19 Days Silk Road Experience

Day 1

Arrival Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, your gateway city of China tour, be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. With no sightseeing planned, the remainder of the day is spent free at leisure.
Meals: No meals
Accommodation: In Beijing

Day 2

Beijing
Depart from hotel in the morning to visit Tian'anmen Square, the largest urban square and Forbidden City, the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world. Then visit Temple of Heaven in the afternoon. If you are interested, you can enjoy the gorgeous Peking Opera tonight as an optional activity.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing
 

Day 3

Beijing
The star attraction of China is its Great Wall, a massive defensive structure built to keep intruders from entering the mainland. Today you will have the opportunity to traverse the ancient steps of Mutianyu Great Wall. Then you will have a short visit to Ming Tombs (Changling Tomb). After the tour, how about taste the famous Peking Roasted Duck for your optional dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing
 

Day 4

Beijing    Xian
In the morning, take a half-day Hutong Tour by rickshaw to visit the ancient lanes and alleyways of Beijing. Be transferred to the airport for the flight to Xian in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Xian
 

Day 5

Xian
Today, enjoy your full day visit to the Terracotta Warriors, one of the world most important archaeological finds, with troops, horses and carriages in battle formation and then to see the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and the massive Xian City Wall. If you are interested, you can enjoy the Tang Dynasty Show with Dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Xian
 

Day 6

Xian    Lanzhou
In the morning, take a short flight to Lanzhou. On arrival, your local guide will meet you at the airport then accompany you for a visit to those must-see sites covering White Pagoda Hill Park and Gansu Provincial Museum.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lanzhou
 

Day 7

Lanzhou    Xiahe
In the morning, you will take hours driving to Xiahe for a visit to Sangke Grass, which is famous for summer-blooming Sangke flowers and frequent magnificent Buddhist ceremonies. Stay overnight near Labrang Monastery.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Xiahe
 

Day 8

Xiahe    Lanzhou
Before driving back to Lanzhou, you will take a short visit to Labrang Lamasery, one of the six great monasteries of the Geluk (Yellow Hat) school of Tibetan Buddhism. You will then transferred back to Lanzhou.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lanzhou
 

Day 9

Lanzhou    Wuwei
Today, after breakfast, take a driving to Wuwei. Upon arrival, enjoy your visit to Leitai Tomb, Wuwei Wen Miao and Tiantishan Grottoes.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Wuwei
 

Day 10

Wuwei    Zhangye
Continue your driving westwards to Zhangye. Upon arrival, visit Wooden Tower of Sui Dynasty and Grand Buddha Temple which is home to China largest indoor reclining Buddha.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Zhangye
 

Day 11

Zhangye    Jiayuguan City
Today you will take driving to Jiayuguan City. Then take a truly special excursion to Jiayuguan Pass and Overhanging Great Wall.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Jiayuguan
 

Day 12

Jiuyuguan City    Dunhuang
Continue your driving and you will reach Dunhuang today. The name of the city literally meant prospering and flourishing. It is a hint that Dunhuang must once have been importance in the past. Upon arrival, visit Crescent Spring and Singing Sand Dune.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Dunhuang
 

Day 13

Dunhuang    Liuyuan   Turpan
In the morning, you will take a visit to famous Mogao Grottoes, which is considered the great treasure house of Buddhist arts in existence. After the tour, be transferred to Liuyuan train station for your overnight train riding to Turpan.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: On the train
 

Day 14

Turpan
Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you at the train station, after a short break, you will then visit Gaochang Ancient City, which was an important garrison town on the Silk Road, Grape Valley, Flaming Mountain and Bezeklik Caves.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Turpan
Note: Click Xinjiang Map to see about the general geography of this place. 
 

Day 15

Turpan      Urumqi (200km, about 2 - 2.5 hours driving)   Kashgar
Today, you will get a chance to visit the mysterious death city-the Ruins of Jiaohe Ancient City, which reveals traces of a prosperous ancient trading center and military stronghold 1,600 years ago. Then be transferred to Urumqi airport directly for your flight to Kashgar.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Kashgar
 

Day 16

Kashgar
In the morning, you can take a leisure stroll along Zhiren Street, an old street with an amazing hand-made stuff from strictly utilitarian cookware to exotic musical instruments. Then come to visit the Id Kah Mosque which is one of the largest and busiest in China. Then, you can take a short visit to Apak Hoja Tomb. If it is Sunday, the local Bazaar will be a good place for you to have a visit. This ancient market attracts locals and merchants from all over Xinjiang and nearby countries such as Pakistan and Kirghizstan.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Kashgar
 

Day 17

Kashgar    Urumqi

Day 18

Urumqi    Shanghai
Free at leisure until be transferred to the airport for the flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, be transferred to hotel and the rest time is free.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Shanghai
 

Day 19

Depart from Shanghai
Free at leisure until be transferred to the airport for the return flight.
Meals: Breakfast

Service Ends

Day 1

Arrival Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, your gateway city of China tour, be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. With no sightseeing planned, the remainder of the day is spent free at leisure.
Meals: No meals
Accommodation: In Beijing

Beijing, capital of China and one of the great travel destinations of the World, offers sights and cultural relics found no where else on Earth. The city has a character all its own; there are quadrangles, small alleys, tricycle, boiled mutton, roasted duck, arts and crafts, Peking Opera, The Great Wall, the 2008 Olympics venue and a vibrancy that is the distinctive flavor of Beijing.

Day 2

Beijing
Depart from hotel in the morning to visit Tian'anmen Square, the largest urban square and Forbidden City, the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world. Then visit Temple of Heaven in the afternoon. If you are interested, you can enjoy the gorgeous Peking Opera tonight as an optional activity.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing

As the biggest city center square in the world, Tian'anmen Square covering 44 hectares in the heart of Beijing. It is the place where history-changing events and ceremonies occurred. A few steps away, come to visit the Forbidden City, which was the Imperial Palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties and, it is one of the largest, and certainly the most completely restored, ancient architectural complex in the world. Walk in the footsteps of Emperors; come to the museum and see with your eyes, and feel with your hearts; you will begin understand what life in this richest of feudal realms was like for the Imperial Rulers, their concubines and their slaves.

After enjoying a delicious lunch, continue on to the Temple of Heaven. Departing from the Imperial vermilion and gold hues of the Forbidden City, The Temple of Heaven is decorated in blue, the color of the Heavens. The perfect harmony between the architectural environment and nature can be felt here; you might easily imagine the vivid spectacle of a great sacrifice to the Heavens for a good harvest. The magnificent Hall of Prayer of Good Harvest is one of the most important and impressive building in China.

Peking Opera is China national treasure. Expert performers convey powerful emotions to the audience through song, dance, facial make-up, exquisite masks and costume, skilled use of body language and sympathetically integrated musical accompaniment. 
 
 

Day 3

Beijing
The star attraction of China is its Great Wall, a massive defensive structure built to keep intruders from entering the mainland. Today you will have the opportunity to traverse the ancient steps of Mutianyu Great Wall. Then you will have a short visit to Ming Tombs (Changling Tomb). After the tour, how about taste the famous Peking Roasted Duck for your optional dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing

Mutianyu Great Wall was first built in the mid-6th century during the Northern Qi, making it older than the Badaling section.  It is connected with Jiankou in the west and Lianhuachi and Jinshanling in the east. In 1569, the Mutianyu Great Wall was rebuilt, mainly with granite and is one of the best-preserved sections with the largest construction scale and best quality among all sections of Great Wall, being 7-8 meters high and 4-5 meters wide with 22 watchtowers on this 2,250-meter-long section. It served as the northern barrier defending the capital and the imperial tombs.

Covering 40 square kilometers in the Changping District, the 13 Ming Tombs are the cemeteries of the 13 Ming emperors, 23 empresses, and many imperial concubines, crown princes and princesses after the Ming Dynasty moved its capital city to Beijing. Among these tombs, the largest one is Changling Tomb, which was built in 1413 and is the burial place of Zhu Di, the third Ming emperor.

For today optional dinner, how about taste the famous Peking Roasted Duck, as it is the best-known dish in Beijing. It is very tender and unforgettably delicious. You will visit a local restaurant to enjoy a full meal and learn the proper way to experience Peking Roasted Duck. From the whole roasted duck to the soup of duck bones, you will enjoy a banquet made from every part of the duck. Moreover, the chef will demonstrate his skill of cutting the skin of the duck for your entertainment.

 

Day 4

Beijing    Xian
In the morning, take a relaxing Hutong Tour by rickshaw to visit the ancient lanes and alleyways of Beijing. Be transferred to the airport for the flight to Xian in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Xian

If exploring the Forbidden City has improved your understanding of the lifestyles of China ancient Imperial Court, then this half-day Hutong Tour will give you an insight into the lives of ordinary Chinese people and reveal their social culture in today Beijing City. The narrow streets of old Beijing are known as Hutongs. You will take a pedicab tour along the Hutongs and see the 100-year-old houses, courtyards and a vanishing way of life in today Beijing.

Wonderful time always passes so quickly, in the afternoon, you have to take a flight to Xian, the city that steeped in history and still giving up secrets, is your gateway to ancient Chinese civilization. In its 3,100 recorded years of evolution, it has been home to 13 dynasties.  Xian was also the end of civilization for those setting out on the famous Silk Road. Today Xian is a vibrant, modern city, but surrounded by history, even underfoot! So there can be no underground railways due to the obligation to preserve the wealth of ancient treasure still awaiting discovery.
 

Day 5

Xian
Today, enjoy your full day visit to the Terracotta Warriors, one of the world most important archaeological finds, with troops, horses and carriages in battle formation and then to see the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and the massive Xian City Wall. If you are interested, you can enjoy the Tang Dynasty Show with Dinner as your optional night activity.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Xian

As an ancient capital city to 13 dynasties, Xian has a rich recorded history, frequently enhanced by the evidence of new discoveries, like the 1974 unearthing of the fabulous Terracotta Warriors, the long forgotten army created to guard Emperor Qin Shihuang tomb. In accordance with ancient beliefs, this grand project was mounted at enormous cost by the cruel and tyrannical Emperor, only to be attacked, plundered, burnt and buried after his funeral by the peasants who had labored under the whip to build it.  Then, over two thousand years later, this "Eighth Wonder of the World" was rediscovered by farmers digging a well. The fine troops, horses and carriages in battle formation are a National ancient art treasure. Three excavation pits are now opened to the public and a fourth is nearing completion.  You can, like US President Clinton, now gaze in wonder upon this historic site, listed by UNESCO in 1987 as a world cultural heritage.

The Xian City Wall, which stretches round the old city. Xian was always a walled city, and today wall represents one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese city walls, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.  The first city wall of Changan was begun in 194 BCE.  The existing wall was started during the Ming Dynasty in 1370; it is massive, measuring 13.7 km in circumference, 12 m in height, and 15–18 m in thickness at the base. The South Gate and North Gate are the two main entrances to the inner city. The city itself is neatly arranged along the city wall.  This impressive structure is just a precursor to the remarkable discoveries awaiting visitors to Xian. 

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda was built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty and originally had five stories, although the structure was rebuilt in 704 during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian and its exterior brick facade renovated during the Ming Dynasty. One of the pagoda's many functions was to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India by the Buddhist translator and travelers Xuanzang. Now this well-preserved holy place for Buddhist has been the symbol of Xian. 

Choose a Tang Dynasty Show with Dinner would be a good idea. You will enjoy the sumptuous dinner while watching a fabulous dancing and singing performance of the Tang Dynasty. This is not only a performance of Chinese traditional dancing and singing, but a re-enactment of Chinese ancient ceremony and culture.
 

Day 6

Xian    Lanzhou
In the morning, take a short flight to Lanzhou. On arrival, your local guide will meet you at the airport then accompany you for a visit to those must-see sites covering White Pagoda Hill Park and Gansu Provincial Museum.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lanzhou

Lanzhou is situated on the upper course of the Yellow River, where the river emerges from the mountains. It has been a center since early times, being at the southern end of the route leading via the Hexi Corridor across Central Asia. It also commands the approaches to the ancient capital area of Chang'an (modern Xi'an) in Shaanxi province from both the west and the northwest, as well as from the area of Qinghai Lake via the upper waters of the Yellow River and its tributaries.

Zhongshan Iron Bridge, or the first bridge over the Yellow River, is located at the foot of Bai Ta Mountain in Lanzhou city.

White Pagoda Hill Park, or we called Bai Ta Shan in Chinese, locates at the North Bank of the Yellow River, is a very large and quiet place which was first established in 1958. 
 

Day 7

Lanzhou    Xiahe
In the morning, you will take hours driving to Xiahe for a visit to Sangke Grass, which is famous for summer-blooming Sangke flowers and frequent magnificent Buddhist ceremonies. Stay overnight near Labrang Monastery.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Xiahe

Sangke Grass lies about ten kilometres west of Xiahe County, Gansu province. It enjoys a good reputation in the northwest Tibetan district for its excellent pasture and frequent magnificent Buddhist ceremonies. Belonging to the meadow steppe and bordered by the Daxia River, Sangke is at an elevation of 3,000 meters (9843 feet) with an area of 70 square kilometres (27 square miles).

The prairie is named for the summer-blooming Sangke flowers that form a natural carpet extending to the far horizons. Reflecting sky and mountains, the Daxia River twists through grass and earth like an undulating silk belt. Countless sheep, yaks, and tents are visible over the prairie. 
 

Day 8

Xiahe    Lanzhou
Before driving back to Lanzhou, you will take a short visit to Labrang Lamasery, one of the six great monasteries of the Geluk (Yellow Hat) school of Tibetan Buddhism. You will then transferred back to Lanzhou.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lanzhou

Labrang Monastery is one of the six great monasteries of the Geluk (Yellow Hat) school of Tibetan Buddhism, which located in Xiahe County in Gansu province, and also considered to be in the traditional Tibetan area of Amdo. Labrang Monastery is home to the largest number of monks outside of Tibet Autonomous Region. The monastery was founded in 1709 by the first Jamyang Zhaypa, Ngawang Tsondru. It is Tibetan Buddhism's most important monastery town outside the Tibetan Autonomous Region. This monastery is situated at the strategic intersection of four major Asian cultures--Tibetan, Mongolian, Han Chinese, and Chinese Muslim--was one of the largest Buddhist monastic universities.
 

Day 9

Lanzhou    Wuwei
Today, after breakfast, take a driving to Wuwei. Upon arrival, enjoy your visit to Leitai Tomb, Wuwei Wen Miao and Tiantishan Grottoes.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Wuwei

Wuwei is located in northwest central Gansu province. In the north it borders Inner Mongolia, in the southwest, Qinghai. Its central location between three western capitals, Lanzhou , Xining , and Yinchuan makes it an important business and transportation hub for the area. Because of its position along the Hexi Corridor, historically the only route from central China to western China and the rest of Central Asia, many major railroads and national highways pass through Wuwei.

The Leitai Tomb of the Eastern Han Dynasty is a large brick-chambered tomb of late Eastern Han Dynasty discovered by local farmers in 1969 beneath an old locust tree. The tomb is famous for its bronze galloping horse unearthed.

Leitai is a rectangular rammed terrace 8.5 meters high, 106 meters long from north to south and 60 meters wide from east to west. It was an ancient place for sacrificing the Thunder God, which was named after the Temple of Thunder God built in middle Ming Dynasty on a terrace as high as about ten meters. According to the inscriptions on the chest of the horse tomb figure unearthed, it was the tomb of General Zhang built between 186 to 219 A .D. Unearthed from it there were 231 pieces of artifacts including gold, silver, bronze, iron, jade, bone, stone and pottery articles as well as 99 ceremonious bronze chariot and horse figures, among which the one of the greatest artistic level is the bronze galloping horse.

Tiandishan Grottoes is located in Dengshan Village of Zhonglu Town, which is 50kms south of Wuwei City. It was first constructed during Northern Liang of Sixteen Kingdoms Period and carved dynasties and dynasties, forms a grand-scale and owns much magnificent architecture. It is one of earliest grottoes carved in China and regarded as the "forefather of grotto" by researchers. The grotto still preserves 3-story grottoes, 17 different Buddhist shrines, hundreds of square meters of murals and over 100 painted Buddha. 
 

Day 10

Wuwei    Zhangye
Continue your driving westwards to Zhnagye. Upon arrival, visit Wooden Tower of Sui Dynasty and Grand Buddha Temple which is home to China largest indoor reclining Buddha.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Zhangye

Zhangye is located in far western Gansu province. In the north it borders Inner Mongolia and in the south Qinghai. It has a large area of 42,000 km 2 and is blessed with numerous streams, abundant sunlight and fertile soil, making it an important agricultural center for Gansu and all of China.

The Grand Buddha Temple (Da Fo Si) is located in Shandan County, Zhangye, which is on the side of 312 National Highwa, and 66 kilometers away from the east of Zhangye City. The largest indoor reclining Buddha of China – the Nirvan Buddha lies in this temple, which was built in Western Hsia period (1098). It is recorded that the premier of Western Hsia once discovered a Buddha covered by a bluish-green tile, thus the Grand Buddha Temple was initially built. 
 

Day 11

Zhangye    Jiayuguan City
Today you will take driving to Jiayuguan City. Then take a truly special excursion to Jiayuguan Pass and Overhanging Great Wall.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Jiayuguan city

Jiayuguan City is famous for its Jiayuguan Pass.
Jiayuguan Pass is the western terminus of the Great Wall, built more than 600 years ago. Its majestic and solid construction is so full of power and grandeur that it has been praised as ' Mighty Pass No.1 under Heaven'. Unlike the Shanhaiguang Pass or the Juyongguagn Pass on the Great Wall, it nestles against Mt. Qilian and Gobi Desert and is therefore imposing in its own way. It was a strategic point at the western section of the Great Wall of Ming Dynasty and is the best preserved pass along the entire length of the wall. It is a magnificent castle, composed of an inner and an outer section, an enclosed gateway, a gate tower, watch towers and parapets.

Also known as Xuanbi Great Wall, the Overhanging Great Wall is an important part of the defensive work of Jiayuguan Pass. Viewed from a distance, the Great Wall appears very like a dragon overhanging the slope, hence the name. Built in the year of 1539 during the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644), it is 11 kilometers (6.83 miles) from the downtown Jiayuguan, and located 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) northwest of the Jiayuguan Pass. The main body of the Overhanging Great Wall was built with gravel and soil, including three fire towers. Its outline seems similar with the Beijing Badaling Great Wall, so people nickname it 'West Badaling'. Originally, it measured 0.9 miles long. However, due to natural disasters and human destruction, only 820 yards of the wall remains, with 253 yards climbing onto the north slope of Heishan Mountain, which is 492-feet high with a gradient of 45 degrees.

Built on the eastern slope of Black Mountain (Heishan), the Great Wall is not visible to anyone looking from west to east. Enemies thought they could enter inner China from here, the Heishan Canyon, as long as they rounded the Jiayuguan Pass. However, they were totally mistaken. After they went over the mountain with great difficulty, they found a very firm Great Wall in their path that was impossible to cross. Therefore, this place has always been considered a natural barrier.
 

Day 12

Jiuyuguan City    Dunhuang
Continue your driving and you will reach Dunhuang today. The name of the city literally meant prospering and flourishing. It is a hint that Dunhuang must once have been importance in the past. Upon arrival, visit Crescent Spring and Singing Sand Dune.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Dunhuang

Dunhuang is located on the western end of Hexi Corridor, at the juncture of Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang in the Northwest of China. Known as Shazhou (sand bank) in ancient times, Dunhuang served as a rest stop for traders and due to its unique geographical location, it was the gateway through which Buddhism, Islam and Christianity entered China. 
 
Singing Sand Dune starts from East of Mogao Grottoes. It is 40 km from East to West, and 20 from South and North. Described as the dune with an elegant shape; when people slide down along the slopes, the sands make a distinctive sound, hence the name. Encircled by the sand dunes is Crescent Spring, an oasis shaped like a crescent moon. It is a miracle that the spring has never dried up over the past thousand years. Alongside the Crescent Lake is a traditional Han Chinese pagoda.
 

Day 13

Dunhuang  Liuyuan   Turpan
In the morning, you will take a visit to famous Mogao Grottoes, which is considered the great treasure house of Buddhist arts in existence. After the tour, be transferred to Liuyuan train station for your overnight train riding to Turpan.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: On the train

Lying at the foot of Sighing Sands Dune, Mogao Grottoes has more than 700 caves, of which 492 caves hold more than 2,000 painted sculptures and 45,000 square meters of murals. It is the largest, oldest and best-preserved array of Buddhist grottoes in the world, and three famous ancient sculptural sites of China, together with Longmen Grottoes and Yungang Grottoes. 
 
Turpan, an oasis city, is located at the southern foot of Bogda Peak and in the center of Turpan Depression. Because of the drastic 5,000-meter difference in height between the mountain tops and the bottom of the depression, the scenery too, varies greatly at different altitudes from perpetual snow at the summits to green oasis at the foot of the mountains. After a long journey from the desert, tourists are always fascinated by the extraordinary beauty of the depression with its snow-capped mountains, salt lake, and particularly the Flaming Mountains.
 

Day 14

Turpan
Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you at the train station, after a short break, you will then visit Gaochang Ancient City, which was an important garrison town on the Silk Road, Grape Valley, Flaming Mountain and Bezeklik Caves.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Turpan
Note: Click Xinjiang Map to see about the general geography of this place. 

Gaochang Ancient City located at the east of Turpan, the city-state that ruled the area from the 9th century to the 13th. The city was actually founded a few hundred years earlier than that, and gradually became known as a trading post on the Silk Road. Most of the ruins are gone, but enough remain to give a feeling of the true size and majesty of this Silk Road city. The city was divided into an outer city, an inner city, and a palace compound. The best-preserved structures in the ruins are two temples in the southwest and southeast corners of the outer city section.

The Grape Valley is located in Flaming Mountain. From ancient times, this place has been famous for the cultivation of the sweetest, tastiest grapes. Be enticed by the sight of bunches of green pearl-like grapes hanging from the vines in splendid profusion. It’s a great relief to recline in the shade of the green leaves and delight in the fresh juicy fruit, appreciating the coolness after the heat outside.

Bezeklik Caves is located in a gorgeous valley of the Flaming Mountains. More than 100 caves were hewn out of this cliff face between the 6th and 9th centuries by Buddhist monks who farmed the valley below. They were abandoned at about the same time as Gaochang Ancient City and Jiaohe Ancient City after the Muslim take over of the region in the late 14th century.

Day 15

Turpan    Urumqi (200km, about 2 - 2.5 hours driving)   Kashgar
Today, you will get a chance to visit the mysterious death city-the Ruins of Jiaohe Ancient City, which reveals traces of a prosperous ancient trading center and military stronghold 1,600 years ago. Then be transferred to Urumqi airport directly for your flight to Kashgar.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Kashgar

Jiaohe meaning in Chinese where two rivers meet was once the most forward outpost in the West for ages. Historical records and excavation reveal evidence of a prosperous ancient trading center and military stronghold from 1,600 years ago. Owing to the arid climate and remote location, Jiaohe remains relatively intact, leaving us a rare example of an earthen castle, the largest, oldest and best-preserved earthen city in the world.

Hemmed in by deserts and the Pamirs, Kashgar is a fabled city embracing a rich mixed culture with Mosques and veiled women contributing to its Middle East atmosphere.
 

Day 16

Kashgar
In the morning, you can take a leisure stroll along Zhiren Street, an old street with an amazing hand-made stuff from strictly utilitarian cookware to exotic musical instruments. Then come to visit the Id Kah Mosque which is one of the largest and busiest in China. Then, you can take a short visit to Apak Hoja Tomb. If it is Sunday, the local Bazaar will be a good place for you to have a visit. This ancient market attracts locals and merchants from all over Xinjiang and nearby countries such as Pakistan and Kirghizstan.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Kashgar

The Id Kah Mosque is the largest mosque in China. The mosque was built by Saqsiz Mirza in 1442 (although it incorporated older structures dating back to 996) and covers 16,800 square meters. At midday on Fridays around 10,000 people will gather to pray and study the Koran, and prayer 5 times/day on other days. You'll be asked to remove your shoes before entering the Main Hall, which has traditional Islamic pillars,carvings and rugs strewn over the floors. Women are adviced to cover upper arms and legs. A scarf is not compulsory, but is seen as a mark of respect.

Apak Hoja Tomb is located about 5 km east of Kashgar. Built in 1640, it is the tomb of Apak Hoja and the families. As the largest Islamic mausoleum in China, Apak Hoja Tomb covers an area of 20,000 square meters, composed of gate tower, great mosque, small mosque, scripture hall and main tomb chamber. The legend goes that a lady called Yiparhan, Hoja's descendants, was once a concubine of Qianlong Emperor in Qing Dynasty. She was commonly-known as the “Fragrant Concubine” because of the rich delicate fragrance of flower sent forth by her body. After she died, her remains was escorted back to Kashgar and was buried in the Apak Hoja Tomb. 

 

Day 17

Kashgar    Urumqi

Karakul Lake

Day 18

Urumqi    Shanghai
Free at leisure until be transferred to the airport for the flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, be transferred to hotel and the rest time is free.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Shanghai

Shanghai is a city unlike any other in China. It is the bustling economic heartbeat of China that enjoys all of the comforts and amenities of a fully modern metropolis. Shanghai today looks to regain its former position at the turn of 20th of being one of the largest financial centers in the world behind New York and London. It is a city that seamlessly blends East and West.
 

Day 19

Depart from Shanghai
Free at leisure until be transferred to the airport for the return flight.
Meals: Breakfast

Service Ends

Full price of this tour (per person in US$):

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