and transferred to the Binglingsi Caves, also called the Thousand Buddha Caves, it has a spectacular setting with soaring cliffs composed of eroded rock with numerous natural cavities and is an unusual sight of Gansu.

Day 4: Lanzhou – Jiayuguan

Today you will take the express train to Jiayuguan. Upon arrival in this ancient outpost – considered as the western most tip of the Great Wall, you will have tours to Jiayuguan Fort. Built in 1372, the fort was the last major stronghold of the empire to the west. Continue to the Overhanging Great Wall, a section of both comfortable flat and tiring oblique surfaces.

Day 5: Jiayuguan - Dunhuang

Today you will be traveling for around 5 hours by road to Dunhuang. Upon arrival, climb up to the massive Singing Sand Dunes for a great view of the Crescent Moon Lake on the way.

Day 6: Liuyuan – Turpan

This morning visit the Mogao Grottoes that is renowned as the site of the greatest trove of Buddhist art the world has known. Over 1,000 caves were cut out of cliffs between the 4th and 14th century. Then you will be transferred to the train station for express train to Turpan. Upon arrival, meet and transferred to your hotel.

Day 7: Turpan

After breakfast have a full day tours to the Jiaohe Ruins – once capital of the Uighurs when they moved into Xinjiang region from Mongolia in the 9th century. Afterwards visit to the Bezkelik Thousand Buddha Caves in the heart of the Flaming Mountains. In the afternoon visit the Karez – actually the underground irrigation channels and rate as one of the ancient China’s greatest public works project.

Day 8: Turpan – Urumqi - Kashgar

In the morning drive to Urumqi – the capital city of Xinjiang Autonomous Region. Take an afternoon flight to Kashgar, upon arrival, explore this Old City if time permits. That evening, prepare for a special experience - visit a local Uyghur family and enjoy a traditional dinner with them.

Day 9: Kashgar – Urumqi

A must-see is the Bazaar for a bargaining extravaganza. You will also visit the Idkhar Mosque with a distinctive feature and the Abahoja Tomb that is also called the Fragrant Concubine’s Tomb. Take an evening flight back to Urumqi.

Day 10: Urumqi

Visit the Xinjiang Autonomous Region Museum that contains some interesting exhibit relating to minority groups (closed on every Mon.) You will also have an excursion to the Heavenly Lake. Located on the northern slope of Mt. Tianshan, this small, deep-blue lake is surrounded by hills covered with firs and grazed by horses.

Day 11: Depart Urumqi

You will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey.