9 Days Silk Road Adventure by China Orient Express

Xian, Lanzhou, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi

Traveler Reviews

9 Days Silk Road Adventure by China Orient Express

Tour Code: TCT-Silk-Road-04

Tour Type: Private Tour

Tour Highlights:

Authorized by China Ministry of Railway
Experience the luxury train China Orient Express with a superior 5 star service
Suitable for those who are interested in China history and culture
Adventure from Xian to Urumqi Silk Road tour

Best Travel Time: Annually fixed departure dates

Price from $ 2799

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Tour Itinerary Prices & Includes Reviews Expand All

Itinerary Prices Reviews Expand All

Day 1May 28 or Sep 09, 2020 Arrival Xian

Transfer service to hotel

Meals: No meal
Recommended Hotel: Grand Melia Hotel Xi'an or same class

Arrival in Xian, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer to hotel. Xian is a city with over 3000 years history and it is also the starting point of the ancient Silk Road.

Xian City View

Day 2May 29 or Sep 10, 2020 Xian

Terracotta Warriors, Huaqing Hot Spring

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tang Dynasty Dinner Show
Recommended Hotel: Grand Melia Hotel Xi'an or same class

Have breakfast in the hotel, then we drive to the famous Terracotta Warriors, one of the eight wonders of the world. Be excited to observe China's first emperor - Emperor Qin's great army of 8000 life-sized terracotta soldiers and horses in three burial pits. Afterwards,we continue to Huaqing Hot Spring in Mt Lishan. In ancient time, emperors used to come here to bathe and enjoy the scenic beauty. It has become a favorite spa since the Tang Dynasty.

Terracotta Warriors

Day 3May 30 or Sep 11, 2020 Xi’an - Lanzhou - Jiayuguan

Waterwheel Garden

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: China Orient Express Train

After breakfast, we will transfer to train station for high-speed train to Lanzhou. It takes only three hours to complete the 700-kilometer distance on China’s fastest and comfortable bullet train. Upon arrival, meet your Lanzhou guide and visit the Waterwheel Garden. Originated from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the waterwheel is the oldest irrigation tool in Yellow River area of Lanzhou. The Waterwheel Garden is a theme garden exhibiting the waterwheel culture. Here, we could appreciate the waterwheel driven by the flowing water all year round to collect water from the river or cofferdam. At 22:00pm, we embark the 'China Orient Express' Charter Luxury Train to Jiayuguan. Have a nice night on the train with wonderful evening and morning views of local countryside.

Lanzhou City View

Day 4May 31 or Sep 12, 2020 Jiayuguan

Jiayuguan (Jiayu Pass), Overhanging Great Wall

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: Holiday Plaza Hotel Jiayuguan or same class

After breakfast, have a visit to the Jiayuguan (Jiayu Pass), the western end of the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty. It is known as 'the First and Greatest Pass under Heaven', and best preserved and most magnificent military fort in China. Then we drive 7 miles away for the Overhanging Great Wall. It got the named for riding on a mountain ridge that is 45 degrees from vertical and resembling a huge dragon.

Jiayuguan Pass

Day 5June 01 or Sep 13, 2020 Jiayuguan - Dunhuang

Crescent Lake & Singing Sand Mountains, Shazhou Night Market

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: : Dunhuang Hotel or same class

After a pleasant breakfast, 10:00 special train to Dunhuang, we specially arranged for you on the train institute of Dunhuang experts and professors explain in detail for you. Reaching Dunhuang, we proceed to Mingsha Sand Dunes (Crescent Spring and Sighing Sand Dune) - Singing Sand Dune (Mingsha Hill) helps people free from all worries and Crescent Spring purifies people's minds. After dinner, we will continue to visit Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market. It is one of the best night market in China and famous for its tasty snacks, local specialties, and crafts etc.

Mingsha Sand Dunes

Day 6June 02 or Sep 14, 2020 Dunhuang-Turpan

Mogao Grottoes

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: China Orient Express Train

After breakfast, let's visit the world famous Mogao Grottoes, which was designated as a world cultural heritage by UNESCO for its 1600 years accumulated cultural, architectural, and art treasures. There remains 492 cave temple and 45000 square meters of frescos. According to Tang Dynasty records, a monk had witnessed onsite a vision of thousand Buddhas under showers of golden rays. Thus inspired, he started the caves construction work that spanned ten dynasties. Mogao Caves are commonly known as the Caves of a Thousand Buddhas. At 17:00hr, we embark the 'China Orient Express' Charter Luxury Train to Turpan.

Mogao Grottoes

Day 7 June 03 or Sep 15, 2020 Turpan-Urumqi

Karez irrigation system, Flaming Mountain, Jiaohe Ancient City

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: Universel Hotel Urumqi or same class

It’s a day for Turpan sightseeing! Visit Karez irrigation system to witness the wisdom of Uygur people. The irrigation system is especially designed for desert. If connecting all these underground channels, the total length will reach more than 5000 km, so it is regarded as one of the three engineering miracles of ancient China, along with the Great Wall and the Jinghang Grand Canal. Thereafter, we move to Flaming Mountain, well known by Chinese people because of the legendary story 'Journey to the West'. It is regarded as the hottest place in China. Then We drive to Jiaohe Ancient City, an island-shaped plateau situated at Yar Town. It is the largest, oldest and well preserved earth-structured city in the world, with a history of 2000-2300 years.

Jiaohe Ancient City

Day 8 June 04 or Sep 16, 2020 Urumqi

Heavenly Lake, Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Recommended Hotel: Universel Hotel Urumqi or same class

After breakfast, visit Heavenly Lake on Tianshan (boat tour). The mountain Lake stands 1980 meters above sea level and features picturesque scenery of snowcapped peaks. It a great pleasure to boat travel Heavenly Lake, with a layer of magical color covering the lake, and hearing many beautiful myths and legends. Then head for Urumqi, and visit Xinjiang Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar.

Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar

Day 9June 05 or Sep 17, 2020 Departure Urumqi

Transfer service to airport

Meals: Breakfast

Today is the day of farewell to your memorable Silk Road trip and the unique China Orient Express. After a pleasant breakfast, free at your own leisure till the assemble time for the transferring to airport for the flight back to your hometown or next destination. Bon voyage!

Service Ends

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Tour Price (US$ per person)

1. For travelers who plan to take China Orient Express from Xian to Urumqi or Urumqi to Xian

9-Day Route in June: Xi'an-Lanzhou-Jiayuguan-Dunhuang-Turpan-Urumqi or vice versa
Tour Date: May 24-Jun 01 (Route A: Urumqi to Xi'an), May 28-Jun 05 (Route B: Xian to Urumqi)

Aug 28-Sep 05 (Route A: Urumqi to Xi'an), Sep 09-Sep 17 (Route B: Xian to Urumqi)

Route	Date	Type of Cabin	Quotation	Single Supplement (S.S.)
				S.S. in Hotel	S.S. in China Orient Express
(A) Urumqi—Xian (B) Xian—Urumqi	(A) 05.24-06.01 (B) 05.28-06.05	Quad	-	$450/p.p	—
		Triple	-		—
		Twin	$2799/p.p		$700/p.p
		Diamond En-Suite	$3199/p.p		$1500/p.p

Route	Date	Type of Cabin	Quotation	Single Supplement (S.S.)
				S.S. in Hotel	S.S. in China Orient Express
(A) Urumqi—Xian (B) Xian—Urumqi	(A) 08.28-09.05 (B) 09.09-09.17	Quad	-	$560/p.p	—
		Triple	-		—
		Twin	$2899/p.p		$700/p.p
		Diamond En-Suite	$3399/p.p		$1500/p.p

Note: Diamond En-Suite is luxury double room with personal wash room and shower room in each room. The above price is based on 2 persons sharing a room. If one person would like to stay a room, he or she need to pay single supplement.

Remarks:
1. All prices in US dollars;
2. Prices subject to change without any further notice;
3. Service charges are not included, Current rate for all services is total of USD150.00 per person (or USD160 p.p or USD170 p.p)
4. Accommodation and tour itineraries are subject to change at any time due to circumstances beyond our control
5. We reserve the right to distribute passengers of sharing cabins; in case the cabin cannot be share, the cost applies on the passengers in the cabin
6. Children age under 11, will be credit only the difference on hotel room costs

Price includes:
1) EXPERIENCED TOUR MANAGERS
Our experienced tour managers and their assistants are selected for their travel knowledge and organizational abilities allowing you to relax and enjoy your voyage of a lifetime. We receive many exceptional passenger comments about our Tour Managers and their aim is to ensure you enjoy every minute of your holiday.

2) ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TRANSFERS
Arrival and departure transfers are included.

3) HOTEL AND ONBOARD ACCOMMODATION
Although you will spend much of your time sightseeing or relaxing in the train’s public areas, you will find your hotel room or cabin a welcome retreat at the end of a rewarding day. Hotel and onboard accommodation as described in your individual tour itinerary are included in the tour price. All hotels are of 5 star standard or, in certain locations, the best available. Room upgrades are available on request and at extra cost.

4) ROUTE GUIDE, ITINERARY AND INFORMATION PACK
When you board the train there will be a brochure in your cabin detailing more about your journey and the places en-route. Our Tour Manager will organize a programed of briefings on the cities or places we visit and, each evening, will issue a programed for the next day’s touring schedule.

5) BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER DAILY
All departures feature one or two uniquely designed restaurant cars where you can enjoy the excellent waiter-served food and wine. Several times during the tour we will also sample authentic local cuisine off the train.

6) DRINKS WITH MEALS ONBOARD
A drinks allowance is included with lunch and dinner.

7) ON BOARD SERVICE
Throughout your tour you can expect service which is attentive, friendly and unobtrusive. The high ratio of staff to passenger’s means there is always someone available should you need assistance.

8) ON BOARD DOCTOR AND MEDICAL FACILITIES
To give you peace of mind our tours are accompanied by a doctor who travels with us for the entire journey; so you can rest assured that medical assistance is always available. On call 24 hours a day, the doctor is on hand to give primary care as required.

9) 24 HOUR SERVICE ATTENDANT
Your car attendants provide 24-hour housekeeping and bedding turndown services, with one attendant always on duty to assist you and to ensure you are comfortable in your cabin. Complimentary tea, coffee and bottled drinking water are available in your cabin 24 hours a day.

Price excludes:
1.International Airfare or Train Tickets to enter or leave China
2.China Entry Visa Fees
3.Excess Baggage Charges
4.Personal Expenses such as visa costs, insurance, drinks from the bar car, laundry, spa treatments, hairdressing.
5. Single Room Supplement.
6. Tip: Full Service Staff Tip in total USD150.00 per person (or USD160 p.p or USD170 p.p) (Train staff, Special train porter, the tour leader, local driver and local guide).

Useful Information

Traveler Reviews Feedbacks & Photos >>

5.0

bazza916

5.0

Top China Tours show as a Amazing Adventure throughout China we would like to mention some Special people the work for TCT Joyce our tour consultant truly has done a excellent job with the organisation of our tour and looking after all our needs also I want to say a huge thank you to two exceptional tour guides CiCi and Sally they were amazing the went above and beyond to ensure we had a wonderful time Thanks TCT for a 5 Star tour we will be back again

rachs84

5.0

We worked with Janet who created the most incredible 10 day trip to China. We were so happy she recommended Yellow Mountain (one of the biggest highlights of the trip.) Not only was the itinerary perfect, but we have the most amazing, knowledgable and friendly tour guides. We loved Olivia in Beijing and April in Huangshan. I am glad we decided to do private tour. I don't think we would have been able to appreciate and enjoy all of the cities and sites we saw if we were in a group. The food was incredible, easy transition from city to city with the help of the tour guides. This trip exceeded our expectations. Thank you, Janet and Top China Travel!

Avani S

5.0

We were apprehensive of booking the trip to china through a travel agency in China. But we found Maggie, our travel co-ordinator to be extremely helpful n co-operative. We had arranged for a 12 day private tour of Beijing, Xian, Shanghai & Hong Kong. The tour guides and drivers were good. Especially in Beijing, we had Annie as our guide. And she was so friendly, flexible and knowledgeable.We really enjoyed her company. In Xian, we had Sherry who was also gud enough. In Shanghai, we had Nathan who was good but Annie had set our expectations higher. We had asked for Indian Vegetarian food for lunch everywhere and we really surprised by the good Indian food available there. Hotel Novotel Beijing, Skytel in Xian, Sunrise on the Bund in Shanghai & Park hotel in Hong Kong were all very gud. Specially in Shanghai n Hong Kong, there were better vegetarian options in breakfast. Overall we had a wonderful stress-free trip to China and we wud surely recommend TCT to others.

EllenD190

5.0

Eric has been our guide in Beijing and he has been wonderful. Every request we have made he has managed to meet making our trip very satisfactory. He is charming and energetic

Patricia S

5.0

We only had a few days to get a taste of China and we couldn't be happier. We visited Beijing, Xian and Shanghai. In each city our guide had exceptional local knowledge. Our tour was not set in stone with the guides flexible to suit the needs of the group. We not only saw the sites but gained in depth knowledge about them. The drivers were amazing, negotiating the hectic traffic conditions we felt very safe in their care. The guides take a personal interest in their group and look after their every need. I booked the trip over the net and had fantastic communication from start to finish. TCT is great!

Judit I

5.0

We were travelling in China for 2 weeks (we're a couple on our 60's), through TCT company organized by Janett Chan. The trip that was booked in advance, and designed to our requests and her brilliant reccomendationes. Every planned activity was sucessfull- the private driver, private guide, flights, hotels and few group tours as per our request. We higly recommend Janett's services.

geeta a

5.0

I booked my trip with Top China Travel,extremely professional and prompt.I was guided by the guides Cathy in Xian and Eric in Beijing,very knowledgable,knew the English language very well,knew history,stories,always ready to help with any of my problems that I feel I was travelling with companions.I was very happy and I know you

WojtekPoland2015

5.0

As a partner for few events in China in a different localisation and with different programs, the TCT represented by Mrs Janet Chan, showed unexpected involvement on all details. Helpful hints, flexibility and many other features ( relations with local subcontractors ) made our business on highest leavel with uncommon feedback....

THELMACONTLA

5.0

My family and I chose a 12 day trip in China with Top China Travel: Beijing, Xi´an, Shanghai, Guilin and Hong Kong. It was a wonderful and unforgettable trip, everything was well organized by the company and I really recommend it.

520claudia

5.0

We've been in China this August from 4th to 20th, starting from Beijing and finish in Shanghai, with many transfers through the "tailor made"trip (we've been in Chengde, Pingyao, Xian, Chengdu, Huangshan...). We're very found in Chinese culture and food, so we asked to the travel agency a "not so touristic" tour. We found everything we were looking for! Janet, our correspondent, made everything work wonderfully, with patience and aknowledgement. We really suggest this agency if you want a really Chinese experience with the best quality and price!

kcoble44

5.0

I am from the USA and currently live in Beijing. My wife and I wanted to visit Xian mainly for the Terracotta Warriors. I looked online for tour companies and began to see just how many were in operation. I did as much research as I could to ensure I did not land in Xian without someone there to followthrough on our arrangement. I finally settled on TCT after emailing them for more details. Mimi was extrememly responsive and was able to help build a private tour for us. I paid via PayPal which I like to do as often as possible while overseas. Our guide and driver picked us up from the airport, took us to the sights, and then to our hotel. The next morning they were right there again and dropped us off at the airport. There's something about logistics that I love and TCT has got it down. Sometimes you don't know what you are going to get with foreign companies. Needless to say, this tour company isn't one you need to worry about. It was impressive. All the best.

IleanaA644

5.0

On boat on LI RIVER from Guili to Yangshuo. 83 Km throught mountains, green hills and clear waters, a scenery that takes you back to ancient Chinese paintings. You can see bamboo boats and fishermen with straw hats and cormorants, people in camping on the riverbanck, buffalo grazing. Above all, you understand that there is a China different from the one of the great metropolises and you thinK " Oh, what a wonderful landscape...what a wonderful litgh, what awonderful air !"

Greg M

5.0

My father & I chose Top China Tours for our 8 day trip which we enjoyed thoroughly. Janet was our vacation planner. She was very professional and helped us through each step of the process. Not only did we see the usual tourist locations (Great Wall, Terra Cotta Soldiers, etc.), she was very flexible to our other visit desires. The tour guides in each city were personable, knowledgeable and spoke very good English. Rather than visit the tourist location of the Great Wall, we drove to a very rural location. The wall was in it's original state. I suggest this location only for those able to hike rugged terrain. The scenery was breathtaking. Xi'an while being the oldest city was bubbling with university students. This was our favorite stop. Our hotels were excellent. Make sure you stay in the downtown areas to explore after your tours. Air quality is bad in the cities so asthma suffers beware. If you plan to use ATMs make sure you have your card PIN. Starbucks, McDonalds & KFC are located everywhere should you need some variety.

Joan M

5.0

This 6-Day tour of Beijing was fantastic! Our tour guide, Tom, gave us lots of great information about China's rich history as we toured Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Beijing Zoo, a tea house, a pearl factory, a silk factory, a Hutong tour (where we painted face masks in the Peking Opera style) and the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China! The toboggan ride down from the Great Wall was especially memorable! Be sure to include this exciting ride in your itinerary. We learned about the different dynasties, some of the Emperors who built or re-built the historic landmarks in Beijing and the fascinating Dragon Lady! We also saw a great Kung Fu show and, thanks to some last-minute arranging by Tom, we were also able to see an incredible acrobatics show after a delicious Peking Duck dinner. Tom even arranged for one of the locals at the Temple of Heaven to lead us through some TaiChi. This tour is worth every penny. I can't imagine trying to navigate your way around this huge city without a driver and tour guide. There is no way we could've seen even half of what we did in such a short amount of time. We didn't have to worry about driving, parking, buying tickets or standing in line. Tom and the driver took care of all of those time-consuming details for us. Tom taught us so much with his stories and commentary along the tour and he also went way above and beyond by recruiting the help of one of his friends to help us package up all our purchases and ensuring they would fit on the train and plane on our way home! If you are planning a visit to Beijing, make the most of your time and sign up for this tour. You will see more, learn more and have more fun! Be sure to ask for Tom.

ReginaPuebloWest

5.0

My daughter and I took a private tour with Top China Travel to Shanghai, Guilin, Chengdu, Xian and Beijing. I really enjoyed the private tour as opposed to a bus tour, because we were able to discuss some details with our tour guides and make slight changes to the itinerary. For example, we loved the Panda Reserve in Chengdu, so instead of leaving early to have lunch elsewhere, we were able to eat sandwiches there and spend more time with the pandas. Also, while visiting Tiananmen Square I commented to our guide that it would be interesting to go inside Chairman Mao's Mausoleum someday and see his preserved body. The guide noticed that the line wasn't long and asked if we'd like to go now. We said 'yes', and he took us in even though it wasn't on the itinerary. We had to pay a small fee to check our bags since no bags are allowed inside, but we loved our guide's flexibility. Bus tours aren't as flexible. Two of our favorite days were the Chengdu Panda Reserve and hiking the Wohushan Great Wall. I must mention that hiking the Wohushan Great Wall was very difficult and took every ounce of energy we had; it isn't for everyone. But if you are in good shape and love challenging hikes, you may really enjoy this hike. (Other visitors should visit another section of the Great Wall.) Another favorite day happened in Shanghai. It was a very personal day. My daughter was adopted from Shanghai, so we asked Janet at Top China Travel to help us visit her orphanage. They were able to arrange this visit. It meant a lot to us. The two places where I wish we had spent more time was in Guilin and the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. Guilin is a lovely town with five lakes that are connected and surrounded by a park that stretches across the small city. There is also a lovely shopping area in town. It would have been nice to have another two - four hours to simply walk and relax in Guilin. It can get hot there, so this extra time might not be fun if its mid-day during the summer months. The Temple of Heaven was nice, but what I really loved was the park surrounding it. The Chinese gather there to exercise, practice martial arts, sing, dance, play games and much, much more. I could have easily spent 2 hours simply relaxing in the park watching people. All of the hotels were nice and clean. All of the breakfast meals at the hotels were wonderful. All of our guides were eager to please, although we had trouble understanding a couple of them. There English was always good, but sometimes the pronunciation needed improvement. Our favorite guides were Cherry in Guilin and Jimmy in Beijing. We loved our tour agent, Janet. She was helpful from the beginning of the planning process all the way through the end of our trip. If I return to China, I will use Top China Travel again.

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